Japanese University Offers Scholarships for Filipino Students

A renowned international university in Japan is aggressively recruiting Filipino students and beefing up its international student profile. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) will provide qualifying Filipino students scholarships to pursue international degrees on its campus in Beppu, Oita Japan. APU belongs to the esteemed school system of the Ritsumeikan Academy, of which Ritsumeikan University and other primary, junior and senior high schools are integral institutions.

“Among the over 90 nationalities currently enrolled in APU, many Filipinos have successfully and consistently received 100% tuition reduction scholarships,” says David Evans, APU Admissions Counselor.

Representatives from APU will conduct an information session on October 1 at Dusit Thani Hotel between 10 am and 12 pm to meet Filipino students who wish to earn international degrees, and to explain to participants about the school and its programs, admissions policies and procedures, as well as scholarship opportunities. APU alumni and current students will also be there share their University experiences. Registration is free.

APU offers degree programs in International Business and a range of Social Sciences at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Degree programs in the undergraduate are taught using a bilingual system. International students typically enter on an English basis (although students can also enter on a Japanese basis) and for the first year of undergraduate study, they will learn the Japanese language. In short, there is no need to know Japanese to enter APU, students study for their degree in English, but will also learn Japanese once they are there. Proficiency in both languages prepares students to take their courses in either English or Japanese when they reach third and fourth year of studying. Meanwhile, degree programs at the graduate level are taught exclusively in English.

Minimum requirement for qualification to APU undergraduate programs is completion of K-12 education or an International Baccalaureate, or completion of at least second year college courses. For the graduate programs, completion of at least 16 years of education is required.

Currently, there are 25 Filipino students on campus, and 21 have since finished their courses. The enrolment ratio of local to foreign students is 53% Japanese is to 47% international students making the university one of the most international and multicultural campuses in the world.

Information about APU may be accessed through its website at www.apu.ac.jp. For registration inquiries, contact 782-5599 or email sidnro09@apu.ac.jp.