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Uni facts

Kofu, Japan

Type

Private
International students

2797
Nationalities

50
Total programs

6

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Study abroad at the International College of Liberal Arts

The International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) is part of Yamanashi Gakuin University, located in Kōfu, Japan. It’s a 4-year, residential, American-style liberal arts college, and all programs are offered in English.

Studies at iCLA lead to a bachelor’s degree in International Liberal Arts. Students can choose from a wide variety of programs in various disciplines. After a foundation year, students can choose from four majors that iCLA currently offers: Global Business and Economics, Political Science, Interdisciplinary Arts and Japan Studies.

iCLA is located in the YGU Sakaori campus, which sits at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The College is only 90 minutes west of Tokyo, which gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

On-campus student accommodation is available to all students, and as both international students and Japanese students reside together, there are plenty of opportunities for building friendships.

Why study at iCLA?

Student staff ratio
the student-faculty ratio at the International College of Liberal Arts is 7:1
Great location
iCLA is just 90 minutes from Tokyo, one of the world’s best student cities
International environment
Over half of students and 65% of faculty members are from overseas

Life as an international student

The International College of Liberal Arts has a strong international student population representing 85% of the student body, and 55 different nationalities.

All students, whether from Japan or another country, take residence in the student dormitories. These help to create a global environment that promotes international exchange, and provides plenty of opportunities to practice foreign language skills, whether Japanese or English.

The iCLA Admin Office is available to support you during your time at the College. The office has bilingual and multilingual staff to help with any inquiry you have, whether it be about course registration, fee payments, visa-related matters, or other administrative procedures. They also organize orientations and events to help you familiarize yourself with the student community.

There are many student clubs at iCLA, both sports and arts-related. Joining a club is a great opportunity for domestic students and international students to get to know one another.

What International College of Liberal Arts says

Daniel Guise
International College of Liberals Arts at Yamanashi Gakuin University International Marketing Officer

Daniel Guise says

iCLA's student body comprises 60% international students coming from over 40 different countries. As living in our on-site dorm is actually mandatory for all first-year students, including those from Japan, our students can make friends from all over the world from day 1 of their university life.

This highly diverse and supportive environment is a great place to not just learn about Japanese culture but develop yourself as a truly cross-cultural, globally-minded individual.

While more Japanese universities are offering degrees taught in English, and many offer Japanese language instruction as part of the degree, iCLA remains unique in offering our students hands-on instruction in Japanese culture and artforms through our series of experiential workshops.

Among the huge variety of workshops offered at iCLA students can experience traditional Japanese music, arts, and culture such as Noh Theatre, Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and Koto (Japanese harp), Shodo (calligraphy), Sado (tea ceremony), Kado (flower arranging), and various Japanese martial arts to name but a few.

As students of Yamanashi Gakuin University, iCLA students also have full access to YGU's libraries, gym, sporting facilities, and cafes. In addition, iCLA offers a full range of English language student support and counseling services to its students.

iCLA's students have found success in a variety of careers both here in Japan and abroad. With Japan's population aging and shrinking, there is increasing competition amongst companies for bi-lingual staff.

Japanese companies continue to internationalize and are increasingly open to hiring foreign graduates of Japanese universities. In addition to this, Japan is very welcoming of skilled migrants, and so upon finding a job students can easily transition to a working visa which they can renew indefinitely.

Further, Japan has instituted a points-based path to permanent residency which now only requires 5 years of working history to apply.

Student life & facilities

Group of students planning a presentation in a living room

No. of All Weather Sports Pitches
- No. of Basketball Courts
- No. of Diving Pools
- No. of Swimming pools
- No. of Tennis Courts
- No. of Badminton Courts
- No. of Baseball Pitches
- No. of volleyball courts
Sports Facilities
- Sport facilities
- No. of Natural Turf Soccer Pitches
Praying Rooms
- Language Center
Food & Restaurants
- Restaurants
- Cafe’s
IT Support
- Campus Wireless Connectivity
Library
- Individual Study Rooms
- Computer labs
- Quiet Areas
- Group Study Rooms
Tutoring Support
- Peer & Buddy Program
- Student Tutoring & Support
- Academic Tutoring & Support
Clubs & Organisations
- No. of Clubs & Organizations 90
Transport
- Car Rental
- Campus parking
Fitness Centre
- Fitness Center Physiotherapist
- Dance Studio
- Machines
- Treatment Rooms
- Free Weights
Healthcare & Medical
- Physiotherapy

Fees and funding

The International College of Liberal Arts (iCLA) offers merit-based full and partial tuition-waiver scholarships to a select number of students each year. Yamanashi Gakuin University financial aid may be combined with outside funding sources.

Funding

Performance-Based Scholarships iCLA Academic Scholarships are awarded to students who are accepted to the International College of Liberal Arts (Bachelor’s program). Applicants are required to be strongly committed to study at iCLA as full-time, degreeseeking students.

Amount: Covering from 25% to 100% of tuition and fees
Requirements: Based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities achievement and/or financial need. Renewable every year based on overall performance. Maximum of 4 years Scholarship recipients are chosen based on the quality of their application materials and interview results
Performance Based Full Scholarship: 100% tuition, facility and equipment fees
Performance Based 3/4 Scholarship: 75% tuition, facility and equipment fees
Performance Based Half Scholarship: 50% tuition, facility and equipment fees
Performance Based 1/4 Scholarship: 25% tuition, facility and equipment fees

JASSO Scholarship Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students is awarded to privately-financed international students with excellent academic and character records who have received pre-arrival admission in a graduate school, undergraduate school, junior college, college of technology (3rd grade or upper) or specialized course in a specialized training college in Japan and are facing financial difficulties. The objectives of the reservation program are to contribute to ease their financial concerns about arrival and studies in Japan, promote pre-arrival admission and improve the level of learning.

Amount: The monthly stipend specified for the academic year for which the candidate is to receive the scholarship.
Requirements: Students with excellent academic and character records , who have received pre-arrival admission to a university in Japan and are facing financial difficulties

Fee information

Undergraduate tuition: ¥1,796,000 per year

Location

International College of Liberal Arts

Sakaori 2-4-5, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8575

Yamanashi has plenty of things to eat, see, and do. The plentiful nature and long hours of sun in Yamanashi are ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or running.

Visa requirements for International College of Liberal Arts

Many international students will require a visa to study in Japan, and this is a vital step of your study abroad journey. Make sure you understand the requirements you may need to meet before applying.