International MBA Program (i-BA/i-PM)

First, read the admission guielines carefully. You'll find all the necessary instructions.

Q

Do International MBA Programs start only in April?

A

We offer only April intake.

Q

Is there any short programs or part-time programs?

A

No. We offer only 2 years full time programs.

Q

Do I have to contact a professor(s) before applying?

A

You are not allowed to contact any professors before applying.

Q

I am interested in both International MBA Program (i-BA/i-PM) and KC-CDO. Can I apply for both?

A

No. You may not apply for both of them. If you would like to apply for KC-CDO, check the admission guidelines of KC-CDO.

Preliminary Eligibility Screening*Please read the guideline first.

Q

What is the preliminary eligibility screening?

A

This screening examines whether those who do not fulfill the basic eligibility criteria may apply for the admission.
If you match one of “4. Application Eligibility Requirement and Preliminary Eligibility Screening” (1)-(8) requirement, you are not required to take this procedure. Only when you fall under (9) or (10), you need to apply for the preliminary eligibility screening. In case you are not sure whether you match one of the eligibility requirements, apply for “Preliminary Eligibility Screening”. This screening only confirms if an applicant has the eligibility or not. After this screening, you need to apply for the admission.

Required Documents

Q

Are applicants required to submit GMAT or GRE?

A

Only i-BA applicants are required to submit GMAT or GRE.

Q

I do not have GMAT or GRE score. Can I apply for i-BA?

A

Yes. You can apply without them for i-BA.
However, please note that GMAT or GRE score will be recorded as zero points if no submission, as we mention on the admission guidelines.

Q

Do I have to submit both an academic transcript and a certificate of graduation?

A

If your academic transcript (bachelor's degree) shows the date of graduation and degree earned, you are not required to upload your (expected) certificate of graduation.

Q

How should I submit the required documents and do I have to send the original documents?

A

All the documents should be uploaded in PDF format so you do not need to send them in original.

Q

What is the average GMAT/GRE score of past applicants?

A

The average/minimum/maximum scores is closed information.

English Scores

Q

Does every applicant need to submit an English proficiency test score?

A

The English Proficiency test scores will be exempted under the following three conditions.
・Citizens or permanent residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec).
・Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a university in a country where English is the native language (the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec)).
・If you have taken all courses in English and graduated from the university (a bachelor's degree) in a country where English is not the native language.
You can provide proof of this with a Medium of Instruction Certificate from the University President or the Dean.

Q

What is the average IELTS/TOEFL score of past applicants?

A

The average/minimum/maximum scores is closed information.

AAO System

Q

I graduated from a university outside of Japan. Do I need to do AAO Online Application before the online application?

A

Those who have graduated from a university outside of Japan need to confirm their eligibility with Admissions Assistance Office (AAO) in advance of the online application. (MEXT scholars or who have graduated from universities in Japan do not need to take this procedure.)

Application Fee Payment

Q

I cannot pay by credit card and I live out of Japan. How can I pay the application fee?

A

Contact us if you are unable to pay by credit card if you wish to make overseas remittance by a specified date in the admission guidelines.

Selection Procedures

Q

How are the successful applicants selected?

A

The board will evaluate the applicant’s motivation to study and fundamental abilities to study various areas of management based on the submitted application documents for both i-BA and i-PM applicants. And there's an online video essay for i-BA applicants only.

Q

How can the applicants know the result?

A

Successful applicants are notified on the Online Application System. Also, a letter of acceptance will be sent by postal mail in November.
Please note that the result will not be announced before the announcement day.
Telephone and email inquiries will not be answered.

Doctoral Program

Q

I would like to enroll in Doctoral program. How can I apply for that?

A

Unfortunately, we do not have a Doctoral program in English. Only in Japanese is available.
If you would like to enroll the Japanese course, you are required to have JLPT N1. The information about our Doctor program is HERE (in Japanese).

ADB-JSP Scholarship

First, please check ADB-JSP Scholarship application guidelines.

Q

Does Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University recruit any ADB-JSP scholars this year?

A

Please see the website and the application guideline first. We will announce whether we recruit any ADB-JSP Scholars for this year or not on the admission guidelines.

Q

I am an applicant for i-BA. Can I apply for ADB-JSP scholarship?

A

No. Only applicants for i-PM (International Project Management Program) are eligible to apply for ADB-JSP scholarship.

Q

Do I need to submit ADB-JSP scholarship required documents separately from the online application system?

A

No. You must submit the required documents in the online application system when you apply for the admission.
We will not accept it if you send us only ADB-JSP scholarship documents in advance / later by post or email.

Q

How many students can obtain ADB-JSP scholarship?

A

The recent number of ADB-JSP scholars from Graduate School of Management students are as follows.

2021……2 Students
2022……3 Students
2023……1 Student

MEXT Scholarship

Q

I am applying for MEXT Scholarship. What procedures are required?

A

The MEXT selection and our admission process are totally separate and we are not concerned with the MEXT screening process. Regarding the MEXT selection, ask Japanese Embassy in your country. Please contact us after you have passed the initial screening by MEXT. If you would like to enroll as a regular student of International Programs (i-BA & i-PM), please apply duirng the application period.

Q

Do I need to contact professors before applying for MEXT ?

A

Applicants are not allowed to contact our professors in advance regarding scholarships or applications.

Kyoto-Cornell International Collaborative Degree Opportunity (KC-CDO)

Program

Q

How long is the KC-CDO program?

A

The KC-CDO is a two-year program; one year at Kyoto University and one year at Cornell University.
It offers two degrees: Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kyoto University and Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) from Cornell University.

Q

How does the MBA differ from the MMH?

A

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a professional degree awarded to students who have acquired the skills and advanced, coherent knowledge required for careers in business and management.
The Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) is a professional degree conferred to those who have completed a program in the services and hospitality industry. Accordingly, by obtaining both degrees, you will have credentials as a professional equipped with the strong knowledge and skills needed to apply service and hospitality expertise to business and management.

Q

When is the KC-CDO’s enrollment?

A

On April 1.

Q

What is the KC-CDO program schedule like?

A

KC-CDO students will study at the Graduate School of Management (GSM) at Kyoto University for two semesters (semesters 1 and 4), and at the School of Hotel Administration (SHA) at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business for the other two semesters (semesters 2 and 3), starting in late August.

Q

Can KC-CDO students take classes offered in Japanese at Kyoto University?

A

Yes. They may take classes in Japanese as long as the subjects are required for the MBA degree at Kyoto University. To take the classes, Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1 level or higher is required.
Required basic subjects of the 1st semester are provided only in English.

Q

Are there any internship opportunities?

A

Since an internship is not included in the MBA degree requirement, we do not offer any internship opportunities. If you seek for an internship opportunity in Japan, KC-CDO faculty may help you to find one. Internship opportunities in the US for non-US students may be limited, but Cornell’s Career Management team can help you to find externships in the U.S. during the winter break between the semester 2 and 3. You would not qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after MMH degree completion.

Q

Can MEXT (Japanese government) Scholarship students participate in the KC-CDO?

A

No. MEXT students are not eligible for the program.

Admission

Q

Do I need to apply to both Kyoto University and Cornell University to be admitted to KC-CDO?

A

Yes, you need to apply to both. Both universities select candidates independently, and only those who are selected by both universities can enroll as KC-CDO students.

Q

After being admitted to both universities, can I decline one of them and enroll either in Cornell SHA or in one of the other programs offered by Kyoto University?

A

Everyone admitted to both universities as a KC-CDO student is expected to enroll in both of them.

Q

Do applicants need to send their TOEFL or GMAT score to both universities?

A

Yes. The selection processes are run independently, so please follow each university’s application guidelines.

Q

Can I submit a new TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/GRE score to replace an earlier one that I provided in my application?

A

Yes, as long as it arrives before the application deadline. Please send it with a note explaining that is a replacement score for TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT/GRE.

Q

Do I have to submit a letter of recommendation?

A

Yes. You need to submit two or more letters of recommendation in the format you downloaded.

Q

Will Kyoto University and Cornell University separately announce the successful applicants?

A

Yes. Since we select the candidates independently, we make the announcement separately. However, both announcements will be made at the same time.

Q

What happens if I am accepted by only one of the universities?

A

Unfortunately, those who are accepted by only one of the universities cannot enroll in the KC-CDO program. However, you will be able to enroll in program of the university to which you were accepted—
(MMH program of Cornell University or MBA International program of Kyoto University); after successful completion of that program, you will be awarded the degree it offers (MMH or MBA).

Q

When I took the TOEFL test, I did not register Cornell University as a score recipient. How can I send my TOEFL score to Cornell University?

A

For a fee, you can request the testing service (ETS) to send your score to institutions that you didn’t designate before the test, for up to 2 years after the test.

For further information, please refer to the site below.

Q

Is there an interview?

A

Only if deemed necessary.

Q

Is work experience necessary?

A

Work experience is preferred, but not required.

Tuition fees and financial aid

Q

Will I need to pay the admission fee and tuition to both Kyoto and Cornell University? If so, how much would it be?

A

Yes.
Students participating in this program must enroll at Kyoto University and pay all fees required by Kyoto University in order to participate in the program (for two semesters). They are also obligated to pay tuition and academic fees to Cornell University during the period of study at Cornell (for two semesters).
A notice of admission/enrollment procedures including the required fees will be sent to all successful applicants. For further information, please read each university’s admission guidelines.

Tuition and financing information for Cornell University:

The amount is subject to change. Please be sure to check the latest information about tuition and other estimated expenses before applying.

Q

When do I pay the tuition fee?

A

Payment of the 1st semester tuition to Kyoto University will be due around May. Details to be announced to successful applicants.

Q

Is financial assistance available?

A

Yes. We have specific scholarship for this program. Details will be given to admitted students after they start the first semester.

Q

Can I pay the tuition in installments?

A

The installment plan is available at Cornell to allow you make monthly installments. The information about payments can be found on their website: https://www.dfa.cornell.edu/bursar
At Kyoto University you will need to pay it in full for one semester.

Miscellaneous

Q

Please tell me how to obtain a visa for Japan and/or the United States.

A

You will study in both Japan and the United States. Consequently, depending on your nationality, you need to obtain a Japanese visa and/or a U.S. visa.

To apply for a U.S. visa
Please follow Cornell University’s instruction.

To apply for a Japanese visa
You will need to apply for a visa by yourself. A Certificate of Eligibility and a letter of acceptance, which are required for your application, will be sent to you by Kyoto University.