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Q&A

FAQ

In order to match all prospective international students’ home academic calendars, the three undergraduate PEACE programs allow for enrollment from either the Spring or Fall semester. For Spring semester enrollment, we have one Application period and for Fall semester enrollment, we have two Application periods. 

Note, however, you cannot apply for more than one program at the same time. Yet you can apply a second time during a different Application period for the same academic year as your first application. But if program capacity is met, further applications may not be accepted.

Yes, you are able to apply if you have citizenship other than (i.e., perhaps in addition to) Japanese citizenship. This is one of the Admissions eligibility criteria.

However, for those who hold citizenship in Japan and another country, please note that based on Japanese Law (Article 61 of the Immigration Control and Refuge and Recognition Act) entry and stay in Japan falls under the return to Japan of Japanese nationals, and thus, the conditions for receiving the Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship will not be met.

If you meet the Admissions Requirements for the PEACE undergraduate program that you are applying for, you can apply for the Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship at the time of application. This scholarship is applied for and determined prior to enrollment. You can apply for all other Rikkyo University Scholarships for which you are eligible after enrollment.

You can apply every year for any of the scholarships for which you are eligible. Understand that all scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. It is conceivable that a student with an outstanding record of achievement could receive a scholarship award every year during their undergraduate studies.

As it is mandatory for 1st-year students to live in a dormitory, your dormitory room is guaranteed. Upon finalizing all Admissions procedures, new students will be notified separately regarding the moving in procedures.

Categories

1. Study
2. Application
3. Enrollment
4. Fees & Payment
5. Visa
6. Scholarships
7. Career
8. Student Life
9. Housing

1. Study

Bachelor’s degree programs at Rikkyo University are officially for four years. Therefore, even if you have acquired the necessary credits for graduation prior to the end of your fourth year, you cannot graduate and receive your degree in less than four years of enrollment. You can choose to graduate later; however, please note that a student’s enrollment duration cannot exceed eight years. Please note that it is rarely the case that it would take more than four years to complete a four-year degree in Japan. Please also note that students must also pay the tuition and academic fees for each semester they are enrolled at Rikkyo University.

At least 124 credits are needed to graduate from each program. Note that for each undergraduate degree program, the courses required for the 124 credits are determined separately.

Semesters are 14 weeks with an additional time period after the semester for final tests and reports. Most classes are worth 2 credits and meet once a week for 100 minutes each. Most students take between 16 to 20 credits per semester, which is between 8 to 10 courses per semester. In general, one credit translates to 45 hours of study, which include the duration of instruction, active studying, and revision. Lessons at Rikkyo University are structured accordingly to adhere to this general guide. The number of credits that can be taken in one semester is set by the individual faculty. Please discuss with your academic advisor if you would like to take more or less credits for the semester.

Grades for courses are given as S, A, B, C with C being the minimum passing grade. D and Absentee are given as failure grades. Rikkyo University computes GPA on a 4-point scale with S=4, A=3, B=2, and C=1. The letter grade D and failure by Absentee receive 0.

Most Rikkyo University classes are held once a week and each class is 100 minutes. Classes may be held Monday through Saturday. Most undergraduate courses are held between 1st and 5th periods, Monday through Friday. Saturday courses, if held, are offered 1st and 2nd periods. The lesson time schedule is as follows.

1st period    8:50 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
2nd period  10:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.
Lunch 12:25 p.m. –   1:25 p.m.
3rd period   1:25 p.m. –   3:05 p.m. 
4th period  3:20 p.m. –   5:00 p.m. 
5th period   5:10 p.m. –   6:50 p.m. 
6th period   6:55 p.m. –   8:35 p.m.

There are two semesters and four seasonal breaks in the academic year. Class time periods and breaks are as follows. 

  • Spring semester: Early April to Late July
  • Fall semester: Late September to Late January
  • End of semester break: early August to mid-September
  • Mid-semester break (one week): early November
  • Christmas & New year’s holidays: late December to early January
  • End of semester break: early February to the end of March

 Please go here for the latest academic calendar.

Please go here to our page on Japanese language learning opportunities and information about the Center for Japanese Language Education. 

In brief, you will be required to take Japanese language classes during your first year at Rikkyo University*.

*We do not have the Japanese language classes exemption system.

There were 714 degree-seeking and 208 short-term exchange students from 47 countries and areas studying at Rikkyo University in the Fall semester during the 2019-2020 academic year.

There are various forms of support provided for international students. Please go here for more details. There is also an academic advisor system at Rikkyo University, in which each student is assigned a full-time faculty academic advisor, who can provide students with advice and guidance on academic learning.

The PEACE Program undergraduate degree programs are designed only for international students like yourself. However, there are many opportunities to take classes, conducted in English, with Japanese students. And as your Japanese ability increases, we hope you come to be able to take courses that are conducted in Japanese!

Yes. Rikkyo University has more than 80 different study abroad programs. Most of the programs are available to all Rikkyo students, while some programs are organized by each College exclusively for their students. Rikkyo University encourages all students to have an overseas experience. In addition, students who meet the criteria can apply and receive scholarships for studying abroad. Please go here for more details.

The opening hours for the libraries on both campuses are below.

Ikebukuro Library

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday:   10: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Public holidays: 10: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Niiza Library

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday:   8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday:  10: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Public holidays: 10: 00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Note that the opening hours are subject to change and PEACE Program courses will be held on the Ikebukuro Campus.

Yes. There is free Wi-Fi on campus available for students and faculties to use.

There are no double degree programs for undergraduates currently being offered.

The Graduate School of Intercultural Communication has a Master’s degree in Intercultural Communication focusing on Teaching English to Students of Other Languages in the Japan context (TESOL-J) that is conducted in English. There are also graduate degree programs in the Graduate School of Business, such as the Master of International Business (MIB) degree program and the Master of Public Management and Administration Course. Please visit the Rikkyo University website for more information about graduate degree programs conducted in English.

Basically, no. Students will not be able to get a “Student Visa” for university study for their Status of Residence as a part-time student. As a side note, however, Rikkyo does offer courses on many different subjects that are open to the public.

Yes. You can take a leave of absence for military service in your native country. All academic fees (including enrollment fees) are exempted during your leave of absence.

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2. Application

The Application process will be conducted online only using our WEB system. Before applying, please carefully review the Application Guide on the “How to Apply” page for further details.

In order to match all prospective international students’ home academic calendars, the three undergraduate PEACE programs allow for enrollment from either the Spring or Fall semester. For Spring semester enrollment, we have one Application period and for Fall semester enrollment, we have two Application periods. 

Note, however, you cannot apply for more than one program at the same time. Yet you can apply a second time during a different Application period for the same academic year as your first application. But if program capacity is met, further applications may not be accepted.

Anyone who meets the stipulated requirements in the Admissions Requirements can apply. Please note that all courses will be conducted in English.

Yes. Japanese ability is not required to apply.

Your residency status does not matter at the time of application. (Regarding citizenship, however, please see Q6.)

Yes, you are able to apply if you have citizenship other than (i.e., perhaps in addition to) Japanese citizenship. This is one of the Admissions eligibility criteria.

However, for those who hold citizenship in Japan and another country, please note that based on Japanese Law (Article 61 of the Immigration Control and Refuge and Recognition Act) entry and stay in Japan falls under the return to Japan of Japanese nationals, and thus, the conditions for receiving the Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship will not be met.

There is no age limit for application and enrolment.

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3. Enrollment

No. You cannot enroll outside of the Admission period selected at the time of application.
In order to apply to Rikkyo, you need a valid passport. Note, however, at the time of entry into Japan, you must have a minimum of six months validity on your passport. Therefore, before you start the application process we urge you to get or renew your passport.
If you miss the deadline to submit payment of the Admission fee and Tuition and Academic fees for the first semester or the deadline to submit Admissions documents, it will be considered as your intention to not enroll and your Application will be closed. You will not be admitted.
In addition, it is essential that you adhere to all other deadlines to ensure a smooth Admissions process.

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4. Fees & Payment

First, as shown here there are the following fees: Application fee (10,000 JPY), Admission fee (200,000 JPY), and Tuition and Academic fees (for the first semester). The Application and Admission fees will not be refunded. However, if after completing the enrollment procedure you apply to withdraw from enrollment according to the conditions and follow the prescribed procedure, you can receive a refund for the Tuition and Academic fees. For details, see The Application Guide on How to Apply page and the Enrollment Guide*.

* The Enrollment Guide can be downloaded from the WEB system only by accepted applicants after the date of their acceptance has been announced.

 

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5. Visa

The residence status for those studying at an educational institution or a Japanese university is ”Student”.

If this was to occur, you would be unable to start or continue your studies at Rikkyo University. We would advise that you reapply for the residence status of “Student” based on your strong desire to study along with sufficient supporting documents.

We will not prevent spouses and family members from entering the country at the time of your enrollment. However, our support for obtaining a visa is limited to those with a residence status of ”Student”. For obtaining a visa other than that of an enrolled student, please check with the Immigration Bureau of Japan and take appropriate measures. (Rikkyo University does not handle this).

Please also note, that as a 1st-year student you will be required to live in the international dormitory, but the international dormitory is offered to students only.

You are not obligated to change your current Japanese visa to a Student Visa upon enrollment. But if you do not have a Student Visa, you will not be able to receive scholarships for international students or support designated for such students, such as orientation for international students or support through the International Office. However, you are required to live in the dormitory for your first year, regardless of your residence status, and this includes dual nationality holders, even if enrolled as a Japanese national.

You can leave Japan by notifying Rikkyo University about where you intend to stay. Please make sure to obtain a Special Re-entry System Visa before going through immigration when you leave Japan. To obtain such a visa, you will need to show your residence card and fill in a re-entry / departure record card (ED card). If you plan to leave Japan for more than one year, you must obtain a Re-entry Permit from the Immigration Bureau of Japan in advance. If you leave Japan without permission to re-enter the country, you will lose your current visa status.

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6. Scholarships

If you meet the Admissions Requirements for the PEACE undergraduate program that you are applying for, you can apply for the Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship at the time of application. This scholarship is applied for and determined prior to enrollment. You can apply for all other Rikkyo University Scholarships for which you are eligible after enrollment.

You can apply every year for any of the scholarships for which you are eligible. Understand that all scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. It is conceivable that a student with an outstanding record of achievement could receive a scholarship award every year during their undergraduate studies.

Click here for details about when the Rikkyo Promising Future Scholarship will be awarded and then paid. The payment times of other Rikkyo University scholarships will differ depending upon the scholarship. Further information will be provided by the International Office after enrollment.

Yes. However, it is not possible to be awarded more than one scholarship offered by Rikkyo University at the same time. (You may, however, apply for as many scholarships for which you are eligible.) Please note that scholarships are offered and awarded on an annual basis. Each year you will need to apply anew. 

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7. Career

With a four year degree from Rikkyo University, you will be sought after in the job market. Ultimately, it will be up to you to decide which career suits you best. We encourage you to visit our Career Center throughout your studies at Rikkyo University for career advice and support.
Internships offered by your College in place of a regular course will count for credit. As for internships offered by the Career Center, they are not included in the regular curriculum, and so they will not be credit-bearing.
Rikkyo University provides various career specific support for international students to get hired by companies in Japan. Please go here for more details.

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8. Student Life

You will, undoubtedly, face some language barrier issues while you are here, but a number of Rikkyo staff and faculty speak English. We would not invite you unless we could support you. We encourage you to learn Japanese while you are here, and we hope you can turn any language barrier issue into a positive learning experience.
For international students, Rikkyo University offers an external phone service that introduces medical facilities in English to students over the phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This service also provides interpreters for students when they are receiving medical treatment at a medical facility. This service is provided to students free of charge by Rikkyo University.

 

International students on Student Visas are allowed to work (under immigration law) up to 28 hours per week. Jobs on campus do exist, but there are not many and are often short-term based. Many international students find part-time jobs in the community.
There are gym facilities and indoor pools at both the Ikebukuro and Niiza campuses. After registering and attending a short orientation, students are free to use these facilities.
Security guards patrol the campus 24/7 to ensure the safety of the students. The main gate of Ikebukuro campus is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and the Tucker gate, where the security guards are stationed 24/7, is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. in general.
Yes. The campus is barrier-free. There is also support provided by the Disability Support Office at both the Ikebukuro and the Niiza campuses.
Yes. There is a designated bicycle parking lot on campus. You can ride a bicycle to and from the campus, but riding a bicycle (or skateboard or kickboard) is not allowed within the campus itself.
There are many different clubs and societies at Rikkyo University to choose from. The way to join depends on the club/student group. Most of these clubs recruit members in early April at the start of the Spring Semester.
You can make an appointment to speak with an English-speaking counselor any time you feel you need counseling.
Most banks require residents to be in Japan for more than six months. However, the Japan Post Bank will allow foreign students to open a bank account immediately after they arrive. International students also do not need the traditional hanko (personal seal used in Japan in lieu of a signature) to open an account. Students can simply use their signatures for verification. There is a Japan Post Bank office on campus.
Rikkyo University uses an emergency contact system through email to make urgent and important contact with students. Such contact tracing is used to confirm the safety of students and faculty members in the event of a natural disaster such as a large earthquake. In these extraordinary circumstances, a safety confirmation will be sent to your registered email address. Please reply to the message as soon as possible so that Rikkyo University will be able to track your status.
During your new student orientation, we will cover local emergency phone numbers and protocols.
Yes, of course. Rikkyo University respects diversity and the freedom of religion. There is a chapel on campus and an individual Prayer Room on the Ikebukuro campus, both of which are available for students to use freely.
Other than the designated smoking areas, no smoking is allowed.
There are four distinct seasons in Japan. There is a large difference in temperature and humidity from one season to the next, and it also depends on where you are in Japan. For Tokyo, where Rikkyo University’s Ikebukuro Campus is located, the average temperature for a calendar year is shown below. Note that it gets extremely hot and humid in the summer, and there are many days where the temperature rises to about 38 degree Celsius (100F.) Although it rarely snows in Tokyo, during the winter temperatures can get lower than 0 degree Celsius (32F) especially in the early morning and late evening.

Tokyo Average Temperature in Celsius by Month

Month
Avg High
Avg Low
January
10.6
 1.8
February
 12.2 3.1
March
 14.9 6.1
April
 20.3 11.3
May
 25.2 15.7
June
 26.3 19.1
July
 29.7 22.1
August
 31.6 23.9
September
 27.7 21.9
October
 22.6 15.3
November
 15.5 8.1
December
 13.8 4.5
Note that June is known as the rainy season with high temperatures and many rainy days. In August and September Tokyo experiences some tropical storms known as typhoons.
Ikebukuro, where the campus is located, is in the center of Tokyo and close to Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station, both major transportation hubs. This makes it easy to travel to the other regions in Japan by air or by train. There are Shinkansen (bullet trains) available at Tokyo Station, which makes it easy to travel to places such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka. For Shinkansen and JR trains, you can purchase tickets at a student discount of 20% discount. We recommend exploring more of Japan during weekends and over the long holidays. We are sure you can find excursions that match your budget and interests.

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9. Housing

The reason for living in a dormitory for the first year is so that students can adapt to life in Japan more easily and feel more secure with their school life at Rikkyo University. Generally, students are not allowed to move out of the dormitory early. It is also important to understand that you will pay for your dormitory accommodations by semester, not monthly. Thus, it behooves you to stay until the end of your first year.
As it is mandatory for 1st-year students to live in a dormitory, your dormitory room is guaranteed. Upon finalizing all Admissions procedures, new students will be notified separately regarding the moving in procedures.

No. The dormitory contract is for eleven months, and payment is split in half.

Payment timing
【September-enrolled students】 around June and February
【April-enrolled students】 around January and September

Payment method
【First-half】 International bank transfer or bank transfer in Japan
【Remaining-half】 International bank transfer, bank transfer in Japan or direct debit from a bank account in Japan

The dormitory is a coed. However, each room is a private room and bathroom/shower facilities are gender-specific.
There are some senior students (called Resident Supporters) who live in the same dormitory. They are the caretakers at the dormitory to handle any issues that you may have. They are also there to help you with any problems you encounter in your daily life in Japan.
In addition to a senior student living on-site as a Resident Supporter, there is a manager living at the dormitory who runs the facility. The main entrance also has an auto-lock feature.
There is no designated common study space, but there is a common space for meals and socializing. Note that each room is furnished with a desk and that Wi-fi is available throughout the dormitory.
No one other than the respective student can stay overnight in their assigned room. The dormitory does have a guest room that can be reserved for family members for a fee.
Other than the designated smoking area, the dormitory is non-smoking only.
It takes around 35-45 minutes to commute to the Ikebukuro Campus by bicycle.
The International Office will help you find and secure housing from your second year at an apartment, a share house, or other student-based housing located in the Tokyo area.
For students looking for an apartment, the International Office provides information on reliable real estate companies affiliated with the University.
It really depends on the area and the type of apartment. The initial cost to move in, including the deposits and various fees, is generally around 550,000 JPY. However, if you were to look for an apartment through a real estate company through the Rikkyo University International Office, the cost will generally be lower. While some apartments may come with furniture and appliances, empty apartments without furniture or appliances are the norm in Japan.

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