Kobe University Guide for International Applicants: Programs, Tuition, Student Life, Exchanges, and Career Outcomes

Thinking about studying in Japan but not sure where to start? Kobe University is a top national university in the Kansai region with a distinctive mix of strengths—social sciences with global links, ocean and maritime expertise, and cutting‑edge engineering and health research. The main campus sits between the Rokko mountains and Osaka Bay, so classes, labs, and city life are all within easy reach. This guide collects practical, up‑to‑date information to help overseas candidates evaluate whether Kobe University fits their academic goals, budget, and lifestyle.

Quick Facts — Kobe University

Snapshot data compiled from Kobe University’s official pages and fact sheets. Links in blue lead to the original English sources.

Type	National (Public) University
Total Students	15,999 (as of May 1, 2024). Source: Number of Students (PDF)
Campuses	Rokkodai (Main), Kusunoki (School of Medicine & University Hospital), Myodani (Health Sciences), Fukae (Maritime Sciences). Access
Faculties / Schools	Letters; Global Human Sciences; Law; School of Business Administration; Economics; Science; School of Medicine; Engineering; System Informatics; Agriculture; Ocean Science and Technology. Faculties & Schools
Tasas de matrícula	Annual tuition (standard national fee): ¥535,800; Admission fee: ¥282,000. About Tuition
Gender Ratio	Male 10,356 / Female 5,643 ⇒ approx. 64.7% : 35.3% (total 15,999). Source
Intl‑Student %	≈ 8.2% (1,307 international students AY2024 / total 15,999). Sources: KISC Teacher Guide (PDF); Total Students (PDF)
Students per Staff	10.20 students per full‑time teaching staff (2024). Source (PDF)

Campus Maps

Rokkodai Campus (Main)

Address: 1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 657-8501, Japan

Kusunoki Campus (School of Medicine & University Hospital)

Address: 7-5-1 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0017, Japan

Myodani Campus (Faculty of Health Sciences)

Address: 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0142, Japan

Fukae Campus (Faculty of Maritime Sciences)

Address: 5-1-1 Fukaeminami-machi, Higashinada Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 658-0022, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Kobe University’s roots stretch back to 1902, when Kobe Higher Commercial School opened to train professionals for a rapidly modernizing Japan. In 1949, the institution became Kobe University as the national university system was reorganized, uniting strengths across commerce, economics, law, science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine. That “trading city” DNA still shows today: the University’s academic profile balances the humanities and social sciences with natural and biomedical sciences—an approach that fits Kobe’s cosmopolitan identity.

Now a comprehensive national university with 11 faculties and 15 graduate schools, Kobe emphasizes “Integrity – Freedom – Cooperation,” fostering graduates who analyze problems rigorously and collaborate across borders. Its location matters: the main Rokkodai campus rises up the lower slopes of Mt. Rokko, while the Kusunoki, Myodani, and Fukae campuses knit together medicine, health sciences, and maritime studies. For a concise institutional overview, start at the official English site and the University history page: Kobe University (EN) / Our History.

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Pioneer in Business & Economics

Kobe is widely recognized as an early leader in management education in Japan. The School of Business Administration—the first in Japan to carry that name—remains a hub for both research and practice. Explore the undergraduate profile and the Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration (RIEB) to see how economics, management, and policy come together in Kobe: Business Administration (Undergraduate) / RIEB (Overview) / RIEB (Institute Site).

Maritime & Ocean Sciences at Fukae

Kobe’s coastal setting supports a distinctive academic cluster. The Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology integrates Marine Sciences, Marine Technologies, Maritime Policy Studies, Nautical Sciences, and Marine Engineering—bridging natural and social sciences to tackle blue‑economy challenges. Learn more through the faculty outline and the Faculty of Maritime Sciences site: Ocean Science & Technology / Maritime Sciences (EN Top) / About Maritime Sciences.

Flagship Faculties (Examples)

• School of Business Administration — first of its kind in Japan; close ties with industry and a full spectrum from undergraduate to MBA and PhD. Graduate School of Business Administration
• Ocean Science & Technology / Maritime Sciences — integrated natural‑science and social‑science approach to the sea, fleets, and ports. Ocean Science & Tech / Graduate (Maritime)

Engineering for a Sustainable Future

Kobe engineers are active in membranes, energy, materials, bio‑engineering, and more. The University leads an international membrane consortium pursuing water treatment and CO₂‑separation technologies that support SDGs and carbon neutrality—see: International Membrane Consortium (Outline) and related news: Consortium Update. For synthetic biology and bio‑foundry activities, see the Engineering Biology Research Center: EGBRC / Organization.

English‑Taught Options & Interdisciplinary Paths

While many undergraduate classes are in Japanese, there are focused English‑medium tracks—especially at the graduate level. A good entry point is the official list of English‑taught programs (e.g., Science MA, Health Sciences ICHS courses, PhD in Medical Research, Agricultural Science MA/PhD, and a PhD track in Business Administration): Courses in English.

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Kobe has a lively extracurricular scene—from music and culture to sports and student media. Many groups welcome overseas students, and club participation is a great way to build language and local networks. Browse the official listings: Clubs and Circles.

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The Global Education Center and university services offer multilingual advice on academics and daily life. There’s counseling for mental/physical health, harassment prevention, and disability support; international students are also assigned a tutor (typically the first year at graduate level, two years at undergraduate). Overview: Student Support.

Language Exchange & Japanese Courses

International students can take Japanese language courses through the Global Education Center, with levels from beginner to academic Japanese. Details and schedules appear on academic‑year pages and the Support site. You’ll also find information about work‑permit guidance for part‑time jobs while studying.

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound)

Even if you enroll in a full degree at Kobe, you can still spend a semester or year abroad. Kobe lists hundreds of partner institutions across 60+ countries/regions—options for majors from business and economics to engineering, health, and maritime studies. See the official counts in Facts & Figures and the exchange overview: Exchange Programs.

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Kobe)

Climate. Kobe has a humid subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and cool to mild winters. Rainfall peaks in early summer; winters are comparatively dry with rare snowfall in central districts. As a packing guide: the warmest month (August) averages in the high‑20s °C, while the coldest (January) averages in the mid‑single digits °C. For background on Japan’s 1991–2020 climate “normals,” see the Japan Meteorological Agency summary (PDF): JMA: Climatological Normals 1991–2020. Overview of the city: Kobe (Wikipedia).

Lifestyle, safety & living costs. Kobe is compact and student‑friendly, with train lines connecting campus areas to Sannomiya (downtown). International residents benefit from services in English. For budgeting your first year, the city’s “KOBE STUDY ABROAD” portal outlines typical living expenses: Cost of Living in Kobe. Kobe University also shares monthly estimates on its site under “Daily life.”

International Student Statistics

Kobe University’s international cohort has been steadily growing post‑pandemic. As of AY2024, the University reports 1,307 international students (AY2023: 1,291; AY2022: 1,229). Total enrollment is 15,999, making the international share ≈8.2% in AY2024. Sources: KISC Teacher Guide (PDF) y Total Students (PDF).

Academic Year	Intl Students (headcount)	Share of Total (approx.)
AY2022	1,229	-
AY2023	1,291	-
AY2024	1,307	≈8.2% (1,307 / 15,999)

Career & Graduate Prospects

Kobe University publishes outcomes by faculty/graduate school. For the most recent year (graduates in 2023, compiled as of May 1, 2024), the undergraduate subtotal shows a 94.3% employment rate among job seekers; the master’s subtotal shows 92.8%. Several technical fields report very high placement: master’s graduates in Engineering record 99.3% (303/305 job seekers employed), while System Informatics shows 97.6% (83/85). See the official “Status of Graduates” tables and the employer list by faculty/school: Status of Graduates 2023 (PDF) / Employers of Graduates 2023 (PDF).

How to Explore Programs & Next Steps

• Start with the Faculties & Schools page to shortlist a department.
• Check language of instruction and syllabi via Courses in English and each faculty’s admissions page.
• Confirm tuition and fee exemptions at About Tuition.
• Plan exchange possibilities even as a degree student: Exchange Programs.
• For a feel of student activities and support: Clubs y Support.