Ritsumeikan University
Kyoto, Japan • Founded 1899 • World Rank #1198
Overview
Founded in 1899, the Ritsumeikan University (Ritsumeikan Daigaku) is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Kyoto (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Ritsumeikan University is a very large-sized coeducational Japanese higher education institution. Ritsumeikan University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 124-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this Japanese higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
Ritsumeikan University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Ritsumeikan University's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.
Academic Details
Ritsumeikan University's institutional metrics and recognition context. Recognition reciprocity matters for credential portability — check whether your home country accepts Ritsumeikan University's qualifications.
Academic Structures
Below: how Ritsumeikan University organises its faculties and constituent units. Distance learning programmes often sit in a separate division from on-campus teaching, with different administration.
Unit 30 items
- College of Comprehensive Psychology
- College of Economics
- College of Gastronomy Management
- College of Global Liberal Arts
- College of Image Arts and Sciences
- College of Information Science and Engineering
- College of International Relations
- College of Law
- College of Letters
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- College of Policy Science
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Sport and Health Science
- Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Science
- Graduate School of Economics
- Graduate School of Image Arts
- Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering
- Graduate School of Language Education and Information Science
- Graduate School of Law
- Graduate School of Letters
- Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Graduate School of Management
- Graduate School of Policy Science
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering
- Graduate School of Sociology
- Graduate School of Sport and Health Science In Sport and Health Science
- Graduate School of Technology Management
- School of Law
Degrees
Ritsumeikan University's qualifications are listed below by level, so you can quickly find the route that matches your study stage. Some levels feed naturally into the next, while others stand alone.
Other 11 programs
- Economics
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Information Sciences
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- International Studies
- Law
- Management
- Natural Sciences
- Regional Planning
- Social Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
Arts and Humanities (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Geography
- History
- Literature
- Philosophy
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business Administration (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Image Arts and Sciences (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Media Studies
- Visual Arts
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Information Science and Engineering (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
International Relations (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Relations and Diplomacy
Law (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Life Sciences (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Natural Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmaceutical Sciences (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Political Science (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Political Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Engineering (College) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Robotics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Sports and Health Science (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
International Studies (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Relations and Diplomacy
Arts and Sciences (Institute) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Design
- Environmental Studies
- Finance
- Health Administration
- Health Sciences
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Information Technology
- Leisure Studies
- Physical Therapy
- Public Health
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Below: Ritsumeikan University's programme list by level. Programme intakes vary — some offer multiple entry points per year (Sep, Jan, May), others a single annual intake.
Bachelor's Degree
17 programmes
Ritsumeikan University delivers 17 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.
College of Global Liberal Arts グローバル教養学部 Liberal Arts
College of Social Sciences 社会学部 Social & Cultural Studies
College of International Relations 国際関係学部 Politics & International Relations
College of Letters 文学部 Humanities & Cultural Studies
College of Arts and Design デザイン・アート学部 Applied Design
College of Economics 経済学部 Economics
College of Sport and Health Science スポーツ健康科学部 Health Sciences
College of Science and Engineering 理工学部 General Engineering
College of Life Sciences 生命科学部 Religious Studies
College of Pharmaceutical Sciences 薬学部 Pharmacy
College of Gastronomy Management 食マネジメント学部 Physics & Astronomy
College of Business Administration 経営学部 Business Administration
College of Policy Science 政策科学部 Public Policy
College of Comprehensive Psychology 心理学部 Psychology
College of Law 法学部 Law
College of Image Arts and Sciences 映像学部 Liberal Arts
College of Information Science and Engineering 情報理工学部 General Engineering
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
22 programmes
There are 22 programmes to choose from at Ritsumeikan University for graduates, aimed at advanced expertise, a career change, or a stepping stone toward doctoral research.
Graduate School of Science in Arts and Design デザイン・アート学研究科 Applied Design
Graduate School of Economics 経済学研究科 Economics
Graduate School of Sport and Health Science スポーツ健康科学研究科 Health Sciences
Graduate School of Gastronomy Management 食マネジメント研究科 Physics & Astronomy
Graduate School of Science and Engineering 理工学研究科 General Engineering
Graduate School of Life Sciences 生命科学研究科 Religious Studies
Graduate School of Pharmacy 薬学研究科 Pharmacy
Graduate School of Business Administration 経営学研究科 Business Administration
Graduate School of Policy Science 政策科学研究科 Public Policy
Graduate School of Human Science 人間科学研究科 Humanities & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of Technology Management イノベーション・マネジメント研究科 Business & Management
Graduate School of Management マネジメント研究科 Business & Management
Graduate School of Image Arts 映像学研究科 Liberal Arts
Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering 情報理工学研究科 General Engineering
School of Law (Professional Graduate School) 法務研究科 Law
Graduate School of Professional Teacher Education 教職大学院 Education & Teaching
Graduate School of Law 法学研究科 Law
Graduate School of Sociology 社会学研究科 Social & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of International Relations 国際関係研究科 Politics & International Relations
Graduate School of Letters 文学研究科 Humanities & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of Language Education and Information Science 言語教育情報研究科 Education & Teaching
Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences 先端倫理学研究科 Natural Sciences
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
15 programmes
Ritsumeikan University's 15 programmes at this tier lead to a doctorate, the credential expected for academic, senior research, and many specialist professional roles.
Graduate School of Business Administration 経営学研究科 Business Administration
Graduate School of Economics 経済学研究科 Economics
Graduate School of Gastronomy Management 食マネジメント研究科 Physics & Astronomy
Graduate School of Science and Engineering 理工学研究科 General Engineering
Graduate School of Life Sciences 生命科学研究科 Religious Studies
Graduate School of Pharmacy 薬学研究科 Pharmacy
Graduate School of Core Ethics and Frontier Sciences 先端倫理学研究科 Natural Sciences
Graduate School of Policy Science 政策科学研究科 Public Policy
Graduate School of Human Science 人間科学研究科 Humanities & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of Technology Management イノベーション・マネジメント研究科 Business & Management
Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering 情報理工学研究科 General Engineering
Graduate School of Law 法学研究科 Law
Graduate School of Sociology 社会学研究科 Social & Cultural Studies
Graduate School of International Relations 国際関係研究科 Politics & International Relations
Graduate School of Letters 文学研究科 Humanities & Cultural Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Ritsumeikan University
A practical five-step guide to applying to Ritsumeikan University, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Ritsumeikan University offers 54 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Each programme at Ritsumeikan University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Submit your application
Apply directly via Ritsumeikan University's online portal at www.ritsumei.ac.jp. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (75) 813 8137. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ritsumeikan University
Quick answers to the most common questions about Ritsumeikan University — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.
In what year was Ritsumeikan University established?
Ritsumeikan University was founded in 1899 (approximately 127 years ago).
Where is Ritsumeikan University located?
Ritsumeikan University is located in Kyoto, Japan.
Is Ritsumeikan University a public or private institution?
It is a private higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at Ritsumeikan University?
Student enrolment at Ritsumeikan University is around 30,000-34,999.
What is Ritsumeikan University's ranking?
Ritsumeikan University is ranked #1198 globally and #34 in Japan.
What is Ritsumeikan University's academic structure?
Ritsumeikan University has 30 academic units.
Is Ritsumeikan University officially recognised?
Ritsumeikan University is accredited by Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA).
What is Ritsumeikan University's official website?
The institution's website is www.ritsumei.ac.jp.
Top-Ranked Universities in Japan
Subject-specific rankings sometimes diverge from overall national rankings. A university below Ritsumeikan University overall may lead in your subject — worth checking subject tables separately.
Members of Open Education Consortium (OEC)
Network-level rankings exist for some Open Education Consortium (OEC) groupings (e.g., U21, Universitas 21). These differ from country rankings and reflect coordinated members' shared performance.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Universities close to Ritsumeikan University typically fall within the same regional student-transit zones, where transit discounts and shared passes reduce living costs across the cluster.
Where Else to Study General Engineering
Industry advisory boards on General Engineering programmes signal employer engagement and curriculum currency. Check whether each Japan alternative to Ritsumeikan University publishes its industry partners.
Universities Often Compared with Ritsumeikan University
Below: institutions that students typically weigh against Ritsumeikan University when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.
