The Asia Pacific University MEXT Scholarship is tied to Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), a university in Beppu, Oita, Japan, that teaches bachelor's, master's and PhD students from many countries. If you are a Pakistani student who wants an international campus in Japan and is interested in Asia Pacific studies, management or tourism, APU belongs on your shortlist. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing, but read this guide first, because the honest picture is that most of the specifics for this award have to be confirmed directly with the university.
That is the main thing to understand before you spend time on it. Funding is described as full or partial, and the deadline, coverage, eligibility rules and document list all vary. Nothing about this scholarship should be planned around assumptions. Plan around what APU publishes for the intake you are targeting.
The short version in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
| Location | Beppu, Oita, Japan |
| Funding | Full or partial |
| Study levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Opening date | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Official site | www.apu.ac.jp |
Why "full or partial" changes how you should plan
The funding is listed as full or partial, and the details of what is covered vary. In practice that means two applicants could both receive support from APU and end up in very different financial positions. One might have most costs handled. Another might only get a reduction and still need to pay a large share.
APU's wider financial support includes tuition reductions and scholarships. A tuition reduction is useful, but it is not the same as money for rent, food and travel. So do not tell your family, your bank or a visa officer that you are "fully funded" until you have a written offer that says so. If the award turns out to be partial, you will need your own funds for the gap, and our guide on bank statements and proof of funds explains how Pakistani students usually document that.
The programmes this award is linked to
APU teaches through faculties in Asia Pacific Studies, International Management and Sustainability Tourism. At graduate level, the listed fields are the Asia Pacific Studies Graduate Program and the Management Studies Graduate Program.
This is a fairly focused range. If you want engineering, medicine or pure sciences, this is the wrong place to look and you should skip it. If your interests sit in international relations, regional studies, business, management or tourism, the fit is much better. A student with a BBA from a Pakistani university looking at a management master's, or an FSc or A-level student interested in business with an international angle, is the kind of applicant the programme range suits.
Read the specific faculty requirements for your level before applying. Undergraduate and graduate entry are handled differently, and the requirements for one do not tell you much about the other.
Eligibility: what is and is not stated
The eligibility requirements for this scholarship vary, and no fixed list of conditions is published in the information available for this award. There is no stated age limit, minimum grade or language score to quote here, and we will not guess one.
Nationality is not specified either. APU has students and faculty from many international backgrounds, but that does not by itself confirm that Pakistani nationals can apply for this particular award. Check the eligibility conditions for your nationality on the official APU website before you start preparing documents.
When you check, look for answers to these questions:
- Is the award open to applicants from Pakistan for your intake?
- Which degree level does each funding tier apply to?
- Is the scholarship applied for separately, or considered automatically with your admission application?
- Is the award full or partial for your programme, and what decides that?
- Are there academic or language conditions you must meet?
Documents: build from the official list, not a template
The document requirements vary and depend on the degree level you choose. That is normal for a university-run award, but it means a generic checklist will not be enough on its own.
Still, there is no harm in getting your academic records and passport in order early, since Pakistani certificates often need attestation before a foreign university will accept them. Our documents checklist for international scholarships is a reasonable starting point, but treat APU's own list as the final word and match every item to it.
How the application works
The process runs through APU itself. The steps are straightforward:
- Visit the official APU website and review the academic programmes and admission guidelines for your level.
- Prepare the required documents according to the degree level you have chosen.
- Submit your application through the official university portal or the designated application channels.
- Monitor your application status and respond to any messages from the APU admissions office.
Step four is where people slip. Admissions offices send follow-up requests, and a missed email can stall an otherwise strong application. Use an email address you check daily, look in your spam folder, and reply quickly.
Timing when the deadline is not fixed
Both the opening date and the deadline vary and must be confirmed on the official site. There is no reliable date to plan around in advance, so the practical move is to check the APU website regularly for updates on application deadlines and intake periods.
Set yourself a simple routine: check the admissions pages every couple of weeks while you are preparing, and more often once you have picked an intake. Note down any dates you find, with the page you found them on, so you are not relying on memory or old screenshots shared in student groups.
Life on the Beppu campus
APU runs on-campus housing, including AP House 1, 2, and 5, with individual and shared spaces and resident assistant support. For a first-time international student, living on campus makes the first months much easier. Look into the housing options early, as the tips from the university itself suggest, because accommodation decisions affect your budget, especially if your award is partial.
The university also has a language education centre, career development programmes, internships and student support offices. If you need language preparation, use the language centre resources. Career support and internships matter if you hope to work after graduating, so ask about them once you arrive rather than in your final year.
Mistakes we would steer you away from
The first is assuming the word MEXT in the name tells you everything about the terms. It does not. Go by what APU publishes for your intake.
The second is applying for a programme that does not match your background just because a scholarship is attached. The listed fields are specific. A weak fit shows in your statement and your record.
The third is planning finances on a best-case outcome. With funding listed as full or partial, budget for the partial case and treat anything better as a bonus.
The fourth is leaving document attestation to the last month. With a deadline that varies, you may get less notice than you expect. Have your papers ready before the intake opens.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Asia Pacific University located?
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University is in Beppu, Oita, Japan. Study under this scholarship takes place on that campus.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Nationality eligibility is not stated in the information available. Check the conditions for Pakistani applicants on the official APU website before you apply.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Funding is listed as full or partial, and what is covered varies. Only your offer letter will tell you which applies to you.
Which subjects can I study?
The listed fields are Asia Pacific Studies, International Management, Sustainability Tourism, the Asia Pacific Studies Graduate Program and the Management Studies Graduate Program.
Does APU offer student housing?
Yes. APU has student housing through AP House 1, 2, and 5, with individual and shared spaces.
When is the deadline?
The deadline and opening date vary. Confirm the current cycle on the official portal.
If you are weighing other options in the same country, see all Japan scholarships in one place. For the current cycle, start with the official APU website, and keep the full scholarship page handy for the summary.