Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)


Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

Tel :+81 977 78 1119

Website :www.apu.ac.jp/admissions

APU is one of Japan’s if not the world’s most international university with almost 50% of our students coming from outside Japan representing 96 different countries. APU uses a special bilingual education system that allows international students to join a Japanese university without any previous Japanese language experience. Almost all of the undergraduate courses are available in both Japanese and English while the graduate schools are conducted entirely in English.

High-level Japanese and/or English language abilities are acquired through day-to-day study, giving students the skills and confidence they need for further studies in graduate schools, participation in corporate internships, and other activities.

Since the first graduates left APU, there has been a strong employment record for international students with over 95% of students who used out career services receiving job offers after gradation for the past 4 years. Students can also receive assistance securing internships and participate in APU’s on campus recruitment system to which hundreds of Japanese companies come to meet and recruit APU students directly, making the process of job hunting that much easier.

APU strives to assist international studies realize their dream of studying abroad by offering merit based tuition reduction scholarships ranging from 30 to 100% with many other scholarships available after enrolment to help with living expenses.

While coming to APU is studying abroad in its own right, APU students are given multiple opportunities to go abroad again through APU’s ‘Active Learning’ programs consisting of foreign language immersion, field studies, international symposia, internships and volunteer work assignments held throughout the globe.

Extracurricular club activities are a very important part of APU’s students. Currently there are 165 clubs and societies at APU. Clubs range from sports, cultural, volunteer, arts and more. No matter what your interest or hobby, there is a club at APU for everyone to enjoy.

APU provides full support for incoming students from getting a Japanese visa, to airport pick, housing and orientation for their new lives in Japan. In AP House, APU’s on campus dormitory, Resident Assistances are available to help you with any problems you might have in your daily life or studies.

Facilities

As the APU campus was recently opened in April 2000, all facilities are state of the art.  Lecture rooms range from the small (30 people or less) to the large (300 people) all with projectors or flat screen televisions for multimedia presentations. Internet access is available to all students free of charge and most of the campus buildings offer wifi access.

All incoming international students are expected to live in APU’s on campus dormitory, AP House, located just a few minutes walk away from the class room buildings.  All AP House rooms are fully furnished with a bed, desk, chair, refrigerator and air conditioner, while single rooms also include a personal sink and toilet. 

The library consists of books and periodicals in both English and Japanese.  Students may access online databases along and also requesting books from other libraries in Japan giving them almost unlimited access to information around the clock. There are multiple computer labs located around campus for students to use for personal or research purposes.

APU also has an on campus gymnasium, weight room, tennis courts, outdoor track and sports grounds for student clubs and individuals to challenge themselves physically both outside the class room as well as in.

Fees

Admission fee

130,000 yen (58 USD)

Tuition fees
  • Bachelor Degree:    1,320,000 yen (approx. 13,200USD )
  • Graduate (GSA):    1,400,000 yen (approx. 14,000USD)
  • Graduate (MBA):    1,800,000 yen (approx. 18,000USD)
  • Graduate (IMAT):    1,600,000 yen (approx. 16,000USD)
  • All fees are estimated on a yearly basis

Living Expenses are approximated at 900,000 yen per year. (approx. 9,000USD)

Applications

Undergraduate

Applicants should send their application, all necessary documents and pay the application fee ($58 USD or 5000 YEN) by the deadline (October 31st 2009 for April 2010 enrollment and April 30th 2010 for September 2010 enrollment).

Other necessary documents include:

  1. Documents that prove the completion or scheduled completion of 12 years of education
  2. 3 most recent years of transcripts
  3. Application Essay
  4. Scholarship Essay
  5. Letter of Recommendation
  6. Passport copy
  7. 2 identical photographs
  8. Language Proficiency forms:

English based students should submit one of the following:

A. TOEFL iBT minimum 61 points or PBT minimum 500 points
B. IELTS minimum 5.5
C. APU’s English Proficiency Evaluation form

Japanese based students should submit one of the following:

A. JLPT Level 1 minimum 240 points or Level 2 minimum 280 points
B. EJU (Japanese) 220 points
C. APU’s Japanese Proficiency Evaluation form

Graduate

Applicants should send their application, all necessary documents and pay the application fee ($58 USD or 5000 YEN) by the deadline (October 31st 2009 for April 2010 enrollment and March 31st  2010 for September 2010 enrollment)

  1. Documents that prove the completion or scheduled completion of a bachelor degree
  2. Transcripts for all university studies to date
  3. Personal Statement / Research Proposal / Study Plan as required per course
  4. 2 Letters of Recommendation
  5. Passport copy
  6. 3 identical photographs
  7. Language Proficiency forms:

Non-native speakers should submit one of the following:

A. TOEFL iBT minimum 80 points or PBT minimum 550 points
B. IELTS minimum 6.5
C. TOEIC minimum 730 points

Undergraduate and Graduate

Applicants may also send their application form, essays, personal statements, research proposals etc. through our online application system and pay their application fee by credit card.  All other documents should be postmarked by the deadline.

The undergraduate application form and handbook can be downloaded here:
http://www.apu.ac.jp/admissions/modules/applyinfo/index.php?id=57&sel_lang=english

The graduate application form and handbook can be downloaded here:
http://www.apu.ac.jp/graduate/modules/admissions/index.php?id=31

Case Study

Name: Sayannyambuu Mandakh-Erdene

Age: 20

Country of origin: Mongolia

Programme: Asia Pacific Studies

Overview

I’m a 20 year-old from Mongolia and currently a 3rd year student of APS (Asia Pacific Studies) in APU. When I first came to Japan and APU, I was very nervous. Since I did not have the experience of studying in a foreign institution, I was not sure whether I could adapt well, but I still remember the day when I entered APU, everything felt so comfortable. The office staff welcomed us at the airport, and we were kindly guided by the resident assistants of the university dormitory. Until today, whenever we need any assistance, the office will always render their help to us. APU plays the role of a father who helps his children to stand on their own feet, by helping them in their initial stages and in later years gives them the freedom to choose their own paths, be it their career or daily personal lives.

In the beginning, international students are expected to stay at the university dormitory which is a one-stop multi-cultural place in the university. Here, we are able to experience different cultures in depth. During this phase, students do not just get to know each other, but also learn from each other’s daily lives. This growing stage gives us the opportunity to spread our wings to fly high in this globalizing world.

In the first year, we learnt and got acquainted with university and life in Japan. Gradually, as academic life is enriched with each passing year, the second and third year provides chances for us to enhance our skills. Initially, I was a part of the Tennis club, and now in my third year, I am the sub-leader of Salsa group. APU has a large variety of groups and clubs where students can participate. During these few years, we adapted and settled down in Japan, and I feel that this Japanese life inculcates a lot of discipline and etiquettes in us. I believe that this will prepare us for tough situations in our future.

Before the end of university, APU helps us in not just choosing our careers but also makes sure that we achieve our aims during our university life. Therefore, APU plays an important part in our lives in preparing us full-fledged to be stronger for our lives ahead.