If you are planning to study in Japan with financial support, the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships are one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs across a wide range of fields. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships 2026-2027 are available for master’s and PhD degrees. These scholarships will cover the full admission fee, the full tuition fee, 144,000 JPY per month for living expenses, and economy-class air travel.
This scholarship is awarded to outstanding international students who are recommended by APU. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides this scholarship with the aim of enhancing the international competitiveness and promoting the active exchange of international students in Japanese universities
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) was Japan’s first genuinely international university. Our graduate schools welcome students into a fully English-based curriculum within a uniquely multicultural environment. APU’s graduate schools are accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The Graduate School of Management has been accredited by AACSB International since 2016, and in 2020, it also received accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Since the opening of APU’s graduate schools, efforts have been made to further its education and research initiatives and expand its contributions to the Asia Pacific region. The graduate schools at APU focus on Asia Pacific studies, with study options geared towards tackling the complex issues facing the societies and environments of the Asia Pacific region, as well as management, with a focus on the Japanese business style and the dynamic world of international business.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s, PhD
- Institution: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
- Study Destination: Japan
- Program Period:
- Master: 1.5-2 Years
- Doctorate: 3-4 Years
Courses Offered
- Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Master’s Programs)
- International Relations (IR)
- Society and Culture (SC)
- International Public Administration (IPA)
- Public Health Management (PHM)
- Sustainability Science (SS)
- Tourism and Hospitality (TH)
- Development Economics (DE)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA Program)
- Accounting and Finance (AF)
- Marketing and Management (MM)
- Innovation and Operations Management (IOM)
- Japanese Management (JM)
- Dual Degree International Material Flow Management (IMAT) Program (2 years)
- For more details Here
- Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (Doctoral Program) (3 years)
- For more details Here
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships is November 12, 2025.
Scholarship Coverage
The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships provide the recipient with the following 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)
Eligibility Criteria for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships
To qualify for the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships, the candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English or Japanese
- Eligible Countries: 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 for this scholarship.
- 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. The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students is not considered a MEXT scholarship.
- Recipients must not receive any other scholarships (including those from the Japanese government, government-related organizations, or other sources) 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 the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships?
Please follow the application instructions below to apply for this 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.
- Selection Process:
- 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.
Website
To know more about the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Scholarships, please visit the official website: