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  Master's in Asia Pacific Studies (APS)


Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University    Masters Programmes

Full time April, September MSc 2 Years - Full Time
Anthropology (2) Communication & Media Studies (7) History & Archaeology (19) Languages, Literature & Culture (21) Politics & Government (30) Sociology (33)

FindAMasters summary

Are you ready to become a competent leader in tackling the challenges of the Asia Pacific region? Look no further than the Master's in Asia Pacific Studies (APS) programme at APU. This online programme offers two specializations: International Relations and Society and Culture. With a focus on research, you'll delve into a wide range of issues, from analytical foundations to core courses on the Asia Pacific region. Conduct field surveys, attend seminars and conferences, and develop your own thesis or report under the guidance of experienced supervisors. To join this exciting programme, you'll need an undergraduate degree and meet the English language proficiency requirements.

About the course

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Master's in Asia Pacific Studies (APS)

The master's program in Asia Pacific Studies aims to educate and transform students into competent leaders ready to handle challenges facing the Asia Pacific region. Individuals embarking on this program should possess a keen interest in research pertaining to one of two specializations, International Relations or Society and Culture.

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Entry Requirements

Requirement 1: Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have graduated or be scheduled to graduate from an undergraduate program.

Requirement 2: English Language Proficiency
Minimum English proficiency requirements are the following:

TOEFL iBT Test - 85 points
IELTS - 6.5
TOEIC Test - 800 points
PTE Academic - 58 points
Cambridge English Language Assessment – 176 points

OR

Graduated from an undergraduate program where the medium of instruction was English


Fees

Admissions Fee - 200,000JPY
Tuition - 2,800,000JPY

 Course Content

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Where is Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Videos


All Available Videos:
International Studies in Southern Japan International Studies in Southern Japan 15/06/2022 05:41:44
International Studies in Southern Japan
Day in the Life of an APU Student (Graduate) Day in the Life of an APU Student (Graduate) 15/06/2022 05:42:40
Day in the Life of an APU Student (Graduate)
Ritsumeikan APU Learning in Motion Ritsumeikan APU Learning in Motion 10/11/2022 02:11:11
Ritsumeikan APU Learning in Motion
Introduction to APU's Graduate Schools Introduction to APU's Graduate Schools 15/03/2024 02:56:24
Introduction to APU's Graduate Schools

Student Profiles

International Relations Graduate (Vietnam)

"APU not only has a quality International Relations program but also houses an active research center. By presenting at its annual Asia Pacific Conference (AP Conference), I received valuable feedback from international scholars that helped to improve my research. Through the conferences, seminars, and workshops I attended at APU, I was able to meet many experts and build my professional network."

Society & Culture Graduate (Thailand)

"Due to my desire to pursue a career in academic work related to the field of Japanese popular culture, I was motivated to join the Society and Culture division. The professors in this division specialize in a broad range of topics and encourage their students to analyze their lectures critically. By interacting and discussing directly with these professors and my classmates, I have broadened my perspectives both academically and professionally as a global-minded citizen."

Scholarships

APU offers a Tuition Reduction Scholarship which can be applied for through our regular application form. All applicants can apply for this scholarship and they will be notified whether they can receive any tuition reduction with their final results. Tuition Reductions range from 30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100%.

Value of Scholarship(s)

Tuition Reductions range from 30%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100%.

Eligibility

All applicants are eligible to apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship at the time of application.

Application Procedure

All applicants are eligible to apply for the APU Tuition Reduction Scholarship at the time of application. Those who wish to apply for this scholarship are to complete the designated APU Scholarship Application Form. This scholarship is made available by the financial contributions of domestic and international companies and individuals, together with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) that support the ideals of APU, and its purpose is to help reduce the financial burden for outstanding students of lesser financial means. Students awarded with this scholarship are expected to serve as role models for their country and regions.

Scholarship decisions are based on the evaluation of all submitted application documents, online assessment tests, and interview.
Major areas of the application to be evaluated when awarding scholarships are English language proficiency, previous academic record(s), research proposal/study plan, and professional experience.


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This scholarship aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s developing member countries to pursue postgraduate studies in development-related fields. APU was selected as a new designated institution by ADB in 2010, and will provide the scholarship to a few eligible applicants to APU's Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies (GSA) each year (excluding IMAT Program).

Value of Scholarship(s)

Full tuition, full admissions fee, 144,000 JPY/month for living expenses, Economy class air travel between the home country and APU

Eligibility

See eligibility details in the below link: https://r.apu.jp/adbscholarship

Application Procedure

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must request to be considered for this scholarship within the APU Online Application by the specified deadline.

APU reviews application documents and selects suitable candidates to recommend to the ADB-JSP.

The candidates are required to submit additional documents to APU. Applicants selected to be recommended for this scholarship are notified with their final APU application results.

The final scholarship award results are decided by ADB-JSP.


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This scholarship is awarded to outstanding international students who are recommended by APU. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides this scholarship with the aim of enhancing the international competitiveness and promoting the active exchange of international students in Japanese universities.

Value of Scholarship(s)

Full tuition, 144,000 JPY per month for living expenses, Economy class air travel between the home country and APU

Eligibility

1. Intend to study abroad in Japan from overseas
2. Be national of MEXT designated country
3. Be born on or after April 2, 1988
4. Have achieved a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at their most recent university

Application Procedure

Submit the APU application for September Enrollment. April enrollment not available.

APU reviews application documents and selects outstanding candidates to recommend to MEXT.

Applicants selected to be recommended for this scholarship are notified with their final APU application results.

Selected applicants complete and submit additional MEXT application documents to APU.

The final scholarship award results are decided by MEXT.


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This scholarship is open to applicants from African Development Bank member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related disciplines.

Value of Scholarship(s)

Full tuition, 125,000 JPY per month for living expenses, eEconomy class air travel between the home country and APU

Eligibility

Please see eligibility requirements:
https://r.apu.jp/afdbscholarship

Application Procedure

Request to be considered for this scholarship within the APU Online Application.

APU reviews application documents and selects suitable candidates to recommend to the AfDB-JADS.

Applicants selected to be recommended for this scholarship are notified with their final APU application results.

The final scholarship award results are decided by AfDB-JADS.


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This scholarship project aims to provide opportunities to study in Japan for young Japanese descendants having definite plans and dreams of promoting understanding between their country of residence and Japan as well as contributing to the development of their country of residence and local communities.

Value of Scholarship(s)

Full tuition, full admissions fee, 130,000 JPY per month for living expenses and more

Eligibility

See eligibility requirements:
https://r.apu.jp/nikkeischolarship

Application Procedure

Submit the Nikkei Scholarship application to the organization.

Contact APU and receive information regarding the application process and the schedule for up until you receive the Letter of Enrollment Approval (Certificate of Expected Enrollment).

Pass the document screening.

Attend an interview with the Nikkei Scholarship.

The final scholarship award results are announced by the Nikkei Scholarship.

Please be sure to check the website below to see if there are any additional changes from last year.


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Value of Scholarship(s)

Full tuition, full admissions fee, approximately 5,000 JPY per day for living expenses and more

Eligibility

Please view our website for eligibility requirements:
https://r.apu.jp/nikkeileaderscholarship

Application Procedure

If you plan to apply for this scholarship, please contact APU by the end of August, to receive information regarding how to receive the informal written consent from your graduate program supervisor.

Receive the acceptance letter from APU.

Submit the Nikkei Leadership Scholarship application before the stipulated application deadline (Please refer to the scholarship program website for details regarding the required application documents and deadlines. For reference, last year's deadline was mid-September.)

Attend an interview at a JICA overseas office in mid-October.

The JICA headquarters will make the final scholarship decisions in late October.

The final scholarship award results are announced by the JICA headquarters via its overseas office in November.


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Value of Scholarship(s)

Monthly stipend 180,000 – 200,000 JPY

Eligibility

Please view our website for eligibility requirements:
https://r.apu.jp/honjoscholarship

Application Procedure

To apply for Honjo Scholarship, the applicant must apply to both APU and directly to the scholarship organization.
The scholarship is available for all accepted applicants, both admitted and enrolled.


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Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship for Overseas Candidate is for international students located outside Japan that are scheduled to enroll in APU’s Graduate School. Both master’s and doctoral program applicants are welcome to apply.
The applicant must apply to both APU and the scholarship organization independently. Review the application and selection process thoroughly for both APU and the scholarship organization.

Value of Scholarship(s)

140,000 JPY per month for two years

Eligibility

Please view our website for eligibility requirements: https://r.apu.jp/rotaryyoneyamascholarship

Application Procedure

To apply for this scholarship, the applicant must apply to both APU and directly to the scholarship organization.


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Yamaoka Scholarship Foundation was founded by Yanmar Co., Ltd, a major Japanese agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer, with a mission to support cultivating the necessary skills to contribute to the world peace and the development of society and culture. By providing equal opportunities to receive higher education, the foundation strives towards the realization of a society where people can work and live with peace of mind.

Value of Scholarship(s)

100,000 JPY per month for two year

Eligibility

Please view our website for eligibility requirements: https://r.apu.jp/yamaokascholarship

Application Procedure

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must first apply to APU. APU will then select eligible candidates to recommend to the scholarship organization.


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This scholarship is provided by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) through the recommendation of the Japanese embassy in the applicant's home country.

Value of Scholarship(s)

Full application and admission fee, full tuition, 144,000 JPY per month, economy class air travel between the home country and APU

Eligibility

Please view our website for eligibility requirements: https://r.apu.jp/MEXTEmbassy

Application Procedure

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must first apply through the Japanese embassy. After receiving the primary screening results from the embassy, applicants will then submit certain documents to APU. Most embassies accept applications around April each year, but please contact the embassy in your home country to confirm their application procedures.


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