Application No. N4-8-KO

2025 Application Guide (online exam)
Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University
International Collaborative Master Course

IMPORTANT DATESApplication period : June 14, 2024 – June 21, 2024
Notification of the document screening result: July 19, 2024
Online exam: August 19, 2024
Notification of acceptance: September 4, 2024
Date of enrollment: April 1, 2025

1. Application Procedure
1.1. How to Apply-Submit the documents specified below by post so that our department canreceive them between June 14, 2024 and June 21, 2024 (JST).

-Please write on the front of the envelope in red, “International Collaborative
Master Course Application is enclosed”.

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We only accept applications submitted by postal mail. Applications brought
directly to our office will not be accepted.

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After receiving your application, we will send you a "Test Taker
Identification Card" and a "Test Information Bulletin" by post by mid-July.

1.2. Required Documents-All application documents must be printed single-sided on A4 paper andshould not be stapled.

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Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant for any reason.

-Application documents must be filled out using a black ballpoint pen (Donot use an erasable ballpoint pen).

-Download the forms from our website to prepare the documents indicatedby (DL) below. We do not accept documents that do not adhere to ourformat.

-When submitting the application, please stack the following documents innumerical order, starting with the application form at the top.

i.

Application Form (DL)If the candidate’s name is written in Chinese characters (Kanji) on theirpassport, please write your name using the same characters on theapplication.

ii.

Research Proposal (DL)oWhen attaching documents created with a word processor (e.g.,Microsoft Word), please make sure to keep the pages in the correctorder. Research proposals must not exceed 2 pages in length.

oUse an easy-to-read font (about 12pt).

oProposals should be written in English.

iii.

Mailing Address Form (DL)iv.

Test Taker Identification Card (DL) and Two Copies of Photograph
Paste applicant’s photographs on the application form. The photographs
should be 4.5cm×3.5cm and are a front view of your full face without ahat. It must be taken within the last 3 months (Color printouts on
photocopy paper are not acceptable).

v.

Explanation of Study Abroad Fees (DL, only for internationalstudents)
Please fill out the form and submit the appropriate certificate wherenecessary.

vi.

Letter of Recommendation (DL, optional)
oThe submitted recommendation letter will be used as referencematerial during the oral examination and will be treated as animportant document that will influence the evaluation of the oral
examination.
2oA letter of recommendation should be written by an academic
advisor or a class instructor. Letters written by vocational schools oruniversities where the applicant was enrolled as a non-degree
student will not be accepted.

oThe letter of recommendation should be delivered to the applicant ina firmly sealed envelope.

ovii.

Please ensure that the letter is written in English.

Copy of Graduation Thesis, etc. (optional)
One of the following will be treated as a graduation thesis: 1) abachelor's thesis or master's thesis, 2) a thesis or report prepared inclass (if there is no thesis), or 3) an externally published thesis, whitepaper, or report prepared by the company for which you work if there isno thesis.

viii.

Graduation Certificate and Certificate of Degree from the University
the Applicant Graduated from (original)oSubmit original certificates issued by the university director or thedean of the university. For graduation certificates that are in alanguage other than English or Japanese, you have to attach aJapanese translation certified by an official organization such as theJapanese government or an embassy/consulate of a foreigncountry.

oCertificate of degree is not needed if the degree obtained is clearlystated on the graduation certificate.

o

If you have graduated from or are expected to graduate frommultiple universities, submit all university certificates.

o

If you have enrolled in a Japanese language school or vocational
school after graduating from high school, please submit a transcriptof your grades from that school as well.

oApplicants who have already graduated (or received a degree) by
the time of application should submit a certificate of graduation (ordegree), not a certificate of expected graduation (or degree).

ix.

Academic Transcript from the University the Applicant Graduatedfrom (original)3

oSubmit sealed academic transcripts (original) created by theuniversity director or the dean of the university. For academictranscripts prepared in a language other than English or Japanese,
you have to attach a Japanese translation certified by an officialorganization such as the Japanese government or anembassy/consulate of a foreign country.

o

If you have graduated from or are expected to graduate frommultiple universities, submit all university certificates.

o

If you transferred during your studies, you must also submit an
original academic transcript from the university you previously
attended before transferring.

x.

Score Sheets for Foreign Language Examinations
Please submit the original test taker score report (examinee scorereport) for TOEFL (iBT), Official score certificate or Digital Official Score
Certificate for TOEIC, and/or the original test report form for the IELTS
academic test. Only test scores from July 1, 2022 and onwards will beaccepted. Applicants may submit multiple score reports if desired. No
score sheets will be accepted outside the application period. If you needto request the score sheet, please do so well in advance.
oTOEIC▪

The TOEIC Digital Official Score Certificate must be printed
on paper and submitted. When submitting it, please ensurethat the QR code is printed clearly.

oTOEFL▪

Please have the ETS submit TOEFL scores directly to theAcademic Affairs Office in the Graduate School ofEconomics, Kobe University, using the designated institution
code (DI code) “6999”.

▪

TOEFL iBT Home Edition scores are also accepted.

▪

We do not accept test scores from TOEFL-ITP, TOEIC-IP, orTOEIC (specifically scores from the speaking & writing
section), or IELTS General Training.

oIELTS
4▪

Please have the official IELTS test center directly submit
IELTS scores to the Academic Affairs Office in the Graduate
School of Economics, Kobe University.

xi.

Entrance Examination Fee
Please pay the 30,000 yen examination fee via bank transfer using anATM or internet banking service. Once the transfer is completed, pleasesubmit a statement indicating that you paid the fee or print out thecompleted bank transfer screen. The name on the bank transfer must be
K4003〇〇〇〇, where 〇〇〇〇 is the name of the applicant. This
name should be written in English and match the name written on theapplication form. When someone other than the applicant makes thebank transfer, please make sure the applicant’s name is written on thebank statement and not the person making the transfer. Use theinformation below when making the bank transfer:
Bank Name: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Branch Name: Rokko Branch
Account Type: Ordinary
Account Number: 4165080
Account Name: National University Corporation Kobe University
Note: bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the payer.
If you wish to send money from overseas, please contact the Graduate
School of Economics, The Academic/Student Affairs Office. Contact
information is provided at the end of this application guide.

xii.

Certificate Stating the Status of Residency and the Period of Stayas a Foreigner
This applies to applicants with a non-Japanese nationality only.
Applicants who are residing in Japan at the time of application must
submit acertificate of residence (original). This certificate must beissued within 30 days prior to the date of when your application issubmitted. A copy of the residence card will not be accepted.
Applicants who are not residing in Japan at the time of application must
submit a copy of passport (photo page).

5xiii.

Self-Addressed Stamped EnvelopeResidents in Japan
Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (long size #3,23.5cm x 12cm) with your name, address, and postal code written on it(344 yen for express postage).
Residents abroad
Please indicate your name and desired mailing address for EMS, andenclose pre-paid international postage (160 yen per coupon) equivalent
to the fee needed to send the examination voucher and otherdocuments.
[China, Korea, Taiwan 10 postage stamps (1,450 yen),
Asia (excluding China, Korea, Taiwan) 12 postage stamps (1,900 yen),
Oceania, Canada, Mexico, Middle East, Europe 20 postage stamps(3,150 yen),
U.S.A. (including Guam,etc.) 25 postage stamps (3,900 yen),Central and South America (excluding Mexico), Africa 23 postage
stamps (3,600 yen)].

2. Admission Process
2.1. Document Screening
During the document screening process, applicants will be selected based on
the submitted documents and an overall assessment. The results of thedocument screening will be posted on the Graduate School's website(https://www.econ.kobe-u.ac.jp) at 2:00 p.m. on July 19, 2024 (JST).
2.2. Online Oral Examination
Applicants who pass the document screening will be individually notified byemail about the oral examination schedule. The online oral examination isscheduled for August 19, 2024 (JST). If the applicant has not joined the online
interview within 10 minutes after the scheduled start time and has notcontacted us by e-mail or phone, he/she will be considered to have declined totake the entrance examination, regardless of any internet problems. Inprinciple, the examination will be conducted in English, focusing on the contentof the research plan and other documents related to the research theme of6

your choice. A part of the examination will be conducted in Japanese.

3. Notification of AcceptanceOn September 4, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. (JST), we will post the results on the Graduate
School's website (https://www.econ.kobe-u.ac.jp) and send notification of acceptanceby mail to successful applicants. We do not respond to any inquiries regarding
pass/fail.

4. Date of Enrollment
April 1, 2025

5. Admission Procedure
Admission procedures for April 2025 applicants will be mailed in early March 2025. If
the admission procedures are not completed by the due date, the applicant will not
be admitted. Please note that the admission fee paid at the time of the admission
procedure is non-refundable for any reason, including subsequent refusal ofadmission.

6. Number of Students to be Accepted
83 students (This number includes all students who have been accepted into any
master's degree program offered by the Graduate School of Economics)

7. Fees
The entrance and tuition fees are outlined below. If tuition fees change while enrolled
at Kobe University, the applicant will be required to pay the revised fee.
7.1. Entrance Fee
282,000 JPY. Please pay the entrance fee during the admission procedure.
7.2. Tuition Fee
535,800 JPY/year, or 267,900 JPY/semester. Please pay the tuition fee after
completing the prescribed procedures and after enrollment (the first term is due inApril, the second term in October)78. Eligibility
Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:-Applicants who have or are expected to complete a bachelor’s degree by March31, 2025.

-Applicants who have been granted, or are expected to be granted by March 31,2025, a bachelor’s degree under the provisions of Article 104, Paragraph 7 of theSchool Education Act.

-Applicants who have or are expected to complete 16 years of schooling within aforeign country by March 31, 2025.

-Applicants who have or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025, 16 years offormal education by taking correspondence courses offered by a foreign school
while in Japan.

-Applicants who have completed or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025,
16 years of formal education at a foreign educational institution in Japan that isrecognized as having university-level courses and is designated separately by
the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

-Applicants who completed a vocational school’s specialized curriculum specified
by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan,
after the date specified by the Minister; the curriculum must be of at least four
years and fulfill the criteria stipulated by the Minister.

-Applicants who are nominated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology of Japan (under Public Notice by the Ministry ofEducation, No.5, 1953).

Important Notes
If any of the following apply to you, you must verify that you meet the eligibility
requirements before submitting your documents. Please do so by contacting theAcademic/Student Affairs Office by Friday, May 31, 2024. Contact information can befound at the end of this application guide.
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Those who have graduated or will graduate by March 31, 2025, from a universityof 3 years or less.
8-Those who have graduated from university without earning a degree, and those
who are expected to graduate by March 31, 2025, without earning a degree.

-Applicants who were admitted into a graduate program on the basis of Article
102, Paragraph 2 of the School Education Act and who are recognized by ourgraduate school as having academic ability worth receiving education at ourgraduate school.

-Applicants who will be 22 years old by March 31, 2025, and are recognized, as aresult of individual screening by our graduate school, as having academic abilityof a university graduate.

-Applicants who meet at least one of the requirements listed below, and arerecognized as having earned enough credits with good grades as designated byour graduate school:oApplicants who are enrolled in university for 3 years or more as of March31, 2025.

oApplicants who have or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025, 15years of schooling within a foreign country.

oApplicants who have or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025, 15years of formal education in a foreign country by taking correspondence
courses provided by a foreign country in Japan.

-Applicants who have or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025, a course of
study at a university in a foreign country (limited to those in which the graduates
are considered to have completed 15 years of school education in the relevant
foreign country), which is separately designated by the Minister of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Applicants who have obtained or areexpected to obtain a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree by completing acourse of three years or more at a foreign university or foreign schools (limited toschools that have been assessed by the foreign government or accreditation
organizations of such country or are specified as an equivalent educational
institution by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Science andTechnology). The completion of the courses includes completion ofcorrespondence courses in Japan provided by foreign educational institutions
and completion of formal education at a foreign educational institution in Japan9

that is recognized as having university-level courses and is designated separatelyby the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

9. Special Notes-

Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant for any reason.

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No changes or additions to the information provided in the application will beaccepted.

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No inquiries regarding the confirmation of the arrival of the application documents
will be handled.

-The examination fee is non-refundable.

-If any falsehoods are found in the application documents or if any irregularities
are discovered during the examination, the acceptance and admission may berevoked.

-For details other than those listed in this application guide, please refer to theTest Information Bulletin sent together with the Test Taker Identification Card.

-After submitting your application, we may contact you at the contact information
you provided in your application. If you are contacted, please respond as soon as
possible.

10. Offered Programs and Admission Policy
10.1. Overview
Graduate School of Economics offers two types of two-year master courses, ageneral course in Japanese and an international collaborative master course inEnglish. The latter option is referred to as the Kobe University Interdisciplinary
Master Program or KIMAP.
10.2. Admission Policy
https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/en/academics/admissions/policy/graduate/econ/

11. Privacy Policy at Kobe University-Kobe University will keep personal information confidential according toguidelines such as the “Guidelines on the Management of Personal Information10

Held by Kobe University” and strictly comply with laws such as the “Act on theProtection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of 2003)’’ etc.
-Personal information such as grades on the entrance examination will be used forthe admission procedure (such as the selection of applicants), the announcementof successful applicants, enrollment procedures, and for the purpose of improving
the admission procedure in the future.

-For students who enroll, the personal information provided in the application
documents will be used for assisting students (e.g., health management, tuition
exemption, and scholarship application), as well as for various educational
purposes such as academic guidance, tuition-related operations, and otherrelated operations.

-Kobe University entrusts some parts of its administrative procedures to thirdparties. In such cases, we will give them the minimum information necessary andinstruct them to strictly comply with the personal information confidentiality
regulations.

12. Other Notes-Applicants with physical disabilities who require special consideration when
taking the examination must notify us before submitting their application.

-For further inquiry, please contact the Academic/Student Affairs Office of theGraduate School of Economics.

Contact information:
The Academic/Student Affairs Office
TEL +81-78-803-7247
FAX +81-78-803-7289
E-mail econ-kyomu@office.kobe-u.ac.jp

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