Track Comparison

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Intensive Japanese Language (IJL)

The Intensive Japanese Language track allows students to study Japanese language intensively. The track provides a well-balanced approach to improving reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills from the beginner level all the way to the advanced level of practical academic Japanese skills required for taking university courses.

This Track is Perfect
For

  • Those who want to study the Japanese language intensively at a level appropriate to their skills
  • Those who want to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture and society through studying the language
  • Those who want to use the Japanese language in their present or future career

This Track is Offered At

  • Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)
  • Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka)
  • Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)

Colleges/ Graduate Schools Offering Courses

Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)
  • International Relations
  • Letters
  • Social Sciences
  • The courses available from the colleges/ graduate schools above are generally offered in English. Students in Japanese Level VII or higher are eligible to take select regular courses offered in Japanese.
  • Research guidance is not provided to SKP students.

Regular Courses in English(RCE)

The Regular Courses in English track allows students to take courses in English in a wide range of fields. Course offerings range from those in the humanities and social sciences, such as political science, economics, business administration, sociology, cultural anthropology, law, area studies, and contemporary Japanese culture, to courses in the natural sciences such as information (computer) science.

This Track is Perfect
For

  • Those who want to further their studies in their specialization at a Japanese university
  • Those who want to study alongside regular Ritsumeikan University students
  • Those who want to take courses in English

This Track is Offered At

  • Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)
  • Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka)
  • Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)

Colleges/ Graduate Schools Offering Courses

Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto) Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka) Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)
  • International Relations
  • Letters
  • Social Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Policy Science
  • Information Science and Engineering
  • Economics
  • Research guidance is not provided to SKP students.
  • The College/Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering will be relocated to Osaka in April 2024

Regular Courses in Japanese(RCJ)

The Regular Courses in Japanese track allows students with Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 to take both liberal arts and specialized courses offered by 16 Ritsumeikan University colleges in Japanese.

This Track is Perfect
For

  • Those with a high level of Japanese language proficiency
  • Those who want to further their studies in their specialization at a Japanese university
  • Those who want to study alongside regular Ritsumeikan University students

This Track is Offered At

  • Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)
  • Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka)
  • Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)

Colleges/ Graduate Schools Offering Courses

Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto) Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka) Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)
  • Letters
  • Social Sciences
  • Law
  • Business Administration
  • Policy Science
  • Comprehensive Psychology
  • Image Arts and Sciences
  • Information Science and Engineering
  • Economics
  • Life Sciences
  • Sport and Health Science
  • Gastronomy Management
  • (Science and Engineering)*1
  • Research guidance is not provided to SKP students.
  • The College/Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering and the College/Graduate School of Image Arts and Sciences will be relocated to Osaka in April 2024
  • 1Course lists are not available for the College/ Graduate School of Science and Engineering. Students that wish to take courses offered by the College/ Graduate School of Science and Engineering will need to go through a screening process that involves confirming the content of courses they have already taken at their home university in order to determine if they can take such courses.

Track Outline

The chart below provide an overview of the tracks available at each campus. For more detailed information, please check each track's page.

Track Intensive Japanese Language
(IJL)
Regular Courses in English
(RCE)
Regular Courses in Japanese
(RCJ)
Offered At Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto) Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto)
Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka)
Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)
Study Period Half-year (1 semester) or Full-year (2 semesters)
Class Language Japanese (primarily) English Japanese
Admission Requirements Applicants must fulfill either a) or b):
  • a) Enrolled in a university or graduate school for at least one year at the start of the program
  • b) Graduated from university/ graduate school and obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, or have an equivalent academic degree
Language Requirements
  • Students who have never studied Japanese before must be able to conduct basic communication in English
  • Non-native English speakers that wish to take courses in English must have a minimum English proficiency test score of TOEFL® iBT 68/ PBT 520, CEFR B2, or IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent)
Native English speaker, or have a minimum English proficiency test score of TOEFL® iBT 68/ PBT 520, CEFR B2, or IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N1 or equivalent EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) score
Japanese Language Course ✓*
Other Available Courses Campus-Specific Courses (CSC)
  • Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto): Optional Japanese language courses (introductory level; one semester only)
    Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka): Optional Japanese language course (elementary to upper advanced)
    Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga): No Japanese Language course available