Program Terms:
Spring Semester & Academic Year
Overview:
Ryukoku University’s history began in 1639, and it is one of the oldest universities in Japan. Founded on the principles of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, the university’s unique approach to education and research blends Buddhist wisdom with modern innovation to address global challenges. Historically, Ryukoku university has been committed to integrating Western-style education with Buddhist principles and based on its engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has been a progressive leader in issuing environmental declarations and pursuing various social initiatives driven by Buddhist concepts. It is the first private university in Japan to achieve 100% renewable energy across its three unique, attractive, and accessible campuses in the historic city of Kyoto and in neighboring Shiga Prefecture.
At present Ryukoku University has ten undergraduate Faculties (Letters, Psychology, Economics, Business Administration, Law, Policy Science, International Studies, Sociology, Advanced Science and Technology, Agriculture) and a total of eleven Graduate Schools in corresponding fields and the Graduate School in Practical Shin Buddhist Studies. With a total of approximately 20,000 students, the university continues to preserve the past while simultaneously taking a progressive stance towards pressing the boundaries of knowledge.
In addition, Ryukoku University strongly encourages cultural symbiosis and supports strong relationships with its global partners. International students who wish to experience all the unique aspects the university and surrounding areas have to offer are warmly welcomed.
Academic Details:
Exchange Students will base their studies in the Ryukoku Japan Studies Program (JSP), launched from April 2026. Anchored in the values of magokoro (sincerity, compassion, and altruism) which draw on the university’s heritage and academic strengths, JSP combines Japanese language study, Intercultural Collaborative Learning (PBL) with domestic and other international students to tackle real-world challenges, and subjects in three “subject clusters” which provide in-depth views on Japanese society, culture, and industry.
In addition to Japanese language subjects and electives taught in Japanese, the JSP curriculum also includes enough subjects taught in English to accommodate a full course load. Field trips, cultural activities, and direct engagement with the local community make JSP both academically rigorous and personally transformative for students of all levels of previous language engagement, from complete beginners to those preparing for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Furthermore, exchange students may also opt to register for selected subjects in Ryukoku University’s Faculties and Graduate
Schools if they meet the language requirement and are accepted by the instructor. A combined minimum of 15 registered credits per semester is required.
Program Key Points
・Curriculum organized by Japanese proficiency level
・Full English-track option (JSP-E)
・Newly incorporated Intercultural Collaborative Learning (PBL) subjects where exchange students study alongside Japanese students and collaborate through group work
Housing Details:
Exchange Students shall receive priority for placement in one of two international student dormitories, Ryukoku International House and Mitra-kan, which are both conveniently located only a few minutes on foot from Fukakusa Campus. Dormitory Managers and Resident Supporters are also present in each dormitory to provide daily life assistance. All dormitory residents are required to pay a modest fee for rental bedding (quilt, sheets, pillow and pillowcase), which includes a regular laundering service for these items. Twin Rooms and Single Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cost range: JPY130,000 ~ JPY230,000 (includes room rent, utilities, rental bedding calculated for four months). A refundable security deposit of JPY50,000-JPY100,000 is also required.
Please refer to the
Accommodations link, provided below, for more details.
Eligibility:
- Sophomore standing
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
Japanese and Asian Studies (JAS) Program: open to undergraduate students in all majors
Japanese Culture and Language Program (JCLP): open to undergraduate students in all majors
Regular Ryukoku University faculties: open to undergraduate and graduate students in all majors who have advanced proficiency in Japanese