- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Pricing and Dates
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
Established in 1902, Kobe University is one of the oldest national universities in Japan. Kobe University has been pursuing academic endeavors under the spirit of integrity, freedom, and cooperation ever since its establishment, over a century ago. Kobe University is committed to the creation of knowledge in a broad range of fields extending from the Humanities, Social Science, Natural Sciences to Bio-Medical Sciences. Many of the research areas at the University have gained considerable recognition worldwide. Kobe is known as a cosmopolitan university hosting over 1,200 foreign students from over 80 countries and regions.
Click here to download. (261.77 KB)As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
- non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
- a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Japan.
International Exchange Division
1-1 Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 657-8501 JAPAN
intl-exchange@office.kobe-u.ac.jp
Kobe, the sixth largest city in Japan, and is located one hour west of Osaka by train on the southern part of Honshu island. Modern day Kobe was founded in 1889 and the first mosque in Japan was built in the city in 1935. As a port city, it is home to more than 100 international companies as well as the famous “Kobe beef.”
Kobe offers options for university-affiliated housing or private accommodations. Pitt students are guaranteed spots within university-affiliated housing, in which all dorms and apartments will be furnished. Kobe will provide instructions on when and how to apply for housing. See Kobe’s website for information on housing.
At Kobe University, courses are mainly taught in Japanese, with a select few in English. Credits taken at Kobe are equivalent to credits received at Pitt according to a 1:1 ratio. For example, 3 credits at Kobe will transfer as 3 Pitt credits.
All credits taken at Kobe require approval by both your academic advisor(s) and study abroad program manager. Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours. Courses taken at Kobe will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university.
As a part of the cultural experience, Kobe University's Center for International Education offers Japanese Language Courses specifically designed for visiting students. These may be considered for credit or not for credit. Verify with the study abroad program manager regarding their transferability:
- Integrated Japanese Language Course (open to all exchange students) - NON-CREDIT BEARING; students will no longer be able to receive credit through Pitt for these classes, as they are non-credit bearing.
- Japanese language/Japanese Studies Courses (for MEXT scholars; for exchange only based on avaliability) - Credit-Bearing; Pitt students will receive credit for these classes.
There are 3 types of courses offered at Kobe University according to patterns I - III described below. Patterns I and II are "quarter courses", and III takes the format of "semester courses". As it depends on the course, please see the syllabus for further information.
- 1 course per week for 8 weeks (including examination days)
- 2 courses per week for 8 weeks (including examination days)
- 1 course per week for 16 weeks (including examination days)
*1 course is regarded as 120 minutes at Kobe University. (Actual lecture is 90 minutes.)
For a full list of courses, students may visit Kobe's Exchange Programs page under "Courses/Programs," including a full list of courses offered in English.
| Kobe | North America |
|---|---|
| S (90-100%) | A (4.0) |
| A (80-89%) | B+ (3.5) |
| B (70-79%) | B (3.0) |
| C+(2.5) | |
| C (60-69%) | C (2.0) |
| F (below 59%) | F |
For Pitt transfer credit, in order to earn a grade of “S,” (satisfactory) at Pitt, you must make an equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher. An equivalent to a “C-” or lower will result in a grade of “NC” (no credit) at Pitt.
Pitt students may utilize the following online resource to understand the grading scale within this host country.
Items Billed by Pitt |
||
|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Tuition* | $9,314 | $16,328 |
| Mandatory Fees | $545 | $545 |
| Study Abroad Fee | $400 | $400 |
| Total Billed by Pitt* | $10,259 | $17,273 |
Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs |
||
|---|---|---|
| Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit | $2,000 | |
| Room & Board | $3,000 - 5,000 | |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 - 5,000 | |
Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange university you will attend requires purchase of a specific health insurance coverage per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.
Pitt students enroll at Kobe for either a full semester (spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). Kobe's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Unlike Pitt, Kobe’s academic calendar follows a Spring-Fall progression, meaning Spring is the first semester followed by the Fall semester as the second. Because Kobe’s academic calendar varies significantly from Pitt’s, exchanging for only the fall semester is not possible. However, if a single semester at Kobe is desired, then the Spring (or second) semester is the only option. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.
Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to Kobe. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review Kobe's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at Kobe. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to Kobe's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.
The exchange university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:
- Application Form
- Copy of Valid Passport
- Official Pitt Transcript
- Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment
- Statement of Intent or Purpose
- Resume or CV
- Official Language Evaluation
- Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations
- Up to 2 passport photos
Language: To take courses in Japanese at Kobe, Pitt students are highly advised to submit evidence of N2 or higher level of Japanese proficiency through the JLPT. Please check with Kobe regarding these recommendations.
Scholarships: Pitt students will be considered for the JASSO and the Kobe University Fund. For details, see Kobe's website under "Scholarship."
Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, Japan requires Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plan. Students are required to join the National Health Insurance system while in Japan, costing approximately ¥2,000 per month. This insurance allows the bearer to pay only 30% of the incurred medical costs. Contact Kobe for more details.
In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival.
For those without Japanese nationality, students must obtain a student visa to study in Japan. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review Kobe's website. Also, check the Japanese Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information.
Kobe will provide general direction after formal admission on for how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website.
In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:
- Visa application
- Valid Passport
- Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university)
- Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.
- Passport photos
- Application fee
- Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)
