Studying at Ritsumeikan APU (Asia Pacific University) in Japan will leave you with a feeling of having experienced something extraordinary. You will meet both international and Japanese people, and get a unique insight into Japanese culture, language and society. All in all, you are guaranteed an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
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We will tell you all the practicalities about studying at Ritsumeikan APU and make sure you get all the information about financing, housing, scholarships and we help you with the application and paperwork. At Ritsumeikan APU you can study:
- Bachelor
- Master
- PHD
3 good reasons to study in Beppu
- The university is full of international students, and about half of the students are from elsewhere than Japan, so you'll get the full international vibe here.
- Location! Beppu is located by the ocean. The university is aprox. 15 minutes from the beach and 30 minutes from the city center and the city itself is busy and full of life.
- APU has a special bond to the business industry, which makes it possible to find a job in Japan after the studies.
Why study at Ritsumeikan APU?
Studying at APU in Japan is a different experience than those you get in USA or Australia. The culture here is different, the mix of students is different and the way classes are taught is different. That said, APU is an international university and just about half the students here are international students from all over the world. The location in Beppu furthermore offers an authenthic look into Japanese culture. The university is very organised, and it's tradition that the international and Japanese students familiarize themselves with each other’s customs, languages and culture.
The courses are taught in lecture form and in smaller study teams. APU has a special bond to the business industry, which makes it possible to find a job in Japan after the studies, if you wish it.
Ritsumeikan APU is btw one of the only universities in Japan, that offers courses at bachelor level in both English and Japanese. Japanese language skills are therefore not required to attend university here. At master’s level the courses are in English.
Campus life at Ritsumeikan APU
Campus is set in high altitude with a beautiful view of Beppu, just 30 minutes by bus to the city centre. The campus offers student housing in a place called AP House. On campus you’ll will find a library, book store, shops, gym and two cafeterias. The university is also known for it's very social environment and the commitment to secure the integration of the Japanese and international students.
Student accommodation in Beppu
In order to secure the best integration of the students at APU, the university offers student housing to all first year students in AP House which is located on campus. You can apply for either a private room or shared accommodation with partitions. If you choose shared accommodation, you will often be put with a Japanese student, which will help you to faster gain an understanding of the culture and language as well as the other way around. All housing options have wi-fi, and no matter which you choose, it comes with shared bathroom and kitchen.
If you want, you can also rent accommodation privately off-campus.
What to do in Beppu?
Beppu is located beautifully by the ocean and with mountains surrounding the city. Beppu is famous for being the hot springs capital of Japan. You'll find more than 2,500 hot springs around the city and you'll see the steam rise from these from all over the city. The famous Hells of the city is also worth a visit, though it's not possible to take a dip here. These are strictly for viewing rather than bathing.
While here, you should also visit Mount Tsurumi. Here you'll get a fantastic view over the city from around 1375 meters.
The temperature in Beppu are quite similar to what we're used to in Scandinavia with a hot summer and a cold winter, so make sure to pack accordingly.
Apply to Ritsumeikan APU
As the university's official representatives in Norway and Sweden, we will help you through the entire application process if you want to study at Ritsumeikan APU.
For the bachelor’s programme, the application deadline for spring (starting in April) is usually in October. If you wish to start in fall (September) the application deadline is usually in March. Please be aware that these are guiding dates. We recommend that you reach out to us to hear the exact application deadlines. You will need a qualifying exam, no older than 5 years and with a minimum of a C average, as well as a C in English at the highest level or B at the second highest.
For master’s applications, the deadline for starting in spring is usually in October, while starting in the Fall is usually March. Again, beware these dates are only a guide, as it may change from year to year. Contact our student counselor for the updates.
If you do not meet the English requirements, you can take a TOEFL or IELTS test. To apply for the Master’s degree, a language test it is most often required regardless.
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