Students who wish to conduct specific research on a non-credit basis may enter Kobe University as research students by obtaining approval from the appropriate faculty or graduate school. Many of those who enrol as research students do so to enhance their scholastic ability to the level sufficient for admission to master’s or doctoral programs offered by respective graduate schools. Students must obtain approval in advance from their prospective advisor/professor at Kobe University.
Eligibility
Undergraduate Students
Applicants must have a university degree (including junior college qualifications), or have successfully completed 14 years of school education outside Japan, or possess the equivalent academic qualifications as recognized by their choice of faculty.
Graduate Students (Master’s course)
Applicants must have a university degree, or have successfully completed 16 years of school education outside Japan, or possess the equivalent academic qualifications as recognized by their choice of graduate school. Those who are expected to graduate from a bachelor’s program are also eligible.
Graduate Students (Doctoral course)
Applicants must have a master’s degree or the equivalent. Those who are expected to graduate from a master’s program are also eligible.
Entrance Periods
Twice a year (April and October) for most faculties and graduate schools.
(Exceptions: Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine: Every month
Graduate School of Business Administration: April only)
Duration
1 year or less. This may be extended to one more year. The maximum duration should not exceed 2 years.
Selection Method
Students are selected based on the submitted documents (excluding medical forms) and an interview. However, the interview might be omitted for applicants residing overseas.
Admission requirements vary according to each Faculty and Graduate School. For details, please refer to the website of your Faculty or Graduate School of choice.
Please note: some Faculties and Graduate Schools do not accept research students.
How to Apply
1. Find your future supervisor
Faculties and Graduate schools require students to find an academic supervisor to advise them during their period of research at Kobe University. Interested students should check to see which supervisor specializes in their field of interest and contact them directly. Some Faculties and Graduate Schools may require written consent from the prospective advisor.
How do I find an academic supervisor?
- Search within the Directory of Researchers in Kobe University
Directory of Researchers in Kobe University. - If the contact information is not available on the website of the Faculty/Graduate School, contact the Student Affairs Section of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.
2. Obtain Application Information and Application Forms
When to request
If the contact information is not available on the website of the Faculty/Graduate School*, contact the Student Affairs Section of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.
- Some Faculties and Graduate Schools do not disclose application information on their websites. Please contact them directly for details.
Where and how to request
Applicants can obtain application forms either by visiting the office of each Faculty and Graduate School directly or requesting by post. When requesting by post, be sure to enclose a return envelope with the necessary stamps attached. Please address this envelope to the Student Affairs Section of the respective Faculty or Graduate School.
Note:
- The return envelope should be a size that can hold A4- size (Legal size) without folding the forms.
- Please attach the necessary amount of stamps to the return envelope.
- For detailed information, please check the website of the relevant Faculty or Graduate School.
3. Apply
When to apply
Most Faculties and Graduate Schools usually have two admission periods a year.
Note:
- The following are exceptions: Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine: every month; Graduate School of Business Administration: once a year.
- Please note that the application period for those who do not live in Japan and require a visa to come is different from those who are permanent residents of Japan.
Necessary documents
- Necessary documents for all Faculties and Graduate Schools
- Application form, curriculum vitae, medical examination report, university/high school diplomas, academic transcripts, photos, admission fee payment record
- Others
- Some Faculties and Graduate Schools require certificates indicating the students’ Japanese language ability and a copy of the Certificate of Residence etc.
Where to apply
Send the necessary application material to the Student Affairs Section of respective Faculty or Graduate School by post. This must reach us by the deadline. Late arrivals will not be considered for admission.
4. Selection
Students are selected based on the submitted documents and an interview. However, the interview might be omitted for applicants residing overseas.
5. Acceptance
How to Find Out the Result
Applicants will receive an admission notice and other information by post. Inquiries by phone are not accepted.
If accepted, applicants must make the payment of admission fee by bank transfer and submit the necessary documents.
6. Prepare for Coming to Japan
Passport and Visa (when applicants reside overseas)
In order to enter Japan, international students must have a passport and a “College Student Visa”. Please refer to “Procedure for Entering Japan” for details on how to apply for the visa.
Secure Accommodation
There is University housing and other accommodation that students can apply for through the university, but these rooms are limited. Please use the “Kobe University Student Apartment Search System” to look for private apartments. This system has been established with Nasic National Student Information Center for Kobe University international students. Students can also use this search system to reserve an apartment from overseas. It is available in 4 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean) and will also support students with lease agreement. For more information please refer to “Housing information”.
Students can also search for apartment through Kobe University Co-op Service Center after arrival in Kobe.
Reserve an airplane ticket and purchase a traveler’s insurance. (Recommended but
optional)
7. After Arriving in Japan
- Come to Kobe University during the designated period to complete the necessary entrance procedures.
- Participate in New Student Orientation
- Classes begin
- Make payment of Tuition fees