Kyoto University Graduate School of Management
International MBA Program（i-MBA）2025 Academic Year
Admission Guidelines
1.

Admission Policy for the Professional Degree Program
The Graduate School of Management (GSM) aims at educating advanced professionals who canprovide leadership in a wide range of fields. The admission policy establishes required experience,
knowledge, learning skills and mindset for candidates who wish to study at GSM. This policy also
describes evaluation criteria used in the admission process.
In our professional program, we have developed lectures and courses that bridge theory and practicebased on our curriculum policy. We. accept candidates of high caliber from a wide range of diverse
backgrounds under this policy, such as undergraduate students from various disciplines, those withextensive work experience, and international students. Candidates are expected to have basic knowledge inmanagement science and sound intellectual curiosity. In order to accept diverse students, GSM employs avariety of selection processes including those specifically designed for candidates with professional
working experience and for English programs.
We determine successful applicants based on the overall results of written examinations, essays, interviews,
academic and work records, and other relevant information. We specify details of evaluation on theadmission guidelines. During evaluation, we give equal consideration to applicants from our university andfrom other universities. We do not discriminate against any applicant to this course for any reasons such as
race, religion, gender, age, nationality, political ideology, or physical disability.
(1)

2.

Our mission and policies expect that eligible candidates possess the following characteristics.
Individuals who have a strong will to work on the complex issues that current management isfacing with theoretically, practically, and ethically.

(2)

Individuals who work hard and encourage each other in the classes of GSM. They should possess
intellectual curiosity and social role consciousness.

(3)

Individuals who have basic knowledge in management science and broad knowledge in generaland are able to apply knowledge and skills in reality.

Selection Outline for International MBA Program
The International Program of Graduate School of Management (i-MBA) is a program offered only inEnglish. It is a program that leads to a general management degree while helping students develop theirvision and the skills to achieve their ambitions. Students get the business knowledge and specialized skills
to expand their career choices.
This program provides wide area of expertise in business leadership, service & hospitality management,
as well as finance and accounting. It offers an educational curriculum in which students can learn how
businesses can thrive while also contribute to sustainable development.

3.

Enrollment Capacity
International MBA Program….. 20 Students

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4.

Application Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must match at least one of the following requirements (by March 31, 2025):(1) Individuals who have graduated (or are expected to graduate by March 31, 2025) from a Japanese
university.
(2) Individuals who have received (or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025) a bachelor’s degree inaccordance with the regulations stipulated in Section Paragraph 4, Article 104 of the School Education
Law.
(3) Individuals who have completed (or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025) 16 years of education.
[See note 1.](4) Individuals who have completed (or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025) an equivalent of 16
years of foreign school education through distance learning while residing in Japan.
(5) Individuals who have completed (or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025) a foreign university
curriculum in Japan (only if completion of the curriculum is treated as completion of 16 years of school
education in the said foreign country) at an educational facility that has been accredited as having anapproved curriculum under the educational system of the said country and is also designated by the
Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to“the Minister of MEXT”) in Japan.
(6) Individuals who have received (or are expected to complete by March 31, 2025) a bachelor’s degree(including degrees equivalent thereto) by completing at least 3 years of education in a foreign university ora foreign institution (including by completing a foreign school education through distance learning while
residing in Japan and by completing a foreign university curriculum in Japan at an educational facility
accredited as having an approved curriculum under the educational system of the said country and is also
designated by the Minister of MEXT).
(7) Individuals who have completed an advanced professional course at a higher vocational school designatedby the Minister of MEXT, on or after the date designated by the Minister of MEXT.
(8) Individuals designated by the Minister of MEXT.
(9) Individuals who have been enrolled more than 3 years in a university, but have not yet completed a degree,
and are determined by the Graduate School of Management to have received excellent achievement ratingsin prescribed subjects. [See note 2.](10) Individuals who are determined by the Graduate School of Management to have completed an educationequivalent to a university degree and are at least 22 years old by March 31, 2025. [See note 2.]【Note 1】 Requirement (3) includes individuals who have completed an equivalent of 16 years ofeducation but have less than 16 years due to skipped (advanced) grades.
【Note 2】Those who are applying under requirement (9) or (10) must undergo a preliminary eligibility
screening process before applying. However, you will be required to go through the Admissions
Assistance Office (AAO) first and if further verification is needed, you will be asked to undergo apreliminary eligibility screening.
There is a deadline for preliminary eligibility screening so if you are unsure about your application
eligibility, please go through the AAO with plenty of time. Applications that have not undergone
Admission Guidelines (Page 2)

AAO or preliminary eligibility screening for requirement (9) or (10) will not be accepted.

5.

Eligibility Verification
If you have graduated (expected to graduate) from a university (bachelor’s degree) outside of Japan orapplicants who are applying under requirement (9) or (10) of 4. Application Eligibility Requirement, pleasego through the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO).
Applicants who have graduated from universities in Japan do not need to take this procedure. Please apply
directly to the online application system within the application period.

Kyoto University Admissions Assistance Office（AAO）
https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education-campus/education-andadmissions/graduate-degree-programs/how-to-apply/for-graduatesof-overseas-universities【Notes】(1) The Graduate School of Management does not require any contact with faculty or research topics when
applying.
(2) Enter “i-MBA” for your desired faculty and research theme.
(3) After downloading a designated form of “Statement of Purpose,” leave it blank (enter nothing) andattach it.
(4) Once your application through the Admissions Assistance Office (AAO) is accepted, you will receive
an AAO ID (5 digits). This ID will be used during the online application process.
(5) If you have been approved by the AAO as eligible for admission before, you do not need to apply for
the AAO again. Please have your previously issued AAO ID ready. In case you have lost your previous
AAO ID, please contact the AAO.
(6) If you fall under the following cases, please contact the Graduate School of Management before
proceeding to the next page without entering your AAO ID in the online application system.
・There are changes in your academic information at the time of admission application
・You have applied to AAO before September 2021
(7) Even if you have a master's degree from a university in Japan but your bachelor's degree is from a
university outside of Japan, you must go through the AAO.
(8) The result of your eligibility check will be informed to the Graduate School of Management
Administrative Office directly. You do not need to submit any document about your AAO result to theonline application system.
(9) Personal Information, Educational Background and Certificates you have input in the AAO system will
be reflected automatically to the online application system and of these Gender, Nationality, Educational
Background and Certificates cannot be edited.
If your application eligibility needs further verification after AAO, the Graduate School of Management
will conduct a Preliminary Eligibility Screening. Target applicants will be notified by the Graduate Schoolof Management Administrative Office. The application for Preliminary Eligibility Screening is open until
July 5 (Friday), 2024. Applicants who are unsure about their application eligibility must go through the
AAO by then.
*Do not proceed with any further application process such as payment of application fee or registering
the online application system until you receive the results.
*Email and phone inquiries regarding application eligibility cannot be answered for any reason.

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6.

Online Application System
All applicants are required to register their information through the following website.
*Make sure to go through the AAO first before registering for the online application system.
(Check 5. Eligibility Verification)
https://kjs.gakusei.kyoto-u.ac.jp/gsm_international_2025*You may not apply for both KC-CDO and the International MBA Program in the same academic year.
Online Application Period:

August 19 (Monday) – September 6 (Friday), 2024, 5pm (JST)Application fee payment
Application Fee
10,000 Yen
Commission Fee
650 Yen
Payment can be made through the online application system.
You can choose a payment method from credit card, convenience store, ATM or internet banking.
*If you are admitted to Graduate School of Management as a Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarshipstudent, the application fee will be refunded. However, commission fee for payment of application fee will
not be refunded. If you are currently a MEXT scholar and your status as a MEXT student is not extended at
the time of enrollment, application fee is not refundable.

7.

Application Documents and Process
All application documents must be uploaded and submitted on the online application system of Kyoto
University. Uploads should be in PDF format and make sure that all texts and photos are clearly shown. You
will be asked to resubmit them if any items are unclear.
Application Documents

Notes

1. Photo

Upload one photo in jpeg (facing forward, from shoulder up, no hat, andtaken within the last 3 months).

2. Passport

Upload an ID page with applicant’s name, photo, passport number,
expiration date and place of issue.

3. Academic Transcript

Upload an academic transcript (bachelor's degree) certified by youruniversity president/department head from which you graduated.
Only English and Japanese language documents will be accepted. If thecertificate in English or Japanese is not available at your university,translation by authority must be uploaded as well.

Admission Guidelines (Page 4)4. (Expected ) Certificateof Graduation

Upload the (Expected) Certificate of Graduation (bachelor's degree)certified by your university president/department head from which you
graduated.
Only English and Japanese language documents will be accepted. If thecertificate in English or Japanese is not available at your university,translation by authority must be uploaded as well.
If the date of graduation and degree earned can be confirmed on theacademic transcript, (Expected) Certificate of Graduation is not required.

5. Two Letters ofRecommendation(Form 1)

Upload two letters of recommendation. The applicant should request therecommendation letters via email from the online application system to arelevant university professor or social standing person. The requested
person should proceed to the URL sent by email and use the designatedform and upload the letter to the online application system by thedeadline. Please note that if the requested person has not uploaded therecommendation letter by the deadline, your application will be passed on
to the admission selection committee members for screening without arecommendation letter. Thus, make sure to tell them to respond as soon as
possible. In addition, please ask for a recommendation letter from two
different people and do not upload more than two letters. *Those not using
the designated form will not be accepted. *Only Japanese or English will be
accepted as the document for the recommendation letter.

6. Educational andProfessional Plans(Form 2)

Respond to the questions on the “Educational andProfessional Plans” form. Answer each question within the designatedlength and upload the “Educational and Professional Plans” form.

7. TOEFL or IELTS
Score

Only scores from one of the following test types taken after January 1st,
2022 will be accepted. Scores other than the following are not accepted.
English proficiency levels with a minimum score of TOEFL iBT: 79-80
points, and IELTS: 6.0 points are desirable.
TOEFL: Copies of the Official Score Report for TOEFL iBT (InternetBased Test) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition will be accepted.
IELTS: Copies of the Official Test Report Form (TRF) for IELTS will be
accepted.
*TOEIC scores will not be accepted for any reason.
* If scores are not submitted by the deadline (application period), TOEFL
or IELTS scores will be recorded as zero.
*English Proficiency Test Score Exemption(No other exemptions will be made.)a) English proficiency test scores are exempted if any of the following
apply:
・Citizens or permanent residents of the United States, theUnited Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except
Quebec).
・ Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a university in a country where
English is the native language (the United States, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec)).
b) English proficiency test scores are conditionally exempted of thefollowing apply:・If you have taken all courses in English and graduated from a university
Admission Guidelines (Page 5)(bachelor's degree) in a country where English is not the native language.
You can provide proof of this with a Medium of Instruction Certificate
from the University President or the Dean.
*Not applicable if you have completed all courses in the master's degree inEnglish.
8. GMAT (GMAT
Online) or GMAT Focus
Edition/GMAT Exam(GMAT Focus Edition
Online/GMAT Exam
Online) or GRE (GRE
Online) score

Upload your score for the GMAT or GRE taken after January 1st, 2020.

9. Video Essay (Online)

After completing the application fee payment, you will be invited to record
an online video essay. Details will be provided via email. Please make sure
to complete the application fee as early as you can to put aside time to do
the recording for the video essay.

Copies of the Official Score Report for the GMAT (GMAT Online) or
GMAT Focus Edition/GMAT Exam (GMAT Focus Edition Online/GMAT
Exam Online) or GRE (GRE Online) will be accepted.
*Submissions of GMAT or GRE scores are not required but strongly
recommended. If the scores are not submitted by the deadline, GMAT or
GRE scores will be recorded as zero.

The deadline for the video essay is September 11 (Wednesday), 2024,
5pm (JST).
10. Receipt of Application Complete your payment via the Kyoto University Examination Settlement
Fee
System * (EXSS) within the application period. Proof of payment of theapplication fee must be uploaded.
[If you paid by credit card]
Please submit a copy of the "Notice of Completion of Payment of Kyoto
University Application Fee" email stating that you paid by credit card.
[If you paid by convenience store, ATM, or Internet banking]Please submit a copy of the receipt.
*Kyoto University Examination Settlement Service (EXSS)
https://www3.univ-jp.com/kyoto-u/en/man/
You can find this link in the online application system.

【Notes】
1. Applications with missing application documents will not be considered.
2. Correction or replacement of application documents after the deadline will
not be accepted.
3. Please submit only the application documents requested as no points will be
added for submitting supplementary materials.

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8.

Selection Process
The board will evaluate the applicant’s motivation to study and fundamental abilities to study various areasof management based on the submitted application documents and video essay.

9.

Announcement of Successful Applicants
Successful applicants are notified and a letter of admission will be sent through the online application
system on the same day as the announcement of successful applicants.
*Telephone and email inquiries regarding the result will not be answered. In addition, we do not inform
applicants of the reasons for rejection or conduct a second view.
Date and Time of Announcement

Date: October 23 (Wednesday), 2024, 3 pm (JST)10.

Enrollment Date
Date: April 1, 2025

11.

Admission Fee and Tuition
Successful applicants who have paid the admission fee will be notified of details regarding the enrollment
process around March 2025.
Admission Fee….. 282,000 Yen (tentative)
Tuition… ............... 267,900 Yen for the first semester (annual tuition: 535,800 Yen) (tentative)*No admission fee or tuition will be charged to Japanese government (MEXT) scholarship students.
*The admission and tuition fees indicated above are tentative and may be revised.
*If the above amounts are revised at the time of enrollment or after enrollment, the new amounts will.
apply.

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12.

ADB-JSP Scholarship
The Graduate School of Management has been selected as one of the designated institutions under the
Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP).
If you wish to apply for an ADB-JSP scholarship, you must submit the required documents as a part of theadmission application documents. Earlier or later submission apart from your admission application will
not be accepted.
*Check your application eligibility and requirements on the ADB’s website before you apply.

(1) ADB-JSP Application Guideline
https://www.gsm.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/admissions/infomation/international/(2) Required Documents
ADB-JSP Information sheet. Please download it from the ADB website.
https://www.adb.org/site/careers/japan-scholarship-program/procedures-applying(3) More Detailed Information
ADB website
http://www.adb.org/site/careers/japan-scholarship-program/main
Past record of GSM students: 2022 ...............3 Students
2023.............. 1 Student
2024 .......... 2 Students

13.

Important Notices(1) All indicated dates and times are Japan Standard Time (JST).
(2) Notify the Graduate School of Management Administrative Office immediately if your contact
information changes. Notification will only be accepted by email (notification by telephone will not be
accepted).
(3) For inquiries after application, please also inform us of the application number.
(4) Please note that if any false information is found in the application documents, application may becancelled even after acceptance or enrollment.
(5) The admission selection committee members may request, under special circumstances, an online
interview in addition to the submitted application and video essay.
(6) Those who have decided not to enroll in the Graduate School of Management must inform theAdministrative Office immediately.
(7) Once you enrolled to the International MBA Program, you are not allowed to change your program.
(8) Individuals with physical disabilities and those who require special assistance during following enrollment
should contact the Graduate School of Management in advance.
(9) Admitted students shall apply for a student visa. Those who possess visas other than a student visa will not
be eligible for services offered to individuals with a student visa (scholarship etc.).
(10) Students must attend the in-person classes held at the Yoshida campus to complete the program.

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14.

Regarding the Handling of Personal Information
Please take notes of the following:(1) All personal information will be handled according to the “Act on the Protection of Personal Information
Held by Administrative Organs” and Kyoto University’s regulations regarding the protection of personal
information.
(2) Your name, address and other personal information submitted at the time of application will be used for[1] selection of students (application screening and applicant selection), [2] announcement of successful
applicants, and [3] to conduct enrollment procedures.
(3) The application screening data used to select admitted applicants will be included in documents used todetermine future selection processes.
(4) The personal information of enrolled students submitted at the time of application will be used for [1]educational affairs (school register, educational guidance, etc.), [2] student support (health management,
employment support, tuition exemption, scholarship applications, etc.), and [3] collection of tuition.

Kyoto University Graduate School of Management
Administrative Officeemail: keieikyomu@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp

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