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Ryukoku University is a multidisciplinary educational institution. Choose the direction and study program that are perfect for you.
Ryukoku University is a private university with the Fukakusa and Omiya campuses in Kyoto and the Seta campus in Otsu (Shiga Prefecture). There is no longer a language program for prospective students: the Japanese Culture and Language Program last admitted students for April 2025 and closed in March 2026; the Ryukoku Japan Studies Program is for exchange students only.
Stage | Early round, residents abroad | Early round, residents of Japan | Late round (Japan only) |
|---|---|---|---|
Application | August 28 — September 9, 2026 (closed) | September 25 — October 2, 2026 | December 7–11, 2026 |
Interview | online | November 7, 2026 | February 20, 2027 |
Results | November 14, 2026 | November 14, 2026 | February 26, 2027 |
Procedures | by November 27, 2026 | November 14–20, 2026 | February 26 — March 3, 2027 |
Based on the 2026 intake: application for residents abroad April 15–24, in Japan May 4–13, interview June 13, results June 27. Similar dates are expected for September 2027 (April — June 2027).
Faculty | Places for international students |
|---|---|
Intercultural Communications | 30 (incl. September intake) |
Global Studies | 3 |
Economics | 12 |
Business Administration | 7 |
Law | 5 (incl. September intake) |
Policy Science | 5 |
Psychology | 3 |
Others | 1–4 per program |
Early round: application for residents abroad August 28 — September 9, 2026 (closed), in Japan September 25 — October 2, 2026, exam November 7, results November 14, 2026; late round with results around February 26, 2027. September intake — law, economics, international studies, policy science (master's), advanced science (PhD only).
Program | Year 1 (incl. admission fee and 260,000 reduction) |
|---|---|
Letters, Economics | 1,154,000 |
Business / Law / Policy Science | 1,152,000 / 1,155,000 / 1,170,000 |
Psychology | 1,300,000 |
Intercultural Communications | 1,210,000 |
Global Studies | 1,525,000 |
Sociology | 1,189,000 |
Advanced Science and Technology | 1,675,600 |
Agronomy and Life Sciences / Food and Nutrition / Food and Agricultural Systems | 1,593,600 / 1,663,600 / 1,325,900 |
Master's — humanities | admission 150,000 + 613,000 tuition a year |
Master's — agriculture / advanced science | 782,000 / 950,000 tuition a year |
The bachelor's admission fee is 260,000 JPY; every first-year student gets a 260,000 JPY reduction in year 1.
Education | Eligible | What to do |
|---|---|---|
11 years of school in Kazakhstan or Russia | Not stated in the guidelines — the university requires 12 years, although the 11-year school of Kazakhstan and Russia is MEXT-designated | Confirm eligibility with the university before applying (individual eligibility review); the reliable route is a MEXT-designated preparatory course at a Japanese language school |
11 years of school in Kyrgyzstan | Not directly — under 12 years and not on the MEXT list | Complete a MEXT-designated preparatory course (a Japanese language school offering one), or earn IB or A Levels; otherwise an individual eligibility review |
12 years of school (NIS, international school with 12 grades) | Yes | Apply directly |
IB, A Level, Abitur, French Baccalaureate | Yes | Apply directly |
College after grade 11 | Likely yes — over 12 years of study in total; confirm with the university | Attach the school certificate and college diploma with transcript |
College after grade 9 | University decides | Individual eligibility review before applying: grade 9 certificate, college diploma with transcript |
For everyone: EJU Japanese (by faculty, with Japan and the World or math), plus an English certificate for international studies. Applicants abroad can apply only in the early round (late August — early September) or for the September intake (April); the interview is online. For other cases the faculty offers an individual eligibility review — request it in advance. UNT, ORT and EGE are neither required nor accepted.
Master's and PhD. 16 years of education are required. A 4-year bachelor's after 11-year school is 15 years, so graduates of universities in Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan with a 4-year degree need a prior eligibility review by the university; a 5-year specialist degree or a master's at home — apply directly. For the PhD — a master's or specialist degree.
Both dorms are 2 minutes' walk from Fukakusa campus; about 175 places in total. Students apply through the university's partner after admission.
Dorm | Room | Rent per month (JPY) | Utilities (JPY) | Deposit (JPY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mitra Hall | Single | 45,000 (after a 10,000 subsidy for international students) | 10,000 | 100,000 |
Ryukoku International House | Single | 35,000 (after subsidy) | 10,000 | 80,000 |
Ryukoku International House | Twin | 23,000 (after subsidy) | 6,000 | 50,000 |
Bedding rental is 1,980 JPY a month, internet in Mitra Hall is free, and contracts are per semester. For the September 2026 intake the deadline was July 6.
Scholarship | What it covers | Duration | Conditions | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition Assistance Scholarship | 125,000 JPY each semester of year 1 (250,000 a year) | Year 1 | Privately financed first-year bachelor's students with a Student visa | Awarded at admission, no separate application |
Special Scholarship — bachelor's | 400,000 or 200,000 JPY a year | Years 2–4 | A small number nominated by the dean; not for government scholars | Faculty nomination |
Special Scholarship — master's and PhD | Amount equal to annual tuition | From admission | Top entrants, not government scholars | Awarded at admission |
Numata Scholarship and scholarship for students from unstable regions | Per foundation rules | — | Enrolled students | Through the international center |
MEXT, local government and private foundations | Per program rules | — | Enrolled students | Through the university |
The number of scholarships is limited.
Year | Event |
|---|---|
1639 | The Gakuryo school of Nishi-Hongwanji temple is founded |
1655 | The school continues under the name Gakurin |
1879 | The Daikyoko (Great School) is established |
1905 | Officially recognized as Bukkyo Daigaku (Buddhist College) |
1922 | Becomes a university under the name Ryukoku |
1960 | Fukakusa campus opens |
1989 | Seta campus opens |
2015 | Faculties of International Studies and Agriculture open |
2020 | Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology opens |
Ranking | Publisher | Position |
|---|---|---|
World University Rankings 2027 | THE | 2001+ |
World University Rankings 2026 | THE | 1501+ (52nd in Japan) |
Asia University Rankings 2026 | QS | 1101–1200 |
Eastern Asia 2026 | QS | 503 |
Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 | THE | 601–800 |
UNT / ORT / EGE are not required — the EJU is needed. Requirements for graduates from Kazakhstan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan are in the university description.
