Admission Policy

Doctoral Program (Medical Science)
As a graduate school program located in Kobe, a city which aspires to be an international medical industry hub, our Medical Science Doctoral Program aims to be a leader of international cutting-edge research and education in life sciences and medicine. Therefore, we welcom applications from motivated and cooperative students, as detailed below:

Applicants are sought with the following qualities and abilities:

• Those who intend to become internationally involved in life science or medical research
  [Required competences: initiative and cooperativeness; interest and motivation]
• Those who intend to become clinicians with advanced specialist knowledge and skills
  [Required competences: knowledge and skills; interest and motivation]
• Those eager to play an active role in industries related to bioscience, medicine, and healthcare
  [Required competences: knowledge and skills; interest and motivation]
• Those eager to learn cutting-edge knowledge and skills in life science and medicine
  [Required competences: knowledge and skills; critical thinking, judgement, and expressive power; interest and motivation]
• Those who intend to carry out research to obtain their doctorate while affiliated with a company, hospital, or public institution
  [Required competences: knowledge and skills; interest and motivation]

Basic Policy for the Selection of Students:

To select students who meet the above criteria, in line with Diploma Policy and Curriculum Policy of the Graduate School of Medical Science Doctoral Program, the various competences are assessed through the selection procedures below.
In General entrance examination, Special entrance examination for working adults, and Special entrance examination for international students, knowledge and skills, critical thinking, judgement, and expressive power, initiative and cooperativeness, and interest and motivation are assessed.

Diploma Policy

In addition to the abilities stipulated in the Kobe University Diploma Policy, the Graduate School of Medicine aims to facilitate students' acquisition of a sense of humanity, high ethical standards, a scientific perspective, creativity, and an inquisitive mindset as well as the ability to play an active role internationally as a medical doctor or medical researcher.
To achieve these aims, master's degrees or doctoral degrees are awarded in accordance with the policies below.

Doctoral Program

Department of Medical Sciences

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Students should complete a specified period of study in the doctoral program, obtain the requisite number of credits, and pass the doctoral degree thesis review and the final examination, with necessary supervision.
Prior to graduating, students of the Department of Medical Sciences should demonstrate acquisition of the following qualities, in addition to the abilities set out in the Kobe University Diploma Policy:

• The advanced specialist knowledge and skills required of a medical doctor or medical researcher.
• A scientific perspective, creativity, and an inquisitive mindset, and the ability to tackle new issues.
• A rich well-rounded education and high ethical standards, in addition to the ability to act as a medical doctor or medical researcher with a sound balance of intellect, reason, and emotion.
• The ability to play an active role internationally as a medical doctor or medical researcher capable of successful communication, with a respect for diverse values and an understanding of different cultures.

Curriculum Policy

Based on its educational objectives and Diploma Policy, the Graduate School of Medicine has organized a systematic curriculum as stated below:

Doctoral Program

Department of Medical Sciences

This program comprises the single specialism of medical sciences and aims to produce experts with mastery of various fields of research who are capable of assuming top leadership positions. Graduates of this program will possess a broad, but deep understanding of the field of medical sciences as a whole.

• A sense of humanity – To facilitate students' acquisition of a sense of humanity, the graduate school has established Common Foundation Courses.
• Creativity – To facilitate students' acquisition of creativity, the graduate school has established Trends in Medical Research Lectures and Special Lectures.
• Specialization- To facilitate students' acquisition of “specialization," courses have been established as below:
  • Courses have been established that are deemed necessary to facilitate students' acquisition of the advanced specialist knowledge and skills required of a medical doctor or medical researcher.
  • Major Subject courses have been established to facilitate students' acquisition of a scientific perspective, creativity, and an inquisitive mindset, as well as the ability to tackle new issues. Supervision relating to doctoral theses is also provided.
  • Courses have been established that are deemed necessary to facilitate the students' acquisition of a rich well-rounded education and high ethical standards, in addition to the ability to act as a medical doctor or medical researcher with a sound balance of intellect, reason, and emotion.
• International awareness - To facilitate students' acquisition of “international awareness," courses have been established as below:
  • Courses have been established that are deemed necessary for students' acquisition of the ability to play an active role internationally as a medical doctor or medical researcher capable of successful communication, with a respect for diverse values and an understanding of different cultures.

To foster all these abilities, basic knowledge relating to medical research and relevant experimental techniques are acquired under the umbrella of Common Foundation Courses, as is cutting-edge knowledge of medical research by experts. In addition, under the umbrella of Major Subject Courses, courses specific to each program are studied, and a systematic curriculum is created so that students can study specialist knowledge and research related to their own field, for example, advanced diagnostic techniques. Under the necessary supervision, students utilize this knowledge and the acquired skills to write their dissertation.

Learning outcomes are evaluated via multiple comprehensive methods according to the learning objectives.