Application Guide

AO Admissions (English Basis)

  • If the University determines that it is difficult to carry out admissions as stated in the Application Handbook due to unforeseen circumstances, there may be some changes. Changes regarding AO Admissions (English Basis) will be announced on this website.

  • The College of Information Science and Engineering will be relocated from Shiga to Osaka in April 2024. See here for details.

    • Admissions Overview

    Click here to download pdf

    Starting your Application Admissions Policies Requirements When and How to Apply Applying to Multiple Programs / Times After Admission For Counselors / Teachers Summary of 2023 Admissions Results

    Starting your Application

    Below is a summary of the application information. For full details, please read the Application Handbook carefully. All the information you need to complete an application is written in the Application Handbook.


    Important Notes Regarding Applications
    • The University will contact applicants through the online application system and/or E-mail. It is the applicant’s responsibility to regularly check E-mail communication and the online application system, and respond in a timely manner.
    • All times indicated on this page refer to Japan Standard Time (UTC+09).


    Admissions Policies

    College of Global Liberal Arts

    Based on the school spirit of “freedom and innovation” and on the educational philosophy of “peace and democracy,” Ritsumeikan College of Global Liberal Arts seeks students from Japan and the world who agree with its Human Resources Development Aims and educational goals and have passion to study at Ritsumeikan University. In accordance to this context, the students, admitted to the College, should have the following academic abilities, interests, and aptitudes.

    (1) Knowledge and Understanding
    Through education at a senior high school, etc., the applicants must have obtained the academic ability and English language ability necessary for the wide array of studies in the humanities and social sciences.
    (2) Thinking and Judgment
    Applicants must have the critical thinking abilities that form the foundation of academic knowledge and of making ethical judgments with global viewpoints.
    (3) Interest, Motivation and Attitude
    Applicants should be interested in social change, progress in science and technology, history in global perspective, and socio-cultural diversity.
    Applicants must have challenging spirit, social tolerance, cooperative mind, and leadership in identifying and solving problems.
    (4) Skill and Expression
    Applicants must have the ability to reason appropriate data collections and their analyses, and the ability to clearly express and discuss their own opinions.

    Joint Degree Program, College of International Relations

    The Global International Relations Joint Degree Program is looking for globally minded students who can be effective leaders both on and off campuses. We expect our graduates to take an active role in their professional fields and contribute directly and indirectly to the deepening of mutually beneficial relations between the U.S., Japan and the rest of East Asia, as well as to the peace and prosperity of the international community.

    College of International Relations

    In the Department of International Relations within the College of International Relations, students systematically learn three types of essential approaches to understanding global society: language skills, theories, and area studies. Throughout this learning process, students develop a high level of foreign language proficiency and the ability to think logically, while cultivating deeper intellectual capacities to better understand cultural diversity. The college seeks students who have the will to act independently and the desire to contribute to society in terms of governance, economics, culture, and peace.

    To this end, the college admits students who already possess the following abilities and motivations:
    (1) Basic academic skills necessary to analyze problems facing global society
    (2) A deep interest in the problems facing global society and the self-motivation to pursue them
    (3) Language abilities necessary to understand and explain the problems facing global society

    College of Policy Science

    The College of Policy Science seeks students who will challenge themselves both in practical and scholastic terms, with the aim of creating a better society through policy solutions. Thus, the College expects students to have the following academic abilities and interests upon admission:
    (1) Basic academic knowledge acquired at high school or equivalent educational institutions.
    (2) Interest in acquiring thinking skills and abilities for problem solving based on that knowledge.
    (3) Willingness to design and work on practical solutions to a wide-range of social problems.

    College of Information Science and Engineering

    Education and research at the College of Information Science and Engineering encompasses a wide range of topics. These relate to the core knowledge of technologies, and their application at the cutting edge. Our educational goal is to develop specialists and researchers with expertise in utilizing computers to obtain effective and innovative solutions to unforeseen issues. Graduates of CISE will be ready to play the leading role in a variety of organizations at the global level. With these objectives in mind, we welcome prospective students with the following qualities and attitudes.

    (1) The prospective students should have acquired logical thinking skills and fundamental understanding of mathematics and natural sciences necessary to pursue studies in information science.
    (2) For those who are to choose one of the six courses provided in Japanese, they should have sufficient Japanese proficiency to understand and produce Japanese texts, as well as the fundamental proficiency in English. For those who are to be enrolled in the course provided in English, they should be able to display sufficient command of English to pursue academic studies in the language.
    (3) They should have acquired academic underpinnings to start a wide range of studies at the tertiary education level.
    (4) They should have wide and keen interests in academic fields related to information technology.
    (5) They should be strongly motivated to acquire the fundamentals of programming.
    (6) They should have sincere motivation to acquire specialized and advanced knowledge and technologies, ethical attitudes, and leadership.
    (7) They should be fully aware of the significance of skills for problem-identifying/solving and those for communication, and are ready to improve those skills to the more advanced levels.

    Requirements

    Applicants MUST fulfill all of the following three requirements:
    1. Nationality (*for April Enrollment only), 2. University Entrance Eligibility, and 3. English Language Proficiency

    1. Nationality (*for April Enrollment only)

    Applicants must meet one of the following requirements.
    1. Possess non-Japanese nationality.
    2. Possess only Japanese nationality and have graduated or are to graduate, by the time of enrollment, from a) high schools/ senior secondary schools located abroad or b) international schools/ foreign schools located in Japan.

    2. University Entrance Eligibility

    Applicants must meet one of the following criteria before their enrollment date* at Ritsumeikan University.
    Applicants admitted into the University in the prospect of satisfying one of the requirements below should fulfill the requirement before the enrollment date; otherwise, the offer of admission will be revoked.
    * Enrollment date: April 1 for April enrollment / September 26 for September enrollment.

    A.Have completed a standard 12-year course curriculum, or an equivalent curriculum as designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
    B.Have completed a 12-year course curriculum at an international school accredited by an international accrediting organization (WASC, NEASC, CIS or ACSI)
    C.Have completed a 12-year course curriculum at a school for international students in Japan accredited by MEXT to be equivalent to a high school outside of Japan
    D.Possess a qualification of the International Baccalaureate Diploma, Abitur, Baccalaureate, or GCE A-Level
    E.Have completed an 11-year standard education curriculum in countries specified by MEXT
    (e.g., Belarus, Myanmar, Peru, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan)
    F.Have completed school education in a country where the curriculum is shorter than 12 years and have completed a Japanese pre-university preparatory course accredited by MEXT
    G.Have passed an exam demonstrating equivalent academic ability to completion of a standard 12-year course curriculum outside Japan and have reached 18 years of age
    e.g.,General Educational Development (GED)
    H.Have passed the High School Equivalency Exam (高等学校卒業程度認定試験 ) / the University Entrance Qualification Exam (大学入学資格検定 ) provided by MEXT in Japan and have reached 18 years of age
    I.Have been recognized, through an individual screening review by Ritsumeikan University, as having an academic ability equivalent to or greater than that of a person who has completed high school, from their academic background and other qualifications and have reached 18 years of age
    *The University recognizes applicants who graduate from Korean senior schools (朝鮮高級学校 Chosen Kokyu Gakko) as having met this requirement.

    NOTE

    • Applicants who have completed a standard 12-year curriculum in less than 12 years with appropriate reasons, such as grade skipping or early graduation, will be regarded as having met the requirement.
    • The following do not meet JD Program application eligibility requirements:
      -Criteria F and H.
      -Completion of an upper secondary course in a specialized training college (専修学校の高等課程).

      • Inquiry regarding eligibility

      • Applicants who wish to apply and are unsure if they meet the eligibility requirement, or those who wish to apply under "Criteria I." must contact the International Admissions Office three weeks prior to the start date of the application period.
        Visit HERE to place an inquiry

      3. English Language Proficiency

        English Test Score

        In order to demonstrate sufficient English ability, applicants must take one of the tests listed below and achieve the minimum score indicated below.

        The English tests must have been taken within the two-year period before the last date of the application period that the applicant applies in and the test score must be available during the application period.
        • The University does not accept the TOEFL iBT® Home Edition, IELTS Online, or IELTS Indicator.
        • The University only accepts TOEFL iBT® scores from a single test date, not MyBest™ scores.
        • The University does not accept institutional tests such as the TOEIC® IP Test. 

        Please note that the following is a summary of the ANU Policy: English language admission requirements and post-admission support. Please refer to the complete policy to check the minimum scores of each English language test. For information on the valid period of the English Language Test scores for GLA, Ritsumeikan University applicants must comply with the rules as stated in the Ritsumeikan University Application Handbook rather than the ANU Policy.

        TOEFL iBT®Test 80
        with 20 in R&W (Reading and Writing), 18 in S&L (Speaking and Listening)
        IELTS Academic Module 6.5
        with 6.0 in each component
        PTE Academic 64
        with 55 in each of the communicative skills
        Cambridge C1 Advanced
        		 176
        with 169 in all sub-skills

        TOEFL iBT®Test 85
        with 20 in each section
        IELTS
        Academic Module        		 6.5
        with 6.0 in each component
        PTE Academic 60
        Cambridge B2 First
        		 176
        with 169 in all sub-skills
        Cambridge C1 Advanced
        		 176
        with 169 in all sub-skills
        Cambridge C2 Proficiency
        		 176
        with 169 in all sub-skills
        SAT Reading Test
        sub-score        		 30
        ACT English Score 25
        Duolingo English Test 120
        with 110 in each sub-score

        TOEFL iBT®Test
        		 76
        IELTS Academic Module 6.0
        TOEIC®L&R Test 740
        Duolingo English Test 100

        TOEFL iBT®Test 71
        IELTS Academic Module 5.5
        TOEIC®L&R Test 730
        Duolingo English Test 95

        TOEFL iBT®Test 71
        IELTS Academic Module 5.5
        TOEIC®L&R Test 730
        Duolingo English Test 95


        Score Waiver

        Submission of English test scores listed above is not required of applicants who meet the waiver criteria stated below. For details on documents to be submitted instead of the English test scores, please consult the Application Handbook, "7.(3) Submission of Application Documents".

        Applicants who meet the requirements specified in the Australian National University (ANU) Policy: English language admission requirements and post-admission support.

        Regarding ANU Policy

        • Applicants must meet the requirements listed under “Admission to Undergraduate Programs”.
        • Applicants who will obtain the IB Diploma (taught and assessed entirely in English) after the application deadline will meet the English language requirement by submitting the IB Predicted Grades and English Language Test Score Waiver Request Form during the application period. In this case, applicants must present the original IB Diploma after acceptance to the University. If the applicant does not acquire the Diploma, the offer of admission will be revoked.
        • For secondary qualifications that require achievement of specified levels, applicants must be able to present their final results/grades by the end of each application period.

        Applicants with educational backgrounds as stated in a. or b. below.

          1. Four years of study (grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 or equivalent) in U.S. regionally-accredited or IB, CXC or UK curricula (inside or outside the U.S.), where English is the only medium of instruction AND no ESL courses have been taken.
          2. Four years of study (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 or equivalent) in selected English-speaking countries or in the educational systems of these countries (regardless of location) where English is the only medium of instruction AND no ESL courses have been taken.

        English-speaking countries include:
        U.S., UK and Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada (except Quebec), Singapore, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and these countries in the Caribbean (Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands)

        Applicants whose most recent 6 years of formal education before the enrollment date were conducted and instructed only in English.


      When and How to Apply

      1. Download and Consult Application Handbook


      The Application Handbook is a central reference for the whole application process, from the start of your application to your enrollment at Ritsumeikan University.
      Download Documents

      2. Check Application Period

      Enrollment Period Dates
      April 2024 1 2023/5/31 Wed. - 2023/6/27 Tue.
      2 2023/8/23 Wed. - 2023/9/12 Tue.
      September 2024 1 2023/10/4 Wed. - 2023/10/24 Tue.
      2 2023/12/6 Wed. - 2024/1/16 Tue.
      3 2024/2/14 Wed. - 2024/3/5 Tue.
      Enrollment Dates
      April 2024 2023/8/23 Wed. - 2023/9/12 Tue.
      Enrollment Period Dates
      April 2024 1 2023/8/23 Wed. - 2023/9/12 Tue.
      September 2024 1 2023/12/6 Wed. - 2024/1/16 Tue.
      2 2024/2/14 Wed. - 2024/3/5 Tue.
      Enrollment Period Dates
      September 2024 1 2023/12/6 Wed. - 2024/1/16 Tue.
      2 2024/2/14 Wed. - 2024/3/5 Tue.
      Enrollment Period Dates
      April 2024 1 2023/2/15 Wed. - 2023/3/7 Tue.
      2 2023/8/23 Wed. - 2023/9/12 Tue.
      3 2023/10/4 Wed. - 2023/10/24 Tue.


      3. Create Your Account on Online Application System

      Applications must be submitted via the online application system called The Admissions Office (TAO).
      Please access TAO here to create and activate your account.

      Access TAO

      NOTE

      By creating an account on TAO, applicants agree to the terms of use and handling of personal information designated by TAO Co.,Ltd.

      4. Register Application on TAO

      Applications can be submitted only during each application period.
      After creating a TAO account, select Ritsumeikan University and the program to process the application.
      Separate applications are required when applying to multiple programs.

      5. Submit Documents

      Refer to the  Application Handbook "7.(3) Submission of Application Documents" to upload the following documents.

      Download Documents

      Access TAO

      Upload a photocopy of the page showing the photo, name, and passport number.

      • If an applicant possesses more than one nationality, submit copies of ALL passports.
      • If an applicant does not have a valid passport, submit a photocopy of another official certificate, such as a birth certificate or an official registry.

      Upload documents as instructed in the Application Handbook "7. (3) Document Proving University Entrance Eligibility", depending on the University entrance eligibility criteria the applicant falls under. The document must include a school stamp or a school official's signature. Official digital documents issued by either educational institutions (e.g., high schools), governments, exam boards, or test providers are also acceptable.

      Upload academic transcripts for all grades of high school or senior secondary education.

      • Applicants who have not yet graduated from high school must submit the most recent transcripts available. However, all transcripts up to the final academic year must be submitted. For example, academic transcripts for all grades through 11th grade are required in a 12-year education curriculum.
      • The academic transcripts must include a school stamp or school official's signature.
      • Official digital documents issued by either educational institutions (e.g., high schools), governments, exam boards, or test providers are also acceptable.
      • If your transcript consists of multiple documents, please combine these documents into one single PDF document in chronological order.
      • Applicants who have enrolled at a tertiary education institution (university, college, etc.) after completing secondary education must submit the academic transcripts with grades for the period attended.

      Check the requirements on "6. (3) English Language Proficiency" in the Application Handbook.

      TEST SCORES: The English tests must have been taken within the two-year period before the last date of the application period that the applicant applies in and the test score must be available during the application period.

      SCORE WAIVER: Details of required documents can be found in the Application Handbook, "7.(3) Submission of Application Documents". Score Waiver Request Forms can be downloaded here.

      Must be typed in English following the instructions on TAO. The topic of each essay and the number of essays required for each program are as stated below.

      Program # Topic Word Limit
      GLA The purpose of the following two essays is for you to reflect on what you have done from the time you entered high school until now and to identify your reasons and plans for studying at the College of Global Liberal Arts. Please write the essays based on this purpose.
      #1 Select one thing you have focused on the most from the time you entered high school until now. Then, describe specifically how this has helped you grow, giving details of actual events that contributed to your growth and what you gained from the process.
      *This essay must be titled.      		 200
      #2 Describe what your interests are and how you would like to explore those interests through your study at the College of Global Liberal Arts. 200
      JD Program #1 Write reason(s) why you want to study international relations in American University-Ritsumeikan University Joint Degree Program by referring to your personal experiences. 400
      #2 Select an issue which the Asia-Pacific region is currently facing, describe its background and trials/efforts to solve it. Also, explain your own opinion on prospects for the issue.
      *This essay must be titled.      		 600
      GS Major n/a Please describe the subject or field you wish to study at the College of International Relations, together with your reasons and experiences. 500
      CRPS Major #1 Write reason(s) why you want to study in the Community and Regional Policy Studies (CRPS) Major at Ritsumeikan University. 200
      #2 Write about an experience that you are proud of and how you intend to apply this experience in CRPS Major at Ritsumeikan University. 250
      #3 Which contemporary social issues would you like to study in CRPS and why?
      *This essay must be titled.      		 300
      ISSE Course #1 Describe reason(s) you would like to enter the Information Systems Science and Engineering Course at Ritsumeikan University. 300
      #2 Write about school or learning experiences that you are proud of and how they influenced your desire to study at university. 300
      #3 What is an IT/ICT technology or computer science method you would definitely like to study if accepted to ISSE? What would this technology or method be used for? 600

      Upload a photograph that meets the following requirements.

      • The photo must be in color, taken within three months before the application.
      • The photo must show a front view above the chest level with a plain background.
      • No caps or hats are allowed.
      • Cutouts from personal photos are not acceptable.
      • Digital alteration of the photo is not permitted.

      - GLA / JD Program / GS Major / CRPS Major : 1 letter
      - ISSE Course : 2 letters

      Send a request for the letter(s) of reference to your referee(s) via TAO. The letters must be directly submitted to TAO applications by referees.

      Non-Japanese applicants who have residence status in Japan at the time of application must submit copies of both sides of their residence card (在留カード, Zairyu-Card).

      Submission of standardized test scores / national university entrance exam results is optional. Documents that can be submitted are as follows:

      • Certificate(s) of results for standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, etc.
        • *SAT Subject Tests are not accepted.
        *Request College Board to send the official score report to the University after being accepted, before the deadline of the “Document Submission 1” period. (College Code: 5766)
      • Certificate(s) of results for national university entrance exams or equivalent (for those countries that hold such exams) .

      ISSE Course applicants may upload evidence of awards (copies of certificates and contact information for the awarding organizations) received for achievements in mathematics, science, and computer programming.
      Awards in fields other than the three aforementioned areas will not be considered.

        Confidential documents issued by school(s) must be uploaded to TAO by the school or sent to the International Admissions Office by post, instead of being uploaded to TAO by applicants. For example, if it is school policy to not disclose documents (such as transcripts) to students directly, they must be uploaded to TAO by the school. If the document (hard copy) is officially sealed in an envelope by the issuing body, it must be sent by post by either the issuing body or the applicant.
      • Upload to TAO
        Send a request to the school via TAO for them to submit these documents by uploading them to TAO.
      • Send by Post
        - These documents must be postmarked or collected by the courier service by the application deadline.
        - The University does not notify applicants about the delivery status of documents.
        - DO NOT USE REGULAR MAIL. To submit from outside Japan, applicants must use traceable EMS or a courier service (DHL, FedEx, OCS, etc.). To submit from Japan, applicants must use registered express mail (簡易書留速達郵便, Kanikakitome Sokutatsu Yubin).
        • MAILING ADDRESS TO SUBMIT
        International Admissions Office at Kinugasa Campus
        Ritsumeikan University
        56-1 Tojiin Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto
        603-8577 (or 603-8346), Japan
        TEL: +81-75-465-8162


      Once accepted to the University, applicants must submit the following documents by post.
    • The original or the certified true copy of documents proving university entrance eligibility
    • The original or the certified true copy of academic transcripts
    • Documents proving English language proficiency
    • Standardized tests / national university entrance exams
    • Awards *ISSE Course applicants only
      • In principle, applicants who only have soft copies of the above documents at the time of application must obtain original hard copies to be sent to the University after acceptance.

      6. Pay Application Fee

      Fee Amount: 5,000 JPY per program (Transaction fees must be paid by the applicant)
      Payment can be made via TAO. The application fee is referred to as an “Examination Fee” on TAO.

      • The University will NOT accept an application unless we are able to confirm receipt of the application fee by the designated application deadline.
      • The application fee will not be refunded in any circumstances, including overpayment, as it will cover the administrative cost of application processing and eligibility evaluation.
      • Applicants who wish to pay via wire transfer must contact the International Admissions Office at least one week before the relevant application deadline.

      7. Completion of Application

      Once completing an application, you must click the “Complete my application” button and confirm the application status has changed to “Application Completed”.
      You are able to click the “Complete my application” button if you have successfully:

      • Had your referee(s) submit the letter(s) of reference via TAO
      • Paid the application fee by the application deadline
      • Submitted all required documents

      Important Notes

      The University will contact applicants through the online application system and/or E-mail. It is the applicant’s responsibility to regularly check E-mail communication and the online application system, and respond in a timely manner.

      8. Screening and Notification of Results

      An overall assessment will be made based on the 1st screening (document screening) and the 2nd screening (interview). An interview will be conducted for applicants shortlisted in the 1st screening. An oral examination will be conducted along with the interview. Details regarding the oral examination will be notified to applicants by E-mail at least one week before the interview.

      Enrollment Period
      1st Screening
      Interview
      (if shortlisted)
      		 Final Result
      April 2024 1 2023/8/10 Thu.
      2023/9/2 Sat.,
      2023/9/3 Sun.
      		 2023/9/12 Tue.
      2 2023/11/9 Thu.
      2023/11/25 Sat.,
      2023/11/26 Sun.
      		 2023/12/7 Thu.
      September 2024 1 2023/12/7 Thu.
      2023/12/16 Sat.,
      2023/12/17 Sun.
      		 2024/1/18 Thu.
      2 2024/3/7 Thu.
      2024/3/23 Sat.,
      2024/3/24 Sun.
      		 2024/4/4 Thu.
      3 2024/4/25 Thu.
      2024/5/11 Sat.,
      2024/5/12 Sun.
      		 2024/5/23 Thu.

      An overall assessment will be made based on the 1st screening (document screening) and the 2nd screening (interview). An interview will be conducted for applicants shortlisted in the 1st screening. Assessment will be made by both Ritsumeikan University and American University.

      Enrollment
      1st Screening
      Result
      Interview
      (if shortlisted)
      		 Final Result
      April 2024 2023/11/2 Thu. 2023/11/18 Sat.,
      2023/11/19 Sun.      		 2023/12/7 Thu.

      An overall assessment will be made based on the 1st screening (document screening) and the 2nd screening (interview). An interview will be conducted for applicants shortlisted in the 1st screening.

      Enrollment Period
      1st Screening Result
      Interview
      (if shortlisted)
      		 Final Result
      April 2024 1 2023/11/2 Thu. 2023/11/18 Sat.,
      2023/11/19 Sun.      		 2023/12/7 Thu.
      September 2024 1 2024/2/29 Thu. 2024/3/16 Sat.,
      2024/3/17 Sun.      		 2024/4/4 Thu.
      2 2024/4/18 Thu. 2024/5/4 Sat.,
      2024/5/5 Sun.      		 2024/5/23 Thu.

      An overall assessment will be made based on the 1st screening (document screening) and the 2nd screening (interview). An interview will be conducted for applicants shortlisted in the 1st screening.

      Enrollment Period 1st Screening Result
      Interview
      (if shortlisted)
      		 Final Result
      September 2024 1 2024/2/29 Thu. 2024/3/16 Sat.,
      2024/3/17 Sun.      		 2024/4/4 Thu.
      2 2024/4/18 Thu. 2024/5/4 Sat.,
      2024/5/5 Sun.      		 2024/5/23 Thu.

      The decision on an application will be made based on a review of application documents.

      Enrollment Period Final Result
      April 2024 1 2023/4/27 Tue.
      2 2023/10/24 Tue.
      3 2023/12/7 Thu.

      Interviews will be either a web-based interview or a telephone interview. Please refer to the Application Handbook for details.

      Important Notes

      • The University may contact the issuing bodies, such as educational institutions (e.g., high schools), government, exam boards, and test providers to confirm credibility of submitted documents.
      • The University may require submission of original documents at the time of application.
      • All documents must be written in either English or Japanese. For documents that are not written in English or Japanese, an official translation must be submitted along with the original. Academic transcripts that are not written in English or Japanese must be translated into English. Translations certified by an embassy/consulate or an appropriate private office will be accepted. If the translation is to be done by a private company, etc., the translation should clearly indicate the agency and be signed or stamped by the translator.
      • No changes to the application are allowed once submitted unless instructed by the University.
      • Documents other than those indicated will not be considered part of an application.
      • The University will not accept incomplete application documents. When required by the University, applicants must take appropriate action, such as submitting additional documents, by each indicated deadline.

      Regarding Application Misconduct

      • If any false information or forgeries are found in the submitted documents before or after enrollment, application and acceptance into the University will be revoked.
      • For documents that require submission of the original, applicants must keep the original documents they uploaded with the online application. Acceptance to the University will be revoked if:
        -the applicant fails to submit the original/certified documents they uploaded with the online application.
        -any discrepancies considered as falsification/fabrication of application documents are found between the documents submitted at the time of application and the original/certified documents submitted after acceptance.
      • The following acts are considered cheating in online interviews.
        (1) Allowing anyone other than the applicant to enter the interview room
        (2) Using a computer for a purpose other than the online interview
        (3) Bringing non-permitted items into the interview room
        (4) Acting in a suspicious manner, such as frequently taking one’s eyes off the webcam
        (5) Disobeying the instructions of the interviewers or staff
        (6) Operating a cell phone for purposes other than receiving calls or communications from the University
        (7) Giving information regarding the contents of the interview to other applicants
        (8) Sharing the URL or link to the online interview with anyone other than the applicant
        (9) Filming, recording, videotaping or distributing information to outside parties during the interview time
        (10) Having someone else assume the identity of the applicant to attend the interview on their behalf
        (11) Any other acts that may impair the fairness of the interview
      • An applicant who commits any of the above acts of misconduct will not be allowed to take any further entrance examinations for the same enrollment year. In addition, all entrance examinations already taken for the same enrollment year will also be invalidated. The application fee will not be refunded.



      Applying to Multiple Programs / Times

      Applying to multiple programs at the same time

      When applying to other English-medium undergraduate programs offered at Ritsumeikan University during the same application period, applicants must upload application documents and pay the application fee for each program. Applicants do not need to prepare different letters of reference for each program as one can be used for all applications.
      ISSE Course: Applicants must prepare an additional letter of reference when applying to the ISSE Course, as the ISSE Course requires two letters of reference, while other programs only require one.

      Applying in more than one application period

      There are multiple application periods set via this admission method and applicants can apply in more than one application period. In this case, applicants must upload application documents and pay the application fee for each application period. Applicants do not need to prepare different letters of reference for each application period, as one can be used for all application periods in the same enrollment year.

      After Admission

      For Incoming Students

      Once you are admitted to a program at Ritsumeikan University, you must take the necessary steps according to our instructions. Please refer to the information in the following page:

      For Counselors / Teachers

      Ritsumeikan University (RU) requests letters of reference for applicants. Applicants send requests for the letters to their referees on the application system (TAO).

      • When counselors/teachers receive a request from an applicant, an automatic email will be sent from TAO. A recommender account must be created with the same email address to which the request was sent.
      • There is a designated field in the form if the referee chooses to upload their own format as well.
      • After filling out the form, please confirm that the status is "Submitted".
      • The letter must be written in English or Japanese.
      • Please note that RU may contact the referee for confirmation.
      Access TAO TAO Tutorial Video
      *Please also refer to Help for recommenders/requestees on TAO.

      Template: Certificate of (Scheduled) Graduation
      Template for schools to use for proof of a student’s (scheduled) graduation.
      *In the case that the school does not or cannot provide a letter or certificate, this template may be used by schools to provide certification of a student’s scheduled graduation or graduation from high schools/senior secondary schools.



      Summary of 2023 Admissions Results

    • GLA
    • JD Program
    • GS Major
    • CRPS Major
    • ISSE Course

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