Each year’s entry class is limited to 48 students. We intentionally keep the entering class small as part of our unique offering of retaining a high faculty-to-student ratio and to make sure every student’s experience at Hitotsubashi ICS is equally engaging.

Eligibility | Requirements | Deadlines

Eligibility

The program welcomes both Japanese and non-Japanese applicants with a minimum of three years’ full-time work experience at the time of enrollment.

All applicants must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Those who have graduated from universities or colleges which are stipulated in Article 83 of the School Education Law of Japan.
• Those who have received a Bachelor’s degree under Article 104 of the School Education Law of Japan.
• Those who have completed at least 16 years of education with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Engineering degree from accredited universities or colleges in countries other than Japan.
• Those who are residing in Japan and those who have completed at least 16 years of education by taking courses offered by accredited universities or colleges outside of Japan through correspondence.
• Those who are specially designated by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Those who have completed at least 16 years of education at accredited foreign universities or colleges in Japan and recognized by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Those who have completed specialized courses after the date specified by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology at vocational colleges offering programs of four years or more and recognized by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
• Those who have been at universities or colleges for more than three years in Japan, or those who have completed 15 years of education with a B.A. or B.Sc. degree outside of Japan, and those whom the Admissions Committee of ICS has judged to have acquired an academic competence equivalent.
• Those whom the Admissions Committee of Hitotsubashi ICS has judged to have an academic competence equivalent by individual admissions screening, and those whose age is over 22 years old.
• Those whom the Admissions Committee of Hitotsubashi ICS has, pursuant to its rules and regulations, judged to have an academic competence equivalent.

Admissions Criteria

The selection process emphasizes each applicant’s demonstrated and potential abilities as a student, manager, and leader with an international mindset. These abilities are reviewed by the Admissions Committee in the context of the following:

• Prior academic record, including areas of strength and trends in scholastic performance.
• Command of English. If English is not your native language, or you have not graduated with a degree from an English speaking country, or worked for over three years in an English speaking country, you must demonstrate competence in English by scoring over 600 (for the computer-based test: 250; for the internet-based test: 100) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) [University Code No.: 8682]. We strongly recommend that you take the TOEFL at least one month before submitting your application. We will not accept unofficial scores, photocopies, faxed score reports, or scores that are more than two years old.
• General aptitude for business studies as measured on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) [University Code No.: F6R-Q5-29]. All applicants must take the GMAT. There are no exemptions regardless of experience or educational background. The GMAT is just one of several admissions criteria. Just as a high score does not guarantee admission, a below-average score does not eliminate a candidate. We strongly recommend that you take the GMAT at least one month before submitting your application. We will not accept unofficial scores, photocopies, faxed score reports, or scores that are more than five years old.
• Full-time work experience after college/university graduation.
• Background, maturity, interpersonal skills, leadership accomplishments, and potential, as indicated by employment history, essays, and references.
• An interview, either in person or by telephone, arranged through the Hitotsubashi ICS Administration Office.

Application Deadlines

There are three rounds of applications for the Entering Class of 2012. The Admissions Committee strongly encourages applicants to apply in the first round, as space in the class may be limited in the second and third round. In addition, applying in the first round will have an advantage with regard to scholarships, particularly for international students.

The respective application deadlines and the interview dates are:

• ROUND 1
  Application term: December 1, 2011 - January 16, 2012
  Interview date: February 3, 2012
  Admission decision date: February 23, 2012
• ROUND 2
  Application term: February 1, 2012 - March 16, 2012
  Interview date: April 6, 2012
  Admission decision date: April 19, 2012
• ROUND 3
  Application term: April 19, 2012 – May 7, 2012
  Interview date: May 18, 2012
  Admission decision date: May 24, 2012