International Undergraduate Admissions
Transfer Applicants Residing In Japan 2023
This page will help you know what you will need to apply and how to apply to APU as a transfer student residing in Japan.
1. Number of Students Accepted
Expected yearly intake of international undergraduate transfer students (residing both inside and outside Japan):
| Second Year Transfer | Third Year Transfer | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From a Non-Bachelor's Degree Program | From a Bachelor's Degree Program | From a Non-Bachelor's Degree Program | From a Bachelor's Degree Program | |
| College of Asia Pacific Studies | 5* | Numbers Vary | 5* | Numbers Vary |
| College of International Management | 5* | Numbers Vary | 5* | Numbers Vary |
*Expected yearly intake of international and Japanese/domestic transfer students.
2. Application Eligibility
You must fulfill both Requirement 1 and Requirement 2:
Requirement 1: Educational Qualifications
- 1. Have graduated from a junior college by the time of enrollment*1 to APU.
- 2. Have graduated from a technical college in Japan by the time of enrollment*1 to APU.
- 3. Have graduated from a special training school approved by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) by the time of enrollment*1 to APU. Note that application eligibility will be restricted to the terms stated in Article 90 of the School Education Act.
- 1. Applicants who meet all of the following requirements by the time of enrollment*1 to APU:
- Have completed at least one year of study in a university bachelor’s degree program outside Japan.
- Have completed 13 years of formal education based on a standard course curriculum*2.
- Have acquired at least one fourth of the credits needed to graduate from their current university’s bachelor’s degree program.
- 2. Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in a university bachelor’s degree program within Japan and acquired at least 30 course credits by the time of enrollment*1 to APU.
- 1. Applicants who meet all of the following requirements by the time of enrollment*1 to APU:
- Have completed at least two years of study in a university bachelor’s degree program outside Japan.
- Have completed 14 years of formal education based on a standard course curriculum*2.
- Have acquired at least half of the credits needed to graduate from their current university’s bachelor’s degree program.
- 2. Applicants who have completed at least two years of study in a university bachelor’s degree program within Japan and acquired at least 60 course credits by the time of enrollment*1 to APU.
Transfer Students from Non-Bachelor's Degree Programs:
This refers to students who plan to transfer to APU from an educational program other than a bachelor’s degree program.
Second and third year transfer applicants must fulfill one of the following requirements:
Transfer Students from Bachelor's Degree Programs:
This refers to students who plan to transfer to APU from a bachelor’s degree program at another university or students who plan to transfer to APU after already receiving a bachelor’s degree from another university.
Second year transfer applicants must satisfy one of the two requirements below:
Third year transfer applicants must satisfy one of the two requirements below:
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.
Transfer applicants from countries and regions that do not satisfy the standard 12-year education requirement must have completed or be scheduled to complete their second or third year of university-level education.
*1 The date of enrollment is April 1 for spring enrollment and September 21 for fall enrollment.
*2 If you have completed an 11-year standard education curriculum at an educational institution in a country designated by MEXT (Belarus, Myanmar, Peru, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan) as of May 13, 2022 and are currently enrolled in an educational institution for your 12th or 13th year of formal education, contact the Admissions Office before applying.
Requirement 2: Language Proficiency
- 1.Only scores of examinations taken on or after June 1, 2020 (for April 2023 enrollment) and September 1, 2020 (for September 2023 enrollment) will be accepted. Examinations taken after the application deadline will not be accepted. For the EJU, only scores that are released online by the Stage 1 Result date of your application period will be accepted. Refer to the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) website to confirm the announcement dates of score reports.
- 2.TOEFL® ITP Test, IELTS (General Training Module), TOEIC® L&R Test (IP), and PTE General are not accepted.
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 6. Online Application and Required Documents for more details.
| Minimum English Proficiency Requirements | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | IELTS Indicator | TOEFL iBT® Test | TOEFL iBT® Home Edition | TOEIC® L&R Test | Cambridge English Language Assessment | PTE Academic | EIKEN |
| 6.5* | 85 | 800 | 176 | 58 | Grade 1 | ||
*A minimum of 6.0 is required for each section
| Minimum Japanese Proficiency Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| JLPT N1 | JLPT N2 | EJU Japanese* |
| 110 | 140 | Listening and Listening-Reading and Reading: 280
Writing: 35 |
*Both minimum scores must be met.
Refer to D. Language Requirements in 6. Online Application and Required Documents for additional details on the required language proficiency certifications.
3. Special Considerations for Transferring as a Third Year Student
Because of the unique education and job-seeking system in Japan, there are times when we recommend that students apply as a second year transfer student even if they will complete two years of study at a higher education institution before enrolling at APU. Read the following points before applying and take into consideration your plans for study and job-seeking after enrollment.
In general, third year transfer students should be able to transfer at least 10 credits as major subject-equivalent credits. However, considering the limited time available to spend on student clubs, part-time work, job hunting, and other non-study activities, many may still find it challenging to acquire the necessary number of credits to graduate within two years.
Job hunting is done while students are in the second half of their third year and may continue until students are in their fourth year. If you wish to seek employment in Japan, you will need to devote a certain amount of time to job hunting activities and may therefore be unable to take as many credits as necessary to graduate within two years. Additionally, Japanese-language study is highly recommended for those who intend to work in Japan after graduation. Considering the above, we advise those who wish to job hunt in Japan to apply as second year students.
While Japanese (for English-basis students) or English (for Japanese-basis students) language study is not mandatory for third year transfer students, you will have the freedom to enroll in these classes. However, as language subjects require a considerable amount of study time, taking these subjects alongside your major courses and graduating within two years is extremely demanding. We advise those who wish to study Japanese to apply as second year students.
4. Application Process and Online Assessment
Our application process is divided into two stages: Stage 1 and Stage 2. However, your application process and online assessment will slightly differ depending on whether or not you apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship.
Second Year Transfer Applicants who DO apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship
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 6. 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:
The online assessment consists of a recorded video interview, the Core Abilities Assessment test (CORE), and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal III test. The entire online assessment will last approximately 50 - 60 minutes.
You must have Safe Exam Browser (SEB) installed on your computer in order to take the CORE test and the WGIII test. This is necessary for reasons of fraud prevention. SEB is a locked-down browser that will restrict your access to other websites and applications while you take the assessment tests. You can view the system requirements and technical details for SEB on their website. Refer to the video on the Application Status Page within the APU Online Application System for a detailed walkthrough of the assessment. You will be able to access the Online Assessment Guidelines here.
| Video-recorded Assessment (5 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. |
|---|---|
| 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.
Core Abilities Assessment Sample Questions |
| 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.
Watson-Glaser III Critical Thinking Appraisal Demo Test and Explanation of the Appraisal document |
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.
We do not share detailed information about the interview process. However, we advise that you keep the mission of APU in mind: 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. We at APU are looking for students who embody these ideas and can inspire those around them to grow as well.
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.
Second Year Transfer Applicants who DO NOT apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship
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 6. 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:
The online assessment consists of a recorded video interview, the Core Abilities Assessment test (CORE), and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal III test. The entire online assessment will last approximately 60 - 70 minutes.
You must have Safe Exam Browser (SEB) installed on your computer in order to take the CORE test and the WGIII test. This is necessary for reasons of fraud prevention. SEB is a locked-down browser that will restrict your access to other websites and applications while you take the assessment tests. You can view the system requirements and technical details for SEB on their website. Refer to the video on the Application Status Page within the APU Online Application System for a detailed walkthrough of the assessment. You will be able to access the Online Assessment Guidelines here.
| Video-recorded Assessment (20 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. |
|---|---|
| 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.
Core Abilities Assessment Sample Questions |
| 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.
Watson-Glaser III Critical Thinking Appraisal Demo Test and Explanation of the Appraisal document |
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.
All Third Transfer Applicants
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 6. 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:
The online assessment consists of a recorded video interview, the Core Abilities Assessment test (CORE), and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal III test. The entire online assessment will last approximately 60 - 70 minutes.
You must have Safe Exam Browser (SEB) installed on your computer in order to take the CORE test and the WGIII test. This is necessary for reasons of fraud prevention. SEB is a locked-down browser that will restrict your access to other websites and applications while you take the assessment tests. You can view the system requirements and technical details for SEB on their website. Refer to the video on the Application Status Page within the APU Online Application System for a detailed walkthrough of the assessment. You will be able to access the Online Assessment Guidelines here.
| Video-recorded Assessment (20 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. |
|---|---|
| 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.
Core Abilities Assessment Sample Questions |
| 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.
Watson-Glaser III Critical Thinking Appraisal Demo Test and Explanation of the Appraisal document |
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.
5. Application Schedule
The application schedule varies depending of your country of residence. For each enrollment semester, there are multiple application periods you can apply to.
For the full application schedule, please click here and check your corresponding chart.
6. Online Application and Required Documents
Please submit your application through the APU Online Application System. In order to apply, you must first create an account within the system. Details regarding the required information and documents in order to complete your application can be found below.
Applications are considered complete only when the online application has been submitted and the application fee has been paid. Followed by completing the online assessment by 23:59 (Japan time) on the day of the application deadline.
In addition to the information below, you can review our online application guidelines in the online application system.
- 1. Your application may be rejected if it or any accompanying documents contain forgery, false information, and/or plagiarism, or you were found to be cheating in either stage 1 (including the online assessment) or stage 2 of the application process. Additionally, your admission to APU will be revoked even if evidence of such acts is found after your acceptance or enrollment. You may also be prevented from reapplying to APU in the future. You can find further information about our forgery policy here.
- 2. Admitted applicants will not be allowed to reapply to the same college for the same enrollment semester (April 2023 / September 2023). If an admitted applicant does reapply, a new interview and online assessment will not be performed and new results will not be given. The application fee will also not be returned.
- 3. If accepted, you must submit original documents or certified documents* for your uploaded application documents to APU by post. Your acceptance to APU will be revoked if your original or certified documents* submitted after acceptance differ from those uploaded with the online application, or if you are not able to submit original or certified documents*. Be sure to keep the original versions of the documents you upload with your online application.
*A certified document is one that has been marked as being equivalent to the original with a stamp or seal by the issuing institution (preferred) or a notary public.
Documents and Information for the Online Application
Sections A-N listed below correspond to the Online Application System. Within section A. General Information, the following pages of the application are explained: Application Information, Personal Background, Emergency Contact and Financial Sponsor, and APU Representative or Agent.
A. General Information
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.
Information regarding sex will be used for university registration. As the university application system only provides two options (male or female) at this time, choose one of the two as shown on or will be shown on your passport. If your passport indicates a third option or if you would like to share more about your gender identity, contact the Office of International Admissions via the link listed on the back cover of this handbook. Refer to APU’s Policy Statement on Sexual and Gender Diversity.
B. Academic History
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.
If you are currently employed (excluding part-time work), provide information about your current occupation.
C. Academic Documents
- ・Upload your high school academic transcripts and your academic transcripts from the higher education institutions you enrolled in after graduating from high school. It is not required to submit your high school academic transcript if you can submit one and a half years or more of academic transcripts from your time enrolled in a high education institution. However, we still recommend you to submit a high school academic transcript.
- ・Upload your academic transcripts from the higher education institutions you enrolled in after graduating from high school. If you have not yet completed your current program, upload academic transcripts covering a period of at least one and a half years.
- ・If you have graduated from a higher education institution, upload a digital copy of your graduation certificate and proof of the degree earned.
- ・If you will transfer to APU from a non-bachelor’s degree program and have yet to graduate, upload a document that states the details of your expected graduation date. In addition, if you are not currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program, upload proof from your current institution that, upon completing the program, you will be able to transfer as a second year or third year student into a bachelor’s degree program. This could be documents issued by the institution or a screenshot of the corresponding explanation on the institution’s website.
Official Academic Transcripts
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.
Second Year Transfer Applicants:
Third Year Transfer Applicants:
Graduation Certificate or Expected Graduation Certificate
Second and Third Year Transfer Applicants:
D. Language Requirements
- You have completed or will complete your 12th year of formal education in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Quebec), Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Singapore, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, or USA.
- You have taken or will have taken your most recent three years of formal education before enrolling at APU in the English language in a country other than these listed above and submit either academic transcripts stating the language of instruction, a link and screenshot of your school’s official website stating the language of instruction, or a letter from your school stating that you have taken all of your subjects in English for the past three years.
- You have received or will receive an International Baccalaureate Diploma with English as the language of instruction.
- You have graduated from a bachelor’s degree program or master’s degree program that was conducted entirely in English.
- You have received one of the following standardized test scores: Old SAT (Critical Reading and Writing): 1,100 or above New SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing): 590 and above ACT: 25 and above (the average of English and Reading must be 25 or above.)
- You have undertaken your formal education in the Japanese language within Japan for the most recent three years.
- You have taken or will have taken your most recent three years of formal education before enrolling at APU in the Japanese language in a country other than these listed above and submit either academic transcripts stating the language of instruction, a link and screenshot of your school’s official website stating the language of instruction, or a letter from your school stating that you have taken all of your subjects in Japanese for the past three years.
- We recommend you take the Duolingo English Test and ask your English teacher to fill out the Language Proficiency Evaluation form before the application deadline. The Duolingo English Test results will usually be available a few days following the completion of the test.
- We recommend you choose the option within the online application to take the J-CAT test. After the application deadline, we will contact you with further information on how to take the test.
- If you have a JPT score, upload the score report.
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
Before You Submit
English-basis applicants are not required to submit an English proficiency test score if:
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 in 2. Application Eligibility or submit the APU English Proficiency Evaluation form.
Japanese-Basis Applicants
Before You Submit
Japanese-basis applicants are not required to submit a Japanese proficiency test score if:
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 Japanese proficiency tests listed in Requirement 2: Language Proficiency or submit the APU Japanese Proficiency Evaluation form.
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.
If You Can’t Submit a Test Score Due to COVID-19
If you are unable to submit an English language proficiency test score:
If you are unable to submit a Japanese language proficiency test score:
E. Test Scores, Test Information, and Documents
- Input the ID Number and Secret Number within the online application.
- Upload a digital copy of the result statement within the online application.
- Level 3 Diploma/National Diploma
- Level 3 Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma
- Tests of Level 4 and above
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
| Standardized Test | Submission Method |
|---|---|
| Cambridge English Language Assessment |
|
| Duolingo English Test | Enter your score within the online application and request to have your score sent directly to APU from the test provider. Note that submission will only be accepted if you also submit the APU English Proficiency Evaluation form found in the online application system. |
| EIKEN | Upload a digital copy of the original test result within the online application. |
| IELTS/IELTS Indicator | Upload a digital copy of the Test Report Form within the online application. |
| PTE Academic | Upload a digital copy of the score report within the online application. |
| TOEFL iBT® Test
TOEFL iBT® Home Edition | Upload a digital copy of the score report within the online application. MyBest scores are accepted. |
| TOEIC® L&R Test | Upload a digital copy of the original score report within the online application. |
TOEFL® ITP Test, IELTS (General Training Module), TOEIC® L&R Test (IP), and PTE General are not accepted.
Accepted Japanese Language Proficiency Test Scores
| Standardized Test | Submission Method |
|---|---|
| EJU Japanese | Upload a digital copy of the original test result within the online application. |
| Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) | Upload a digital copy of the original test result within the online application. |
Accepted Standardized Tests
| Standardized Test | Submission Method |
|---|---|
| Abitur | Upload your final result sheet (Abiturzeugnis). |
| ACT | 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 | Upload your transcript. Note that your enrollment eligibility may be revoked if you are not able to successfully receive a Diploma. |
| BTEC | Upload your scores from the following tests:
|
| Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) | Upload your scores from the following two subjects:
Japan and the World + Mathematics (Course 1 or Course 2) |
| GCE A Level*1 | Upload results from two subjects, or at least four subjects for AS Level. |
| GCE A Level (Singapore) | Upload results from three subjects. |
| GCE A Level (Sri Lanka) | Upload a digital copy of the score report with results from three subjects and enter your reference number. |
| Pearson/Edexcel International A Levels (IAL)*2 | Upload results from at least two subjects, or at least four subjects for AS Level. |
| General Education Development (GED) | Upload your Official GED Transcript. |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) | Upload your results from 4 core subjects and at least 1 elective subject. Predicted scores are accepted. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Upload your results. Predicted scores 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) | 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) | 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 | Upload your test results. |
*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.
F. Application Essays
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.
G. Letter of Recommendation
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.
H. Extracurricular Activities
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
| Activities | Standard Proving Participation/Achievements | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Student Council Participation | Participation for one school year or more |
| B | Volunteer and Community Exchange Activities | Volunteer or other related activity that has received public recognition through the media (publication in a newspaper, etc.) |
| C | Arts, Culture, Academic, and Sports Competitions | Award from a regional or national level competition or achievement that has received public recognition through the media (publication in a newspaper, etc.) |
| D | Model United Nations Participation | -- |
| E | Scholarship Awards | No requirement for the length of time or amount of the scholarship |
| F | Educational Program Participation | National-scale educational or exchange projects conducted by public organizations |
| G | Internship Experience | Employment experience as a trainee at a company |
| H | Japanese Language Proficiency | No minimum score required. JLPT, EJU, etc. |
| I | Other Language Proficiency | No minimum score required. Proficiency tests for languages as Chinese, French, German, Korean, French, Spanish, etc. (We recommend submitting results from a test that uses CEFR proficiency levels.) |
| J | Experience Living or Studying Abroad | Study at a school overseas (including long-term study abroad), language-study program, or overseas summer school program |
| K | Other Qualifications and Certifications | Kumon High School Foundation Course Test results, Kumon Final Course Completion Test results, CU-TEP scores, Other academic qualifications, Technical skills qualifications etc. |
| L | APU-Related Activities | Participation in the Academic and Cultural Experience (ACE) Program or the Virtual Mini University Program (VMUP) |
| M | National Team | -- |
I. APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship
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.
| Tuition Reduction | Annual Scholarship Amount | Transfer Student Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 30% | approx. 450,000 JPY | approx. 1,050,000 JPY |
| 50% | approx. 750,000 JPY | approx. 750,000 JPY |
| 65% | approx. 975,000 JPY | approx. 525,000 JPY |
| 80% | approx. 1,200,000 JPY | approx. 300,000 JPY |
| 100% | approx. 1,500,000 JPY | 0 JPY |
Note
The tuition amount may be subject to change.
J. Other Expected Scholarships
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.
K. Previous Entry to Japan
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.
L. Other Required Documents
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).
M. Digital Signature, External Scholarships, and Overall Application Survey
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.
N. Application Fee Payment
See 8. 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.
After the Application Fee Payment
After completing the application fee payment, make sure to submit your application from the Review and Submit Online Application page. After submitting your application, you will also have to complete the online assessment. Details regarding the online assessment can be found in 3. Application Process and Online Assessment.
7. Additional Documents for Transfer Applicants
Sections A-D refer to the Application Information page within the Online Application System. Provide the followinginformation within the the “Transfer Student Academic Status” page.
A. Transfer Student Educational Background Information
Provide the required information within the online application.
Second year transfer students may transfer up to 30 credits and third year transfer students may transfer up to 62 credits. However, the number of transfer credits awarded will be determined after a review of final academic transcripts and syllabi submitted by admitted transfer applicants. You will be notified of the number of transfer credits awarded with your final application results. If you are still taking classes at the time of application, the final results (official transcript) for these classes must be submitted to the Admissions Office once they have been released. Your eligibility to enroll at APU may be revoked if you do not submit the final results. Note that students must complete a total of 124 credits to graduate from APU.
B. Required Documents for Transfer Applicants
Submit documents showing the classes and number of credits you are currently taking and documents that show the graduation requirements for your current program, such as PDF copies of student handbooks or school websites that provide the relevant information.
If you have already graduated from a higher education institution, submission of just your graduation certificate is acceptable.
C. Application to Transfer Major Credits (Third Year Applicants Only)
Download the Application to Transfer Credit as an APU Major Subject form and input the required information. Contact the institution you are transferring from for confirmation if you are unsure of any of the required information. Upload the completed form within your online application.
D. Syllabus (Third Year Applicants Only)
Upload a syllabus for each course you have taken or are currently taking that you wish to have approved for credit transfer as an APU major subject equivalent. A course will not be eligible for transfer without a syllabus. Refer to the APU Major subject list on the admissions website for more details regarding the courses APU offers as major subjects.
A syllabus is a document that outlines the goals and content students will be studying in a specific course. A syllabus includes information such as the subject name, course overview, evaluation criteria used for the course, goals for each class, length of each class, and the number of classes. Submit documents that include this information separately if it is not included in the syllabus you received for the course.
If the syllabus is written in a language other than English or Japanese, you must submit an English or Japanese translation together with the original syllabus. Only translations from the organization issuing the syllabus, a translation company, or a qualified individual translator will be accepted.
A syllabus is not required if you wish to transfer to the College of International Management (APM) from an institution accredited by AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA, or EPAS. Instead, provide a document showing that the institution has received accreditation (a screenshot of the relevant section of the institution’s website is sufficient.)
8. Application Fee
- Applications will not be processed until the application fee is paid. Be sure to complete the payment before the application deadline. Note that credit card payments will not be possible after 23:59 (Japan time) on the day of the deadline.
- 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).
- Cash or postal money orders will not be accepted.
- Domestic use-only credit cards and prepaid credit cards cannot be used.
- In general, the application fee is not refundable. However, a partial refund (after administrative fees are deducted) or a full refund may be possible in the following cases.
- ・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 Refund Policy page. The application fee cannot be waived.
Pay the application fee by credit card before you submit the online application. We will accept payment by bank transfer (international or domestic) only if you cannot pay by credit card. Applications are considered complete only when the application fee has been paid and the online application has been submitted.
Regarding Payments
Payment by Credit Card
Fee Amount: 36,500 JPY (The fee consists of 35,000 JPY for evaluation and 1,500 JPY for administrative purposes.)
Payment Method: You will be able to pay within the APU Online Application System.
Payment by Bank Transfer (Only if You Cannot Pay by Credit Card)
Fee Amount: 35,000 JPY
Bank transfer fees vary from bank to bank. All bank transfer fees must be covered by the payer. We will bill you for the remaining amount if you pay the application fee by bank transfer and the amount we receive does not cover the entire application fee.
Payment Method:
Applicants who pay by bank transfer must upload a copy of their bank transfer payment receipt together with the rest of their application documents.
| 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, write the applicant’s name and phone number in the contact details when the payment is made and upload a digital copy of the payment receipt within the online application.
9. Evaluation Method
You do not need to come to Japan for the evaluation process. Application evaluation is conducted based on all documents and information submitted with your online application, the online assessment, and the stage 2 interview (if applicable). If required, your school or the author of your Letter of recommendation may be contacted for further information. APU may also contact you for more details regarding the information and documents submitted within the online application.
Depending on the future situation related to COVID-19, the evaluation method may change. Any changes made to the evaluation method will be announced on the homepage of this admissions website.
