Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral)
2026 Enrollment Application Information
1. NUMBER OF STUDENTS ACCEPTED
| Major | Intake per Year |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Philosophy in Asia Pacific Studies (Ph.D.) | 10 |
Standard Period of Completion
The standard period of completion for the doctoral program in the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies is three years. This period is designed to allow for in-depth study and research, while providing students with the flexibility to develop a well-structured course plan.
Acceleration Completion Programs
If certain requirements are met after enrollment, it may be possible to complete the program in less than three years. Please note that the total tuition fees for the programs will remain the same, even if you complete your degree in a shorter period than the standard duration. Please refer to the Accelerated Completion Programs for more information
2. APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must fulfill the following requirements.
Requirement 1: Educational Qualifications
The qualification to apply for admission to graduate schools is granted to persons who meet any of the following conditions, or who are expected to meet any of these conditions before enrolling.
- A person who has obtained a master’s degree or a professional degree.
- A person who has been granted a degree equivalent to a master’s degree or a professional degree outside of Japan.
- A person who has been granted a degree equivalent to a master’s degree or a professional degree by taking online courses provided by a school based outside of Japan while residing in Japan.
- A person who has completed a course at a foreign school designated as equivalent to a foreign graduate school in Japan (a foreign university branch in Japan designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and has been granted a degree equivalent to a master’s degree or a professional degree.
- A person who has been recognized by Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University’s graduate schools, through individual preliminary screening, as having academic ability equal to or higher than holders of a master’s degree or professional degree and who has reached 24 years of age.
If you possess any other educational qualifications, please promptly contact APU in advance before applying.
Requirement 2: Language Proficiency
As English is the language of instruction in all graduate classes at APU, applicants must possess the ability to comprehend lectures, undertake independent research, and produce well written reports in English.
*This table can be scrolled to the right.
| Minimum English Proficiency Requirement | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT® Test | IELTS / IELTS Online | TOEIC® L&R Test | PTE Academic | Cambridge English Language Assessment / Linguaskill |
| 85 | 6.5 | 800 | 58 | 176 |
Language Proficiency Exemption Requirements
The following applicants are exempt from having to provide documents proving English proficiency:
- Applicants who have graduated or are scheduled to graduate from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, or USA.
- Applicants who can provide certification that they have graduated, or are expected to graduate, from a master’s degree program conducted in English in a country other than those listed above. This documentation may take the form of an official letter from the institution or another official document, such as a transcript, indicating the language of instruction.
- Applicants who can submit a master’s thesis or a draft of a master’s thesis written in English. (Research report is not acceptable.)
Requirement 3: Supervisor Confirmation
All applicants are required to obtain confirmation from a doctoral faculty supervisor prior to submitting their application to APU. It is strongly recommended that applicants contact a prospective faculty supervisor well in advance, ideally at least one month before the application deadline to allow sufficient time for the necessary procedures.
Note:
Obtaining a signed Supervisor Confirmation Letter only certifies eligibility to apply and does not constitute admission to the doctoral program.
- 1. Select a faculty member whose research interests align with your proposed research topic
- 2. Contact the desired faculty member via APU’s online Faculty Supervision Request Form, and wait to receive a reply from the faculty member by email.
- 3. When submitting the request form, you must attach the following documents: Research Proposal, CV or Resume, Master’s Thesis
- 4. If you receive a message of consent from the faculty member, please download the Format for the Supervision Confirmation Letter,complete all required fields, and send it to the designated faculty member by email.
- 5. Once you have obtained the signed letter, submit the completed Supervisor Confirmation Letter along with the other required application documents before the application deadline.
APU’s online Faculty Supervision Request Form.
3. APPLICATION PROCESS
The process for applying to the doctoral program is as follows:
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1.
Obtain faculty supervision confirmation by following the instructions in the "Supervisor Confirmation" section above.
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Visit the APU Admissions website and start your online application.
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Upload digital copies of all required documents via the online application system.
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Pay the application fee and submit your application.
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Complete the online assessment by 23:59 (Japan time) on the day of the application deadline.
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Regularly check your email and ensure messages from APU are not directed to spam or junk folders.
Important Notes:
- Applicants must complete their application and prepare documents by themselves. If you receive any assistance from agents, APU alumni, friends, or any other individuals during the preparation of your application documents, you must take full responsibility to carefully review all documents, including the application form, before final submission. Please be advised that failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in disqualification of your application if any issues are discovered.
- Submission of printed or mailed documents is not required at the time of application. All documents uploaded via the online application system will be considered official copies.
- All documents must be prepared in English. Any documents not originally issued in English must be accompanied by an official English translation that includes the translator’s name, contact information, and signature or official seal. Translations must be prepared by the issuing institution, a licensed translator, or a certified translation agency to be accepted.
- The submission of false information, plagiarism, forgery, or any form of misconduct will result in immediate disqualification or revocation of admission. Future applications to APU may also be prohibited. Additionally, discrepancies between uploaded and certified documents, or failure to submit required materials, will lead to the cancellation of admission.
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Applicants who have previously been enrolled at APU will have their past records, including academic performance, disciplinary actions, and visa compliance history, reviewed during the application screening process.
IMPORTANT
Multiple Applications
Applicants are not permitted to submit multiple applications to the same graduate school for the same enrollment semester within the same application deadline. However, this is permitted if submitted during different application deadlines.
Reapplication
APU will not assess if applicants who have been admitted apply to the same graduate school for the enrollment semester. If an admitted applicant submits a new application for the same enrollment semester, no additional interview or online assessment will be conducted. Also, no new admission result will be issued and the application fee will not be refunded.
4. ONLINE APPLICATION
Please submit your application through the APU Online Application System In order to apply, you must first create an account within the system.
Applications are considered complete only when the online application has been submitted, the application fee has been paid, and the online assessment has been submitted. Please be sure to submit your online application, application fee payment, and online assessment by 23:59 (Japan time) on the day of the deadline.
Please view the 2026 Application Schedule.
5. APPLICATION FEE
IMPORTANT
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1.
The application fee cannot be waived
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Please pay the application fee by credit card by the application deadline. We will accept payment by bank transfer (international or domestic) only if you cannot pay by credit card.
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3.
Applicants to the doctoral program who wish to enroll directly in the same academic year and semester after graduating from APU's master's program are not required to pay the application fee
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4.
If the application fee is paid in Japan, even if it is paid by a friend or relative in Japan, write the applicant’s name and phone number in the contact details when the payment is made and submit a digital copy of the payment receipt within the online application.
- 5. Applications will be considered complete only after the application fee has been paid, the online application has been submitted, and the online assessment has been completed. The application fee must be paid through the online application system before the application deadline. Please note that credit card payments cannot be accepted after 23:59 (Japan time) on the day of the deadline. Applications will not be processed until all of these steps have been completed.
- 6. The payment must be made in Japanese yen (JPY). Submit a copy of the payment receipt with your application if you pay by bank transfer (international or domestic).
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Bank transfer fees vary from bank to bank. All bank transfer fees must be covered by the payer.
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Cash or postal money orders will not be accepted.
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Domestic use-only credit cards and prepaid credit cards cannot be used.
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10.
The application fee is generally non-refundable. However, a partial refund (after administrative fees are deducted) or a full refund may be possible in the following cases
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When the application fee has been paid multiple times, or in cases in when it is clear that the amount paid exceeds the amount for the application fee and administrative fees set by APU.
- - When your application is deemed inadmissible and is not screened.
Further information about our refund policy for the application fee can be found on the admissions website.
Credit Card
| Fee Amount: |
5,500 JPY for overseas applicants (5000 JPY for evaluation and 500 JPY for administrative purposes) 36,500 JPY for domestic and internal applicants (35,000 JPY for evaluation and 1,500 JPY for administrative purposes) |
|---|---|
| Payment Method: | You will be able to pay the application fee within the online application system. After completing the payment and submitting the online application, the application will be considered complete. |
Bank Transfer (only for applicants who cannot pay by credit card)
Note: Bank transfer fees vary from bank to bank. All bank transfer fees must be covered by the payer.| Fee Amount: |
7,000 JPY for overseas applicants (5,000 JPY for evaluation and 2,000 JPY for administrative purposes) 35,000 JPY for domestic and internal applicants |
|---|---|
| Payment Purpose: | Application Fee |
| Contact Details: | Applicant's Name, Phone number |
| Bank Name: | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Oita Branch |
| Branch Address: | 1-3-22 Chuo-machi, Oita-city, Oita-Prefecture, 870-0035 JAPAN Tel : +81- 97-532-5161 |
| Account Number: | 1001673 (Ordinary Deposit Account) |
| Account Name: | RITSUMEIKAN ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY |
| Swift Code: | SMBCJPJT |
| IBAN Code (if necessary): | JP28 SMBC 0721 XXX2 4029 0868 |
| Bank transfer fee: |
Borne by remitter |
If the application fee is paid in Japan, even if it is paid by a friend or relative in Japan, please write the applicant’s name and phone number in the contact details when the payment is made. After completing the payment, please upload a digital copy of the payment receipt within your Application Status Page.
6. ONLINE ASSESSMENT
The online assessment is composed of a recorded video interview, the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal III test, and the Core Abilities Assessment test. The entire online assessment will last approximately 70 – 80 minutes.
Instructions for completing the online video interview and the online assessment tests will be made available within the online application system after you have submitted your online application and paid the application fee. Please be sure to complete these steps with enough time left to complete the online assessment before the application deadline.
Video Interview (20 – 30 minutes)
For the video interview, you will not be speaking with a person. Instead, through a video interview platform you will see a number of questions on your screen, and you will record your answers to them. Each question will have a set time limit for responding.
Watson-Glaser III Critical Thinking Appraisal (30 minutes)
The Watson-Glaser III Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGIII) measures a person’s ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as seek and evaluate relevant information to reach an appropriate and logical conclusion. The assessment reports on three aspects of verbal critical reasoning, specifically the ability to 1) recognize assumptions, 2) evaluate arguments, and 3) draw conclusions, as well as providing an overall measure of critical thinking proficiency.
Practice Critical Thinking (Watson-Glaser) Test:
Practice Critical Thinking (Watson-Glaser) Test.
Core Abilities Assessment (20 minutes)
The Core Abilities Assessment (CORE) consists of verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning items and measures an individual’s capacity to learn concepts and tasks, apply sound reasoning, and draw conclusions from information.
Tips for Critical Thinking:
https://admissions.apu.ac.jp/resource/load/documents/Tips_on_Critical_Thinking.pdf
Core Abilities Assessment Sample Questions
The Core Abilities Assessment (CORE) consists of verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning items and measures an individual’s capacity to learn concepts and tasks, apply sound reasoning, and draw conclusions from information.
7. EVALUATION METHOD
Applications will be evaluated based on following points during the screening process
- 1. Application documents
- 2. Video interview
- 3. Online assessment tests
APU may ask you for clarifications regarding your application or submitted documents and also contact previous schools, recommenders, or other related parties, and request additional explanations or documentation such as transcripts, certificates, or language test scores if necessary
8. ADMISSIONS SUPPORT FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR DISABILITIES
In accordance with the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Guidelines on Support Services for Students with Disabilities, APU offers special support during the admissions process to prospective applicants with medical conditions or disabilities when necessary. For those who would like to request this support, please read the following information carefully and submit the necessary documents.
Requesting Support During the Admissions Process
For prospective applicants who would like to request support during the admissions process, please submit the Admissions Support Request Form provided by APU before applying for admission. If possible, please also submit a medical certificate or patient referral document issued by a physician.
Step 1: Making the Request
Before applying, you may confirm details via the Inquiry Form Links or QR code listed on the back cover at least four weeks prior to the deadline of your intended application period. If you are unable to submit a request at least four weeks prior to the deadline, send us an email to explain your circumstances after you have received the necessary information via the Inquiry Form. The email address is mentioned within the necessary information. Be aware that your reasons may not be accepted depending on the content.
Step 2: Receiving the Support Request Arrival Receipt
You are required to download all email correspondence related to this matter between yourself and APU and submit it under “Other Required Documents” in the online application
Step 3: Notification of Support Request Results
You will receive the results of your requested admissions support by email within three weeks after receiving the Support Request Arrival Receipt.
9. INFORMATION ON LOCAL MEDICAL SERVICES
The following describes medical information in Japan, as well as the availability of medical care in and around our university. By providing this information, we hope to ensure a smooth transition for our students to Japan’s and APU’s medical system.
1. APU Health Clinic
The APU Health Clinic is not a full-service medical institution and therefore cannot perform medical procedures such as prescribing medication or giving injections and infusions (IV). Students who will require medical care or treatment will need to use off-campus medical institutions.
2.Health Surveys and Measles and Rubella Immunization
In Japan, it is recommended that children be vaccinated against measles and rubella twice during childhood and school age with either a single vaccine or MR vaccine (measles-rubella combined vaccine) for each disease.
If you have been previously vaccinated, you should check any medical record handbook or other periodic vaccination records in advance to determine the dates and types of vaccines you received
It is strongly recommended that you be vaccinated before coming to Japan if you do not have a vaccination history. Vaccination is also recommended if you do not know your vaccination history, if you have been vaccinated only once, or if you have previously been exposed to measles and rubella.
3. Applicants Currently Receiving Medical Treatment
For those currently receiving medical treatment, please consult with a physician about whether or not continued treatment will be necessary after enrolling. If you wish to continue treatment at a medical institution in Japan after enrollment, please be sure to submit a treatment plan or a patient referral document. (The patient referral document, which must include the name of the condition, symptoms, test results, and course of treatment/treatment plan, must be written in English or Japanese.)
4. Restrictions on Bringing Medication into Japan
There are heavy restrictions on bringing medication into Japan from abroad. Prospective applicants must check with their local Japanese embassy or the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare regarding whether or not it will be possible to bring their currently prescribed medicine* into Japan. Before coming to Japan, please make sure to complete the legal procedures to bring medication into Japan. For further information, please refer to the following page on the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s website:
English: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/pharmaceuticals/01.html
*Injectable medicine that cannot be self-administered must be administered at a medical institution under the supervision of a doctor. However, depending on the facilities of the medical institution, there is a possibility that you will be unable to have the medicine administered. Please also be aware that the APU Health Clinic will be unable to administer injections.
5. Psychiatric Disorders/Disabilities (Mental illnesses, developmental disorders, sleeping disorders, etc.)
There are no medical institutions in Oita Prefecture that can treat psychiatric disorders or disabilities in languages other than Japanese. As mentioned above, there are many restrictions for bringing medication into Japan. If you are currently receiving psychiatric treatment and will require treatment after coming to Japan, you may confirm further details via the Inquiry Form or QR code listed on the back cover. Please also consult with your primary care provider about your treatment plan before deciding to enroll.
6. Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible public transportation within Beppu City is limited. There are currently only a few wheelchairaccessible buses available on the routes used to commute to APU. If you are a wheelchair user, please inquire with APU about accessibility accommodations before applying.
7. Additional Support
You may confirm further details via the Inquiry Form on the Contact Us Page if you will require further assistance in your daily life at APU. This will be confidential and will have no bearing on your application’s evaluation. You may also contact us after being accepted to APU.
There have been situations in which students were unable to continue receiving prescriptions for the same medicine, or were unable to continue administering self-injections, in Japan. We strongly advise that you make your enrollment decision after consultation with your primary care provider and careful consideration of your medical situation and the circumstances in Japan. You may confirm further details via the Inquiry Form on the Contact Us Page
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
- Address: 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita 874-8577 Japan
- Phone: +81-977-78-1119
