Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Patterns of studying abroad through the CAMPUS Asia Plus Program

How does a double-degree program work?

Students study at a partner university for one year and obtain a master’s degree at their destination university. Students in the master’s program of the GSICS and the Graduate School of Health Sciences (GSHS) can participate. The GSICS students can study and obtain degrees at Fudan University (SIRPA) in Shanghai or the Korea University GSIS from the end of August for approximately a year. While studying there, students must belong to the GSICS because the tuition fee waiver is based on fee payment to the original university. At Fudan University, a master’s degree in either public administration or law (International Politics) can be obtained, whereas at Korea University, a master’s degree in international or Korean Studies can be obtained. However, please note that Korean Studies cannot be completed within a year because of the limitations of transferable subjects.

In the case of the GSHS, students can study at Chulalongkorn University from January for six to twelve months and obtain a master’s degree in Nursing Science in Adult and Gerontological Nursing. Each university globally ranks high, and earning a degree at such a university benefits your international career.

How does an exchange program work?

Students do not aim to obtain a degree (no thesis submission) but take classes at the dispatch destination and earn only credits. Master’s and doctoral students from the GSICS, Liberal Arts, Intercultural Studies, Law, Economics, Business Administration, Medicine, and Health Sciences participated in the study. It is possible to study at Fudan University or Korea University, with which we have a partnership agreement, for six months or one year, and to recognize up to eight credits earned at the dispatch destination as Kobe University credits. Doctoral students may have minimal requirements to obtain the certification, but can concentrate on their research activities at the dispatch destination.

Credit transfer system and procedure

For the GSICS students, more than 30 credits are required for completion. As you can see in the student handbook, the maximum number of credits required for the completion of courses in other majors and graduate schools or other graduate schools (including foreign graduate schools) is 12 credits in total. Of these, up to 10 credits earned at Fudan University or Korea University are accepted, for a total of 10 credits for the double-degree program and 8 credits for exchange students (Students belonging to other graduate schools should refer to their respective student handbooks and consult the Academic Affairs Section of each graduate school regarding the transfer of credits and required credits). Please submit the necessary documents for credit transfer to each Academic Affairs Section after studying abroad.

The GSICS students in the double-degree program can obtain 15 credits from Korea University and 10 credits from Fudan University to the number of credits required for completion at their respective graduate schools. The number of credits required for completion at Korea University is 39; therefore, you will earn 25 credits during your year of study. However, the number of credits required for completion at Fudan University is 30; thus, you will earn 20 credits during one year of study.

What will happen if a dispatched student cannot earn the necessary credits within a year or if a thesis is not approved?

Students try their personal best to earn the necessary credits and pass a thesis assessment. The students can share their problems and concerns with the CAMPUS Asia Office as early as possible . Students must return once the dispatching duration is over, even if they are unable to accomplish it within the given period. Necessary fees, travel, and staying costs to complete the remaining work owing to an extension to the next semester will not be covered by the program; thus, they need to be managed by the student.

Can I take language classes at the destination university?

You can attend language classes. However, Kobe University does not count credits obtained from language subjects. All courses offered by the exchange program are conducted in English.

Questions about the application process

Can foreign students apply for the program?

The applicants are not limited by nationality. Students of the Graduate Schools of Law, Economics, Business Management, Interjectural Studies, International Cooperation, and Health Sciences may apply.

However, Chinese students living in Japan cannot study at Fudan University, whereas Korean students living in Japan can study at Korea University. There are also nationality requirements for documents to be submitted to the host universities and scholarships; therefore, if you are a foreign national who wishes to participate in this program, please consult the CAMPUS Asia Office in advance.

I am a Master’s degree student at the Graduate School of International Culture. Which programs can I join?

Students from the Graduate School of Law, Economics, Business Management, Intercultural Studies, International Cooperation Studies, and Health Sciences can apply to Korea University, Fudan University, and the National University of Laos. Students from the GSHS can only apply to Chulalongkorn University as the program at Chulalongkorn University requires nursing qualifications.

Can I join various activities under the CAMPUS Asia Plus Program?

You can. For example, one can participate in a short-term study program at the National University of Laos, Korea University, or Fudan University after one or a half year of study. You can also join a winter fellowship program during your study at Korea University. You can participate in two short-term programs during summer and spring vacations. In addition, students can take a risk-management joint education course and participate in annual international symposiums. Triangle exchange study is another option to study both at Fudan and Korea Universities for six months (Master’s degree students can complete four semesters of studies through either Kobe–Fudan–Korea–Kobe or Kobe–Kobe–Korea–Fudan University chain). Please utilize the various opportunities provided by the program.

Can I write an application in Japanese?

Program documents can be written in Japanese or English. The research plan is expected to be published by the time of admission; thus, it is appropriate to submit it in your preferred language. However, please write the statement of purpose in English, as it is necessary to submit it in English to the destination university as part of the admission procedure. You may seek guidance from the CAMPUS Asia Office faculty for your research plan prior to the admission procedure till the study program starts.

How is language proficiency reviewed?

For documents to be submitted for internal screening, please take the English language proficiency test, for example, TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, and so on, in advance, and submit a copy of the transcript. If you have language proficiency certificates for other languages such as Korean or Chinese, please submit them as well.

At the time of selection, we will not judge whether you pass or fail based only on your English score, but classes at your abroad-study destination are conducted in English; thus, your language ability will be checked during the interviews.

I have not taken TOEFL, IELTS, or TOEIC; what should I do?

If you do not have any English proficiency test results available for international students, please submit documents proving your English proficiency as reference materials.

Is there a chance of rejection by the receiving university after the nomination of the original university?

Inbound and outbound student acceptance is based on the trust of both universities; therefore, the universities should respect the nomination results. Final decision regarding acceptance lies with the receiving university.

I would like to study abroad for a year. Any concerns?

First, you need to choose Double Degrees to obtain degrees from both original and dispatched universities or exchange to get only credits by taking courses. The Double Degrees need to last for a year. They primarily require two thesis approvals; therefore, if one cannot complete the thesis in a year, the completion of their degree at the original university may be delayed accordingly. A dispatched university may charge for an extension.

Exchange studies can be either six months or one year. However, this choice cannot be extended after the dispatch. Even when participating in the program in exchange, ten credits per semester at Fudan University and nine credits per semester at Korea University are required. You may have the option of a non-thesis track at Korea University, which does not require submitting a thesis but needs to take more courses.

Does the double-degree program allow the thesis submitted to the dispatched universities can be counted as necessary credits for its completion?

No. This thesis itself is not included in the credits for completion at either Fudan or Korean University.

Can students get any certificate of participation in the program?

After completing the program with the necessary credits received at the dispatched universities, students are requested to submit copies of the syllabus and transcripts. After the credit transfer approval process, a joint certificate of risk management is obtained.

Are there any mandatory subjects for the program?

Obtaining a joint certificate for risk management requires completing relevant courses. The courses at Kobe, Fudan, and other Korean universities can be renewed annually. Furthermore, we recommend that students take English courses, although it is not mandatory.

Can students apply for the program during the leave of absence?

The tuition fee waiver is based on paying the original university’s fees and attendance. Therefore, students on a leave of absence cannot join the program. However, if the student submits the return form, the university’s approval of their return, and pays the fees by the new semester of the destination university, they can apply.

Questions about the stud program at Korea University

What kind of courses can I take?

As a mandatory course, World Politics or risk-management-related courses are included in the CAMPUS Asia Plus Program. Other free choices are the Southeast Asian Economy and so on. The courses offered can be changed from time to time; please refer only to the syllabus.

I would like to study this through a double-degree program. Are there any grade point regulations?

Certain levels of GPA need to be cleared according to the subject considered as a condition for completing a non-thesis track and submitting the thesis for the thesis track.

Can students take a Korean Studies course?

Students may choose the course; however, Kobe University’s exchangeable course credits are so low that they cannot complete the Korean Studies course in one year.

Questions about the study program at Fudan University

Does the research topic need to be related to China, Korea or Asia?

It is not necessary to restrict oneself to themes in Asia. Choose the academic advisor based on your own interests and discuss and decide on the research topic.

How can an academic advisor be chosen?

Students must submit a request application beforehand; however, students must also directly contact prospective academic advisors and obtain permission.

What is the procedure till the dissertation submission?

In the beginning, research proposal submission and proposal defense are in September and October, respectively, followed by the research and pre-defense and blind review submission around March. After passing the review, a final defense will be conducted. Students may not pass the review without precise preparation.

Questions about the Short-term study program at the National University of Laos

How does the exchange program with the National University of Laos work?

The program consists of three parts with a total of four weeks. The first week is for taking a course on Advanced Development Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business Management of the National University of Laos. The student will conduct an internship at the Ministry of Education and Sports between the second to third week. During the internship, students interview the ministry officials or the opportunity will be given to conduct field research at local schools. Furthermore, students can go on a field trip during the program’s final week, visiting the heritage and deepening their knowledge of the history and culture of Laos.

How much should I prepare for the exchange program with the National University of Laos?

We suggest 100,000 yen for a 4-week program considering accommodation, food and transportation. The final week’s field trip cost may vary depending on the destination.

Can credit transfer under the exchange program with the National University of Laos?

Only two credits for Advanced Development Economics can be added, and no grade points can be reflected.

Questions about the study program at Chulalongkorn University

How can I join the exchange program with Chulalongkorn University?

A nursing certificate is mandatory; thus, only students from the GSHS can participate in the program. Please contact the study-abroad program-in-charge faculty of the GSHS for details.

Is vaccination necessary?

Yes. Please take the necessary vaccinations to participate in the hospital fieldwork program at Chulalongkorn University.

When is the shor-term study program conducted?

The short-term program lasts 3 months (e.g., from January to March in 2022 and 2023).

　

Questions about life abroad

How much should I prepare for studying abroad?

Before departure, several hundred thousand yen may be needed for visa applications, document authentication, submission of application documents through international courier services, and so on. After reaching the destination, 100,000 yen per month is expected for accommodation, food, and transportation.

Some universities ask for online examination fee payments and bank balance certificates of a certain amount. Remittance charges are at your own cost.

You may apply for a JASSO scholarship, which can provide 60–70 thousand yen per month (Eligibility is limited to Japanese citizens or those with Japan’s permanent residency status, and there are grading criteria. The application must be made two months prior to departure.

Entrance and tuition fees can be waived based on student registration and tuition fee payments at Kobe University.

Airfares are provided by the CAMPUS Asia Office in the form of e-tickets for a return trip.

What to do for the local insurance registration?

Please register for the insurance provided by the university at your own cost. Before departure, students need to register for overseas travel insurance. After being dispatched from Kobe University, students will be covered with OSSMA Plus.

How is the support system after being dispatched?

Each partner university has either a CAMPUS Asia Office or program-in-charge faculty and supports students in need. Some also have teaching assistance systems.

I cannot speak the local language.

You may take additional language courses. Within the campus, it can be managed in English.

Can program students get accommodation?

The university announces its application for the university dormitory. However, some conditions may not allow us to take all requests. In this case, the university may provide support for students in finding accommodations. In some cases, students must find accommodations outside the university on their own.

Is it possible to leave the destination temporarily during the program?

You may temporarily return to your country or travel to other countries by bearing the travel expenses on your own. Please do not forget to register your travel to the GEMs and follow the norms of leave of absence at an accepted university.

After participating in the program, can the student extend their stay in the dispatched country?

For a student at an accepted university, the permitted duration is referred to as a Certificate of Admission at the time of entrance. For those who received a JASSO scholarship during the program, the duration is from the orientation or starting date of the course to the end of the examination. You will have to pay on your own to stay for more than the given period.