2023 Application for International Students residing in Japan | APU Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

If after reading through the criteria list, you are still unsure if you are eligible to apply to APU, please click here and answer the questions in our YES/NO chart for more clarity.

You must have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from a high school (or secondary school) designated by the Japanese School Education Act or have an academic background equivalent to one of the educational criteria listed below by the time of enrollment* to APU. For most applicants, this means you must have:

• 1. Completed a 12-year standard education curriculum at an educational institution. If this applies to you, proceed to Requirement 2: Language Proficiency below.



If you will not complete a 12-year standard education curriculum, you must have an academic background equivalent to one of the following educational criteria by the time of enrollment* to APU:

• 2. Completed a standard overseas education curriculum at an educational institution in Japan designated by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
• 3. Completed an upper secondary course at a special training college designated by MEXT.
• 4. Completed a standard education curriculum in less than 12 years at an overseas institution and have completed a curriculum at a preparatory educational institution designated by MEXT or at an educational center designated by MEXT.
• 5. Received an International Baccalaureate Diploma, Abitur, Baccalaureate Diploma, or GCE A Level results.
• 6. Completed a 12-year standard education curriculum accredited by an international evaluation group (WASC, CIS, ACSI).
• 7. Be at least 18 years of age and have passed an official examination that shows academic background equivalent or superior to that obtained from a 12-year standard education curriculum.
• 8. Be at least 18 years of age and have been recognized through an individual screening by APU as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than a high school graduate.
• 9. Completed an 11-year standard education curriculum at an educational institution in Belarus, Myanmar, Peru, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, or at an educational institution designated by MEXT (as of May 13, 2022). For more details, contact the Admissions Office before applying. At the time of application, you must submit documents online proving that you will meet one of the above educational criteria by the time of enrollment to APU. After receiving your final results, you must submit further documentation by post proving that you have successfully met the required educational criteria in order to enroll at APU. Failure to submit such documentation in a timely manner may result in your acceptance to APU being revoked.

*The date of enrollment is April 1 for spring enrollment and September 21 for fall enrollment.

You must meet one of the following English or Japanese language proficiency requirements. Certain applicants may be exempt from having to submit a language proficiency test score. Refer to D. Language Requirements in 5. Online Application and Required Documents for more details.

* A minimum of 5.5 is required for each section

*Both minimum scores must be met.

Refer to D. Language Requirements in 5. Online Application and Required Documents for additional details on the required language proficiency certifications.

Stage 1: Online Application and Online Assessment

In Stage 1, you will be evaluated using the documents you submit with your online application as well as through an online assessment. For further details about the required documents, refer to 5. Online Application and Required Documents.

You can apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship through the online application. Note that there is a limit to the amount of APU Scholarships available. While the date you apply to APU will not have an impact on your admission results, applicants who apply earlier will have a greater chance at receiving a scholarship.

An online assessment will be administered to ensure the fair evaluation of the academic ability of all international applicants. After you submit the online application and pay the application fee, you will see instructions for how to complete the online assessment within the APU Online Application System. You must use a computer to complete the online assessment, and you must submit the online assessment by the application deadline.

English-basis applicants:

Japanese-basis applicants:

The online assessment consists of two sections of a video-recorded assessment to measure your logical and critical thinking skills. The online assessment will be conducted through a video-recorded assessment platform, and you will not be speaking with a person. Instead, 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. The online assessment takes a total of 15 minutes for applicants who apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship.

Stage 1 Results

Stage 1 Results are based on your online application and the results of the assessment tests you take during the online assessment.

If you pass Stage 1, you will be contacted by email with more information regarding how to proceed to Stage 2. If you do not pass Stage 1, you will be notified by email on the corresponding Stage 1 result notification date listed here. (In some cases, applicants who pass Stage 1 may be contacted regarding how to proceed to stage 2 before the stage 1 result notification date.)

Stage 2: Interview

The Stage 2 interview will be conducted at a date and time set by APU, after taking your schedule into consideration. Please be aware that APU may take longer to contact you regarding the interview when the university’s summer and winter breaks overlap with the application schedule.

It is not necessary to travel to Japan for stage 2 of the application process. For interviews, the date and time will be set by APU. Please be aware that APU may take longer to contact you regarding how to proceed to Stage 2 when the university’s summer and winter breaks overlap with the application schedule.

Final Results

The final results will be based on your interview and your application overall.

The final results will be posted on the admissions website on the final result notification date listed here. Information regarding how to view the final results will be sent to you by email. Please note that inquiries regarding final results will not be accepted.

Admitted applicants will not be allowed to reapply to the same college for the same enrollment period (the April 2023 or September 2023 enrollment period). If an admitted applicant does reapply, a new interview or online assessment will not be performed and new results will not be given. The application fee will also not be returned.

Stage 1: Online Application and Online Assessment

In Stage 1, you will be evaluated using the documents you submit with your online application as well as through an online assessment. For further details about the required documents, refer to 5. Online Application and Required Documents.

An online assessment will be administered to ensure the fair evaluation of the academic ability of all international applicants. After you submit the online application and pay the application fee, you will see instructions for how to complete the online assessment within the APU Online Application System. You must use a computer to complete the online assessment, and you must submit the online assessment by the application deadline.

English-basis applicants:

Japanese-basis applicants:

The online assessment consists of two sections of a video-recorded assessment to measure your logical and critical thinking skills. The online assessment will be conducted through a video-recorded assessment platform, and you will not be speaking with a person. Instead, 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. The online assessment takes a total of 30 minutes for applicants who do not apply for the APU Tuition Scholarship.

Stage 1 Results

Stage 1 Results are based on your online application and the results of the assessment tests you take during the online assessment.

At this stage, there are no further steps for applicants. You will receive your Stage 1 results by email, however you must pass Stage 1 in order to receive your final application results.

Stage 2: Interview

Stage 2 is the evaluation of your recorded video interview taken during your online assessment.

Final Results

The final results will be based on your recorded video interview and your application overall.

The final results will be posted on the admissions website on the final result notification date listed here. Information regarding how to view the final results will be sent to you by email. Please note that inquiries regarding final results will not be accepted.

Admitted applicants will not be allowed to reapply to the same college for the same enrollment period (the April 2023 or September 2023 enrollment period). If an admitted applicant does reapply, a new interview or online assessment will not be performed and new results will not be given. The application fee will also not be returned.

Complete the information as designated in the application system. Make sure that the country or region and city that you input is where you will be residing up until the time of your desired enrollment at APU. Input your personal information (name, date of birth, sex*, citizenship, etc.) as shown on your passport. If you are applying through an APU representative or agent, confirm the office name, staff member, and contact information with them beforehand. Our representatives’ information is listed on contact page.

Complete the details of all educational institutions you have attended from elementary school to the last or current school you are attending by clicking “Add New.” Make sure to include undergraduate programs, language schools in Japan, and any other level of study.

First year applicants must have completed or be scheduled to complete either 12 years of education according to the standard curriculum established under the Japanese School Education Act or an equivalent school education. However, applicants who have completed an 11-year standard education curriculum at an educational institution in Belarus, Myanmar, Peru, Russia, Sudan, or Uzbekistan also meet the education criteria. Consult with the Admissions Office before applying if you are from a country or region other than the previous listed where the standard length of education is 11 years.

If you are currently employed (excluding part-time work), provide information about your current occupation.

Academic Transcripts

If you have Academic Transcripts and Standardized Test results, submit both. When you submit an academic transcript, be sure to include information about the grading scale (maximum grade) and method of evaluation. Transcripts should be marked as being equivalent to the original with a signature, stamp, or seal by the issuing institution. You do not need to submit academic transcripts from language schools.

• ・If you have already graduated from high school, upload the last three years of your most recent academic transcripts. If you have been enrolled in university or another higher education institution for over one year at the time of application, also upload the academic transcripts from your study at that institution. If you have already graduated from university, upload your university transcript only.
• ・If you have not yet graduated from high school, upload your most recent academic transcripts covering a period of at least two years. The transcripts must be issued within two months of the date of your application submission.

Graduation Certificate or Expected Graduation Certificate

• ・If you have graduated from high school, upload a digital copy of your high school graduation certificate (required).
• ・If you have not yet graduated from high school, upload a document that states the details of your expected graduation date. (It is not required to upload this document, but APU may contact applicants regarding their education history in order to confirm that they will complete the equivalent of 12 years of standard education.)
• ・If you have graduated from a higher education institution other than a university, upload a digital copy of your graduation certificate from the institution in addition to your high school graduation certificate.
• ・If you have already graduated from a university or another higher education institution at the time of application, upload a digital copy of your graduation certificate from the school. If you are submitting a university graduation certificate, you do not have to submit your high school graduation certificate.

Home School Curriculum

We strongly recommend submitting an SAT, ACT, or GED score report if you are undergoing a home school curriculum. You may be required to submit one of these score reports if deemed necessary during the evaluation of your application.

Provide proof of language proficiency by selecting how you will meet the language proficiency requirement as listed below in E. Test Scores, Test Information, and Documents.

Period of Validity:

April 2023 enrollment: Only scores of examinations taken on or after June 1, 2020 will be accepted.
Examinations taken after the application deadline will not be accepted.

September 2023 enrollment: Only scores of examinations taken on or after September 1, 2020 will be accepted.
Examinations taken after the application deadline will not be accepted.

English-Basis Applicants

If you are exempt from submitting a proficiency test score, make sure to select the option that best applies to your situation. If you do not meet any of the exemptions listed above, you will have to submit results from one of the official English proficiency tests listed in Requirement 2: Language Proficiency or submit the APU English Proficiency Evaluation form.

Japanese-Basis Applicants

APU’s English Proficiency Evaluation Forms

If you cannot submit language proficiency test scores, submit the APU English Proficiency Evaluation form (http://r.apu.jp/EnglishPE). The APU English/Japanese Proficiency Evaluation form is also available from within the APU Online Application System. Provide the direct link to this form and your online application reference number to one of your language instructors, then have them complete this form online in English or Japanese. By completing the necessary information online and including their digital signature, your instructor will be able to submit their completed form directly to APU.

Submission of just the English Proficiency Evaluation form is accepted but it is highly recommended that you also submit results from the Duolingo English Test (for English-basis applicants) for a greater chance at receiving the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship.

You will not be able to see the form your instructor submits. In addition, we will not be able to accept this form completed in any language other than English or Japanese.

Click “Add Test” 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

TOEFL® ITP Test, IELTS (General Training Module), TOEIC® L&R Test (IP), and PTE General are not accepted.

Accepted Japanese Language Proficiency Test Scores

Accepted Standardized Tests

*¹ 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.
*² 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.

Other Standardized Tests

Upload the results of up to two other standardized tests not listed in the charts above in the online application system on the Test Information and Documents page.

Follow the application essay guidelines within the online application. You must complete the essays by yourself. Note the strict word limit for each essay.

Strong emphasis is placed on academic honesty at APU, and acts of academic dishonesty are treated every severely. As one measure to review for academic dishonesty, we will compare the essays you submit in this application with past essays submitted to APU. Any evidence of copied work will be considered academic dishonesty and result in the failure of your application. If it is discovered that copied work was submitted with your application after you have been accepted to APU, your acceptance will be revoked.

For applicants who are reapplying to APU, you will need to submit a Reapplication Statement, which can be found within this section of the APU Online Application System.

Ask an instructor from the education institution you attended most recently to complete the Letter of Recommendation form. 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 parttime jobs). You may also ask an APU graduate specified by the university*.

Input the necessary information about your recommender into the related sections in the online application. The Letter of Recommendation form will be automatically sent to your recommender by email. Make sure to confirm with your recommender that it has been delivered successfully. Upon completing the necessary information online in English or Japanese and including a digital signature, your recommender will be able to submit the completed form directly to APU. You will not be able to see the submitted form, but you will be able to check the submission status of the form within the APU Online Application System.

We will not accept the form if it is completed in any language other than English or Japanese.

*Information regarding APU graduates specified by the university can be found on the Alumni Ambassadors page.

Applicants will be evaluated on their participation in the A-M categories of extracurricular activities listed below. Only activities from high school grade 10 (or equivalent) and above will be considered.

For each category, you can provide the details for one activity in which you participated within the online application. If you have participated in more than one activity that falls under the same category, provide the information of the activity in which you put in the most time and effort. You can add information regarding activities that are not included on this page on the “Other Extracurricular Activities” page.

Extracurricular activities that are inputted without accompanying proof/evidence will not be evaluated, except for extracurricular activities in category A. All accompanying proof/evidence must be in English or Japanese or be translated into English or Japanese. Anything uploaded in another language without a translation will not be evaluated. The translation must include the name, address, contact details, and signature or an official seal of the translator. APU will only accept translations created by the original document’s issuing institution, a translation company, or a licensed translator. Translations alone will not be evaluated. Make sure to upload the original document with the translation.

List of Extracurricular Activities

You can apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship through the online application system. Applicants who apply earlier have a greater chance at receiving the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship.

Applicants who will obtain a Japanese status of residence (visa status) of “student” before enrolling at APU are eligible to apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship at the time of application to APU. The APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship will be revoked if you are not able to receive a status of residence of “student” by the time of enrollment to APU. The scholarship will also be revoked if you change to a status of residence other than “student” while studying at APU.

This scholarship is made possible by the financial contributions of domestic and international companies and individuals, together with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology that support the ideals of APU. Its purpose is to help reduce the financial burden for outstanding international students. Students awarded this scholarship are expected to maintain a good academic record and serve as role models for other students.

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. The scholarship will remain valid until the standard number of credits required to graduate has been reached, provided that the recipient maintains a good academic record, completes tasks assigned to them on time, and avoid any misconduct unbefitting of a scholarship recipient. In the case of inappropriate behavior or conduct that tarnishes the reputation of APU, the scholarship will be revoked. Interested applicants should apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship within their online application upon understanding all of the above. An overall evaluation of all submitted documents, interview performance, and the online assessment will be conducted for both the undergraduate application and scholarship application. The scholarship results will be released together with the final application results.

If you will receive scholarship awards from organizations other than APU before or after enrollment, upload proof of the scholarship award in the Other Expected Scholarships page.

All new international students are guaranteed on-campus housing during their first year to allow for a period of acclimation to the culture and rules of Japan.

There is a limited number of rooms in the new AP House. Refer to the Application Scheudle page to see the application deadlines and the housing selection deadline to submit your preference of housing. You can only select to live in the new building if you apply before the housing selection deadline. If you apply after this date, you will not be able to select your housing but instead will be assigned to AP House 1 or 2 by the university. You will be notified of your housing with the final application results.

There are additional fees associated with housing such as the moving-in fee and a security deposit. Refer to the Housing page for more information. Under certain circumstances, you can choose to decline residence at AP House. Refer to the above link for further information.

Provide information on whether you have previously entered Japan and/or applied for a Certificate of Eligibility for Status of Residence (COE). If you have previously applied for a COE and your application has been denied, or if you have previously submitted an Application for Extension of Period of Stay in Japan and were denied the extension, also explain when and why it occurred.

Photograph

Upload a photograph of yourself taken within the past three months, showing a front view above chest level with a plain background. Caps and hats are not allowed. Photographs may be in color or black and white.

Passport

If you have a valid passport, upload a digital copy of the information page showing your name, photograph, and passport number. If you have previously entered Japan, also submit a copy of your passport pages with the immigration stamps showing your most recent arrival to and departure from Japan. You are still eligible to apply if you do not have a valid passport.

Residence Card

This is only for applicants who already have a valid Japanese status of residence. Upload a digital copy of both sides of your Residence Card.

Designation Page in your Passport

If you have a valid Specified Visa for Designated Activities, please upload a copy of the Designation Page in your passport that shows the category of your Specified Visa (e.g. working holiday, internship). In addition, please check with the Japanese immigration bureau in your area of jurisdiction to confirm that your status of residence can be changed to Student while you are residing in Japan. Notify the Office of International Admissions promptly if you find that your status of residence cannot be changed in Japan.

Letter of Intent to Change to Student Residency Status

If you currently have a status of residence (visa status) in Japan other than “student” and wish to apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship, you will need to change your status of residence to “student” before enrolling in APU.

If you choose to change your status of residence to “student”, upload the Letter of Intent to Change to Student Residency Status to the Other Required Documents page. You can download this letter from from our downloads page, sign it, and upload a digital copy within the online application. You will not be eligible to apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship if you do not submit this confirmation letter. Your APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship will be revoked if you do not change your status of residence to “student” by the day before enrollment to APU (March 31 for spring enrollment, September 20 for fall enrollment).

Before submitting your application, you will be asked to agree with the Application and Admissions Agreement. In addition, you will be provided with information about external scholarships and will need to complete the Overall Application Survey. Information about external scholarships can be found on page 29 and within the APU Online Application System.

See 6. Application Fee below for payment details.

Payment by Credit Card

Complete the payment online through the APU Online Application System before submitting your application. You do not need to submit a digital copy of the payment receipt.

Payment by Bank Transfer

Upload a digital copy of your payment receipt within the online application.