About APU

Facts and Figures

With tradition and history, the Ritsumeikan Academy opened APU in April 2000 as the first genuine international university in Japan.

The APU campus is a truly multicultural and multilingual environment with nearly half of the student population made up of international students from around the world and an equally diverse faculty. Furthermore, the unique Japanese/English bilingual education system allows students to develop high levels of Japanese language proficiency while also removing the language barrier, making it possible for outstanding young people from around the world to study and earn a degree in Japan.

APU has welcomed international students from 99 different countries and regions* since its inception.

*As of November 1, 2023

1.Brief Overview of APU

University Name Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Founders The Ritsumeikan Trust
(with cooperation from Oita Prefecture and Beppu City)
Location 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Year of Opening April 2000 (Graduate schools established April 2003)
(Accredited by the Ministry of Education in 1999)
Basic Ideals of APU "Freedom, Peace and Humanity"
"International Mutual Understanding"
"Creating the Future Shape of the Asia Pacific region"
Academic Units Undergraduate Colleges
  • College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS)
  • College of International Management (APM)
    (name changed in April 2009 from the "College of Asia Pacific Management")
  • College of Sustainability and Tourism (ST)
Graduate Schools
  • Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (GSA)
  • Graduate School of Management (GSM)
Tuition Fees Tuition Fees (Undergraduate)
Tuition information (graduate)
Student Capacity
(As of 2023)
Undergraduate
  • College of Asia Pacific Studies
Intake Capacity 510 students
Transfer Student Capacity 2nd year transfer : 5 students
3nd year transfer : 5 students
Student Capacity 2,065 students
  • College of International Management
Intake Capacity 610 students
Transfer Student Capacity 2nd year transfer : 5 students
3nd year transfer : 5 students
Student Capacity 2,465 students
  • College of Sustainability and Tourism
Intake Capacity 350 students
Student Capacity 1,400 students
■ Total Undergraduate Student Capacity 5,930 students
Graduate
  • Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies student capacity
Master's Program in Asia Pacific Studies (APS) 30 students
Master's Program in International Cooperation Policy (ICP) 90 students
Doctoral Program in Asia Pacific Studies (APS) 30 students
  • Graduate School of Management student capacity
Master’s Program in Business Administration 80 students
■ Total student capacity 230 students
Total number of students   6,160 students

2.Student Enrollment (As of November 1, 2023)

Undergraduate 5,564
Postgraduate 224
Non-degree 127
■ Total number of students 5,915

※ 5,915consisting of 2,835 domestic students and 3,080 international students from 99 countries and regions (ratio of international students: 47.9%)
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3.Faculty and Staff (As of May 1, 2023)

Faculty 195 Full-time Faculty members (Approximately 46.7% foreign nationals)
(91 faculty members from 26 countries and regions)
Staff 226 (Including contract staff members)

4.APU Support Network (As of April 2023)

APU Support Network We at this University consider it our mission to nurture the global leaders who will contribute to the future of the Asia-Pacific Region. From the moment the university first opened its doors, we have received an enormous amount of support from heads of state, business leaders, Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders and many more who have given up their time to speak to our students.

The Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee was established in May 1996 to provide multifaceted support to APU from a broad perspective. The committee includes heads and ambassadors from various countries and Japanese leaders in the world of economy, trade and industry, who contribute to APU in different ways for the improvement and development of APU's education and research.
288 members as of April 2023

The Academic Advisors

The Academic Advisors support APU particularly for the advancement of education and research. The 65 members include Nobel Prize winning scholars and prominent researchers and individuals from educational fields in Japan and abroad. Academic Advisors are invited to APU hosted International Conferences and Special Lectures and through direct contact with students and faculty members they contribute to the vitalization of education and research.
65 members as of April 2023

5.Affiliated Universities and Institutions

APU has concluded agreements with 486 universities and research institutions in 77 countries and regions around the world, and APU operates student exchange programs with 182 of these partners in 55 countries and regions. (as of May 1, 2023)
List of Affiliated Universities and Institutions

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