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Meta description: Ritsumeikan APU in Beppu: English-taught degrees, 30–100% tuition reductions, 2027 rounds, IELTS 6.0, JPY 1,455,000 first-year tuition, AP House.
Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is a private university in Beppu on the island of Kyushu, opened in April 2000. About half of its students are international, from 119 countries and regions, and QS ranks APU first among Japanese universities on that measure. You can take a bachelor's degree entirely in English from day one while learning Japanese alongside it. First-year tuition is JPY 1,455,000 (about $9,210), and together with your application you can apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship, which cuts tuition by 30% to 100% for the whole standard study period. For applicants living outside Japan and outside six countries with their own schedule, the next round for September 2027 closes on 28 October 2026.

The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) campus on the hills above Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Japan. Photo: JKT-c / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ritsumeikan_Asia_Pacific_University_-_02.jpg), [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0).

Do not confuse Ritsumeikan APU with [Asia Pacific University (APU) in Kuala Lumpur](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-apu): they are separate universities in different countries.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu |
| Type | Private university in the Ritsumeikan group, opened in 2000 |
| Structure | 3 undergraduate colleges (APS, APM, ST) and 2 graduate schools (GSAPS, MBA) |
| Students | 6,500+, about 50% international, from 119 countries and regions |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 1001–1200 |
| Language of instruction | English or Japanese, your choice; 98% of classes are offered in both |
| Undergraduate tuition | JPY 1,455,000 in year one (about $9,210); JPY 1,655,000 in later years (about $10,480) |
| Tuition reductions | APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship: 30, 50, 65, 80 or 100% |
| Intakes | April and September |
| Housing | AP House room offered in year one: JPY 54,800–56,800 a month including utilities |

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 23 September 2026 (USD 1 ≈ JPY 157.9), rounded to the nearest $10.

## Who APU suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

| Strengths | Limitations and risks |
| --- | --- |
| One of Japan's most international campuses: half the students and 46% of faculty are international | Beppu is a small hot-spring city on Kyushu, far from Tokyo and Osaka, so internships at large companies usually mean travel |
| No SAT or EJU required: a school record, an English score (IELTS 6.0+) and a recorded online interview are enough | Without a reduction, tuition is higher than at national universities: JPY 1.46–1.66 million a year |
| Tuition reductions of up to 100% for the standard study period, assessed with your application | Reductions are reviewed each semester against grades and credits and can be lost |
| AACSB and AMBA accreditation for management programmes; UN Tourism TedQual for tourism | A narrow range of fields: social sciences, business, and sustainability and tourism – no engineering or medicine |
| APU offers housing to every first-year student, and rent in Beppu is, by APU's estimate, almost half that of Tokyo or Osaka | All international students move off campus from year two |

APU is a strong fit if you want an English-taught degree in international relations, economics, management, marketing, finance or tourism, want to study with students from around the world and are comfortable in a small city. If you are aiming for engineering, the sciences or the Tokyo job market, look at the [Institute of Science Tokyo](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-institute-of-science-tokyo), [Tohoku](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku), [Sophia University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sophia) or [iCLA](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-icla), which also offers an English-taught campus experience outside a megacity. For the national overview, see [studying in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan).

## Colleges and programmes {#section-2}

APU is organised into colleges rather than faculties. Bachelor's programmes last four years; each student chooses English-basis or Japanese-basis study and learns the other language alongside.

- College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) – political science, sociology and economics of the Asia Pacific. Study areas: Culture, Society and Media; Global Economy; International Relations, including conflict resolution and peace-building. International intake for 2027: 90 places in April, 135 in September.
- College of International Management (APM) – AACSB-accredited since 2016 (reaccredited 2022). Study areas include Strategic Management and Leadership, Marketing, and Accounting and Finance. Intake: 130 in April, 240 in September.
- College of Sustainability and Tourism (ST) – opened in April 2023. Nine concentrations span environmental studies and resource management through regional development and tourism; its tourism education holds UN Tourism TedQual certification until February 2030. Intake: 50 in April, 90 in September.

Graduate study runs through the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (master's and doctoral) and the Graduate School of Management, whose MBA has held AMBA accreditation since 2020. Graduate classes are in English, and no Japanese is required.

## How to apply {#section-3}

### Bachelor's: two requirements

You must meet both the educational and the language requirement.

Education. A 12-year school curriculum qualifies, as do several alternatives: the IB, Abitur, A-levels, the GED at 18+, a MEXT-designated preparatory course, or individual screening by APU at 18+. A separate clause covers 11-year curricula in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and several other countries: graduates may apply, but APU asks them to contact it through the inquiry form before applying so that individual conditions can be confirmed.

Language. For English-basis study:

- IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each section (IELTS Online accepted);
- TOEFL iBT 75 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 on the new scale; Home Edition not accepted;
- Duolingo 110, Cambridge English and Linguaskill 169, PTE Academic 60, TOEIC L&R + S&W 1540, EIKEN 2304.

For Japanese-basis study: JLPT N1 with 100+ points, N2 with 120+, or EJU Japanese 250+ plus 30 in writing. For April 2027, tests taken from 1 June 2024 count; for September 2027, from 1 September 2024. Some applicants, for example those educated in English, may be exempt from submitting a test; the handbook sets out the conditions.

Selection. An online application, documents and a recorded video interview of about 30 minutes, with questions shown on screen and a time limit for each answer. You record it on a computer with a camera and microphone; having anyone else present or using aids counts as misconduct. Applications without the interview are not processed. The fee for applicants living outside Japan is JPY 5,500 (about $30), by card.

The Tuition Reduction Scholarship application goes in with your admission application: two short essays (200 words each) and a recommendation from a teacher who has known you for at least six months. You cannot apply to two colleges, or to both English-basis and Japanese-basis study, in the same round.

### Master's and MBA

Graduate applications are online on a separate schedule. You need a bachelor's degree, a research plan or essays, recommendations and an English score; Japanese is not required. Tuition reductions are also available for graduate students.

### Step-by-step plan for September 2027

1. September–October 2026. Take IELTS or TOEFL. If you have an 11-year school certificate, send your question via APU's inquiry form before applying.
2. By 28 October 2026. Round GFA2 for applicants living in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries outside the six with their own schedules (China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam). APU says earlier applicants have a better chance of a tuition reduction.
3. November 2026–March 2027. Later rounds: GFA3 (to 9 December 2026), GFA4 (to 20 January 2027) and GFA5 (to 3 March 2027).
4. About 7–8 weeks after the round closes. Admission and tuition-reduction decisions arrive together.
5. After admission. Pay the admission fee, first-semester tuition and AP House fee by your round's deadlines, then receive your Certificate of Eligibility and apply for the visa.
6. September 2027. Move into AP House; classes start on 21 September.

## Application timeline for 2027 {#section-4}

For applicants living in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries without a dedicated schedule:

| Round | Application window | Results | Start |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GSP4 | 17 Sep–14 Oct 2026 | 1 Dec 2026 | April 2027 |
| GFA2 | 3 Sep–28 Oct 2026 | 15 Dec 2026 | September 2027 |
| GFA3 | 29 Oct–9 Dec 2026 | 2 Feb 2027 | September 2027 |
| GFA4 | 10 Dec 2026–20 Jan 2027 | 9 Mar 2027 | September 2027 |
| GFA5 | 21 Jan–3 Mar 2027 | 20 Apr 2027 | September 2027 |

Rounds GSP1–GSP3 for April 2027 have closed. Applicants living in Japan follow a separate schedule. Deadlines are 23:59 Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).

## Tuition and fees {#section-5}

APU tuition is fixed by year: first-year students take fewer credits and pay less.

| Item | Amount | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Application fee | JPY 5,500 (about $30) | applicants living outside Japan |
| Admission fee | JPY 200,000 (about $1,270) | once, non-refundable |
| Tuition, year 1 | JPY 1,455,000 (about $9,210) | before reductions |
| Tuition, years 2–4 | JPY 1,655,000 (about $10,480) a year | before reductions |
| AP House entrance fee | JPY 243,600 (about $1,540) | JPY 32,000 moving-in fee, JPY 98,000 deposit, two months' rent |
| AP House rent | JPY 54,800 (shared) or JPY 56,800 (single) a month | utilities included |
| Student insurance | JPY 12,740 for year one | compulsory even outside AP House |

What you pay in first-year tuition after a reduction:

| Reduction | Annual reduction | Student pays in year one |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0% | – | JPY 1,455,000 (about $9,210) |
| 30% | JPY 436,500 | JPY 1,018,500 (about $6,450) |
| 50% | JPY 727,500 | JPY 727,500 (about $4,610) |
| 65% | JPY 945,750 | JPY 509,250 (about $3,220) |
| 80% | JPY 1,164,000 | JPY 291,000 (about $1,840) |
| 100% | JPY 1,455,000 | 0 |

Everyone pays the AP House fee, admission fee and insurance regardless of the reduction. For comparison, the national-university benchmark is JPY 535,800 a year, and [Tohoku](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku) charges international undergraduates JPY 900,000 from 2027.

APU estimates first-year living costs at about JPY 83,000 (about $530) a month, covering the dorm with utilities and internet, food, transport and shopping. Treat it as the university's benchmark; your own spending will vary.

Graduate tuition is charged for the whole programme: JPY 3,110,000 (about $19,690) for the GSAPS master's, JPY 4,200,000 (about $26,600) for the MBA and JPY 4,765,000 for the doctorate, plus a JPY 200,000 admission fee. Reductions apply here too.

## Scholarships {#section-6}

- APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship – 30, 50, 65, 80 or 100% off tuition for the standard study period (up to eight semesters), funded by Japanese and international companies, individuals and MEXT. Decisions draw on your documents, the recorded interview and family financial information, and arrive with your admission result. To keep it you must pass a semester academic review and earn the required credits, and you must hold "Student" residence status.
- Scholarships after enrolment – university and private foundation awards, plus the JASSO Honors Scholarship for privately financed international students (JPY 48,000 a month).
- MEXT Scholarship – via the Japanese embassy; see our [MEXT scholarship guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mext-scholarship).

Reduction and scholarship decisions are made by APU, foundations, MEXT or JASSO, not by StudyU.

## Housing: AP House and flats in Beppu {#section-7}

APU offers every first-year international student a place in AP House next to campus, so that you can learn how daily life and rules work in Japan. International students in shared rooms are paired with a Japanese-basis roommate, with a lockable sliding door dividing the room. Second- to fourth-year Resident Assistants help new residents settle in. Facilities include laundries, showers, Japanese-style baths, computer and study rooms and a convenience store.

From year two, students move into Beppu. APU reports that a one-bedroom flat costs JPY 30,000–50,000 (about $190–320) a month and a two- or three-bedroom flat for sharing JPY 40,000–80,000. Flats are usually unfurnished, so budget for furniture and appliances. Creotech, a company funded by the Ritsumeikan Trust, offers housing advice on campus. See our guide to [student housing in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-japan).

## Visa and part-time work {#section-8}

Once you pay and submit your documents, APU applies for your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE), which you use to obtain a student visa at a Japanese consulate; the consulate decides. Student-status holders can work up to 28 hours a week after obtaining immigration permission. Do not build your budget around part-time work: permission and job hunting take time. See our guides to the [Japanese student visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-japan) and [working while studying](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-japan).

## Pros and cons for applicants from Russia and the CIS {#section-9}

What helps:

- APU names the 11-year curricula of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Ukraine in its eligibility rules; you only need to confirm details via the inquiry form.
- No SAT, ACT or EJU, and selection is entirely online.
- Many rounds make it possible to apply almost year-round, and reductions of up to 100% make APU affordable even without a government scholarship.

What makes it harder:

- You learn the size of your reduction only with the admission decision, and APU itself says chances are lower in later rounds.
- Even with a 100% reduction, you still pay the JPY 200,000 admission fee, JPY 243,600 for AP House, insurance and flights.
- Check early which legal channels you can use to pay in yen: the first payment falls due roughly 2.5–3.5 weeks after results (for GFA2, by 8 January 2027).

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Applying in the last round. APU says reduction chances are better in earlier rounds.
- Submitting TOEFL Home Edition or IELTS General Training. Neither is accepted.
- Applying to two colleges at once. Only one college and one language basis per round.
- Skipping the video interview. Applications without it are not reviewed.
- Treating the reduction as permanent. It is reviewed every semester against grades and credits.
- Not budgeting for the year-two move. Deposits, furniture and appliances for a flat in Beppu are extra costs.

## Campus and city {#section-11}

APU's campus is in Beppu, a hot-spring city in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu. Teaching buildings and AP House dormitories sit side by side; in 2023 the Green Commons academic building and AP House 5 opened. From year two students live in town and commute, so factor travel time into your choice of flat.

## Rankings {#section-12}

| Ranking | Position |
| --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 1001–1200 |
| Share of international students and faculty (QS 2026, per APU) | 1st among Japanese universities |

For APU, international accreditations matter more than rankings: AACSB for management, AMBA for the MBA and UN Tourism TedQual for sustainability and tourism.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Can I apply to APU with 11 years of schooling?

Yes. APU specifically mentions the 11-year curricula of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Contact the university through its inquiry form before applying to confirm your conditions.

### How much does APU cost?

JPY 1,455,000 (about $9,210) for year one and JPY 1,655,000 (about $10,480) for each later year, plus a JPY 200,000 admission fee. With a 50% reduction, first-year tuition is JPY 727,500 (about $4,610).

### How do I get a tuition reduction?

Select it in your online application, write two 200-word essays and ask a teacher to submit a recommendation. The decision comes with your admission result, and early rounds give better chances.

### Do I need Japanese to study at APU?

No. English-basis students need no Japanese at entry: they start with intensive beginner courses and can take subjects in Japanese as their level rises, since almost all APU courses are offered in both languages.

### Do I need the SAT or EJU?

No. APU assesses school records, a language score, essays and the video interview.

### Where do APU students live?

In year one, in AP House next to campus, which offers a room to every international student. From year two, students rent flats in Beppu.

### Is this the same APU as the one in Kuala Lumpur?

No. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is in Beppu, Japan, and belongs to the Ritsumeikan education group. Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation is a separate private university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with [its own StudyU page](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-apu). Requirements, fees and deadlines differ.

### Does StudyU help with applications to APU?

Under a service agreement, we help choose the college and round, check requirements, work on essays, prepare you for the video interview, and support the application and visa stages. Admission and reduction decisions are made by APU, and visa decisions by the Japanese consulate.

## Sources {#section-14}

- [APU Admissions: Application Eligibility](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/admissions/application_eligibility/)
- [APU 2027 Undergraduate Handbook (PDF)](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/resource/ln/64fc2fcc7f68f38b171b43ef011facef91512453/ApplicationHandbook_UG_ENG_27_5_revised_linked.pdf)
- [APU Admissions: Tuition & Fees](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/costs_scholarships/tuition_fees/)
- [APU Admissions: Scholarships Before Enrollment](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/costs_scholarships/before_enrollment/)
- [APU Admissions: Housing](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/student_life/housing/)
- [APU Graduate School: Tuition and Fees](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/graduate/cost/enrollment_fee/)
- [College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS)](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/course/aps/)
- [College of International Management (APM)](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/course/apm/)
- [College of Sustainability and Tourism (ST)](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/course/st/)
- [APU Undergraduate Prospectus 2027 (PDF)](https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/resource/ln/2fc3edd805dd2ff3ec265b9468e93cf4756691a3/prospectus_UG_27_3.pdf)
- [APU History](https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/about/content8/)
- [APU: International Accreditations](https://en.apu.ac.jp/home/about/content253/)
- [MEXT: foreign upper-secondary programmes recognised for university entry](https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/shikaku/1380756.htm)
- [Immigration Services Agency: permission for activities outside residence status](https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/nyuukokukanri07_00045.html)
- [QS World University Rankings: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University](https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/ritsumeikan-asia-pacific-university)
- [ECB reference rates, 23 September 2026](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml)

To compare APU with other English-taught options, see our overview of [English-taught degrees in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-japan) and [studying in Japan](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan). If you want to know which APU round and college suit you best, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Tech)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-institute-of-science-tokyo)
- [Tohoku University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tohoku)
- [Sophia University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sophia)
- [MEXT Scholarship: Categories, Eligibility and the 2027–2028 Timeline](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-mext-scholarship)
- [Studying in Japan for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-japan)
- [Asia Pacific University (APU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-apu)

Updated: September 2026