Scholarships Before Enrollment

If you want to change the world,
APU wants to help.

At Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), over 90% of international students have received scholarships, including a tuition reduction of up to 100% and a waiver of the AP House rent. Through the support of these scholarships, more than 20,000 students from over 160 countries and regions have completed their studies at APU. You can apply for both scholarships during the online application process.

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APU Scholarships for International Undergraduate Students

Tuition Reduction Scholarship for International Students
AP House Global Community Scholarship

*Note that all fees listed on this page are subject to change.

Tuition Reduction Scholarship for International Students

APU Tuition Reduction Scholarships are offered in percentages of 30%, 50%, 65%, 80% and 100%, and cover the standard period of time until graduation. These scholarships are made available by the financial contributions of domestic and international companies and individuals, together with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), to support the ideals of APU, with the purpose of helping to reduce the financial burden for outstanding international students of lesser financial means.

Interview

JANTATUM SURATCHAI

Nationality: Thailand
College: College of Asia Pacific Studies

Recipient of 100% Tuition Reduction Scholarship

The APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship played a crucial role in helping me financially, making it possible for me to study at APU without worrying about tuition and living expenses. This has enabled me to focus more on my academic life. Additionally, the scholarship motivated me to study hard every day to be deserving of it from the moment I learned about it. It has also been one of the main factors that pushed me to pursue my dream of gaining new knowledge both academically and in life, along with seeking a unique experience and culture in the new country of Japan.

KAMPENI KHAMA ELSIE

Nationality: Malawi
College: College of International Management

Recipient of 100% Tuition Reduction Scholarship

As the global economy was and still is hard hit by COVID-19, among many other events, it was really daunting for me when it came to applying to universities, not fully knowing how my family would be able to afford the fees involved. Getting admitted to and receiving the tuition reduction scholarship at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was and remains a great blessing. Currently in my second year, I have had the opportunity to learn another language, experience not only Japanese culture but also many others, and learn from great professors while in such a unique and culturally diverse community. It is such a dream come true. I will forever be sincerely grateful for it.

WONG Ah Sui Akina

Nationality: Mauritius
College: College of International Management

Recipient of 100% Tuition Reduction Scholarship

I would like to thank Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University for awarding me the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship for the Fall 2020 cohort. I grew up in a household where neither my grandparents nor parents attended university. Nonetheless, it was assumed from the start that I would be the first in the family to pursue higher education, and moreover, overseas. Thus, this opportunity was all the more meaningful to them and me in fulfilling this expectation and desire. Through this scholarship, I was able to pursue my studies despite the challenges of the pandemic. I feel that with the scholarship, I am able to confidently explore the range of opportunities available at APU, from taking APS subjects that interest me, to joining the American Sign Language club, volunteering at an animal shelter, and taking part in the overseas student exchange program, a long-time dream.

How to get this scholarship

Eligibility

Hold a “Student” status of residence while studying at APU.
Apply for admission as an international applicant.

If you intend to hold a status of residence other than “Student” after entering APU, you cannot apply for this scholarship.
If you currently have a status of residence other than “Student” but wish to apply for this scholarship, you must submit the “Letter of Intent to Change to Student Residence Status”.
The scholarship will be revoked if you are not able to receive a “Student” status of residence by the time of enrollment to APU.
To qualify for a renewal of the scholarship, recipients must pass a review of their academic performance and earn the required number of credits each semester.
If the recipient is subject to disciplinary action or if inappropriate behavior is found, the scholarship may be revoked.

Application

You can apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship within the Online Application System. Enter the required information and submit the essay and letter of recommendation by the application deadline. You may have a greater chance of receiving the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship if you apply earlier.

Selection

Recipients will be selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of all submitted documents, the recorded interview, and information regarding their family financial situation. Results will be released together with the final application results.

Essay and Letter of Recommendation

Essay
Follow the instructions within the online application and complete the essays by yourself within the word limit (200 words each).

Letter of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation is required from an instructor from the educational institution you attended most recently. The recommender must have known you for at least half a year. If you are currently enrolled at an educational institution, ask an instructor from that institution. If you have already graduated, you may ask a language school instructor or a supervisor at a place of employment or internship (not including part-time jobs).

How to submit the Letter of Recommendation
Enter the information about your recommender in the online application. A Letter of Recommendation form will be automatically emailed to them, so make sure to confirm that they have received it. After completing the necessary information in English or Japanese and including a digital signature, your recommender can submit the form online directly to APU. While you cannot view the contents of the submitted form, you can check its submission status within the Online Application System.

Tips

We advise that you keep the mission of APU in mind. Our mission is to contribute to freedom, peace, humanity, international mutual understanding, and the future shape of the Asia Pacific region. With this as our base, we are working towards our 2030 vision to provide an education to those who want to change the world.

Tuition Reduction Scholarship for First Year Students

Tuition Reduction	Annual Scholarship Amount	Annual Tuition Borne by Student
30%	Annual Scholarship Amount:390,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:910,000 JPY
50%	Annual Scholarship Amount:650,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:650,000 JPY
65%	Annual Scholarship Amount:845,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:455,000 JPY
80%	Annual Scholarship Amount:1,040,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:260,000 JPY
100%	Annual Scholarship Amount:1,300,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:0 JPY

Tuition Reduction Scholarship for Transfer Students

Tuition Reduction	Annual Scholarship Amount	Annual Tuition Borne by Student
30%	Annual Scholarship Amount:450,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:1,050,000 JPY
50%	Annual Scholarship Amount:750,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:750,000 JPY
65%	Annual Scholarship Amount:975,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:525,000 JPY
80%	Annual Scholarship Amount:1,200,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:300,000 JPY
100%	Annual Scholarship Amount:1,500,000 JPY	Annual Tuition Borne by Student:0 JPY

^*Note that tuition amount may be subject to change. In addition, the tuition for the first year of study is different from the tuition for the second through fourth years of study.

AP House Global Community Scholarship

The AP House Global Community Scholarship exempts recipients from the full AP House Fees for a total of 11 months. APU would like to support applicants who have a strong will to enter APU, but face difficulties in pursuing their university education due to the economic impacts of COVID 19, by providing a temporary AP House Global Community Scholarship. One of the main points of consideration for the selection process is whether recipients will become exemplary house residents and take advantage of the multicultural environment at AP House.
APU will continue to support those students who understand and embody the APU 2030 Vision and Challenge Design well. You can check here for detailed information about our on-campus housing, AP House.

Interview

CUDJOE DEBORAH

Nationality: Ghana
College: College of International Management

As an international student studying in Japan, specifially in Beppu, living in AP House has been a great experience. I have been able to make new friends, and learn Japanese, applying them in conversations with my house mates. It’s an excellent socio-cultural environment where you will be able to interact and build long-term friendships. As a new student, living in AP House is super convenient and welcoming. You can go to the library at night to study and attend classes nearby during the day.
Living in AP House also helps you have a smooth transition when moving to downtown Beppu in your second year, as APU assists you with all the registration processes and documents you need for the move. Additionally, the basic language skills you will learn are incredibly useful for your daily life off campus. I have many great memories at AP House, but I would say I loved the House Events held on each floor the most. It was a great experience to meet all my floor members and eat with them. Our RAs also organized games where we could win gifts such as books, pens, bus tickets, and food, and take group pictures. Thanks to this house event, I now have a Japanese name: わたなべさん (Watanabe-san).

Rin Takamura

Nationality: Japan
College: College of Asia Pacific Studies

What I enjoy most about AP House is that you can experience the cultures of many different countries. In AP House, the kitchens, shower rooms, and washing machines are all shared. My favorite place is definitely the shared kitchens because there you get to cook and share your meals with both domestic and international students. I've been able to make many friends from all around the world there. I’ve had “real” Indian curry made by a friend from India, tomato pasta from Italy, chicken adobo (which is a comfort food of the Philippines), and Myanmar-style fried noodles. Cooking with international house-mates allows you to become friends while enjoying cuisines from all over the world! Food is definitely an important way to strengthen bonds with people regardless of their nationality. Be sure to enjoy cuisines from different countries when you join APU!

How to get this scholarship

Eligibility

Be an international applicant for first year enrollment.
Intend to reside in AP House for 11 months for April enrollment and 11.5 months for September enrollment.
Must act as model students during their time at AP House.

The scholarship will be terminated in cases of inappropriate behavior that is unbefitting of an exemplary student.

Application

Complete the relevant fields in the online application system and submit it by the designated deadlines for the enrollment period you are applying for. Be sure to confirm the deadlines on the Application Schedule pages. You must answer all questions regarding your family’s household income and expenditures.

Deadline

April 2026 Enrollment: August 27, 2025 (Wed)
September 2026 Enrollment: December 17, 2025 (Wed)
Note: If you reside in Japan, China, Indonesia, India, Korea, Thailand, or Viet Nam, or if you wish to apply as a third year transfer applicant, you will follow a separate application period. See the Application Schedule page.

Selection

Recipients will be selected based on a comprehensive evaluation of their family financial situation, submitted documents, and recorded interview. Results will be released together with the application results.

AP House Entrance Fee (Expenses Other than AP House Rent)

	Regular Fees (Both April and September Enrollment)	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients
Moving-in Fee	Regular Fees (Both April and September Enrollment):32,000 JPY	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:32,000 JPY
Security Deposit	Regular Fees (Both April and September Enrollment):98,000 JPY	AAmount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:98,000 JPY
*Rent^(2 months)**	Regular Fees (Both April and September Enrollment):104,000 JPY	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:0 JPY
Total	Regular Fees (Both April and September Enrollment):234,000 JPY	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:130,000 JPY

AP House Fees After Enrollment (April Enrollment)

	Regular Fees (April Enrollment)	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients
Rent^*	Regular Fees (April Enrollment):AP House 5: 52,000 JPY x 9 months AP House 1 & 2: 50,000 JPY x 9 months	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:0 JPY
Total (for 9 months)^**	Regular Fees (April Enrollment):AP House 5: 468,000 JPY AP House 1 & 2: 450,000 JPY	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:0 JPY

^*Rent includes common service fees, utilities, internet connection, bedding rental, etc.

^**The payment will be for 9 months as the rent for 2 months would have been already paid previously.

AP House Fees After Enrollment (September Enrollment)

	Regular Fees (September Enrollment)	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients
Rent^*	Regular Fees (September Enrollment):AP House 5: 52,000 JPY x 9.5 months AP House 1 & 2: 50,000 JPY x 9.5 months	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:0 JPY
Total (for 9.5 months)^**	Regular Fees (September Enrollment):AP House 5: 494,000 JPY AP House 1 & 2: 475,000 JPY	Amount to be Paid by AP House Global Community Scholarship Recipients:0 JPY

^*Rent includes common service fees, utilities, internet connection, bedding rental, etc.

^**The payment will be for 9.5 months as the rent for 2 months would have been already paid previously.

FAQ

How can I receive the Tuition Reduction Scholarship?

All international students are eligible to apply for the Tuition Reduction Scholarship. This scholarship is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, economic factors, application documents, and recorded interview. A review of academic performance and other criteria will be conducted each semester to determine whether or not recipients qualify for the renewal of the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship.

Does APU offer any scholarships to cover living expenses?

To cover on-campus housing costs, applicants may apply for the AP House Global Community Scholarship by submitting their application by the deadline listed in the application handbook for their country or region.

Does APU provide any loans or grants?

APU does not have a loan or grant program, but you may apply for a number of different scholarships after enrollment. You are also encouraged to apply for private scholarships in your home country or region.