Kobe University
Kobe University can trace its origins back to Kobe
Higher Commercial School in 1902, which wasestablished by an imperial decree as a premierinstitution of business studies to rival the twin ofTokyo. The alumni pioneered world trade from Kobe
and contributed to the development of industry
based in the international port city. Since thereorganisation as a national university in 1949, theuniversity has evolved into a major comprehensive

university with 10 faculties, 15 postgraduate schools
and many research centres.

As a gateway to Europe, Kobe University has specialKUPES

ties with European research universities andinstitutions. It is privileged to have welcomed leadingﬁgures in Europe, and has a pivotal role in EU

ﬂagship projects: the EU Institute in Japan, Kansai(EUIJ-Kansai) and the Jean Monnet Centre ofExcellence. Its focus on Europe has culminated in

the creation of the Kobe University Programme forEuropean Studies (KUPES).

Kobe University
Programme for European Studies

The City of Kobe
Located between Rokko mountains and the Setoinland sea, Kobe is fortunate in having natural good
harbours and magniﬁcent scenery composed ofmountainous landscapes changing in the four seasonsand coastal townscapes where artiﬁcial islands areclosely knit by elevated highways and stitched by archbridges. An ancient port was made in the 8th century
and the bay area enjoyed such prosperity as toattempt to build a new capital of Japan in the 12thcentury.
In 1868, at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration,
Kobe Port was constructed as an international tradingcore to lead the modernization of Japan. It wasdeveloped into one of Asia's largest ports on a parwith Shanghai and Singapore. Since many foreigners
settled in the town for over 150 years and created acosmopolitan atmosphere, Kobe is one of the mostpopular destinations for international scholars andstudents.

Program Coordination Section
Center for International Education

Faculty of Global Human Sciences
Graduate School of Intercultural Studies
Faculty of Law
Graduate School of Law
Faculty of Economics
Graduate School of Economics

KOBETOKYOWebsite

List of partner schools(undergraduate)

List of partner schools(graduate school)

http://www.oﬃce.kobe-u.ac.jp/intl-prg/

Frontier Hall for Social Sciences 6F, Rokkodai 1st Campus
Kobe University
Email: intl-prg@oﬃce.kobe-u.ac.jp

Program Coordination SectionCenter for International Education
Issued in January 2021

http://www.office.kobe-u.ac.jp/intl-prg/

KUPES

Master s Double Degree (DD)The Masterʼs Double Degree (DD) scheme was launched
to incorporate successful experience in study exchange
programmes with European partner universities and isOverview

designed as an integral part of KUPES. DD facilitates a
new kind of postgraduate study at two institutions linked

Kobe University Programme for European

across the Eurasian Continent in an efﬁcient way, based

Studies (KUPES) is an interdepartmental

on the dual enrollment and the mutual recognition offramework to provide an integrated ﬁve-year

academic credits. Special arrangements are typicallycurriculum for students from 2nd year

made with exemption from tuition fees and opportunity

undergraduate to postgraduate (masterʼs) level,
fostering an interdisciplinary understanding of
the EU and Europe. KUPES students major in
Global Human Sciences, Law or Economics
while acquiring specialised knowledge of theEU. They are trained to analyse and research
European issues from different angles and areencouraged to critically examine international
trends from a comparative perspective. In
todayʼs world, a global perspective andexperience are prerequisite, regardless of theirpath after graduation. KUPES students are
expected to obtain high language competency
and global understanding through this uniqueprogramme.

for various scholarships. Two masterʼs degrees are

Study in Europe

awarded by fulﬁlling all the course requirements andKUPES undergraduates study abroad ascompleting two dissertations based on a variety ofexchange students in the latter half of the thirdinterdisciplinary and comparative approaches.

year. Equipped with foreign language skills as wellDD qualiﬁes its holders to engage in various

as with basic knowledge of European society,professional activities in the world with enhanced

politics, and economies, they are expected toexpertise in humanities and social science, a highgain experience through participation inlevel of language proﬁciency and remarkable

extracurricular activities such as internships andinternational experience. Some may go on to pursue

ﬁeldwork. Study-abroad experience duringdoctorates and others may work for international

undergraduate studies enables them to expand

organisations or multinational enterprises. They are

their network with students from all over theexpected to be international leaders since they haveworld and pave the way to their future.

gained insights into global challenges, great
conﬁdence and resilience, and also the dual networks

For successful study in Europeof the almae matres.

EU-Japan Comparative Seminars

EU Fieldwork Course

Special Lectures by visiting scholars

This core course helps students explore various

This is an extramural study course for the 2nd year

Visiting scholars from European universities provide

perspective. Through interactions with internationaland research questions, with the topics of EU-Japan

important opportunities for KUPES students toissues in the EU and Japan from a comparativeclassmates as well as European instructors from theFaculties of Global Human Sciences, Law, andEconomics, KUPES students gain strong communication skills in their academic ﬁelds and prepare for
their studies abroad.

Educational Goals
Students will be able to:- Develop insights into trends in the EU and Europe- Analyse and research the structure and challenges faced by theEU from an interdisciplinary perspective- Foster a deep understanding of diﬀerent cultures and contributeto strengthening connections with people in European countries

B1familiarise themselves withcomparison. In spring, they

European-style seminars

travel to Europe as a group to

before studying abroadinterview experts or to giveand to gain new insights

presentations with students ininto Europe.

partner universities.

B2

Application/
Selection（20students）
Language intensive
course in spring

several lectures throughout the year. These areundergraduates of KUPES to set their research themes

B3

B4
Study Abroad【student exchange】
6-12months

Language intensive
course in summer

Language intensive course inspring/EU Fieldwork CourseEnter
Graduate School(10student)

Language intensive
course in summer

M1

Language intensive
course in spring

Integrated and structured curriculum

M2
ObtainDD
Study Abroad【DD】1yr
Language intensive
course in summer