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In recent years, more and more students are looking beyond the traditional English-speaking destinations for overseas study and seeking a qualification and experience which will help them to ‘stand out from the crowd’. One increasingly popular option is Japan, a country which offers a friendly, safe and convenient living environment, high standards of education, and a record of economic growth and corporate success which, despite recent troubles, remains the envy of the rest of the world. There is just one problem: trying to master the Japanese language.
Fortunately, several universities in Japan have now woken up to the need to offer courses taught in English for international students. The leader amongst these is Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (commonly known as APU), which has opened up all its degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate level to international students even if they have never studied Japanese language before. APU operates on a bilingual system, whereby classes are taught in both English and Japanese. International students generally enroll on the basis of their English language ability and begin by taking the classes taught in English at the same time as learning Japanese; once they attain sufficient proficiency in Japanese they can enroll in the classes taught in Japanese as well. International students whose first language is not English also have the option of taking various specialized English language courses taught be experienced native-speaking faculty. This ensures that all students are fully fluent in both languages by the end of their degree. The highly multi-cultural environment on campus – over 70 nationalities are represented – ensures that graduates also become comfortable in communicating and interacting with people from a diversity of backgrounds.
 This combination of high-level ability in Japanese and English together with practical cross-cultural skills means that APU graduates are highly sought after in the job market. APU has an enviable job placement record, with over 95% of students seeking work in Japan receiving job offers while still enrolled at APU.
Degrees offered at APU include a Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Social Science, MBA, and several other Master’s and PhD programs. APU also implements a Science and Engineering degree program in conjunction with its sister university, the prestigious Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan.
Despite Japan’s reputation as an expensive country, living expenses at APU are actually a little cheaper than students would find in Western Europe, the U.S. or even Australia. This is largely due to APU’s location in a quiet regional city (yes, there is more to Japan than Tokyo) and the highly subsidized on-campus student accommodation which is open to all international students enrolling from overseas. APU also has an extensive and generous scholarship system to help students meet the cost of tuition.
Experience Japan, enjoy a vibrant multi-cultural campus community, and equip yourself with skills to ensure a successful career in international business or government: what more could you ask for from a university degree? Anyone who wants something a little more than the regular international student experience is encouraged to consider APU as an option.
More information can be found on APU’s international admissions website www.apu.ac.jp/admissions or by contacting the university directly as below. APU is a multilingual university: we will usually be able to talk to you in your native language if you prefer.
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University Admissions Office
1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita, 874-8577 JAPAN
Phone +81-977-78-1119 / Fax +81-977-78-1121
E-mail welcome@apu.ac.jp
What can I study?
Undergraduate programs:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (study areas include international business, marketing and corporate strategy, finance)
- Bachelor of Social Science (study areas include resource management, international governance, comparative societies and cultures)
- Advanced programs in Tourism and Hospitality, Environment Health and Life Sciences, International Strategic Studies, Information and Communication Technology, Language and Cultural Studies
- Limited intakes available in Science and Engineering program for students confident in both English and Japanese
Graduate/ Postgraduate
Graduate programs include an MBA, Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy, and a Master’s and PhD in Asia Pacific Studies. A new Japan-Germany dual Master’s program in environmental management will be founded in 2006: students completing this two year program will receive a Master of Science in International Cooperation Policy from APU and a Master of Engineering from the University of Applied Science Trier in Germany.
Semester/Year Study Abroad:
- Study Abroad students will join APU undergraduate students by taking courses taught in either English, Japanese or both from either the college of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) or Asia Pacific Management (APM). APU will authorize credits for successfully completed courses and these will be transferable to your home institutions.
Summer APU Gateway Program:
- 8 Week Course offered from June to July
- Intensive beginner’s to intermediate Japanese language courses (Twelve 95-minute classes per week).
- Academic courses in English.
- Cultural activities on and off campus
- Overnight field trip to Nagasaki.
More information about short-term programs can be found on the APU Academic Outreach website www.apu.ac.jp/apuint or by contacting us at intl@apu.ac.jp
 Comprehensive support services for international students
- Generous tuition fee reductions awarded to the majority of international students. Reductions range from 20% to 100% off regular tuition fees.
- On-campus accommodation in single, private furnished rooms for approx. US$220 per month. Senior students in residence to provide advice and support for new arrivals.
- Assistance in locating part time work (up to 20 hours per week permitted) and off-campus accommodation.
- Health clinic and multi-lingual counseling service free for all students.
- Personalized career development program for students at all levels. Outstanding record of job placement for graduates.
- A variety of opportunities for cultural exchange and interaction with the local community.
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