Program
The Study in Kansai Program (SKP) is a non-degree study abroad program at Ritsumeikan University in Japan. SKP brings together individuals from all walks of life and all corners of the globe to study at Ritsumeikan’s campuses.
Locations
Kyoto: Located in northwest Kyoto City and within walking distance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Ryoanji Temple, Kinugasa Campus (KIC) is the perfect example of Kyoto’s harmonization between the traditional and the modern, and is a serene environment for education. The campus sits at the foot of Kinugasayama (Mt. Kinugasa) on which the changing colors of its trees reflect the progression of the seasons. Kinugasa is the university’s center of liberal arts, social science and humanities studies, and is home to four colleges and six graduate schools, including the College of International Relations and the College of Letters.
Osaka Prefecture: The Osaka Ibaraki Campus (OIC) opened its doors in April 2015 and is RU’s newest campus. Located midway between Osaka City and Kyoto City, the campus is within walking distance of two train lines that provide easy access to both cities. The OIC is fully equipped with facilities that provide adaptable learning and exchange spaces. The campus community works to facilitate collaboration with industry and government institutions and promote Ritsumeikan’s activities on the frontline of social collaboration. Among the OIC’s six colleges and seven graduate schools are the College of Policy Science, the College of Business Administration and the College of Information Science and Engineering.
Shiga Prefecture: Established in April 1994, the Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC) serves as a center of education and research that integrates the sciences with the humanities. The BKC community pursues cutting-edge scientific research alongside the creation of new industries through industry-government-academia collaboration and community involvement. The campus is located in the city of Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, and is surrounded by natural beauty with mountains to the west and Lake Biwa to the east. Six colleges and six graduate schools are housed in BKC, among which are the College of Science and Engineering, College of Life Sciences, and College of Economics.
Course Information
The Study in Kyoto Program (SKP) offers three different tracks for students:
- Intensive Japanese Language (IJL)
- The Intensive Japanese Language track allows students to study Japanese language intensively. The track provides a well-balanced approach to improving reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills from the beginner level all the way to the advanced level of practical academic Japanese skills required for taking university courses.
- Available at Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto) only
- Regular Courses in English (RCE)
- The Regular Courses in English track allows students to take courses in English in a wide range of fields. Course offerings range from those in the humanities and social sciences, such as political science, economics, business administration, sociology, cultural anthropology, law, area studies, and contemporary Japanese culture, to courses in the natural sciences such as information (computer) science.\
- Available at all three locations: Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto), Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka), and Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)
- Regular Courses in Japanese (RCJ)
- The Regular Courses in Japanese track allows students with Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N1 to take both liberal arts and specialized courses offered by various Ritsumeikan University colleges in Japanese.
- Available at all three locations: Kinugasa Campus (Kyoto), Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Osaka), and Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (Shiga)
To read about the track comparisons, visit the SKP website
here.
Students will receive direct credit from Ritsumeikan University for all courses. Please note that any courses transferring as Japanese credits (language or otherwise) can only be post-approved.
Accommodations
Ritsumeikan University manages International Houses for each campus. Students from around the world share one living space, giving you the opportunity to learn about other customs and cultures on top of experiencing daily life in Japan. The I-Houses are all equipped with everything a college student would need including fully furnished rooms, laundry facilities, lounges, kitchens, and internet access. The sense of community at the I-Houses is further accentuated by the presence of experienced and approachable live-in managers and Resident Mentors RMs, so assistance is always just a few doors down. The I-House RMs, who are regular students of Ritsumeikan University, assist you when you first move in, help you adjust to living in Japan, and organize I-House events throughout the year. Together, the managers and RMs work to create a sense of community and provide a unique and enjoyable cross-cultural living experience, making the International Houses feel more like a home.
To read more about the accommodations for each program, please visit the SKP website
here.
Application
To see how to apply, please visit the SKP webiste
here.
Please note that students planning to study abroad for the
FALL SEMESTER ONLY should ensure that the dates of their program will end
two days prior to the start of the Spring semester. If any questions, please reach out to the GEO Advisor.
Students will need to register through the Global Education Office at W&M by the respective deadlines for Fall and Spring semesters.
