MASTER

KIMAP

2024 Academic Year
Graduate School of Business Administration
Kobe University
Kobe University Interdisciplinary Master Program(KIMAP) in Management
Application Procedure (Enroll in October)

Graduate School of Business Administration
Kobe University

The Admission Policy of the Graduate School of Business Administration’s Master’s Program,
Kobe University
The Graduate Program of the Graduate School of Business Administration provides students with in-depth knowledge
and advanced professional skills in the fields of management, accounting, and commerce, and enables the students todevelop into outstanding internationally-minded researchers and professionals who excel in humanity and creativity,
through a five-year program, consisting of a two-year master’s course and a three-year doctoral course.
The Master’s Program aims to provide students with methodologies of scientific research as well as advanced andspecialized knowledge in management, accounting and commerce enabling them to contribute towards the progressand development of the relevant fields in universities, research institutions and industries.
The Master’s Program seeks students with the qualities and abilities that fit our aim. For this purpose, we proactively
accept students with outstanding and diverse abilities and diverse academic backgrounds from every university anddepartment.
●Applicants are sought with the following qualities and abilities:
1. Students with a strong desire to explore the principles of management, accounting, and commerce.
[Required competences: knowledge and technique; critical thinking, good judgement, and expression; initiativeand cooperativeness; interest and motivation]
2. Students who possess the basic capabilities to obtain the required scientific methodology for resolving researchquestions in management, accounting, and commerce.
[Required competences: knowledge and technique; critical thinking, good judgement, and expression; interest
and motivation]
3. Students with the imagination and insight to translate into new scientific knowledge their research outcomesin the fields of management, accounting, and commerce.
[Required competences: knowledge and technique; critical thinking and good judgement, and expression;
initiative and cooperativeness]●Basic Policy for the Selection of Students:
To select students with the abilities mentioned above, we examine the competence of the applicants in the areas listed
below, based on the diploma policy and the curriculum policy of the Master’s Program.
In the entrance examinations (General Entrance Examination, Recommendation-based Entrance Examination, andEntrance Examination for KIMAP), we assess each student’s knowledge and technique; critical thinking and good
judgement; expression; initiative and cooperativeness; interest and motivation.

Kobe University Interdisciplinary Master Program (KIMAP) in Management

The Graduate School of Business Administration at Kobe University initiated a new MA/PhD program, the Strategic
Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Alliance Management Initiatives (SESAMI) program, in 2013. In 2015, its master’s
program became a part of the Global Master Programs (GMAPs) jointly established with Law and Economics Schools andcame to be called the GMAP in Management (SESAMI). In 2023, GMAPs were further developed into a new program titledthe “Kobe University Interdisciplinary Master Program” (hereafter, KIMAP), emphasizing the interdisciplinary education ofsocial science.
The KIMAP emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of technical knowledge and aims to develop human resources equippedwith the abilities of policymaking, strategic planning, and execution to solve social issues. The goal of the program is todevelop interdisciplinary knowledge, compound thinking, and evidence-based decision-making abilities with the advanced
analytical skills that are required in a progressive society.

Program Overview and Issues Covered During the Program
The SESAMI program, which started in 2013, identified two problems that need to be addressed: the relative lack ofentrepreneurship and sustainable alliances with the environment and regional society in Japan. To achieve the ultimate
aim of revitalizing Japanese economies, the program aimed to (1) define the educational and research domain of strategic
entrepreneurship and sustainability alliance management, which fuses entrepreneurship and sustainable alliances, and(2) produce strategic entrepreneurship and sustainability alliance management experts who can set global standards toleverage the strengths of Japanese business systems.
However, to keep pace with the restructuring of the world order and the advent of new technologies, Japan, alongside othercountries, is seeking professionals who can provide solutions for social issues and economic development. Starting in 2023,
the KIMAP in management responds to such social needs through advanced and interdisciplinary education.
The program comprises three fields: “International Business,” “Entrepreneurship & Finance,” and “Sustainable Development& Public Policy.” The three graduate schools of law, economics, and business administration offer courses in these fields.
The objective of the program is to enable students to organically integrate technical knowledge and analytical skills into aninterdisciplinary program to solve broad social issues.
Features of the Program and the Types of Graduates It Seeks to Produce
The KIMAP in Management aims to develop professionals with policymaking, strategic planning, and execution abilities tosolve social issues.
The program covers interdisciplinary fields with advanced specialized disciplines based on basic social science courses. The
goal of the program is to foster superior personnel who are capable of conducting evidence-based management andpolicymaking and contribute widely to global society. The experts produced by this MA program are equipped with advanced
specialist knowledge in each field: international business, entrepreneurship and finance, sustainable development, and public
policy. They possess a systematic understanding and analytical capabilities in these fields. They also have practicalproblem-solving and theorizing capabilities to reconstruct management theories through hypothesis formation and testingin areas where corporate activities are conducted internationally. In addition, they can exercise leadership to coordinate withstakeholders across multiple organizations.
The program places emphasis on new and unique initiatives and strategic alliances as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

An interdisciplinary curriculum of social sciences will be offered based on the collaborative work of law andeconomics schools.
All-English-language coursework will continue throughout the year, with subjects taught in collaboration withresearchers affiliated with overseas universities.
Research projects will involve collaboration with companies that conduct international business. The projects aredesigned to develop practical problem-solving abilities.
International research seminars and workshops aimed at building international academic standards are regularly
held.

Student Admission Policies
The school seeks applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, both from Japan and overseas, who wish to work after theircompletion of the program as strategic entrepreneurship and sustainable alliance management experts both in academic
institutions and in companies deploying their operations internationally. The classes in the first year of the master’s program
cover general business subjects, and the program is open to a broad range of applicants, irrespective of their previous fields
of university study. Applicants may hold degrees in other social sciences, natural sciences, or humanities.
In the selection process, applicants will be evaluated on their English communication ability as demonstrated by suitable
scores in TOEFL, IELTS or TOEIC, their basic scholastic aptitude as demonstrated by suitable scores in GMAT or GRE, ortheir potential research capability as demonstrated by previous research output or class assignment research reports, as well
as evaluations they have received and the research plan they have developed.

1. Number of Students to Be Admitted
A few

2. Applicant Qualifications
Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria.
(1) Applicants who have graduated or will have graduated from a four-year university program in Japan by September 30,
2024.
(2) Applicants who have received a bachelor’s degree under Article 104-7 of the School Education Law of Japan or will havereceived one by September 30, 2024.
(3) Applicants who have completed at least 16 years of formal education overseas or will have completed it by September 30,
2024.
(4) Applicants who have graduated with at least 16 years of formal education at an overseas school by completeing the classsubjects in a distance learning course while residing in Japan, or will have completed the course by September 30, 2024.
(5) Applicants who have completed the course at foreign university in Japan, or will have completed the course by September
30, 2024 (limited to those courses whose graduates are considered to have completed 16 years of formal education in theforeign country). The school must be recognized as an educational institution by their home country’s education system,
and approved by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
(6) Applicants who have received a degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree or will have received one by September 30, 2024
by completing at least 3-year program at a foreign university or other foreign educational institution. The foreign
university or other foreign educational institution must be accredited in terms of overall education and research activities
by the respective foreign government or a person certified by the appropriate foreign governmental agency, or have been
so designated by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The abovementioned ‘at least 3-year program’ can be completed: by taking class subjects offered by the respective foreign
educational institutions in distance learning format while residing in Japan, and by graduating from an educational
institution which is recognized by the home country’s education system and specified in the previous item (5).
(7) Applicants who have graduated from specialized training colleges course (limited to courses of at least four years ofduration and of meeting the other standards specified by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology) that has been separately recognized by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, or will have graduated from the course by September 30, 2024. The
date of graduation must be after that determined by the Minister.
(8) Applicants who have been specially designated by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (under the Ministry of Education Notification No. 5, 1953).
(9) Applicants who have enrolled in Japanese graduate school under Article 102-2 of the School Education Law of Japan andhave been recognized as possessing the necessary academic ability to receive education at the Graduate School ofBusiness Administration, Kobe University.
(10) Applicants whom the Graduate School of Business Administration of Kobe University has deemed via a separate
enrollment eligibility screening process to possess academic ability equivalent to or higher than a university graduate andwho will be 22 years of age by September 30, 2024.
(11) Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements and have been recognized as obtaining excellent
achievements in credit units designated by this graduate school:
1. Applicants who have been enrolled in university for at least three years by September 30, 2024.
2.
Applicants who have completed a course of at least 15 years of formal education overseas, or will have completed thecourse by September 30, 2024.
3.
Applicants who have graduated with at least 15 years of formal education at an overseas school by completing theclass subjects in a distance learning course while residing in Japan, or will have completed the course by September
30, 2024.
4.
Applicants who have completed a course at a foreign university in Japan, or will have completed the course by
September 30, 2024 (limited to those courses whose graduates are considered to have completed at least 15 years offormal education in the foreign country). The school must be recognized as an educational institution by their homecountry’s education system, and approved by the Minister of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
Note: If you meet criterion (9) to (11), your eligibility will be reviewed by the Admission Committee. Please obtain an“Application for Entrance Screening Form” from the Academic Affairs Section and apply for the review. (Please
enclose a self-addressed envelope (Standard size 23.5 cm×12 cm) attached with a stamp of the value sufficient toreach you back in a timely manner – JPY 84 inside Japan). Your application for entrance screening must arrive at our
office between Wednesday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

3. Application Period
Applications must be received between Thursday, April 18 and Thursday, April 25, 2024.
All applications must be sent by registered express mail. Please write “KIMAP Program Application” in red ink on thefront of the envelope. Applications submitted in person will not be accepted.
4. Application Procedure
Enclose the required application documents listed below in an envelope and send it to the Academic Affairs Section byregistered express mail.
Address: Academic Affairs Section,
Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University
2-1, Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-shi 657-8501, Japan
Tel: +81-78-803-7260 Fax:+81-78-803-7294
E-mail: bkyomu@b.kobe-u.ac.jp
Documents marked with ◆ are downloadable from the web (https://kimap.b.kobe-u.ac.jp/admission_and_finance).
⑴ Application Form and Please use the Graduate School’s designated format. (A4 size, printed on both sides)
Curriculum Vitae◆⑵Examination Fee
In case you pay the examination fee from the bank in Japan, please pay the fee (JPY30,000) by bank transfer (through Automated Teller Machine or internet banking is
recommended) and submit the transfer bill. Please attach the receipt on either theapplication form (the position is predetermined) or a blank A4-size paper. Printed screen
shot of the completed bank transfer of the internet banking is also acceptable. Accountbalance shall be blacked out.
If you wish to remit the fee from overseas, please contact the Academic Affairs Section
for details.
*Transfer destination account: 三井住友銀行六甲支店（普通）4165080 国立大学
法人神戸大学
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Rokko Branch, Savings Account 4165080,
National University Corporation Kobe University*Payer’s name: Must be “K4503〇〇〇〇” (〇〇〇〇 is the name of the applicant.
Name in Katakana is also acceptable).
*Please make sure to input the applicant’s name instead of the account holder’s name if
the account does not belong to the applicant.
*Bank Transfer fee should be borne by the payer.
International students on a MEXT Scholarship should submit a copy of their MEXT
Scholarship Certificate instead of the examination fee.
*Note 1 applies.
⑶Research Plan◆
Please use the Graduate School’s designated format. (A4 size, printed on both sides, 1
copies)⑷Previous Research
Applicants must submit their major research outputs which show their potential research
Output or Documented
capability (up to 3 items, 1 copies of each): examples include a copy of graduation thesis,
Proof of Basiccopies of term reports, copies of presentation slides, copies of GMAT/GRE scores, etc.
Scholastic Abilities
Once submitted, documents will not be returned.
*Note 3 applies.
⑸Documented Proof of
Please submit any of the documents from ① to ④.
English Proficiency
Only scores obtained within two years prior to the application deadline will be
accepted.
①TOEFL-iBT: “Test Taker Score Report (original)” or “a photocopy of the Report+ applying via ETS Data Manager”.

Institution code:C747 Department code:82② IELTS (Academic) : "Test Report Form (original)" or "a photocopy of the Form +applying via IELTS Results Verification Service".
③TOEIC L&R Test:“Official Score Certificate (original)” or “a photocopy ofDigital Official Score Certificate”.
④For those who have graduated from a university or graduate school where English is
the medium of instruction (excluding correspondence courses): “A certificate stating thatthe medium of instruction is English(original) ”.
Note: Scores of TOEFL-ITP, TOEIC-IP, TOEIC Speaking & Writing, TOEIC-Bridge,
IELTS Online and ‘TOEFL iBT Home Edition’ are not accepted.
⑹Examination
Admission Slip◆⑺Academic Transcript⑻Certificate of
Graduation or Expected
Graduation⑼ Applicant Evaluation
Form◆⑽Certificate of Residenceor Copy of Residence
Card (Foreigners only)⑾Address Slip◆⑿Self-Addressed
Stamped Envelope(Only for applicants inJapan)⒀Others: Proof ofJapanese Proficiency

Please use the Graduate School’s designated format. (one slip printed on an A4 size)
Attach a passport-sized photograph (4×3cm) with your Examination Admission Slip.
Your photograph must show your full face, without a hat, and have been taken within
the past 3 months.
Submit an original transcript issued by the president (or dean) of the university fromwhich you graduated.
*Notes 1 and 2 apply.
Submit an original certificate of graduation or expected graduation issued by thepresident (or dean) of the graduate school from which you graduated.
*Notes 1 and 2 apply.
If you graduated from a foreign university, you must also submit a certificate for yourbachelor’s degree (e.g., a copy of your diploma).
Two applicant evaluation forms must be submitted using the Graduate School’s
designated format. Two separate evaluators should complete the applicant evaluation
forms. Suitable evaluators include university professors who have supervised theapplicant, superiors at the applicant’s current company or research institute, or anequivalent. Each evaluation form must be sealed in the envelope, with a seal or signatureplaced over the flap. A specific envelope size or format is not required.
Foreign applicants residing in Japan should submit an official document indicating their
Japanese residency status as issued by the head of their residential
city/ward/town/village, such as a Copy of Resident Record (must be issued within thepast 30 days). A photocopy of both sides of Residence Card is acceptable.
*If you live overseas at the time of application, you must submit a copy of your passport.
Please use the Graduate School’s designated format. (two slips printed on an A4 size)
Please enclose a standard size (23.5 cm × 12 cm) self-addressed envelope with yourname, address, and zip code and postal stamps attached for return postage (express mailpostage of JPY 344 if mailing from within Japan). If you request for sending outside ofJapan, please contact the Academic Affairs Section.
*If you live overseas at the time of application, we will send you an admission slip bye-mail.
A copy of the Japanese Language Proficiency (JLPT) scores report is acceptable. (notcompulsory)

Note 1: Each certificate must be the original.
Note 2: As for documents such as certificates prepared in languages other than English, please attach a Japanese or English
translation with a certificate of translation issued by a public institution such as the relevant consulate or embassy

(The certificate in Chinese should be translated at a public institution in China)．
Note 3: Please prepare and attach your own translation (English or Japanese) for research papers or related documents inlanguages other than English or Japanese.
Note 4: If your name has changed for any reason, and those on the application for enrollment and the certificates differ, pleaseattach a certificate issued by a public institution that can confirm the change.

5. Obtaining the Application Forms
Please download the application forms from the website (https://kimap.b.kobe-u.ac.jp/admission_and_finance).
6. Screening Method
Admission selection will be based on all application documents submitted.
7. Announcement of Results
Friday, June 21, 2024, 2:00 p.m.

The admission results will be posted on the web site of the KIMAP in Management. (https://kimap.b.kobeu.ac.jp/news_and_blogs). The official letter for successful applicants will be sent by post as well. No telephone or e-mailinquiry is accepted.

8. Admission Fee(1) Entrance fee: JPY 282,000(2) Tuition fee (per semester): JPY 267,900 (annual amount JPY 535,800)(The above-mentioned entrance and tuition fees apply for the 2023 academic year. If the tuition fee changes
while students are enrolled, the new tuition fee will be applicable from the date of revision.)
9. Handling of Personal Information(1) Personal information obtained by the Kobe University will be handled in the strictest confidence, in compliance with theProtection of Personal Information Act and other related laws and regulations, as well as Kobe University Guidelines on
Personal Information Protection.
(2) Personal information used in applicant selection, such as examination results, shall be used for applicant screening,announcement of examination results, enrollment procedures, and the creation of study materials for the purpose of
improving future applicant screening and education program. No individual can be identified in any form of publication.
(3) Personal information provided during the application process shall be used for student support services including healthmanagement, exemption from tuition fees, and scholarship applications, as well as for purposes such as academic
instruction and other administrative procedures.
(4) Some work may be commissioned to a third party (hereafter referred to as a contractor). When commissioning work, allor part of the personal information shall be provided to the contractor to the extent necessary to conduct the work, after
imposing a confidentiality agreement.
10. Important Notes(1) Changes to information included in application documents will not be accepted after submission. The examination fee is
non-refundable and no application documents will be returned after submission.
(2) An offer of admission may be subsequently rescinded where false information is provided by the applicant in theapplication or other related documents.
(3) Though an academic year begins in April and ends in March of the following year at the Kobe University, KIMAP
Program starts from October.
11. Inquiries about Obtaining and Submitting Application Forms
For further inquiries, please contact the Academic Affairs Section:
Academic Affairs Section,
Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University
2-1, Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe-shi 657-8501, Japan
Tel: +81-78-803-7260
Fax:+81-78-803-7294
E-mail: bkyomu@b.kobe-u.ac.jp

【Number of successful applicants in the past】
2020
WinterSpring2021
WinterSpring2022
WinterSpring2023
WinterSpringApplicants

8

35

17

33

13

22

15

19

Examinees

8

35

17

33

13

22

15

19

Successful
applicants

4

10

7

8

6

10

7

10

Enrollees

3

7

4

5

5

9

5

6