Kobe College (Kobe Jogakuin) for International Students: Programs, Tuition, Campus Life & Study Abroad

Considering Japan for your degree? Kobe College (Kobe Jogakuin University) offers a distinctive mix of heritage architecture, intimate classes, and a student-centered liberal-arts education in the Kansai region—home to Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. This guide walks you through fast facts, signature programs, international support, exchange options, climate and lifestyle insights, and career outcomes so you can quickly see if Kobe College fits your goals. Every claim is backed by official sources you can explore in a new tab. Let’s dive in.

Quick Facts

A snapshot you can skim in under a minute. Click the blue links to verify details on official pages.

Type	Private women’s university (undergraduate). About Kobe College
Total Students	Undergraduates: 1,921 (as of May 1, 2024) Graduate schools: 56 (as of May 1, 2024) Total: 1,977. Source: Enrollment (在籍者数)
Campuses	1 — Okadayama (Main), 4-1 Okadayama, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-8505, Japan. Campus Map
Faculties / Schools	School of International Studies — Departments: English; Global Studies (opened 2024). Faculties & Departments School of Letters — Departments: Integrated Culture; English Language & Literature (intake suspended from 2024). Details School of Music — Department of Music. Details School of Psychology — Department of Psychology (opened 2024). Details School of Life & Environmental Sciences — Department of Life & Environmental Sciences (opened Apr 2025). New Faculty Site
Studiengebühren (Annual)	School of International Studies / School of Letters: ¥916,000 School of Psychology / School of Life & Environmental Sciences / (legacy) School of Human Sciences: ¥978,000 School of Music — Music Performance: ¥1,151,000; Music Career Design: ¥1,050,000 Plus Education-Enhancement fee: ¥293,000–¥543,000 (by program) and one-time Admission fee: ¥200,000 (first year only). Source: Tuition & Fees (学費)
Gender Ratio	Undergraduate: Women 100% (women’s university). About Kobe College
Intl-Student %	Official percentage not published. Recent inbound exchange students (FY2023): 39 (all modes). Reference: Inbound/Outbound Study Abroad Stats (PDF)
Students per Staff	23.1 students per faculty member (avg.). Faculty total: 83; Foreign faculty: 9 (10.8%). Source: “Kobe College at a Glance”
External Profiles	Official English Pages / NIAD-QE Institutional Listing / Wikipedia (EN)

Campus Maps

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1875 by American missionaries Eliza Talcott and Julia Elizabeth Dudley, Kobe College is one of Japan’s oldest institutions dedicated to women’s higher education. The College’s mission is grounded in Christian principles, liberal arts & sciences, and international understanding—pillars still visible across the curriculum and community life today. You will feel that heritage as you walk the Mediterranean-style Okadayama campus, much of which was designed in the 1930s by the noted architect William Merrell Vories. Several campus buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, underscoring the College’s commitment to preserving beauty and purpose in education. For an overview in English, start with the official English site and the College’s English history page. A concise summary is also available on Wikipedia.

Kobe College’s development has long been supported by the Kobe College Corporation–Japan Education Exchange (KCC–JEE), a U.S.-based nonprofit that fosters academic exchange and philanthropy. Learn more via the Foundation pages: Important Cultural Property information und KCC–JEE (EN). Historical features and campus milestones appear in the university magazine “Gakuhou” (e.g., No.187), and news posts highlight recent academic restructuring (e.g., new schools announcement). An overall profile is compiled on the About page.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Architecture & Cultural Heritage Learning Environment

Kobe College’s Vories-designed campus offers everyday access to nationally recognized architecture (Important Cultural Property). Courses, symposia, and performances often leverage the acoustics and aesthetics of historic halls—an immersive setting that blends artistry, design history, and community.

Global Liberal-Arts Core

The College emphasizes small seminars, cross-disciplinary literacy, and global citizenship. For English-language information, browse the English site and the magazine archive (e.g., Gakuhou No.186).

Flagship: School of International Studies

English Department — Students build advanced English through small classes and content learning; details on the department page: English (JP). The English Center shares sample curricula and support structures: English Center. For international applicants to the School of International Studies, see the English news notice on admissions: Entrance Examination for International Students.

Other Signature Areas

• Integrated Culture (Letters) — Flexible pathways across literature, media, philosophy, and social thought: Integrated Culture
• Music — Performance and outreach opportunities with documented community work: Outreach in Music (EN) and the curriculum/performance overview: Music Performance
• Human Sciences — Psychology and biosphere sciences with focused seminars; graduate pages: Human Sciences Grad Site

International Mobility & Partner Network

Kobe College maintains exchanges and study-abroad programs through the International Exchange Center: Study Abroad Portal | Program Types | International Exchange Center. Destination lists are public: Partner Destinations.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles That Welcome Overseas Students

• Club Directory (wide range): Clubs & Circles
• International Students Association (ISA): ISA
• Light Music Club (Keion): Keion
• Acappella “Vivace”: Vivace

Dedicated Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counselling)

• International Exchange Center: Support & Advising
• International Student Support (guides & consultations): For International Students
• Dormitory info and campus facilities: Campus & Dorms

Language-Exchange & Buddy Programs

Student communities, clubs, and program coordinators often promote peer mentoring, language exchange, and local engagement—watch the official news and club pages for current opportunities (e.g., Gakuhou No.193; Study Abroad portal).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Outbound options range across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe. Browse the updated list here: Partner Destinations. Program types (semester, year, short-term, language training) are explained at Study Types. For general context in English, see the Kobe College profile.

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Nishinomiya sits between Kobe and Osaka, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. For temperature and precipitation norms (1991–2020), use the Japan Meteorological Agency’s English tables: Climatological Normals (1991–2020) and monthly statistics: Monthly Climate Statistics. Expect summer highs often above 30°C and winter lows near 0–5°C in the metro area; rainfall peaks in June–July.

Lifestyle highlights: safe suburban campus, easy rail access to Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe, and student-friendly neighborhoods. Dorm information is here: Campus & Dorms. See the About page for campus overview.

International Student Statistics

Kobe College hosts a modest cohort of international students and actively promotes outbound mobility. For on-the-ground perspectives, browse the student-written study-abroad blog. Institutional operations and trends are summarized in the annual Foundation report (JP): 2024 Report (PDF). Destination breadth is illustrated in the official partner list und program types.

Career & Graduate Prospects

The Career Center runs year-round seminars, one-to-one advising, and employer engagement—useful for both domestic and international pathways. Explore: About the Career Center und Career Support. For program-linked outcomes, the Music Outreach (EN) series shows community-facing performance practice, and the university magazine archives (e.g., Gakuhou No.187) share alumni voices and activity snapshots.

Admissions & Scholarships Snapshot

• International applicants to the School of International Studies: Entrance Examination (EN Notice)
• Scholarships (updates): 2025 Scholarship Overview | General: Scholarships & Awards
• Graduate admissions (multiple schools): Graduate Admissions

Final Notes & Useful Links

• Official English site: Kobe College (EN)
• Study Abroad (Intl Exchange Center): Portal
• Clubs & Circles: Directory
• JASSO Listing: Kobe College @ JASSO