Admissions

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Admissions Information

Important

Major Changes to 2026 Admissions for International Undergraduate Applicants to APU

Please check here for a summary of the major changes to APU's admissions requirements and procedures for 2026 enrollment. Before applying, be sure to check the "2026 Application Handbook" on the Downloads page.

Start of the Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS)
For Nationalities of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, China

From June 2025, those who are nationals of the Philippines, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, and China will be required to undergo the Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to enter Japan. (The start time of this requirement varies by nationality.) Please check here for more information.

Welcome to Ritsumeikan APU's admissions information page for international undergraduate applicants. The following information is for applying for 2026 enrollment.

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How to Apply
Application Eligibility
Application Schedule
Application Handbook

Application Categories

Answer a few questions to determine your application category.

Which program are you interested in?

Undergraduate Graduate

Do you currently possess Japanese nationality, including Japanese dual nationality, or will have by the time of your application?

Yes No

You are considered a Japanese/domestic applicant, regardless of your place of residence or standard language.

Contact the Office of Domestic Admissions ([email protected]) to find out how to apply or for further information. However, if you are in the process of renouncing your Japanese nationality, consult with the Office of Domestic Admissions before submitting your application. If one of your parents has Japanese nationality, there is a possibility that you also have Japanese nationality. Be sure to confirm this in advance.

Do you currently have permanent residency status in Japan, or will have by the time of your application?

Yes No

You are considered a Japanese/domestic applicant. You are eligible for the Domestic Student Entrance Examination regardless of your place of residence or standard language.

Contact the Office of Domestic Admissions ([email protected]) to find out how to apply or further information.

You are considered as an international applicant. Do you wish to enroll as a Japanese-basis or English-basis student?

English-basis Japanese-basis

日本語基準国際学生対象の学部（学士課程）のオンライン出願システムはこちら

Admission Policy

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) welcomes students who will uphold the university’s basic ideals of Freedom, Peace, and Humanity, International Mutual Understanding, and the Future Shape of the Asia Pacific Region. These students should also, while using both English and Japanese, be ready to acknowledge and understand differences in cultures and values, engage actively in an international campus community, and contribute to mutual learning.

New undergraduate students must possess the following attributes and abilities in order to engage in this kind of learning:

Knowledge and Skills
- Basic knowledge required for studying at university
- English or Japanese language proficiency required to pursue university-level studies
Reasoning, Judgment, and Expression
- Critical thinking, analytical ability, and creativity needed to identify problems and proactively work towards their resolution
- Ability to interpret information accurately, as well as express one’s own ideas clearly and logically using facts and data
Initiative and Capacity to Collaborate with Individuals from Diverse Backgrounds
- Ability to pursue goals and follow them through
- Readiness to engage with and support others on the basis of mutual understanding
- Desire to make full use of a multicultural learning environment and participate in multicultural collaborative learning
College of Asia Pacific Studies
- Interest in one of the fields of Culture, Society, and Media, International Relations, and Global Economy in global society with a focus on the Asia Pacific region
- Basic ability to study the field of social sciences with a focus on society, politics, and economics
- Ability to read and write basic texts that will lead to reading and writing specialized texts at the College of Asia Pacific Studies
- Ability to pursue one’s own interests and to express them clearly
- Ability to integrate large amounts of information and think from multiple angles when framing opinions
College of International Management
- Interest in global management and business fields including Strategic Management and Leadership, Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Entrepreneurship and Operations Management
- Ability and desire to develop creativity, leadership skills and problem-solving skills
- Desire to make positive change through business and take action toward inclusion and sustainability in the Asia Pacific region and the world
College of Sustainability and Tourism
- Interest in tourism and hospitality and sustainable society
- Interest in various regions both within Japan and abroad, as well as willingness to work toward solving problems for region sustainability
- Willingness to learn across disciplines in collaboration with various social actors on and off campus

In order to admit undergraduate students compatible with APU’s learning environment, applicants will be evaluated through a comprehensive assessment of the aforementioned knowledge, skills, reasoning, judgement, expression, initiative, and capacity to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds using a variety of methods.

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FAQ

How do I apply?

You can apply to APU online! Here's how:
STEP 1: Create an account within the APU Online Application System.
STEP 2: Enter your application information and upload your documents.^*
STEP 3: Pay your application fee and submit your online application.
STEP 4: Complete your recorded interview before the application deadline.
STEP 5: Receive your application results, APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship results^**, and AP House Global Community Scholarship results^**.

^*For specific application procedures, a checklist of required documents, and a list of acceptable exams, please refer to the How to Apply page.
^**If applicable.

Does the GED count as a recognized educational qualification for application eligibility?

Yes, it is recognized as one of the eligible educational qualifications for applying to APU.
^*Please refer to “Requirement 1: Educational Qualifications” on the Application Eligibility page for more details.
^**Additionally, you must also meet one of the language requirements found under “Requirement 2: Language Proficiency” on the Application Eligibility page. (Please check the list of valid language proficiency tests on the eligibility page.)

What are the minimum language requirements and scores for accepted tests?

The required scores differ depending on if you are applying as a first-year applicant or transfer applicant.
^*Please visit the Application Eligibility page under “Requirement 2: Language Proficiency” for details on accepted tests and minimum accepted scores for each language proficiency test.

What is the application deadline?

At APU we have rolling admissions, so you can apply for either April or September enrollment. The application deadlines are listed on the Application Schedule page.
^*Please note that the application deadline varies depending on the country/region of residence and the semester you are applying for. To ensure you know the correct deadline, be sure to check the application schedule that applies to you.
^**Additionally, by registering in our online application system, you will automatically be signed up to receive information about upcoming application deadlines, events, and webinars.

Can I apply to APU even if I have dual Japanese citizenship?

If at the time of application, you hold Japanese citizenship (including dual Japanese citizenship), you should apply with the Domestic Admissions Office regardless of your place of residence or language-basis that you will apply for.
^*If you have dual Japanese citizenship, please contact the Domestic Admissions Office for information about your application process and requirements.
^**However, if you are in the process of renouncing your Japanese citizenship, please consult with us before submitting your application.