The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for international students to pursue master’s and PhD degrees in Japan. This scholarship covers full admission and tuition fees, a monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY, and economy-class airfare. It is awarded to outstanding students recommended by APU and funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) is Japan’s first genuinely international university, offering a fully English-based curriculum in a multicultural environment. APU’s graduate schools are accredited by MEXT, and the Graduate School of Management holds AACSB and AMBA accreditations. The university focuses on Asia Pacific studies and management, preparing students to tackle complex regional and global challenges.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship Benefits
- Full admission fee
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY (including housing) (amount subject to change)
- Travel expenses (economy class airfare between the home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program)
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a national of a MEXT-designated country
- Must intend to study abroad in Japan from overseas
- Must be born on or after April 2, 1991
- Must have achieved a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at their most recent university
- Individuals currently serving on active military duty or employed as civilian staff by the military at the time of application are not eligible
- Those who have previously received a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship are generally ineligible, except for those with over three years of educational or work experience since the end of their scholarship or former recipients of certain designated programs
- Recipients must not receive any other scholarships that have not been approved for concurrent acceptance with the MEXT Scholarship
- Recipients must hold a ‘Student’ status of residence (visa status) in Japan
How to Apply for Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship
- Set up your account here for the online application login
- Review the application guidelines from here
- When you are ready, click ‘STEP 1’ from the menu shown on the left to start registering your application information
- APU reviews application documents and selects outstanding candidates to recommend to MEXT
- Applicants selected to be recommended for this scholarship are notified of their final APU application results
- Selected applicants complete and submit additional MEXT (SGU) application documents to APU
- The final scholarship award results are decided by MEXT
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply.
What is the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship?
It is a fully funded scholarship for international students to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. It covers full admission and tuition fees, a monthly allowance of 144,000 JPY, and economy-class airfare.
Who provides the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship?
The scholarship is provided by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and is awarded to outstanding international students recommended by Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
What are the eligibility criteria for this scholarship?
Applicants must be nationals of a MEXT-designated country, intend to study in Japan from overseas, be born on or after April 2, 1991, and have a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale. Military personnel and previous MEXT scholarship recipients may be ineligible.
What is the application deadline for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship?
The application deadline is November 5, 2026. Applicants must submit all required documents by this date to be considered for the scholarship.
What benefits does the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship provide?
The scholarship covers the full admission fee, full tuition fee, a monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY, and economy-class airfare between the home country and APU at the start and end of the program.
What programs are available under this scholarship?
The scholarship supports master’s and PhD programs in the Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies and the MBA program. Fields include International Relations, Society and Culture, Development Economics, and more.
How do I apply for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship?
First, set up an online application account. Then review the guidelines and register your application information. APU will review documents and recommend selected candidates to MEXT for final award decisions.
Can I apply if I have previously received a MEXT scholarship?
Generally, previous MEXT scholarship recipients are ineligible. However, exceptions may apply if you have over three years of educational or work experience since the end of your scholarship or were a recipient of certain designated programs.
Is the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarship fully funded?
Yes, it is fully funded. It covers all major expenses including admission fees, tuition, monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare, allowing students to focus on their studies without financial burden.
What is the duration of the scholarship program?
For master’s programs, the duration is 1.5 to 2 years. For doctoral programs, it is 3 to 4 years. The scholarship covers the entire period of study.
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