The history of Ritsumeikan dates back to 1869 when Prince Kinmochi Saionji, an eminent international statesman of modern Japan, founded "Ritsumeikan" as a private academy on the site of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. In 1900, Kojuro Nakagawa, former secretary of Prince Saionji, established Kyoto Hosei School, an evening law school that was open to working people.
The Graduate Schools’ aim is to nurture students who will take the initiative backed by a profound knowledge and keen intelligence as they identify and resolve problems that stand in the way of human and social development. The Graduate Schools are committed to, in the words of the great Ritsumeikan postwar chancellor Hiroshi Suekawa, encourage their students to “believe in the future, live for the future.”
Ritsumeikan University issues the research brochures so as to introduce the research activities at Ritsumeikan as well as to share the research outcome with society.
Ritsumeikan University Career Center offers a variety of career planning events and placement support services for students. Career Center aims to help students achieve their individual career goals.International students are also welcome to attend the events and services. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to plan your future and find employment.
Below you will find scholarships related to Ritsumeikan University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 3 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 641 | 680 | 683 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 34 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1618 | 1573 | 1607 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1501 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
At International Center, students can receive assistance with visa issues, accommodation, health, and day to day life. When new international students arrive at Ritsumeikan University, International Center organizes thorough orientations that include sessions outlining the procedures for obtaining their alien registration card, health insurance, and bank account.
Ritsumeikan University has several international dormitories called “International Houses” near each campus. Japanese students (bilingual Resident Mentors) also live in the dormitory and help international student transition to living in Japan.
You can locate books and journals at Ritsumeikan University or Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University.
Ritsumeikan University offers a wide variety of facilities to meet the various needs of its students. These include libraries and peer learning rooms named "PIARA", as well as gyms and other facilties for students to work off the everyday stresses of university life. Other facilities include seminar houses, bookstores, bike parking and international exchange lounges.
Ritsumeikan University has a long tradition of sport and other extracurricular activities for both native Japanese and international students alike. With over 450 teams, clubs, and circles, students are bound to find extra curricular activities that will not only help round out their academic experience at Ritsumeikan University, but also allow for them to make connections with other students while enjoying an old or new hobby.
Being an AACSB-accredited business school means being part of a network of 775 institutions spanning 52 countries and territories* across the globe who have successfully met the standards set forth by the association, and who have committed to maintaining these standards.
Based on 4 reviews
It has been a thrilling experience and is still in the process of being completed. I am satisfied of the outcome I have achieved, and will thrive to achieve even more than the current success and the current proficiency I have in my programme.
Ritsumeikan University is a very good place to start your studies and provides a lot of resources for your researches. Intercultural exchange is everywhere, and is Foreign friendly enviroment. However Professors teaching quality has to be improved.
Mostly I studied online because of COVID 19. The University had so many resources that I had access to and utilized. The faculty and staff were very helpful and it was such a diverse environment
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