Ritsumeikan University Guide for International Students: Programs, Campuses, and Student Life

Thinking about studying in Japan, but want a campus that blends tradition, industry access, and serious academics? Ritsumeikan University (RU) sits across Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka—three locations that show very different sides of Japan. This guide puts the standard, Japanese-taught programs first (the mainstream pathway), then briefly notes the English-medium options. You’ll find quick facts, campus locations, academics, research strengths, international student life, exchange networks, climate and living costs, and career support—all in one place, with official references linked for deeper reading.

Quick Facts (At a Glance)

A compact snapshot before you dive in. Links go to official or recognized English pages.

Type	Private comprehensive university (Official “At a Glance”)
Total Students	≈35,400 across the three main campuses (THE profile)
Campuses	Kinugasa, Kyoto (main); Biwako–Kusatsu (BKC), Shiga; Osaka Ibaraki (OIC), Osaka — campus overviews: Kinugasa / BKC / OIC
Faculties / Colleges	Law; Social Sciences; International Relations; Letters; Image Arts & Sciences; Economics; Business Administration; Policy Science; Comprehensive Psychology; Global Liberal Arts; Information Science & Engineering; Life Sciences; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Sport & Health Science; Science & Engineering; Gastronomy Management. See Academics.
Tuition Fees (¥)	Vary by college/program. English-medium examples (2026 enrollees) span roughly ¥865,800–¥2,600,000/yr (program-specific). Confirm the latest table here: Tuition & Fees (EN). For Japanese-taught tracks, consult each college via RU Contact.
Gender Ratio	37% female : 63% male (THE)
Intl-Student %	9% of total enrollment (THE)
Students per Staff	17.7 (THE)

Campus Maps

Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)

Address: 56-1 Tojiin Kitamachi, Kita Ward, Kyoto 603-8577, Japan

Biwako–Kusatsu Campus (BKC, Shiga)

Address: 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan

Osaka Ibaraki Campus (OIC, Osaka)

Address: 2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-8570, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Ritsumeikan’s roots run deep in Kyoto’s intellectual life. Its spirit traces back to 1869, when statesman Kinmochi Saionji—later prime minister—supported a private academy informed by ideals of freedom and international outlook. In 1900, his protégé Kojuro Nakagawa launched the Kyoto School of Law and Politics as an evening school for working adults. This pragmatic start—opening higher education to busy, ambitious learners—remains part of RU’s DNA. The institution adopted the Ritsumeikan name with Saionji’s approval and gained full university status in 1922, expanding rapidly through the 20th century into a comprehensive university serving the Kansai region and beyond. (See At a Glance und History.)

The name “Ritsumeikan” comes from Mencius and is often rendered as “a place to establish one’s destiny through the cultivation of the mind.” This ethos underpins RU’s post-war educational philosophy of “peace and democracy,” articulated in the Ritsumeikan Charter. The Charter is not merely symbolic: it guides university policies on research integrity, regional engagement, and the formation of graduates who act with global awareness and civic responsibility. (See Ritsumeikan Charter.)

RU’s three campuses each have distinct academic flavors. Kinugasa (Kyoto) is steeped in humanities and culture—ideal for Letters, Image Arts & Sciences, Law, and International Relations in a city of temples and museums. Biwako–Kusatsu (BKC) anchors science, engineering, life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and sport & health science in a purpose-built STEM environment near Lake Biwa. Osaka Ibaraki Campus (OIC) emphasizes business, policy, regional collaboration, and social innovation at the heart of the Osaka economic area. Together they give students unusual freedom to match academic interests with place-based strengths.

Through the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Ritsumeikan expanded global ties and interdisciplinary research—launching distinctive programs in international relations, creative media, and health sciences while building strong industry connections. Today, RU operates one of Japan’s larger private-university partner networks and maintains research initiatives that cut across engineering, AI, culture, and public policy. The through-line across 150+ years: cultivate knowledge, serve society, and learn across borders.

What You Study in the Standard (Japanese-Taught) Programs

The mainstream path at RU is the Japanese-taught undergraduate colleges. Fields span law and policy, international relations, economics and business, social sciences and psychology, humanities and creative media, as well as engineering, information science, life and pharmaceutical sciences, gastronomy management, and sport & health science. Because colleges are distributed across Kinugasa, BKC, and OIC, you can study literature among Kyoto’s cultural assets, build robots at a STEM hub, or work on policy/business projects close to Osaka’s companies. Explore the full list under Academics.

Language Readiness

Japanese-taught programs require high-level academic Japanese. RU’s campus-wide learning hubs—most notably the Beyond Borders Plaza (BBP)—offer self-study resources, conversation events, and language-exchange activities that help international students strengthen Japanese while staying engaged socially. See BBP (EN).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

BKC: A Purpose-Built STEM & Sports Science Hub

Biwako–Kusatsu Campus concentrates science and technology alongside sport & health science. Engineering spans mechanical, electrical/electronic, robotics, information systems, and applied chemistry; life sciences and pharmaceutical sciences extend RU’s footprint in health, biotech, and public well-being. With shared facilities, labs, and field-based classes, BKC makes interdisciplinary projects easier to execute. Start with the college overviews via Academics.

Creative Media & Game Studies in Kyoto

RU is one of the few Japanese universities with a full College of Image Arts & Sciences—covering film/video, CG, interactive content, and media production—situated in a city synonymous with culture. The university also hosts the Ritsumeikan Center for Game Studies (RCGS), a pioneering hub for research on games and digital culture. See Image Arts & Sciences und RCGS.

OIC: Urban Co-Creation with Industry & Government

Osaka Ibaraki Campus emphasizes collaboration with companies, municipalities, and NGOs on themes like regional innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Colleges with strong OIC footprints include Business Administration, Policy Science, Comprehensive Psychology, and portions of Information Science & Engineering and Global Liberal Arts. If you want internships or project-based learning inside one of Japan’s largest metro economies, OIC is a strategic base. Campus overview: OIC (EN).

Peace, Public Engagement & Museum-Based Learning

RU’s civic mission shows up in distinctive institutions like the Kyoto Museum for World Peace—among the few university-run museums of its kind. It hosts exhibitions and educational programs on conflict, human rights, and reconciliation, complementing coursework in history, IR, and public policy. Details (EN): Kyoto Museum for World Peace.

Scale with Support: Clubs, Facilities, and Advising

RU’s size enables wide choice in courses, labs, and clubs while maintaining access to advising. The university lists 450+ student clubs and circles—from sports and outdoors to cultural and tech—many of which welcome international members. See Club Activities.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles (Welcoming Overseas Students)

Joining a club or circle is the fastest way to meet peers and improve Japanese through real activity. RU’s English student-life pages explain how to search, visit trial sessions, and apply. Clubs & Circles.

Support Offices: Visa, Housing, Counseling

Each campus hosts an International Center and “Manabi Station” to help with procedures, certificates, and everyday questions. For visa steps like the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and residence status (“Student”), RU publishes English guidance and directs admitted students to post-admission procedures. Contact directory: RU Contact. Housing and practical info for English-medium entrants: Housing (EN).

Language-Exchange & Buddy Programs

Beyond Borders Plaza (BBP) operates on all campuses as an international commons with self-study materials and student-run events. RU also highlights peer support such as buddies, resident mentors in dorms, and organizations that help you connect quickly. Overview: BBP (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

RU maintains an extensive international network—hundreds of partners across 60+ countries/regions—supporting semester/year exchanges, double/joint degrees, and short-term programs. Inbound non-degree options include the Study in Kansai Program (SKP). For the latest partner list, refer to RU’s bilingual PDF and confirm availability with your college’s International Center. Partner Universities (PDF) · SKP (About RU).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Weather & Costs)

Weather Patterns

Kyoto (Kinugasa) and Osaka (OIC) share a temperate, four-season climate: mild springs; hot, humid summers with a June–July rainy season; crisp autumns; and cool winters. Around Lake Biwa (BKC), conditions are similar with slightly cooler breezes. For planning, consult the Japan Meteorological Agency climate normals (1991–2020) and the Kyoto city weather guide. JMA Normals (EN) · Kyoto Weather.

Cost of Living (Typical Monthly)

RU’s English pages estimate monthly living costs depending on housing and lifestyle. As a rough guide, on-campus accommodation commonly ranges around ¥39,000–¥65,000; food ~¥26,000–¥28,300; local transport ~¥5,200–¥6,300; and other items as needed. Kansai (Kyoto/Osaka) tends to be more affordable than central Tokyo for rent. Always verify the latest figures: Cost of Living (EN).

International Student Statistics

International students at RU come from 70+ countries/regions. Common top cohorts include China, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the United States. Because counts shift each year (by program and level), use RU’s latest statistical tables or admissions pages for current snapshots; third-party profiles (e.g., THE) also report overall percentages. International Admissions (EN) · THE profile.

*Distribution varies by year and program. Check RU’s latest data PDFs.

Frequently Represented Countries/Regions*	Notes
China, South Korea	Typically largest cohorts among degree-seekers
Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam	Consistent inflow across colleges
United States, Europe, Others	Exchange (SKP) and English-medium entrants add diversity

Career & Graduate Prospects

RU’s Career Center runs across Kinugasa, BKC, and OIC, offering guidance on Japan’s recruiting calendar, company research, entry sheets, interviews, and job fairs—plus resources tailored to international students (including work-visa transitions). Being in the Kansai economy (Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe) gives access to manufacturers, tech, consulting, finance, creative firms, and start-ups. Explore English resources and outcome examples here: Career Center (EN) · Career Outcomes (Intl Students).

English-Medium Options (Brief Overview)

While most RU undergraduates study in Japanese, RU offers five English-medium options for globally mobile students. Confirm fees (¥), scholarships/tuition reductions, and timelines on official pages each year.

• College of Global Liberal Arts (GLA): dual degree with The Australian National University (two degrees in four years). GLA
• Joint Degree Program with American University (JDP), College of International Relations. Study in both Kyoto and Washington, DC. JDP
• Global Studies Major (GS), College of International Relations. GS Curriculum
• Community & Regional Policy Studies (CRPS), College of Policy Science. Admissions Hub (EN)
• Information Systems Science & Engineering (ISSE), College of Information Science & Engineering. ISSE (Expenses)

Documents and rules update annually—always rely on the latest handbooks and official notices. Quick links: AO Application Handbook (EN, sample year) · Tuition & Fees · Scholarships & Tuition Reduction.

Colleges / Faculties (Where You Might Study)

A non-exhaustive list of undergraduate colleges with typical campus associations (always confirm the latest page for exact locations and curricula):

• Kinugasa (Kyoto): Letters; Image Arts & Sciences; Law; International Relations; Comprehensive Psychology
• BKC (Shiga): Science & Engineering; Life Sciences; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Sport & Health Science
• OIC (Osaka): Business Administration; Policy Science; Information Science & Engineering (tracks); Global Liberal Arts; Gastronomy Management

See official college pages for admission subjects, required abilities, labs/studios, and capstone options: Undergraduate Schools.

Admissions & Tuition (Brief)

Admission categories, exam subjects, and tuition (¥) differ by college and program. English-medium tracks publish consolidated fee tables and scholarship/tuition-reduction schemes; Japanese-taught tracks should be confirmed via each college office or the finance pages linked from RU’s directory. Start here: Admissions & Aid (EN) · Tuition & Fees · Scholarships · RU Contact.

How to Use This Guide (Next Steps)

• Use the Campus Maps to visualize neighborhoods and commute times.
• Shortlist colleges from Undergraduate Schools, then compare syllabi, labs, and capstones.
• Check language readiness and plan JLPT/business Japanese milestones early.
• Budget using RU’s Cost of Living guide and scholarship pages.
• Meet people via clubs/circles and events at BBP.
• Consult the Career Center to map Japan’s recruiting calendar and internship timing.