Ritsumeikan University
立命館大学
A large private university in Kyoto and Osaka with five English-taught bachelor's programmes, including dual degrees with ANU and American University.
- Students
- 35,919
- International
- 10%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 18:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- ¥1.4M
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1900
About Ritsumeikan
Ritsumeikan traces its roots to 1869, when statesman Prince Kinmochi Saionji founded a private academy called Ritsumeikan in Kyoto. In 1900 his former secretary Kojuro Nakagawa set up Kyoto Hosei School, an evening law school for working people, which took the Ritsumeikan name in 1913 and became a university in 1922. Its founders' ideals of liberalism, internationalism and academic freedom are still central to how the university presents itself.
Today Ritsumeikan is one of western Japan's largest universities, with more than 39,000 students across campuses in Kyoto (Kinugasa), Shiga (Biwako-Kusatsu) and Osaka (Osaka Ibaraki). It reports Japan's third-largest international student body, 3,386 students from 79 countries, and has been selected by the Japanese government as a Top Global University. Its colleges range from law, letters and international relations in Kyoto to science, engineering, pharmacy and sport in Shiga and business, policy science, psychology, image arts and information science in Osaka.
For international applicants the main route is AO Admissions (English Basis), which covers five English-medium bachelor's programmes: the Global Studies Major and a joint degree with American University in Washington, D.C. (both in Kyoto), and the College of Global Liberal Arts dual degree with the Australian National University, the Community and Regional Policy Studies Major and the Information Systems Science and Engineering Course (all in Osaka). About 19% of applicants to these five English-basis programmes were admitted for 2026 entry.
自由と清新
“Freedom and Innovation” — university motto
Why students choose Ritsumeikan
Five English-medium bachelor's programmes, including Japan's first college-wide dual degree with the Australian National University (GLA) and a joint degree with American University (JDP).
Every admitted student in the English-basis programmes gets at least a 20% first-year tuition reduction, and the top 10% get 100%.
The Kinugasa Campus in Kyoto is surrounded by temples such as Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, with 13 World Heritage Sites within 10 km.
Ritsumeikan has study abroad agreements with 150 universities in 35 countries and regions.
Admissions
April and September 2027 entry (AO Admissions, English Basis)
Selectivity
English-basis track only (AO Admissions, English Basis), not the university's Japanese-language entrance examinations: for 2026 enrolment, 364 of 1,935 applicants to the five English-medium programmes were admitted, about 18.8%. By programme: GLA 111 of 643, JDP 7 of 12, GS 145 of 687, CRPS 38 of 276 and ISSE 63 of 317.
Typical entry requirements
| University entrance eligibility | Completion of 12 years of schooling or an equivalent qualification recognised for Japanese university entrance (see the Application Handbook for the full criteria) |
|---|---|
| Documents | High school graduation certificate (or expected graduation), academic transcripts, English proficiency evidence, application essay(s) and a reference letter (two for ISSE) |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 72 Minimums vary by programme: CRPS and ISSE TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 5.5; GS TOEFL iBT 76, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 110; JDP TOEFL iBT 85, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120; GLA TOEFL iBT 81 (with subscores) or IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each band. Scores must be within two years; TOEFL Home Edition, MyBest scores and IELTS Online are not accepted. Waivers apply for students educated in English for the qualifying period. |
Deadlines
- April 2027 entry, GLA, JDP, GS and ISSE (past) Non-binding Passed8 September 2026, 23:00 JST (past)
Applications 19 August to 8 September 2026 (CRPS admits in September only). GLA final results 29 October 2026; GS, JDP and ISSE interviews 14-15 November and results 26 November 2026.
- September 2027 entry, GLA round 1 Non-binding Next deadline · In 27 days2 November 2026
Applications 14 October to 2 November 2026; final result 24 December 2026. Decided on documents only.
- September 2027 entry, GS, CRPS and GLA round Non-binding In ~3 months12 January 2027
Applications 2 December 2026 to 12 January 2027; GLA results 4 March 2027; GS and CRPS interviews 13-14 March and final results 25 March 2027.
- September 2027 entry, final round (GS, CRPS, GLA) Non-binding In ~5 months9 March 2027
Applications 17 February to 9 March 2027; GLA results 30 April 2027; GS and CRPS interviews 8-9 May and final results 20 May 2027.
JDP and ISSE admit only in April, so their next opportunity after the September 2026 round is April 2028 entry. You may apply to several programmes and in several periods, paying a separate fee each time. All times are Japan Standard Time.
How to apply
Apply online through The Admissions Office (TAO) during an application period, choosing a programme; each programme and each period is a separate application with a JPY 5,000 fee. Upload your high school certificate, transcripts, English test score or waiver documents and the programme's essay(s); referees submit letters directly through TAO. Shortlisted JDP, CRPS and ISSE applicants (and invited GS applicants) have a web or telephone interview.
What admissions looks for
- English ability and basic academic skills strong enough to discuss global issues in English.
- Genuine interest in the chosen field, for GS shown in a 500-word essay on what you want to study in International Relations and why.
- Logical thinking and the ability to explain and discuss your essay in an interview.
- Readiness to learn in a multicultural environment and, for policy science, a willingness to work on practical solutions to social problems.
Tips for applying to Ritsumeikan
- 1 Apply in an early round: GLA's first September 2027 round closes on 2 November 2026, and the top 10% of admitted students get full tuition waivers for the first year.
- 2 Check which campus your programme is on: GS and JDP are in Kyoto; GLA, CRPS and ISSE are in Osaka Ibaraki.
- 3 Use one reference letter for all your Ritsumeikan applications in the same year, but remember ISSE needs a second letter.
- 4 Do not submit TOEFL Home Edition, MyBest scores or IELTS Online; Ritsumeikan does not accept them.
- 5 Read the published admissions result summaries: GS reported 145 admitted from 687 applicants for 2026 entry, so the essay and interview matter.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in JPY
All students admitted through AO Admissions (English Basis) receive a first-year Ritsumeikan tuition reduction: 100% for the top 10% of the intake, 50% for the next 10% and 20% for everyone else, renewed in later years based on grades (GLA students are eligible for the 100% category only). After enrolment, students can apply for JASSO scholarships of JPY 48,000 a month and other awards, and GLA students receive study abroad scholarships for their year at ANU. Ritsumeikan can also recommend applicants for the MEXT full scholarship.
- 100% of first-year tuition
- Tuition reduction, top 10% of admitted students
- At least 20% of first-year tuition
- Tuition reduction, all other admitted students
- JPY 48,000 per month
- JASSO scholarship (after enrolment)
- JPY 5,000 per programme
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (spring from April, fall from September)
Global Studies Major (GS), College of International Relations
English-taught international relations in Kyoto since 2011, with a yearly intake of 100 and April or September entry.
College of Global Liberal Arts (GLA) dual degree with ANU
Japan's first college-wide dual degree with the Australian National University: three years in Osaka, one in Canberra, two bachelor's degrees.
American University-Ritsumeikan Joint Degree Program (JDP)
The first undergraduate joint degree between Japan and the United States: two years in Kyoto and two in Washington, D.C.
Information Systems Science and Engineering Course (ISSE)
An English-taught Bachelor of Engineering in the College of Information Science and Engineering, which Ritsumeikan calls Japan's largest ICT college.
Community and Regional Policy Studies Major (CRPS)
English-taught policy science in Osaka with September entry and a yearly intake of 40.
Research
- Ritsumeikan secured JPY 1.4 billion in research funding in 2025, ranking first among private universities in western Japan and fourth nationwide by its own count.
- The Graduate School of International Relations is, according to Wikipedia, the only Japanese member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.
- Ritsumeikan has been selected by Japan's education ministry as a Top Global University.
Schools & faculties
- College of Law
- College of Social Sciences
- College of International Relations
- College of Letters
- College of Economics
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- College of Business Administration
- College of Policy Science
- College of Global Liberal Arts
- College of Information Science and Engineering
Student life
Student life starts with an entrance ceremony and welcome festival, and the Ritsumeikan Festival takes place each November. GS and JDP students are based at the Kinugasa Campus in north-west Kyoto, beneath Mount Kinugasa and close to Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, while GLA, CRPS and ISSE students study at the Osaka Ibaraki Campus, opened in 2015 midway between Osaka and Kyoto. University accommodation is available for students in the English-medium programmes, with rules and fees that vary by residence. Ritsumeikan Co-op surveys put typical monthly spending at about JPY 134,000 to 145,000.
- Ritsumeikan Festival every November, plus entrance ceremonies for April and September starters.
- Kinugasa Campus sits among temples including Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji and Tojiin.
- Study abroad agreements with 150 universities in 35 countries and regions.
- The Ritsumeikan Panthers compete in university sport, including American football.
Housing. University accommodation is offered to students in the English-medium programmes, arranged through the International Center at Kinugasa (GS, JDP) or Osaka Ibaraki (GLA, CRPS, ISSE); Ritsumeikan's survey puts university accommodation at JPY 39,000 to 65,000 a month.
Location
Kyoto is a city with more than 1,000 years of history and 17 World Cultural Heritage sites, and Ritsumeikan says one in ten residents is a university student. The Osaka Ibaraki Campus lies midway between Osaka and Kyoto in Ibaraki City, giving easy access to Osaka, a business hub where many of Japan's leading companies have their headquarters.
Nearest airport: Kansai International Airport (KIX); Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) for domestic flights
Notable alumni
- MA Momofuku AndoFounder of Nissin Foods and inventor of instant noodles; studied economics at Ritsumeikan in the 1930s
- KI Kenta IzumiLeader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (2021-2024); studied law at Ritsumeikan
- AF Atsuya FurutaTokyo Yakult Swallows catcher and player-manager; Ritsumeikan graduate
- HT Hiroshi TanahashiProfessional wrestler, named best wrestler of the 2010s by Wrestling Observer readers; studied law at Ritsumeikan
- NI Nisio IsinNovelist behind the Monogatari series; attended the College of Policy Science but left without graduating (non-degree)
- PR Princess Raiyah of JordanScholar of Japanese literature; spent a year abroad at Ritsumeikan (non-degree study)
Frequently asked questions
Does Ritsumeikan University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Yes, five: the Global Studies Major and the American University joint degree in Kyoto, and the Global Liberal Arts dual degree with ANU, Community and Regional Policy Studies and Information Systems Science and Engineering in Osaka.
What is the acceptance rate at Ritsumeikan for English-taught programmes?
For 2026 entry, 364 of 1,935 applicants were admitted across the five English-basis programmes, about 19%. GS admitted 145 of 687 and CRPS 38 of 276.
When are the Ritsumeikan application deadlines for 2027?
April 2027 applications closed on 8 September 2026. For September 2027, GLA's first round closes on 2 November 2026, and GS, CRPS and GLA have rounds closing on 12 January and 9 March 2027.
How much is tuition at Ritsumeikan University for international students?
For 2027 entrants, annual tuition ranges from JPY 1,361,600 (CRPS) and JPY 1,469,200 (GS) to JPY 2,868,000 from the second year of GLA, plus a JPY 200,000 admission fee. All admitted students get at least 20% off first-year tuition.
What TOEFL or IELTS score do I need for Ritsumeikan?
It depends on the programme: CRPS and ISSE ask for TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 5.5, GS for TOEFL iBT 76 or IELTS 6.0, and GLA and JDP for higher scores such as IELTS 6.5.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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