Part of our guide to international schools in Tokyo. Last verified: November 2026.
What qualifications do Tokyo international high schools offer? Most offer either the IB Diploma (Tokyo International School, Aoba-Japan, Seisen, St. Mary’s, The British School in Tokyo, Shinagawa International School, K. International School) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses within an American-style diploma (American School in Japan, Sacred Heart, Christian Academy in Japan, Tokyo YMCA International School, Canadian International School). A few offer IGCSEs at 16. No well-known Tokyo international school currently offers A Levels: The British School in Tokyo replaced them with the IB Diploma from August 2025. Graduates can apply to Japanese universities if they hold the IB Diploma or finish a 12-year programme at a school accredited by a recognised body such as WASC or CIS.
High school qualifications by school
| School | Main high school qualification | Also offers |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo International School | IB Diploma (first Grade 12 class in 2026–27) | Full IB continuum |
| Aoba-Japan International School | IB Diploma (Bunkyo campus) | Online IB Diploma |
| Seisen International School (girls) | IB Diploma | Full IB continuum |
| St. Mary’s International School (boys) | IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 | — |
| The British School in Tokyo | IB Diploma in Years 12–13 (since August 2025) | (I)GCSEs, BTEC |
| K. International School Tokyo | IB Diploma | IGCSE |
| Shinagawa International School | IB Diploma | Full IB continuum |
| American School in Japan | US-style diploma with 22+ AP courses | Global Online Academy; Syracuse University college courses |
| International School of the Sacred Heart (girls) | AP | — |
| Christian Academy in Japan | AP | — |
| Tokyo YMCA International School | AP, US Common Core | — |
| Canadian International School Tokyo | AP in upper grades | IB PYP in primary |
| Laurus International School of Science | IGCSE (Cambridge) | STEM and entrepreneurship programme |
| India International School in Japan | CBSE (Indian) | — |
| Lycée français international de Tokyo | French Baccalauréat | OIB option |
How the main qualifications compare
- IB Diploma: a two-year programme of six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS. Widely recognised by universities worldwide, and listed by Japan’s education ministry (MEXT) as a university entrance qualification. See our IB schools comparison.
- AP: college-level courses with College Board exams, taken within a high school diploma. Students choose how many AP courses to take. Strongest fit for North American universities, and used by universities elsewhere too.
- IGCSE: subject exams usually taken at about 16, before a two-year pre-university programme. Common at British and Cambridge-curriculum schools.
- A Levels: listed by MEXT as a university entrance qualification, but not currently the main track at Tokyo’s best-known international schools.
Can international school graduates go to university in Japan?
Yes. Japan’s education ministry recognises several routes to university entrance eligibility, including:
- Holding a foreign university entrance qualification: the IB Diploma, Abitur, French Baccalauréat, GCE A Levels, International A Levels or the European Baccalaureate.
- Completing a 12-year programme at an accredited school: a school accredited by WASC, CIS, ACSI, NEASC, Cognia or COBIS.
Requirements and accepted accreditations can differ between universities, so check each university’s application guidelines. Many Japanese universities also run English-taught degree programmes and special admissions for international-school and IB applicants.
Accreditation varies by school; for example, the Tokyo government’s portal lists WASC for ASIJ and CAJ, WASC and CIS for St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart, and CIS and NEASC for Seisen and Aoba-Japan. Ask the school about its current accreditation before relying on this route.
Joining an international school for high school
- The best entry points are usually the start of Grade 9, or the start of the Diploma (Grade 11 or Year 12). Joining mid-Diploma is difficult because subjects run over two years.
- Language: most schools expect strong academic English for high school entry. Tokyo YMCA International School, for example, doesn’t accept students without English into Grades 6–9.
- Subject choice: Diploma and AP subject lists vary a lot between schools; compare them if your child has particular university plans.
- Small high schools: some schools have very small high school sections, which can limit subject choice. Ask about class sizes and which courses actually run.
- Cost: high school tuition is usually the highest in each school’s fee schedule. See our fees comparison.
FAQ
Can my child take A Levels in Tokyo?
Not at the main British school, which now offers the IB Diploma. Ask individual schools about A Level options, or consider online and private-candidate routes.
Is AP or the IB better for US universities?
Both are well known to US admissions offices. The IB Diploma is a complete programme; AP lets students take a chosen number of college-level courses.
Do Japanese universities accept the IB Diploma?
Yes. MEXT lists the IB Diploma as a university entrance qualification, and many universities have IB admissions routes.
Sources and official information
- Ministry of Education (MEXT) — University entrance eligibility (Japanese)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government — International Schools Portal (curriculum and accreditation for each school)
- The British School in Tokyo — IB Diploma from August 2025
- Tokyo International School — IB Diploma Programme
Programmes and accreditation change. Always confirm with the school and the universities your child is considering. TokyoParents has no commercial relationship with any school listed. See our editorial policy.
Featured image: Seisen International School by Abasaa, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
