Rikkyo University is considered the largest Anglican Christian University in Japan. Promising a broader approach to liberal arts, the reputation of the university is esteemed amongst the academic society in Japan. Manifesting its commitment to its philosophy since then, Rikkyo University aims to produce global world leaders through quality education.
Table of Contents
- Maintaining the Tradition Behind Rikkyo University
- Rikkyo University in the Present
- Life at Rikkyo University
- Summary
Maintaining the Tradition Behind Rikkyo University
History of Rikkyo University
In 1874, a church missionary established a small private school named Rikkyo School based on Christian values and English studies in Tsukiji's foreign settlement, Tokyo. In 1907, it was renamed Rikkyo University and later on established different courses in Arts, Commerce, and other preparatory studies before World War II. Rikkyo opened two different campuses in Japan in Niiza, Saitama Prefecture, and Ikebukuro, Tokyo. For the last few years, the University continuously expanded its facilities, including the state-of-the-art library at the Ikebukuro campus, with more than 2 million books up to date.
※ Rikkyo University, "About Rikkyo"
Philosophy and Symbols
The Rikkyo flag was established in 1924 by Bishop Charles Reifsnider, the University president, and Sadahiro Sugiura, a dean at that time. The flag is full of references to the values that the university holds. The white cross on the Rikkyo flag represents Christian values, upon which the school was founded. The gold character on the top left of the flag is 立, the first character for Rikkyo written 立教 in Japanese - it stands for “the true value that we must pursue through research and education” according to the school website. The color of the flag is also significant as purple represents royalty and brings up imagery in the school’s anthem.
Rikkyo's official symbol is a shield, with the Latin words "PRO DEO ET PATRIA," meaning "For God and Country," inscribed, which means "to seek universal and divine truth, for our world, society, and neighbors".
※ Rikkyo University, "Flag & Symbol"
Writer's Pick
Rikkyo University in the Present
Rikkyo University is currently open to foreign students, complete with English courses!
Academics and English Courses
Rikkyo trains students to become global world leaders through the "Rikkyo Learning Style," a method that has been used effectively for almost 140 years. They enhance capabilities in three aspects: innovative ability, empathy and collaboration ability, and thinking ability.
There are twenty-seven undergraduate departments that fall under the following ten colleges.
The courses taught in English are:
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Dual Language Pathway (College of Intercultural Communication) is a four-year course where students enhance their English and Japanese language skills to achieve proficiency.
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Global Liberal Arts Program (GLAP) is a four-year course that trains critical thinking regarding different issues and situations to think globally and independently.
The graduate school has 27 programs that make up ten schools.
The programs offered in English are:
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Master in International Business Program (Graduate School of Business) is a two-year degree program focusing on conceptualization, planning, and implementing business in various cultures.
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Master of Public Management and Administration Course (Graduate School of Business) is a two-year program focusing on the formulation, management, and evaluation of policies and programs in the public management sector.
Exchange programs
There are a total of 226 universities and institutions in the Asia- Pacific region, Europe, and North and South Americas that are in partnership with Rikkyo University. Some of the universities are Beijing Foreign Studies University (China), Korea University (Korea), Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), National University of Singapore ( Singapore), and so on).
To apply as an exchange student, you have to be one of the students of the partner universities of Rikkyo, as mentioned above. The student must personally complete the application in either English or Japanese only. The required documents include:
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Application Form
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Letter of Recommendation by the advisor or supervising professor
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Official Transcript
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Health Certificate
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Certificate of Finance
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Original Bank Statement under the name of the financial sponsor
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Certificate of the Japanese language proficiency (if applicable)
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Certificate of the English language proficiency (if applicable)
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Passport
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Two recent professional passport Photographs and
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Rikkyo University International Dormitory Housing Application (if you wish to live in the dormitory)
※ Rikkyo University, "Student Exchange Program," p.8
Exchange students can apply to all the colleges and graduate schools except Law School and Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence and Science, provided they meet the necessary language proficiency requirement and department rules. They must complete a minimum of 6 courses per semester (for undergraduate students only) and a maximum of 20 credits per semester.
※ Rikkyo University, "Student Exchange Program," p.5
Life at Rikkyo University
So what would it be like to study at Rikkyo University?
Campus Life
The two campuses of Rikkyu
The two campuses are the Ikebukuro and Niiza campuses, as mentioned above. The Morris Hall, the All Saints Chapel, and the Mather Library Memorial Hall are the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's selected historical buildings, charming and beautiful, that serve as student hideouts located within the Ikebukuro campus. And Ikebukuro is one of the highly used stations in Tokyo, meaning there’s lots of people and lots to do! The other campus, Niiza, has an open and natural atmosphere with modern equipment in classrooms, laboratories, and huge sporting facilities. It also has the beautiful and impressive St. Paul’s Chapel. Though further out from central Tokyo, it’s still very accessible.
Clubs and Activities
International students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities of the university. Rikkyo also supports volunteer activities by guiding students and collaborating with different organizations.
There are about 200 clubs in various fields such as football, archery, belly dance, hockey, rugby, ski, anime, dress design, music clubs, shodo (Japanese calligraphy), and theatrical play to choose from. The clubs were inclusive of the different cultures and interests of students from different countries.
The Christmas spirit at Rikkyo is very much alive with a month-long celebration, and one of the highlights is when students showcase their musical gifts through the Messiah Concert, a highly anticipated event and tradition every year.
Tuition fees
For the school year 2020, the admission fee is 200,000 yen, while the tuition fee ranges from 1,221,000 to 1,850,000 yen, depending on the college of choice. An additional variety of fees for things such as healthcare should be anticipated.
※ Rikkyo University, "Academic Fees of the Rikkyo University for Academic Year 2020"
Facilities and housing
There are four dormitories at the university: the RUID Shiki, Asakadai, RIR Shiinamachi and Rikkyo Global House, and one leased apartment: Comfort Ikebukuro, located outside the campuses. The dormitories are furnished with single rooms, housing both Japanese and international students. In Spring (April to July), accomodation costs around 165,000 yen to 420,000 yen and in the Fall (September to February), it is about 205,000 yen to 570,000 yen. With food, commuting and other expenses, the university estimates that students should prepare about 120,000 yen per month.
※ Rikkyo University, "Student Exchange Program," p.9
There are various facilities for the students within the campuses to enjoy too! They include:
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Paul Rusch Athletics Center (Ikebukuro Campus): IIt has a swimming pool, rooftop tennis and futsal courts, arena, multipurpose space, running track, and training room.
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St. Paul's Aquatic Center ( Niiza Campus) has an indoor heated swimming pool with movable floor to adjust depth.
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The Ikebukuro Library, Niiza Library, and Niiza Repository Library have over 2 million Japanese and overseas collections of publications with reading spaces, PC stations, and AV booths.
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A prayer room at the Ikebukuro Campus available for all students regardless of religion.
International Recipients of Honorary Degrees
Honorary Degrees are awarded to individuals who have notable contributions to a certain field or to society. Some of the distinguished individuals honored at Rikkyo are:
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Milton Friedman (1963), an American economist.
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Friedrich Hayek (1964), an economist and philosopher.
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Paul Rusch (1965), an Anglican lay missionary in Japan who founded Camp Seisen Ryo.
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Bill Gates (2000), an American Business Magnate.
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Muhammad Yunus (2007), founder of the Grameen Bank.
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Fazle Hasan Abed (2009), founder and chairman of BRAC (NGO).
※ Rikkyo University, "Honorary Doctorate"
Summary
Photo Credit: Nesnad, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The world-class Rikkyo University, truly a liberal university and an academy that allows students to pursue a goal based on their interests and guides them to unleash their full potential. Rikkyo offers students facilities and activities to further enhance intellectual and spiritual well-being. With the increasing number of international students, studying at Rikkyo makes the university a perfect choice with an ideal setting to study while getting to know the country. If you’re looking for a broad-minded kind of learning that should not be confined within the four walls of a classroom, this university is for you!
