Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Ritsumeikan IELTS by programme
From Ritsumeikan's AO Admissions (English Basis) how-to-apply page for April and September 2027 enrolment. TOEFL figures are shown as the old score (tests before 21 January 2026) and the new band (from 21 January 2026).
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Global Liberal Arts (GLA) | 6.5, with 6.0 in each component | TOEFL iBT 81 or 4; PTE Academic 64 (60 each skill); Cambridge C1 Advanced 169 |
| JD Program | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 85 or 4; PTE 60; Cambridge 176; SAT EBRW 610; ACT English 25; Duolingo 120 |
| Global Studies (GS) Major | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 76 or 4; Duolingo 110 |
| Community and Regional Policy Studies (CRPS) Major | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 72 or 4; Duolingo 105 |
| Information Systems Science and Engineering (ISSE) Course | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 72 or 4; TOEIC L&R 730; Duolingo 105 |
Tests not accepted, and waivers
Ritsumeikan does not accept IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL MyBest scores or TOEIC IP. Scores must come from a test taken within the two years before the last date of the application period.
For GS, CRPS and ISSE, you can be waived if your most recent 6 years of formal education were only in English. GLA waives citizens of listed Group A countries with at least 1 year of senior secondary education in English, and IB Diploma holders taught and assessed in English. The JD Program waives 4 years of grades 9 to 12 in qualifying English-medium curricula or listed countries, with no ESL courses.
Free test: are you at Ritsumeikan University's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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How to check your programme
The GLA is the only programme on the page with a per-component IELTS minimum, so a 6.5 overall with a 5.5 in one skill would not meet it. For the other programmes only the overall score is listed.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one in the current Ritsumeikan application guide for your programme, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Ritsumeikan University publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Ritsumeikan GLA need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.
What is the lowest IELTS Ritsumeikan accepts?+
5.5, for the CRPS Major and the ISSE Course.
Does Ritsumeikan accept PTE?+
Yes for GLA (PTE Academic 64 with 60 in each skill) and the JD Program (PTE 60). PTE is not listed for GS, CRPS or ISSE.
Does Ritsumeikan accept IELTS Online?+
No. IELTS Online and IELTS One Skill Retake are both excluded.
Can an English-medium education replace IELTS at Ritsumeikan?+
For GS, CRPS and ISSE, yes if your most recent 6 years of formal education were only in English. GLA and JD have their own waiver rules.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Japan
- Doshisha University IELTS requirement
- Kwansei Gakuin University IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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