ICT Global Program

What is the Advanced ICT Global Program?

• Starting from 1st year undergraduate, by taking general education courses and specialized courses all in English, students can graduate from the undergraduate school.
• This program pursues innovation and development in the field of ICT and features a wider range of computer science and engineering. In addition, subjects such as Japanese language courses and "culture and history of Aizu" are offered. The students will be able to understand regional identity through experiences in Japanese culture and then take an active part in the world based on the identity.
• This program adopts the international examinations, such as SAT and IELTS, which will bring convenience to foreign applicants. The same applies to Japanese nationalities and foreign residents in Japan.
• This program will offer short-term studying abroad and overseas internships as a regular course.

Purpose of This Program

• This is the first all-in-English academic program in Japan which features computer science and engineering professional education. It provides undergraduate students the opportunity to learn basic knowledge of computer science and engineering and practical skills in English.
• Under this program, international students and Japanese students will study and live together. This effort offers students multicultural and global experiences, aiming at their growth as global talents.

Importance of This Program

• By accepting the higher number of excellent students from all over the world, the environment for international education in our university will be improved.
• Japanese students will have wonderful influences from international students in similar ages with them. This environment allows students to feel overseas much closer to them. They are expected to be more active in attending globalization programs such as studying abroad and overseas internship.

Curriculum Features of This Program

• Our curriculum follows the worldwide standard for computer science: ACM/IEEE-CS Computer Science Curricula.
• We provide active learning in small groups, hands-on research, and workshops.
• We encourage international students to do an internship in Japanese companies or in a third-party country (i.e. a country neither Japan nor the homeland of the student).

Expected Outcomes

• The number of foreign students who study in the undergraduate school, the number of students who go to graduate school, and the number of excellent foreign talents who work for Japanese companies and local ventures will be increased.
• Establish international networks will be established among foreign and Japanese students who share the international awareness.
• A multicultural campus will be created and diversity communication will be promoted through student circles (club activities), where Japanese and foreign students enjoy activities together.
• Exchange with local regional community and internationalization of the local community will be promoted by an introduction of international culture.

Honors Program

Undergraduates at the ICT Program can also participate in the Honors Program starting from their second year if they meet the requirements. Students who join the two programs can take the courses of both programs, and obtain bachelor and master's degrees in five years at shortest.

Admission Policy

The University of Aizu is the first university in Japan solely dedicated to computer science and engineering. Computer science and engineering is a promising and cutting-edge discipline with wide applications, and is becoming a core for technology regarding knowledge production. With the founding principle, “Starting from Local Communities to the World” and “to Advance Knowledge for Humanity” (making breakthroughs that contribute to the peace and prosperity of mankind), the University of Aizu has conducted research and education in computer science and engineering to lead the world since the opening of the University, with a greater number of non-Japanese faculty members who have achieved outstanding research achievements than any other university in Japan.

The University of Aizu seeks individuals who will make constant efforts to realize the University’s goal, “to Advance Knowledge for Humanity” in the field of computer science and engineering with an international outlook from the standpoint of the Aizu area.

Goals of the University of Aizu are as follows.

1. Nurture internationally viable individuals as researchers, technical experts, leaders and entrepreneurs who will support technological innovations, rich in creativity and a high standard of ethics.
2. Promote research and development in computer science and engineering to lead the world and to contribute to society and academia.
3. Contribute to the advancement of Fukushima prefecture’s industry and culture by pursuing practicability and effectiveness in diversified areas related to education and research.

As knowledge and skills in computers will be acquired after admission, students should first have inquisitiveness, creativity and spirit to challenge unfamiliar subjects and the logic to pursue scientific issues. We give a hearty welcome to students who have aspirations for learning computer science and engineering, and choose the University of Aizu as their first choice.

Since advanced mathematics is required for research in computer science and engineering, the University has placed a strong emphasis on mathematics in its entrance examinations. Like it or not, the language presently used worldwide for communication involving computers is English. English proficiency in reading scientific papers and journals, and exchanging information is essential. For these reasons, the University of Aizu gives examinations in English and mathematics.

In this era, when the existence of computers is indispensable, skills and knowledge acquired by graduates from the University of Aizu have been highly evaluated.

The University of Aizu has high expectations that application for admission will be made by students who have high aspirations.

Admissions Capacity

A few individuals

Application Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible.

1. Individuals who have completed a 12-year school education curriculum outside of Japan or those expected to complete said curriculum by September 30, 2017.
2. Individuals who will be at least 18 years of age by September 30, 2017, and who have passed an examination in a country other than Japan which certifies that they have academic ability equivalent to a person who has completed a 12-year school education curriculum in the said country.
3. Individuals who will be at least 18 years of age and have completed a school curriculum in a country other than Japan corresponding to that of a Japanese senior high school (including those who have passed an examination in that country certifying academic ability equivalent or superior to a person who has completed such a curriculum), and who have completed the curriculum of a preparatory education for admission to Japanese universities designated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, or are expected to do so by September 30, 2017.
4. Individuals who have completed the curriculum of an overseas Japanese school recognized by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as equivalent to the curriculum of a Japanese senior high school, or those expected to complete said curriculum by September 30, 2017.
5. Individuals who will be at least 18 years of age by September 30, 2017, who have obtained the International Baccalaureate qualification awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a foundation incorporated in accordance with the Swiss Civil Code.

Application Requirements

The applicant must fulfill the following requirements.

1. The applicant must be able to submit proof of test results for one of the following English proficiency tests.
   
   
   • a) TOEFL (iBT), b) TOEIC, c) The EIKEN, d) IELTS
   • The scores must be from a test dated June 2015 or later, in principle.
   
   However, if you wish to submit a score for an English proficiency test other than those listed above, or for some reason you are unable to take one of the above, contact the UoA and submit the documents you are instructed to submit*¹.
   
   Further, if you have received at least three years of upper secondary education in English, you may submit a certificate to that effect received from the school's principal in lieu of proof of test results for the above English proficiency*²
   
   *¹*²In this event, on-site interviews or an oral exam in English via Skype, telephone, etc. may be conducted.

The applicant must have taken the HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) Category A held in Hong Kong and be able to submit test results for each of the designated subjects.

• Core Subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Liberal Studies
• Elective Subjects: One of the following subjects; Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science/ Combined Science

If the test results cannot be submitted by the deadline, you can substitute the HKDSE predicated score for the test results provided by your school.