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Mission Statement
Kobe Design University was established in the cosmopolitan city of Kobe in 1989 as the world’s most unique university for education and research in “Arts and Design.” Geared toward the integration of “Art and Culture” with “Science & Technology,” Kobe Design University is striving to become a world-class university through the advancement of education and research in design and art.
International Role
In close cooperation with other arts and design universities and communities outside of Japan, Kobe Design University aims to be an open university that contributes internationally. At the Graduate School in particular, for over 15 years Kobe DU has developed students’ personal attributes to be able to play an active role in Asia by implementing the International Integrated Project, a curriculum jointly held by universities and colleges in Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea.
< Partner Universities >
- FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH University of Applied Sciences (Austria)
- ZUYD University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
- Berlin-Weissensee School of Art (Germany)
- Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design (Germany)
- Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia)
- National University of Kaohsiung (Taiwan)
- National Taiwan University of Arts(Taiwan)
- National Yunlin University of Science & Technology (Taiwan)
- Dongseo University (South Korea)
- Beijing Institute of Technology (China)
- China Academy of Art (China)
- University of Montreal (Canada)
- University of Canberra (Australia)
- Aalto University (Finland)
- Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
- Shu-Te University (Taiwan)
National Role
As a university with features that are deeply rooted in Kobe, Kobe Design University works to enhance partnerships with local governments, companies and educational institutes. By reinforcing coordination with local communities, we efficiently respond to the needs of the times and play a role in creating a better future society. Together with the local communities, we carry out various activities to detect and resolve specialized issues and social challenges, including human resource development and local industry revitalization.
Main Focus
Kobe Design University pursues Arts and Design, with which students can acquire versatile knowledge in the fields of “Science & Technology,” “Art and Culture” and “Human and History” as fundamental knowledge and to make the most use of design, art, and the latest science & technology and information technology. We aim to develop self-expression skills which can make people’s lives and environments more functional, more comfortable and more beautiful as well as problem-solving skills which these times demand.
Faculties and Departments
<Undergraduate School>
School of Arts and Design (Bachelor Degree Course)
<Graduate School>
Graduate School of Arts and Design
- Integrated Arts and Design Division (Master's Degree Course)
- Arts and Design Division (Doctoral Degree Course)
Bachelor Level Programs
< Undergraduate School>
School of Arts and Design (Bachelor Degree Course)
Duration of the course: 4 years (Start in April)
Title of degree: Bachelor of Design
- Department of Environmental Design
- Department of Product and Interior Design
- Department of Visual Design
- Department of Image Arts
- Department of Manga Media
- Department of Fashion and Textile Design
- Department of Arts and Crafts
Master Level Programs
<Graduate School>
Integrated Arts and Design Division (Master’s Degree Course)
Duration of the course: 2years (Starts in April)
Title of degree: Master of Design
Core Studies
- Advanced Study of Arts and Design
- Advanced Study on Human and Society
- Advanced Study on Arts and Culture
- Advanced Study on Science and Technology
International Communication
- Academic Literacy
- English Presentation
- Japanese Communication
Specialized Studies
- Environments and Space
- Humans, Products and Life
- Media and Communication
- Arts and Creation
Research Activity and Main Areas
Kobe DU Comprehensive Research Organization is established to further activate research in arts and design at Kobe Design University. It supports and promotes collaborative research and education within and outside the University, industry-university collaboration, international collaboration, funded research, activities surrounding Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, management of institutes of the Organization, intellectual properties in design, the Society for Design and Art Fusing with Science and Technology, and more, in order to further activate research in arts and design.
Since 2016, it has been promoting research on social issues, international collaboration and collaboration in education from the perspective of "Arts and Design". and to this end, establishment of a flexible structure to conduct research activities that meet the needs of future society will be promoted. Also, activities of the Research Organization are coordinated with the graduate school curriculum to reflect and utilize research topics and their results in education.
Doctorate Level Programs
<Graduate School>
Arts and Design Division (Doctoral Degree Course)
Duration of the course: 3years (Starts in April)
Title of degree: Doctor of Design
Core Studies
- Advanced Study of Arts and Design
- Advanced Study on Human and Society
- Advanced Study on Arts and Culture
- Advanced Study on Science and Technology
International Communication
- Academic Literacy
- English Presentation
- Japanese Communication
Specialized Studies
- Environments and Space
- Humans, Products and Life
- Media and Communication
- Arts and Creation
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
<Student Exchange Program >
- Available only for the partner universities, which have made an agreement of student exchange
- All the departments accept exchange students
- Study duration: 2 Semesters or 1 Semester
- Accepting one student from each university for a year
Application Deadlines
<Deadline>
June 30
<Required Documents>
- Application form
- Portfolio
- Study Plan
- Recommendation Letter
Teaching Languages
Japanese only
Semester Dates
- First semester (April to September)
- Second semester (October to March)
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
- Rent: Approx. 40,000- 60,000yen
- Utilities Costs: Approx. 8,000-10,000yen
> Kobe Living Guide HP
http://www.kicc.jp/kicc/guide/index_eng.html
