Abroadly

Kobe University

Kobe, 🇯🇵 Japan Public
#12 National #482 QS World #601 THE #501 ARWU
Kobe University campus
15,870 students 7% international Urban $5.8k - $6.1k/yr

About Kobe University

Kobe University, located in Kobe, Japan, is a national research university with a rich history dating back to 1902. It is recognized for its commitment to a spirit of "integrity, freedom, and cooperation," aiming to foster individuals with strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of global values. The university is a comprehensive institution with 11 undergraduate faculties and 15 graduate schools, serving approximately 16,000 students.

Academics


Kobe University offers a diverse range of academic programs across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life and medical sciences. The university's teaching approach emphasizes individuality and diversity, encouraging students to develop their full potential and become responsible members of society. A notable strength is its open research environment, which promotes multidisciplinary collaboration and co-creative research, particularly in fields like bio-manufacturing, advanced membrane engineering, medical engineering, health, longevity, and social systems innovation.

International Students


Kobe University provides various support services for international students, including advising and counseling for academic, intercultural, and daily life issues through the Global Education Center. The International Exchange Division also offers administrative support, scholarships, lodging assistance, and organizes events for international students. The university offers several English-taught programs at both master's and doctoral levels, such as the Kobe LL.M. in Global Business Law, KIMAP in Economics and Management, and English-Based Master's Programs in Science.

Campus & Location


Kobe University's main campus, Rokkodai, is situated in a beautiful natural environment with traditional buildings and scenic views of the mountainside and city. Kobe is a cosmopolitan port city, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Japan, offering a vibrant city life with a more affordable cost of living compared to larger cities like Tokyo. The city boasts excellent transportation networks, including subways, buses, and trains, and is well-connected to other major Japanese cities. Nearby attractions include Meriken Park, numerous coffee shops, diverse restaurants, and the famous Kobe beef.

Career Outcomes


Kobe University is dedicated to supporting its students' career development, with a Career Center that offers guidance and advice through career consultants. The university fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, with initiatives like the Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, which aims to cultivate talent with an entrepreneurial mindset. Kobe University also promotes industry-academia collaboration and technology transfer, and has established the "Kobe University Fund" to support startups, particularly in fields like natural science, medicine, and life sciences.

Highlights

  • Comprehensive national research university
  • Diverse academic programs offered
  • Strong international student support
  • Beautiful Rokkodai campus location
  • Focus on multidisciplinary research

Subject Areas

EconomicsBusiness AdministrationLawEngineeringMedicine

Student Life & Support

Visa Support Campus Housing Work on Campus Work Placements Sports Facilities Disability Support Scholarships Available

Photos

Kobe University photo 1Kobe University photo 2Kobe University photo 3Kobe University photo 4Kobe University photo 5Kobe University photo 6Kobe University photo 7Kobe University photo 8Kobe University photo 9

Programs Offered at Kobe University (29)

Offers programs in:

Business & Management Computer Science Engineering Humanities Law Medicine & Health Natural Sciences Physics & Chemistry Social Sciences

Bachelor Programs (14)

Faculty of Science - Biology

STEM

Biology

Biology
international biology programbiology programs in japanundergraduate in biologystudy biology in japanabroad biology degree
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Business Administration

Faculty of Business Administration - Business Administration

Business Administration

Business Administration
bachelor in business administrationundergraduate business administrationstudy business administration in Japanbusiness administration program in Japanbusiness administration in Kobe
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Science - Chemistry

STEM

Chemistry

Chemistry
babachelorbscchemistryfaculty
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Bachelor in Civil Engineering

STEM

Faculty of Engineering - Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering
bachelor of in civil engineeringstudy civil engineering in kobebachelor civil engineeringbachelor in civil engineeringengineering degree
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Engineering - Computer Science and Systems Engineering

STEM

Computer Science

Computer Science
study computer science in Japancomputer science in Kobecomputer science program Japanprogramming degreecomputer science degree
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Economics - Economics

STEM

Economics

Economics
bachelor in economicsbachelor economicsundergraduate economicsstudy economics in japanbachelor economics in japan
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Engineering - Electrical and Electronic Engineering

STEM

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
babachelorbachelor's degreebsbsc
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Human Development - Human Sciences

Human Development

Human Development
babachelorbsbscbtech
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Letters - Humanities

Humanities

Humanities
kobe university bachelorstudy humanities in japanbachelor in humanitiesundergraduate humanitiesbachelor humanities japan
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Intercultural Studies - Global Cultural Studies

Intercultural Studies

Intercultural Studies
bachelor intercultural studies in japanjapanese-taught bachelor intercultural studies in japanbachelor intercultural studies in kobestudy intercultural studies in japanbachelor in intercultural studies
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Bachelor in Law

Faculty of Law - Law

Law

Law
BachelorFacultyJapanKobeLaw
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

STEM

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
bachelorbachelors degreefaculty of engineering - mechanical engijapanmanufacturing
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Medicine - Medicine

STEM

Medicine

Medicine
72 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Faculty of Science - Physics

STEM

Physics

Physics
physics bachelor JapanKobe University physicsquantum mechanicstheoretical physicsexperimental physics
48 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Master Programs (10)

Graduate School of Agricultural Science - Applied Biological Chemistry

STEM

Agricultural Science

Agricultural Science
masters agricultural science japanagricultural science program in kobestudy agricultural scienceinternational masters programmasters in agricultural science
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Business Administration - MBA

Business Administration

Business Administration
administrationbusinessbusiness administrationgraduatejapan
24 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Engineering - Civil Engineering

STEM

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering
in Civil EngineeringCivil Engineeringstudy Civil Engineering in JapanCivil Engineering program JapanCivil Engineering in Kobe
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Economics - Economics

STEM

Economics

economics
economicsgraduategraduate school of economics - economicsjapankobe
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Economics - Economic Analysis

STEM

Economics

Economics
ba economicseconomics degreeeconomics master'sgraduate in economicsmaster's in economics
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Humanities - Cultural Studies

Humanities

Cultural Studies
graduate school humanities Japancultural studies master Kobehumanities graduate JapanKobe University cultural studiesAsian cultural studies graduate
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies - International Relations

International Relations

International Relations
study international relations kobemasters international relationsenglish masters in international relations in japanms international relationsmasters international relations kobe
24 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Maritime Sciences - Global Transportation Sciences

STEM

Maritime Sciences

Maritime Sciences
globalgraduatejapankobemaritime
24 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Science - Mathematical Sciences

STEM

Mathematics

Mathematics
masters in mathematicsstudy mathematics in japanmsc mathematicsmathematics masters japanmasters mathematics in kobe
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering

STEM

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
graduategraduate school of engineering - mechanical engineeringjapanjapanesekobe
24 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

PhD Programs (5)

Graduate School of Engineering - Advanced Engineering

STEM

Engineering

Engineering
advancedengineeringgraduategraduate school of engineering - advanced engineeringjapan
36 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies - International Studies

International Relations

International Relations
study international relations in japandoctorate in international relationsinternational relations in english japaninternational relations degree programbest international relations phd programs
36 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Medicine - Medical Sciences

STEM

Medical Sciences

Medical Sciences
doctoraldoctorategraduatejapanmedical
48 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Graduate School of Medicine - Medical Science

STEM

Medicine

Medicine
clinicaldoctoraldoctorategraduatehealthcare
36 months Japanese Full-time

$535,800/yr

PhD in Physics

STEM

Graduate School of Science - Physics

Physics

Physics
doctordoctoraldoctoratejapanmechanics
36 months English Full-time

$535,800/yr

Kobe University Admissions Requirements & Acceptance Rate

6+ IELTS
3.5+ GPA
Acceptance Rate Very Selective (<20%)
Intakes April, October
Tuition (per year) $5.8k - $6.1k/yr
Housing (monthly) ~$4700
Application Fee $30000
Teaching Language Japanese, English
Accreditation
National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE)Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA)

Ready to apply to Kobe University?

Abroadly helps you manage applications, track deadlines, and get matched to programs.

Apply Direct →

Frequently Asked Questions About Kobe University

Common questions from international students considering Kobe University.

What is the acceptance rate at Kobe University?

Kobe University is classified as "Very Selective (<20%)" by admissions selectivity. Acceptance rates vary by program — competitive programs and graduate degrees typically have lower acceptance rates than undergraduate programs.

How much does Kobe University cost for international students?

Tuition at Kobe University ranges from $5.8k - $6.1k/yr per year. Costs vary by degree level and program. International students may also need to budget for housing (approximately $4700/month), books, and living expenses.

What is Kobe University ranked globally?

Kobe University holds the following rankings: QS World #482, Times Higher Education #601, ARWU #501, #12 in Japan. Rankings vary by methodology and subject area — for the most accurate picture, check the specific subject rankings for your intended field of study.

What English language requirements does Kobe University have?

Kobe University typically requires IELTS 6+ for international students. Specific programs may set higher minimums — verify requirements for your target program directly. Some applicants may qualify for an English requirement waiver if their previous education was English-medium.

Are scholarships available at Kobe University?

Yes, Kobe University offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities for international students. Available aid varies by program, nationality, and academic merit. We recommend checking each program's funding page and applying early — many scholarships have separate deadlines from the main admission application.

When does Kobe University start its semesters?

Kobe University has intakes starting in April, October. Application deadlines typically fall 3-6 months before the semester start date. International students should apply earlier due to visa processing times — we recommend submitting applications 6-9 months ahead of the intended start date.

How many English-taught programs does Kobe University offer?

Kobe University offers 6+ programs taught in English, accessible to international students without local language proficiency. These span Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels across multiple disciplines.

Where is Kobe University located?

Kobe University is located in Kobe, Japan 🇯🇵. The city offers an international student-friendly environment with access to academic facilities, accommodation, and cultural amenities.

What are the admission requirements for Kobe University?

For specific details about Kobe University, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

What programs does Kobe University offer?

For specific details about Kobe University, we recommend reviewing the program-specific information and contacting the admissions office. Each program may have unique requirements and considerations.

Need help applying?

AI-powered tools to manage applications, track deadlines, and get matched.