Kyoto / Osaka (Ibaraki) / Shiga, JapanPrivateQS World University Rankings: #683 (tied) · QS 2027en.ritsumei.ac.jp(opens in a new tab)
From the recorded data below · USD figures are approximate
Counselor view: Competitive. Clear English minimums (IELTS 5.5–6.5) and 12-year diploma eligibility; tuition reductions decided by admission ranking. General guidance only, not an admission prediction.
Ritsumeikan University is a large private university in the Kansai region of western Japan, with campuses in Kyoto, Osaka (Ibaraki) and Shiga. It offers five English-taught undergraduate programmes: Global Liberal Arts (a dual degree with the Australian National University), Global Studies, Community and Regional Policy Studies, Information Systems Science and Engineering, and a joint degree with American University in Washington, D.C. Applications are made online and judged mainly on documents, essays and references, with no entrance exam. Every admitted international student receives at least a 20% first-year tuition reduction. Ritsumeikan ranks =683 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Advice from our counselors
Ritsumeikan is a strong, realistic Japanese option for Mongolian students with good English: a 12-year Mongolian diploma meets the eligibility rule, there is no entrance exam or SAT requirement, and IELTS 5.5 is enough for CRPS (6.0 for Global Studies, 6.5 for GLA). Apply in the earliest window you can (GLA Period 1 closes 2 November 2026; the next window is 2 December 2026 – 12 January 2027), because tuition reductions are ranked and the 100% and 50% places are limited; everyone admitted still gets 20% off. JD and ISSE only start in April, so they are closed for 2027. Budget about JPY 135,000–145,000 a month for living. Ask a teacher early for the reference letter in TAO.
| Program | Degree | Language | Duration | Tuition / year | Program requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community and Regional Policy Studies (CRPS)Social Sciences | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | ¥1,361,600 | 2027 entrants; IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 72 / Duolingo 105. September 2027 entry. |
| Global Liberal Arts (GLA)Humanities & Languages | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | ¥2,400,000 | First-year fee; dual degree with ANU. IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each). Three September 2027 windows. |
| Global Studies (GS)International Relations & Political Science | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | ¥1,469,200 | 2027 entrants; IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 76 / Duolingo 110. September 2027 windows: 2 Dec – 12 Jan, 17 Feb – 9 Mar. |
| Information Systems Science and Engineering (ISSE)Computer Science & IT | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | ¥1,801,600 | April entry only (2027 window closed 8 Sep 2026). IELTS 5.5 / TOEIC 730; 2 reference letters. |
| Joint Degree Program with American University (JD)International Relations & Political Science | Bachelor's | English | 4 years | ¥1,469,200 | April entry only (2027 window closed). IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 120 / SAT EBRW 610. |
Early Action
GLA Period 1 (September 2027) · 14 Oct – 2 Nov 2026 (closes today). Final result 24 Dec 2026.
2 Nov 2026
Regular Decision
GLA, GS and CRPS — Period (2 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027), September 2027 · GLA result 4 Mar 2027; GS/CRPS interviews 13–14 Mar, results 25 Mar 2027.
12 Jan 2027
Other deadline
GLA, GS and CRPS — last period (17 Feb – 9 Mar 2027), September 2027 · Results 30 Apr (GLA) / 20 May 2027 (GS, CRPS). Fewer tuition-reduction places may remain.
9 Mar 2027
All amounts are per academic year in JPY (USD figures are approximate and use the exchange rate recorded by our staff).
Ritsumeikan Tuition Reduction Scheme (first year, decided from admission results): 100% for roughly the top 10% of admitted students, 50% for the next 10%, and 20% for all other admitted international students (GLA: only the 100% category). From Year 2 the reduction depends on grades; the scheme for 2028 onward is not yet decided. After enrolment: JASSO JPY 48,000 per month and other scholarships by application. MEXT University Recommendation scholarship (full ride) is very competitive.
Maximum recorded tuition scholarship: 100% of tuition (living allowances not included)
Profile last updated 2 Nov 2026. This profile has not yet been verified. Always confirm on the official website before applying.