How to Apply | APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
How to Apply
General Process from Application to Results
The following information is for applying for 2025 enrollment. Additionally, the following is the general application process. Note that this process might be different for each applicant. It takes approximately three and a half months from the time you start your application to the time you receive your results.
STEP 01
Create an account through the APU Online Application System.
STEP 02
Enter your application information and upload your documents. For more information, view the Application Handbook from our Downloads page.
STEP 03
Pay your application fee and submit your online application.
STEP 04
Complete your video-recorded interview and online assessment to finalize your application.
STEP 05
Receive your application results, APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship results*, and AP House Global Community Scholarship results*.
*If applicable.
Note
There are additional enrollment procedures that need to be completed if you are admitted. For more details on the enrollment process, including your student visa application, view here.
Online Application Checklist
- A digital copy of all required application documents should be submitted through the online application.
- There is no need to print out the documents submitted online and send them to APU at the time of application. All documents submitted online will be treated as an authentic copy.
- Upload an official English or Japanese translation for documents not written in English or Japanese.
Sections to be Completed by All Applicants
- General Information
- Academic History
- Academic Documents
- Language Requirements
- Test Scores, Test Information, and Documents
- Application Essays
- Letter of recommendation (only if applying for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship)
- Extracurricular Activities
- APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship and AP House Global Community Scholarship*
- Other Expected Scholarships
- Housing Selection (AP House)
- Previous Entry to Japan
- Other Required Documents
- Digital Signature, External Scholarships, and Overall Application Survey
- Application Fee Payment
- *For first year applicants only.
Sections to be Completed by Transfer Applicants
- Transfer Student Educational Background Information
- Transfer Eligibility Documents
- Application to Transfer Credits (Only Third Year Transfer Applicants)
- Syllabus (Only Third Year Transfer Applicants)
Note
Enrolling students must submit original copies or certified copies of uploaded application documents to APU by post. Therefore, please make sure to hold on to any documents you submit during the application process.
Your acceptance to APU will be revoked if your documents submitted after acceptance differ from those uploaded with your online application, or if you are not able to submit the necessary documents.
Test Scores, Test Information, and Documents
Click “Add Test” within the Online Application System on the Test Information and Certified Documents page to select the language proficiency test or standardized test scores you would like to submit, then upload a digital copy of the original results. The accepted tests are listed below.
Accepted English Language Proficiency Test Scores
- Cambridge English Language Assessment/Linguaskill
- Duolingo English Test
- EIKEN
- IELTS*/IELTS Online*
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT® Test*
- TOEIC® L&R Test
Standardized Test | Documents to be Submitted |
---|---|
Cambridge English Language Assessment/Linguaskill | Documents to be Submitted: Result Statement Input the ID number and Secret Number |
Duolingo English Test | Documents to be Submitted: Request to have your score sent directly to APU from the test provider |
EIKEN | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the original test result |
IELTS*/IELTS Online* | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the Test Report Form |
PTE Academic | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the score report |
TOEFL iBT ®Test* | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the score report. MyBest scores are accepted. |
TOEIC® L&R Test | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the original score report |
TOEFL ITP® Test, TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, IELTS (General Training Module), TOEIC® L&R (IP) Test, and PTE General are not accepted.
*If you are unable to provide a digital copy of your results by the application period deadline date, you will be asked to submit an original version of the score report. However, if you are unable to provide an original document, your score will not be evaluated.
Accepted Japanese Language Proficiency Test Scores
Standardized Test | Documents to be Submitted |
---|---|
EJU Japanese | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the original test result |
Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) | Documents to be Submitted: Digital copy of the original test result |
Accepted Standardized Tests
Please submit scores of the standardized tests listed below if you possess a test score (if you possess multiple test scores, please submit all of them). These test scores will be used in order to screen your academic ability. Furthermore, some of the standardized tests can also be used for the application eligibility Requirement 1: Educational Qualification. For further details regarding the education qualification to meet for being eligible to apply to APU, refer here.
- Abitur
- ACT
- Baccalaureate
- BTEC
- Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU)
- GCE A Level*
- GCE A Level (Singapore)
- GCE A Level (Sri Lanka)
- Pearson/Edexcel International A Levels (IAL)**
- General Educational Development (GED)
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE)
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
- SAT (New) (Reading & Writing + Mathematics)
- SAT (Old) (Critical Reading + Mathematics + Writing)
- Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination Results
Standardized Test | Documents to be Submitted |
---|---|
Abitur | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your final result sheet (Abiturzeugnis). |
ACT | Documents to be Submitted: Request to send your score report to APU directly using the institution code 5475 and upload a digital copy of the score report within the online application. |
Baccalaureate | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your transcript. Note that your enrollment eligibility may be revoked if you are not able to successfully receive a Diploma. |
BTEC | Documents to be Submitted:
Upload your scores from the following tests:
|
Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) | Documents to be Submitted: Upload scores from one or more of the following subjects: Japan & the World, Mathematics (Course 1), Mathematics (Course 2) |
GCE A Level* | Documents to be Submitted: Upload results from at least two subjects, or at least four subjects for AS Level. |
GCE A Level (Singapore) | Documents to be Submitted: Upload results from three subjects. |
CE A Level (Sri Lanka) | Documents to be Submitted: Upload a digital copy of the score report with results from three subjects and enter your reference number. |
Pearson/Edexcel International A Levels (IAL)** | Documents to be Submitted: Upload results from at least two subjects, or at least four subjects for AS Level. |
General Educational Development (GED) | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your Official GED Transcript. |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your results from 4 core subjects and at least 1 elective subject. Predicted scores are accepted. |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your results. Predicted grades are accepted. Note that your enrollment eligibility may be revoked if you are not able to successfully receive an IB Diploma. |
SAT (New) (Reading & Writing + Mathematics) | Documents to be Submitted: Request to send your score report to APU directly using the institution code 2791 and upload a digital copy of the score report within the online application. |
SAT (Old) (Critical Reading + Mathematics + Writing) | Documents to be Submitted: Request to send your score report to APU directly using the institution code 2791 and upload a digital copy of the score report within the online application. |
Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination Results | Documents to be Submitted: Upload your test results. |
*Submitting AS Level results alone is not sufficient and does not fulfill the required educational qualifications. We strongly recommend you submit three or more A Level subjects.
**Submitting these results alone is not sufficient and does not fulfill the minimum educational qualifications. We strongly recommend you submit three or more A Level subjects.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams:
Provide information on the exam subject and score and upload a digital copy of your results. This information will be used in the screening process. No credits will be awarded after enrollment.
Other Standardized Tests:
Upload the results of up to two other standardized tests not listed on the “Test Scores” page on the following “Test Information and Documents” page. We will only accept standardized test score reports that are within their period of validity.
FAQ
First, please create an account through the APU Online Application System. For step-by-step instructions, please check the explanations at the top of this page.
Most English based applicants are required to submit an English proficiency test as part of the application requirements. TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo are just a few of the language proficiency tests accepted at APU.
*Please check “Requirement 2: Language Proficiency” on the Application Eligibility page for details on the specific tests and minimum accepted scores.
**Additionally, language tests taken after the application deadline or that were taken over 3 years ago will not be accepted. For those applying for admission in April 2025, please submit scores from exams taken on or after June 6, 2022, and by the application deadline. For those applying for admission in September 2025, please submit scores from exams taken on or after August 29, 2022, and by the application deadline.
***For details about language test exemptions, view the application handbook from our Downloads page.
You will submit PDF copies of your documents through the APU Online Application System. Submissions via email or postal mail are not accepted. However, during the enrollment process, it will be necessary to send some of the original documents by mail. After completing the application, please make sure to keep copies of all the documents you submitted.