海外留学プログラムの紹介
Student Exchange Program

Specialized Study in a Foreign Language
Semester/Year-Long Exchange Programs

This program provides students with an opportunity to study abroad at one of RU's student exchange partner institutions for 1 semester or 1 academic year.

Study Abroad Reports from the students who have participated in the exchange programs in the past years have been moved to this OneDrive folder.

Program Outline

The Student Exchange Program provides students with an opportunity to study abroad at one of RU's student exchange partner institutions for 1 semester or 1 academic year. Students mainly take academic courses in their specialized field. Depending on the host institution and students' ability, there are cases in which some restrictions to take academic courses may apply or one is required to take language courses offered through a language school.
The exchange program requires students to have advanced foreign language skills and fundamental academic knowledge in their specialized field along with the flexibility and ability to handle various situations in a foreign culture.

Partner institution / Number of Students Being Recruited / Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum language requirement specified by the host institution at the time of application for the internal screening at Ritsumeikan University.
If the requirement list only shows "recommended", applicants do not need to submit a language proficiency test score if their language skill is above the recommended level. In addition, applicants must meet the required minimum GPA for the host institution.
Please make your study plan ahead of time as internal screening is held 9 months to 1 year prior to departure.

Program Periods

  • * The periods that you are actually studying abroad and that your student registry status is "Study Abroad" may not match.
  • * While the standard study period is one academic year, except for China (Spring Departure), you may have the option to study for one semester at certain universities. The recruitment situation may change from year to year. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for the latest information.

Study Plan during the Program

In principal, students take regular courses provided by the partner institutions. However, there are cases in which students must take special language courses, or regular courses are restricted due to a decision made by a partner institution.

Housing

Students will need to arrange a dormitory, homestay, apartment, etc. on their own.

Application Periods


Application Guidelines Released Application Period
Spring Departure 1st round Mid May Late May
2st round Late July Late September
Summer Departure 1st round Early October Late October
2st round Late December Early July

The schedule is subject to change. For details, please refer to the Application Guidelines available at the International Center or on study abroad program website.

Credit Transfers

Students take regular courses at the host institutions with grades normally given according to the institutions' grading system.
Students must apply for a credit transfer in order to have the credits earned at a host institution transferred to Ritsumeikan University.
The requested credits will be transferred to Ritsumeikan University if the faculty council approves the courses after reviewing the course details.
Approved credits will be represented by the grade "T".
The maximum number of credits that can be transferred from other institutions (or graduate schools) such as foreign institutions, previously attended institutions, or member institutions of the Consortium of Universities in Kyoto is 60 credits (10 credits for graduate students).
Credits earned at partner institutions during an exchange program are also included in this credit limit.

Program Fees

Generally, students will continue to pay tuition to RU during the program and no tuition payment to the host institution will be required.
However, there are cases in which additional fees may be required depending on the courses or the number of credits registered.
Students are responsible for any other necessary expenses.
Monthly expenses may vary depending on individual lifestyle, exchange rate, country and city. General estimated costs range from 80,000 yen to 160,000 yen in Europe and North America, 40,000 yen to 50,000 yen in China, and 30,000 yen to 50,000 yen in the Philippines.
It is important to gather information on housing prices and the cost of living when planning to apply to a program.

Scholarships

Ritsumeikan University supports study abroad program participants with the following scholarships:

1. Ritsumeikan University Study Abroad Challenge Scholarship

※This scholarship will be paid to all participants (No repayment required)

Program Period Area Maximum Amount
Student Exchange 1 semester Countries except China, Argentina, Taiwan 250,000 JPY
China, Argentina, Taiwan 150,000JPY
1 year Countries except China, Argentina, Taiwan 300,000 JPY
China, Argentina, Taiwan 200,000JPY

2. JASSO Scholarship

Students with Japanese nationality or Japanese special permanent resident status are eligible to apply. Please contact the International Center for further information.

Student Exchange Program Photo Gallery