Unlock Asia-Pacific Opportunities: Study in English at Ritsumeikan APU (APS & IM)

Perched on a hillside overlooking Beppu Bay, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) offers one of Japan’s most internationally diverse learning environments. Its English Tracks in the College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) and the Graduate School of International Management (IM) let you earn a Japanese degree entirely in English while sharpening Japanese skills and building a truly global network. Ready to see why thousands of students from over 100 countries pick APU every year? Dive in below.

1. Why Choose APU English Tracks?

Global Classroom

APU keeps a near-perfect 50 : 50 mix of domestic and international students, confirmed by the Japan Times university guide. Your first-year teamwork pairs you with classmates from Kenya, Vietnam, and Finland—an everyday exercise in cross-cultural intelligence employers crave.

Dual-Language Flexibility

Complete all requirements in English, or mix Japanese electives as your proficiency grows. The official Degree Policy details how bilingual course planning works and why over 70 % of graduates achieve business-level Japanese.

Multicultural Networking

Events like Multicultural Week transform the campus into a festival of food stalls, dance, and debate contests—your first chance to lead a 30-person team and fund-raise in two languages.

2. Curriculum & Learning Experience

APS Bachelor: Thematic Areas

Year 1 introduces Culture, Society, Environment, and Development before you specialize in one of four Areas of Study. Course lists are updated yearly on the APS curriculum page.

IM Master: Practical Business Insight

IM packs Innovation, Finance, Marketing, Và Japanese Management into an intensive two-year schedule. Professors who once held posts at Mitsubishi, Samsung, or Deloitte co-teach many modules—see full syllabi in the GSIM Overview.

Fieldwork & Industry Projects

From disaster-management drills in Kumamoto to supply-chain audits in Bangkok, hands-on courses earn you credits while building a résumé. The Active Learning portal lists current destinations.

3. Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships

Application Timeline & Tests

APU opens April and September intakes. Submit the online form, essays, and a 5,500 JPY screening fee, plus SAT / ACT / IB / A-Level scores. Conditional offers typically arrive within six weeks.

Costs & Tuition Reduction

Figures from the 2025 Tuition Information.

Item (Year 1)	APS	IM
Admission Fee	200,000 JPY	200,000 JPY
Tuition A (per semester)	380,000 JPY	480,000 JPY
Tuition B (per credit)	22,500 JPY	Included
Estimated Annual Total	≈1,450,000 JPY	≈1,160,000 JPY

International applicants are automatically considered for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship covering 30–100 % of fees. Competitive awards like the APU Academic Merit Scholarship add ¥100,000 per semester.

Visa & Work Options

The on-campus Student Office helps apply for a “Permission to Engage in Activity” that lets you work up to 28 hours per week at ¥1,200–1,600 per hour—valuable for offsetting living costs.

4. Student Life & Career Outcomes

Beppu Campus Vibes

Dorm events, hot-spring weekends, and over 180 student clubs guarantee you never eat lunch alone. A popular snapshot is the student blog “A Day in the Life at APU”.

Career Support & Placement

The bilingual Career Office hosts résumé clinics, mock interviews, and job fairs with 400+ companies. Latest AY 2024 data show 96 % employment or further-study rate within 12 months of graduation.

Alumni Success Stories

Graduates are now analysts at Goldman Sachs Japan, consultants at Deloitte Tōhmatsu, and project officers at UN agencies—proof that APU’s brand resonates globally.

Graduates are landing roles at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting, Amazon Japan, Và Toyota Motor Corporation—as shown in the AY 2024 Major Employers List.

Graduates are now analysts at Goldman Sachs, consultants at Deloitte Tōhmatsu, and project officers at UN agencies—proof that APU’s brand resonates globally, as shown in the latest Job Placement Statistics.

5. Living in Beppu on a Student Budget

Shared-house rent near campus averages 35,000 – 55,000 JPY per month; a bus commuter pass is under 5,000 JPY. Part-time shifts at local cafés cover groceries, and onsen entry costs as little as 200 JPY—perfect for de-stress evenings.

Download the full Application Guide (PDF), pick your intake, and start crafting that personal statement today.