Located in southwest Japan in the city of Beppu, in Oita Prefecture just outside of Fukuoka, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)’s undergraduate program offers the opportunity to complete your four-year bachelor degree while studying in a unique multicultural learning environment. As an APU student, you will join a vibrant community that has a nearly one to one ratio of Japanese/domestic students to international students, who currently represent 80 countries/regions. All undergraduate programs are conducted not only in Japanese but also in English, which allows for such a diverse group to study on our campus.

The mission of APU is to contribute to freedom, peace, humanity, international mutual understanding and the future shape of the Asia Pacific region by creating global leaders across all fields and industries. Classes are interactive and there are countless opportunities to gain real-world experience through programs such as volunteering, study abroad and internships. Upon graduation, you are equipped with essential knowledge and intercultural communication skills to work anywhere in the world, which is why our graduates are in high demand by companies, organizations and graduate schools across the globe.

The students and alumni alike are actively finding solutions to the issues our world is facing using the well-rounded base of global knowledge acquired at APU. This solution-seeking spirit is symbolized in the motto of APU, “Shape your world.” This is a call to action for our students, challenging them to not only shape their own worlds but also the world around them.

Students can choose between two undergraduate majors – Asia Pacific Studies (APS) and International Management (APM) – and study with highly experienced faculty members from twenty-four countries/regions. Most courses are available in both English and Japanese, and thanks to APU’s flexible curriculum, students can broaden their knowledge by taking courses from both colleges, regardless of their major. In the first and second year, English-based students will study courses related to their major in English while also learning the Japanese language. The aim will be to raise students’ proficiency enough to be able to take major-related courses in either language by their third and fourth years.

The main focus of studies at APU is not simply memorizing facts or passively listening to lectures, but rather to begin tackling complex problems our world is facing through discussions and interactive classes alongside students and faculty from a wide variety of cultural, socio-economic and religious backgrounds.

Daily interaction with peers who have grown up in different cultures, speaking different languages and having different values from your own is a valuable growing and learning experience that cannot be replicated. The environment at APU is conducive for multicultural exploration and learning and encourages you to listen, learn and grow into a responsible and successful global citizen. We invite you to utilize this completely unique environment to lay the foundation for your future success.

College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) – Bachelor of Social Science
・Environment & Development
・Hospitality & Tourism
・Culture, Society, and Media
・International Relations and Peace Studies

College of International Management (APM) – Bachelor of Business Administration
・Strategic Management & Organization
・Innovation & Economics
・Marketing
・Accounting & Finance