Good news from Ritsumeikan University! Application for 2023 enrollment are now open for UI undergraduate and graduate students to study in Japan with full support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). In this program, you will be able to choose between two graduate schools: Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) or Graduate School of Economics (GSE).
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITIES
- Have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government,
- Have been born on or after April 2, 1988,
- Be in both good physical and mental health,
- Be willing to newly acquire a student visa and newly enter Japan for the purpose of study upon receipt of the scholarship,
- Be able to arrive in Japan on a date designated by Ritsumeikan University in the middle of September 2023,
- Have a CGPA equal to or higher than 2.30 out of 3.00 for current degree program as calculated by MEXT’s formula,
- For applicants to English language medium degree programs: Have English language ability equal to or greater than Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B2 level.
For further detailed information about the scholarship eligibility and conditions, click here.
MASTER PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITIES
- Have completed a 16-year education program outside of Japan or who are expected to complete such a program before being enrolled in the graduate school,
- Have graduated from a Japanese university or who are expected to graduate from a Japanese university before being enrolled in the graduate school,
- Have completed a degree program of 3 years or more and received a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent at a university or other institution outside of Japan, or who are expected to complete such a program prior to enrollment in a Ritsumeikan University graduate school,
- Have been recognized as having an academic ability equal to or higher than university graduates by Ritsumeikan University’s graduate schools as a result of an individual preliminary screening and who have reached 22 years of age or who will reach 22 years of age before being enrolled in the graduate school.
In addition to the requirements above, applicants must have English language ability sufficient to understand course materials at their desired graduate school.
DOCTORAL PROGRAM (GSLS ONLY)
ELIGIBILITIES
- Have been awarded, or are scheduled to be awarded prior to enrollment in Ritsumeikan University’s graduate school, a master’s degree or professional degree as defined by Japanese law, or an equivalent degree,
- Have been awarded a degree equivalent to a master’s degree or professional degree, as defined by Japanese law, abroad or who are expected to be awarded such a degree before being enrolled in the graduate school,
- Have been engaged in research activities at a university or research institute for at least two years after graduating from a university or its equivalent and who have been recognized by Ritsumeikan University’s graduate schools as having an academic ability equal to or greater than holders of a master’s degree,
- Have been recognized by Ritsumeikan University’s graduate schools as having an academic ability equal to or higher than holders of a master’s degree or professional degree, as defined by Japanese law, as a result of individual preliminary screening and who have reached 24 years of age.
In addition to the requirements above, applicants must have English language ability sufficient to understand course materials at their desired graduate school.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- If you have any concerns about foreign education equivalence, your particular degree, or calculation of years of schooling described in (1) or (2) above, please contact the International Center at BKC no later than the day before the application period opens,Ritsumeikan University International Center at BKC, Admissions Team
1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan 525-8577
Phone: +81 (0)77-561-3946 Fax: +81 (0)77-561-3956
cger-bkc@st.ritsumei.ac.jp - Applicants who pass the admissions screening under the condition of “expecting” to fulfill the Eligibility Requirements but who ultimately do not fulfill the requirements by September 25, 2023, the day before enrollment, will not be permitted to enroll,
- Payment of an application fee is not required when applying via these procedures.
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Ritsumeikan University Graduate Application Sheet (University designated form),
- Application for Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship (MEXT designated form),
- Application Questionnaire (University designated form),
- Field of Study and Study Program (MEXT designated form),
- Letter of Recommendation by the dean, or a person of equivalent or higher position, at the applicant’s school or institution. Must be addressed to the “President of Ritsumeikan University” (optional template available on Ritsumeikan University website, see Program Details below),
- Official Transcript of Grades from most recent academic institution attended (Undergraduate or Graduate degree program),
- Official graduation certificate or certificate of program completion, or diploma, or certificate of expected graduation or expected program completion, from most recent academic institution attended (Undergraduate or Graduate degree program),
- (Optional) Records from most recent university indicating superior academic achievement with clear indicator of outstanding performance (e.g. GPA, grades and criteria, or individual rank order),
- Abstract of thesis written for most recent academic degree awarded, etc.,
- Copy of passport page containing the applicant’s name and date of birth or a copy of your family register or residence certificate, etc. (applicants in possession of a passport must submit the passport page copy),
- Documentation showing objective proof of level of English language ability,
- Certificate of health (University designated form, or form with identical contents),
- Three (3) passport-quality photographs, (4.5 cm tall x 3.5 cm wide, front-facing, photos taken within 6 months of application showing applicant from chest up, with name and nationality written on the reverse).
APPLICATION PERIOD
Friday, January 6, 2023 – Thursday, January 26, 2023
Ritsumeikan University Graduate School
Graduate School of Life Sciences
Program Details (scholarship overview, program details, application forms, important notes, general schedule, additional information)