Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) Guide for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Scholarships, and Campus Life

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that feels global from day one? Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu, Oita offers English- and Japanese-medium degree programs, a truly international student body, and strong career support. This guide walks you through quick facts, what makes APU unique, student life resources, exchange opportunities, climate and lifestyle in Beppu, and outcomes after graduation. All data points are from official APU pages and recent weather records so you can make decisions with confidence.

Quick-Facts Table

Item	Detail
Type	Private (Ritsumeikan Trust)
Total Students	6,541 (as of May 1, 2025) — Facts & Figures
Campus	Beppu (Main Campus) — Campus Map
Faculties/Schools	APS (Asia Pacific Studies); APM (International Management); ST (Sustainability & Tourism); GSA (Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies); GSM (Graduate School of Management) — Official Overview
Tuition Fees (Undergraduate)	Year 1: ¥1,300,000 / Years 2–4: ¥1,500,000; Admission Fee: ¥200,000 — Tuition & Fees
Gender Ratio	Not publicly specified on APU site (latest general composition shown via enrollment data) — Student Enrolment Data
International Students %	48.3% (as of May 1, 2025) — Facts & Figures
Students per Staff	≈31:1 (students per full-time faculty; calculated from 6,541 students / 212 faculty) — Faculty/Student Data

Campus Maps

APU Beppu Main Campus (Oita)

Address: 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita 874-8577, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

APU opened in April 2000 with a bold vision: to be Japan’s first truly international university where students from around the world learn together in English and Japanese. The founding ideals—“Freedom, Peace and Humanity,” “International Mutual Understanding,” and “Creating the Future Shape of the Asia Pacific Region”—remain central today. APU’s official History and the long-form APU Story trace how the university was established through cooperation among the Ritsumeikan Trust, Oita Prefecture, and Beppu City.

From the beginning, APU pursued a multicultural campus, backed by bilingual education that removes language barriers while building strong Japanese proficiency. Over time, the university expanded its programs and partnerships, receiving international accreditations in key areas and growing its community to 6,541 students (as of May 1, 2025). See the latest Facts & Figures 그리고 International Accreditation for details.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Truly International, Bilingual Learning

APU offers degree programs taught in both English and Japanese, allowing you to start in English while steadily improving Japanese for part-time work and future careers in Japan. Nearly half of the student body are international students (48.3%), ensuring daily intercultural interaction in classes and clubs. See Facts & Figures for the latest composition.

Flagship Colleges (Undergraduate)

APS / APM / ST

APU’s three undergraduate colleges cover social sciences and humanities (APS), business and management (APM), and sustainability and tourism (ST). This combination matches regional industry strengths and Japan’s global business needs, while the bilingual model supports internships and job hunting. College overviews are listed on the official overview page.

Global Mobility & Double Degrees

APU maintains hundreds of agreements with universities and institutions worldwide. As of May 1, 2025, APU lists 507 affiliated universities/institutions in 76 countries/regions and runs student exchange with 178 of them. You can browse partners and exchange information via the Off-campus Programs pages: Overseas Student Exchange Program and the searchable directory Search by University. Data source: Facts & Figures.

Student Support & Inclusive Community

APU centralizes resources for visas, housing, health, and counseling. Useful starting points include: Visa Support, Student Life Hub및 Counseling Room. Clubs, circles, and iconic Multicultural Weeks keep campus vibrant; see also the Clubs/Circles directory and a recent news feature.

Location & Facilities

The Beppu campus sits on a hillside with ocean and mountain views—great for focus and outdoor study breaks. Find buildings and services on the Campus Map. AP House residence information and floor plans are linked from the Student Life hub.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles Welcoming Overseas Students

From cultural and language circles to sports and media, APU’s extracurriculars are inclusive and international. Start with the club/circle directory and seasonal Multicultural Weeks.

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

For administrative tasks and well-being: Visa Support, Student Life hub및 Counseling Room.

Language-Exchange & Buddy Programs

The APU Buddy system matches new international students with experienced peers who help you settle in and build community. See APU BUDDY and information for accepted exchange students here.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

APU operates a large-scale exchange network. Explore programs and partner search via the Off-campus Programs portal: Overseas Student Exchange Program 그리고 Search by University. For the broader study-abroad overview page, see Off-campus Programs (Study Abroad). Latest partner counts are listed on Facts & Figures.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather Snapshot (Recent Years)

Beppu has warm, humid summers and cool winters with sea breezes. For recent-year temperature ranges, consult Weather Spark’s annual history for Beppu: 2024 / 2023 / 2022 / 2021. Expect summer highs in the low-to-mid 30s °C and winter lows a few degrees above freezing. Daily life info is summarized on APU’s Life in Beppu page.

Lifestyle & Safety

Beppu is famous for hot springs (onsen), walkable neighborhoods, and welcoming local culture—including traditional bamboo crafts. Students frequently note the calm environment, relative affordability versus big cities, and strong community ties.

International Student Statistics

APU publishes a country/region breakdown (updated regularly). For the most recent dataset, see Student Enrolment Data. As of May 1, 2025, students come from 110 countries and regions, with the international student ratio at 48.3% (see Facts & Figures).

Career & Graduate Prospects

APU’s Career Office provides targeted training, internships, and individualized support. See the portal: Career Support. For outcomes and lists of employers/graduate schools, refer to Job Placement & Advancement and the latest Major Employers & Graduate Schools. Visa-related notes for job hunting are summarized here: Visa Status for Job Hunting.

Admissions & Money (Optional Read)

Review undergraduate costs and scholarships before you apply: Tuition & Fees 그리고 Scholarships After Enrollment. The admissions site also summarizes application categories and timelines.