Studying Abroad FAQs | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

You can apply to the exchange program from your second semester onwards, and APU recruits students for the program approximately one year prior to departure. Therefore, we recommend that you start planning your four years of study at APU as early as possible, either before or immediately following your enrollment, to start preparing for the exchange program.

Please start by carefully reading the “Overseas Student Exchange” section on this website before gathering information about the program, including following the Instagram page run by the SEAs (Student Exchange Advisors), who are students who have participated in the exchange program before. It is also important to attend the Student Exchange Cafes, Student Exchange Fair, and other events to hear about the experiences of other students. This will help you narrow down your chosen universities while learning more about the program.

You will need a specific GPA and English proficiency score to apply to the program. Application requirements vary from university to university. If you have decided on the university you wish to apply to, please aim to obtain a GPA and English score that satisfies the application requirements for that university. If you do not have a specific university in mind, please aim to obtain the highest GPA and English score as possible to broaden your options.

First, please use this website’s “Program / University Search” tool to research host universities. You can search for universities by region, area of study, application requirements, and various other criteria. Each university's introduction page includes basic information about the university as well as links to the university’s website and Info Sheet.

The Info Sheet is a document summarizing all the information for exchange students. Please use the Info Sheet to research each university in more detail. You can also find testimonials and reports from other students on each university’s introduction page. Please refer to these as well.

You should first consider your interests, future goals, financial situation, the university’s size, dormitory availability, the local language, safety, climate, and various other factors. Please keep each of these factors in mind when researching universities. In particular, be sure to take the time to find out if the courses you want to study are offered to exchange students. Also, rank the information you researched based on your priorities and think about what kind of university you would like to choose. When you take into consideration the English language and GPA requirements, you should be able to narrow down potential study abroad destinations.

You may take any courses you want as long as they are offered to exchange students. If there are no set prerequisites, you can even take courses in fields outside your major. Please check to see which courses are offered to exchange students at your chosen university.

Information about the available courses and subjects is usually included in the university’s Info Sheet. There is a link to the Info Sheet on each university’s introduction page, which you can access using this website’s “Program / University Search” tool. If you do not find the information you are looking for on the Info Sheet, please search for it by yourself using the link to the university’s website, which is also available on each university’s introduction page.

In general, you can choose between one semester or one year (two semesters) for almost all universities. However, for a very small number of universities, one semester may be the only option. The eligible exchange period for each university is written on the University List that we publish each semester when recruiting for the program.

You cannot extend the exchange period you were accepted for. If there are unavoidable circumstances, and you wish to shorten your exchange, please consult with the Outreach and Research Office’s Student Exchange Team at outbound@apu.ac.jp.

If you create a thorough plan for studying abroad, it is possible to study at two universities for one semester each. However, you may have to apply and arrange a visa for the second country's university while studying at the first, which will likely require a lot more preparation. Please consider your choice carefully.

Please consider your chosen university, study plan, and plans for after graduation while deciding when you should go on exchange. Students who are concerned about the impact on job hunting may prefer to go on exchange as early as possible. The earliest option is to apply during your 2nd semester to depart for exchange from your 4th semester. Students who want to study their major in more depth after acquiring foundational knowledge at APU often choose to study abroad from their third year onwards. You also need to consider the limitations on which semester it is possible to apply for your chosen university due to the differences between higher education systems in different countries and regions. For example, for many Australian universities, it is only possible to apply for the spring semester, while most universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as in some Asian countries, are only available during the fall semester. Please consider when and where you want to study abroad within your four years of studying at APU.

The exchange program is designed to allow students to graduate within four years. Your exchange period is also counted towards the number of years of enrollment required for graduation, so it is possible to graduate within four years as long as you earn the required credits. Credits earned at your host university will be evaluated and transferred as APU credits, thereby counting towards graduation.

We provide opportunities for you to talk directly with APU students who have studied abroad as well as exchange students from partner universities at the Student Exchange Fair, Student Exchange Cafes, and other events. We can also connect you individually with students who have been on exchange. If you want to get in contact with students who have been on exchange, please contact the Outreach and Research Office’s Student Exchange Team at outbound@apu.ac.jp.

Every semester we hold recruitment guidance sessions, Student Exchange Cafes, and the Student Exchange Fair. The timing varies each semester, so please check the Off-campus Programs website, Campus Terminal, or the SEA Instagram.

Host universities will usually provide support, but it is the student's responsibility to find housing at their study abroad destination. In many cases, the host university will recommend dormitories or affiliated housing agencies to help you find accommodation. Some students stay in a local hotel for the first few weeks and then look for housing. In some parts of Europe, there are no dormitories, and finding accommodation can be difficult. Please start researching early so you can secure housing well in advance of your study abroad.

Costs will vary depending on your destination country, whether your host university is in a major city like London, Paris, or New York, your choice of accommodation, and other factors. Rent will account for a large part of your expenses, so first, research the cost of accommodation at your chosen university. The reports submitted by students who have been on exchange also include each student’s estimated costs, so please refer to this information as well. You can access the reports from each university's introduction page.

You must continue paying tuition fees to APU as usual while studying abroad. You do not need to pay tuition fees to your host university. If you are receiving a tuition reduction scholarship, it will still apply during your study abroad period.

After converting your host university credits to APU credits, it is usually possible to earn around 12-18 credits per semester on average, but the maximum credit registration limit will depend on your chosen university. Please check the maximum number of credits you can register on exchange using the Info Sheet or the university's website. The Division of Academic Affairs and each college will screen your subjects to decide if they are eligible for credit transfer. If approved, the credits you earn on exchange will be transferred as APU credits.

Faculty from each college and the Division of Academic Affairs will check the syllabus for each subject you take on exchange to determine the subject area for credit transfer. In principle, credits will be transferred to APU under a subject area, such as Language Education, Common Liberal Arts, or Major Education credits, rather than a specific subject name. Depending on your curriculum, your credits may be eligible for transfer under the name of a specific APU subject if you submit the required application. Host universities and APU use different credit systems, so there is a specific credit conversion formula for each university. For more details, please contact the Outreach and Research Office’s Student Exchange Team at outbound@apu.ac.jp.

The office can check the credit transfer records for any subjects you plan on taking and provide this information as a reference. After starting your exchange, please submit the syllabus for each subject you are taking at your host university to APU to confirm the official tentative credit transfer results for your subjects. Due to changes in syllabus content, etc., the tentative credit transfer result may differ from the past result for a given subject.

The number of credits you can earn on exchange differs between universities, so first, research how many credits you can take at your chosen university. Based on that information, make a four-year study plan and confirm how many credits you need to earn and when. Please note that the number of credits earned while studying abroad is often less than the maximum number of credits you can earn at APU each semester.

You may take any courses you want as long as they are offered to exchange students. If there are no set prerequisites, you can even take courses in fields outside your major. However, if you take such subjects, they are likely to be transferred to APU as Common Liberal Arts credits. Check your graduation requirements at APU and make a four-year study plan to ensure that taking these subjects will not be an issue.

For the internal application to APU, you will need to submit a photo of your face (digital), the Statement of Financial Support (available on the application webpage), a copy of your English proficiency score, and a list of subjects you want to take at your host university. You will also need to write several essays, including your reasons for applying to each university. After passing APU’s internal screening, you will then apply directly to the host university. The documents needed for the host university application will depend on each university’s requirements, but many universities ask students to submit their APU transcripts, a list of subjects they want to take, bank statements, etc.

The application requirements vary by university. The GPA requirement for most universities is 2.00, but there are also some universities that require 3.00. There are a very limited number of universities you can apply for with an English score of IELTS 4.5-5.5. If you have an IELTS score of 6.0-6.5, you will have more options, so please aim to obtain the highest GPA and English score possible by the time you apply. Please check the application requirements for each university using the University List on the Overseas Student Exchange Program’s application page or by searching for each university’s introduction page using this website’s “Program / University Search” tool.

First, please use this website’s "Program / University Search" tool. If you select an academic field on the "Search by University" page, only universities offering courses in that field will be displayed. After that, make sure to research which courses are actually offered using the Info Sheet and the university’s website, which can both be accessed from the university's introduction page. It may also be a good idea to talk to faculty members and students who have already studied abroad.

We publish the University List for a given semester at the start of the recruitment period. We confirm the number of available slots for APU students with each partner university each semester, so we do not necessarily recruit for all host universities every semester. We recommend searching for about five universities you are interested in attending.

2nd-year transfer students can apply from their 4th semester. 3rd-year transfer students cannot participate in the overseas student exchange program. Please consider participating in an Overseas Short-term Summer/Winter Program instead.

The countries and regions available for exchange are different. There are some exceptions, so please check the University List we publish each semester.

Recruitment is divided into the 1st and 2nd round during the fall semester. The 1st round is the main recruitment period, so please aim to apply during the 1st round if possible. In principle, the 2nd round only includes universities with spaces left over after the 1st round of recruitment. Although it is rare, new universities may be added during the 2nd round of recruitment.

You will be “conditionally accepted” if you pass APU’s internal screening after applying with an expired English score, or with a score that does not meet the English requirements at the time of applying to your host university. There will be several months to half a year between the internal application and the host university application, and during this time, you must obtain the required score and submit it to APU by at least one week before the host university's nomination deadline. If you fail to submit the required score, your acceptance will be revoked, and you will not be able to participate in the exchange program. Please check the application guidelines for more details.

As long as your English scores meet the requirements for both applications, it is possible to use different scores.

In principle, an English score is required when applying to the exchange program, regardless of whether you are Japanese-basis or English-basis. However, if you were exempt from submitting proof of language proficiency when enrolling at APU, you are also exempt from submitting an English score for the exchange program application. Please check the application guidelines for more details.

Carefully read through the application guidelines from start to finish. Make sure you fill in all the required fields on the online application form. Incomplete applications may not be considered during the screening process. Be sure to submit your English score in a format that clearly shows your name. Applications submitted even one second after the deadline will not be accepted. Prepare well in advance so you can submit your application at least one day before the deadline.

Having a chronic illness or condition does not in itself prevent you from studying abroad. However, the overseas travel insurance only covers injuries and illnesses that occur after departure, and the medical costs for treating pre-existing conditions or injuries sustained prior to departure are not covered. Additionally, you may not be allowed to bring your regular medication into your destination country, or the amount you can bring may be restricted, so please check your destination country’s restrictions carefully. Consult with your doctor early on and prepare thoroughly to ensure you can study abroad as planned.

APU regularly administers the TOEFL ITP® Test and IELTS™ on campus every year, and these scores can be used to apply to the exchange program. Please check the schedule for language proficiency exams held at APU as well as the homepage of each proficiency test for information about external examinations. Note that while the TOEFL ITP® Test can be used to apply to APU’s internal screening, some host universities do not accept ITP scores.

TOEFL iBT® and IELTS test all four language skills. IELTS is primarily a paper-based test (a computer-based test is also available in Tokyo and Osaka), while TOEFL iBT® is taken on a computer. For the speaking component, IELTS involves an interview with an examiner, whereas TOEFL involves speaking one-sidedly into a microphone. The TOEFL ITP® Test only tests two skills, lacking speaking and writing components. Some host universities do not accept the TOEFL ITP® Test or IELTS Online scores. The examination method and question types differ, so please review each test format using library or SALC resources and choose the one that best suits your chosen host university and personal preference.

You can apply to APU's internal screening with an expired score. However, if score submission is required by your host university, you will need to obtain and submit a new score to APU after acceptance by at least one week before the nomination deadline. Make a clear plan to obtain the necessary score. If your expired score meets your host university’s English requirements and score submission is not required for your host university, then you do not need to obtain a new English score. The University List released each semester includes information about English requirements, nomination deadlines, and score submission requirements.

There are two types of language requirements: the minimum requirement for APU’s internal screening and the host university’s language requirements. The minimum requirement for the internal screening is lower than each host university’s language requirements. You must submit a language score that meets the internal requirement by the deadline to apply to APU’s internal screening. For the host university’s requirements, you must submit a language score that meets this requirement by one week before the nomination deadline.

We conduct a comprehensive screening based on your academic record at APU, English proficiency, and the content of your application essays. Although we do not select students solely based on their GPA and English score, both are important factors in the screening process. Please aim for the highest possible GPA and English score before applying. It is also important to thoroughly consider why you are applying to the program and research universities that align with your goals to ensure you choose one that suits you. Spend adequate time on this research as the amount you have researched will be evident in your application.

The degree of competitiveness is below 1 for less popular destinations, whereas it can go up to 10 for very popular universities. English-speaking countries and Northern Europe are popular every year. The degree of competitiveness may vary each time for the same university. The University List we publish each semester includes information about the level of competitiveness from the past two years for reference.

Many students receive various scholarships for the exchange program each year. Information about scholarships for studying abroad is available on the “Scholarship for Study Abroad” page. Scholarships for international students are limited, but those receiving tuition reduction scholarships at APU can continue receiving them while studying abroad. Sometimes we also receive information from host universities about other scholarships not listed on this page. In such cases, we will inform students accepted to that university on an individual basis.

Each scholarship has its own rules regarding receiving multiple scholarships at the same time. Please check the rules for each scholarship.

Visa applications are the responsibility of the student. Although APU will provide any necessary support, such as issuing certificates, we cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. If you wish to use an agent for your visa application, you must find one by yourself. Applicants are responsible for covering all agent fees. Please note that APU does not provide agent recommendations.

Your exchange program will be cancelled if you fail to obtain the required visa by the deadlines set by the office. You cannot delay your exchange program to the next semester. You will need a letter of acceptance from your host university to apply for a visa. Please finish applying to your host university as soon as possible so you can receive the letter of acceptance and apply for your visa well in advance.

As a rule, it is the student's responsibility to obtain the required visa. Please finish applying to your host university as soon as possible so that you can apply for your visa well in advance. In some situations, the office may be able to contact the embassy, but in general, students must handle all visa procedures by themselves.

All students participating in the exchange program are required to enroll in the insurance policy specified by APU.

All students participating in the exchange program are required to enroll in the insurance policy specified by APU. If your host university also requires you to be covered by their insurance, you will need to enroll in both. Please follow the rules of both APU and your host university.

Many students study abroad from the second half of their 3rd year to the first half of their 4th year. If you study abroad at this stage, it is important to prepare for job hunting prior to your exchange. Start your self-analysis and company research early. There are also job fairs, such as the Boston Career Forum, that you can participate in while studying abroad. Balancing job-hunting preparations with studying abroad can be challenging, but it also offers the opportunity to secure a job offer within a short time period. Many students return to Japan around late May to June, making it possible to apply to companies that have summer or year-round recruitment. You will have many experiences before and during your study abroad that you can use to promote yourself, so keep a diary and articulate these experiences. If you are worried about job hunting, please consult with the Student Office’s career counselors before you depart.