Exchange ProgramMBA ProgramEMBA Program

As the globalization of business accelerates, management skills in a multinational setting are increasingly important. To provide MBA students with valuable experience in an international setting, we established the International Program in 1988.

This Program is a credit exchange system with partner institutions. Every year, we accept exchange students during the Fall term (September through December) and Winter term (January through March) when we provide some courses in English. Also, outgoing students are regularly sent to partner schools during the Fall term.

Program Features

Partner Schools

With a partner school network covering 48 business schools around the world (as of October 2014),　the Keio Business School (KBS) International Program provides ample opportunities for studying abroad. The partner school locations cover a wide geographical area from Asia to Europe and North America, enabling students to choose a destination that best fits their future career plans. Some partner institutions require high competence in English, but since many of the business schools accept students with adequate abilities in English, there exists a wide range of possible exchange destinations for most students.

Opportunity for Short-Term Exchange

In contrast to the KBS Double Degree Program (which includes at least a year of study abroad at a partner school), the International Exchange Program lasts for four months. As a result, the program is also suitable for students who do not have extensive previous experience studying abroad.

English Language Support before Exchange Studies

Starting from the academic year 2014, all new students are required to take the TOEFL English language exam upon enrollment in the KBS MBA program. The aim is to make students aware of their English abilities at the earliest possible stage, thus both acquainting them to existing exchange study options and helping them create an efficient study plan for language skill improvement. As a result of the supportive measures, students who are not confident in their linguistic abilities will nevertheless be able to reach a level of English that makes exchange studies abroad possible. Also, students who are looking to study abroad can widen their spectrum of partner schools to apply to. In the first term of the first year, KBS offers class on Business Communication in English and several classes conducted in English that are open to both domestic students and foreign exchange students in the second and third term, making it possible to acquire the language skills necessary for the exchange program while in Japan.

Benefits for Students Staying in Japan

In the second (Sep-Dec) and third (Jan-Mar) terms, KBS accepts exchange students from the partner schools to study in Japan. KBS students who decide to stay in Japan may attend courses taught in English together with exchange students. As a result, students can exchange ideas and interact with exchange students while staying in Japan.

Structure of the International Exchange Program (MBA program)

MBA candidates participating in the KBS International Program spend approximately four months abroad in a partner school during the second term of the second year. Credit received from partner institutions is counted towards the KBS credit requirements.
In order to be accepted to the International Program, students need to demonstrate a certain level of English ability and academic achievement. Exchange students are exempted from tuition and registration fees at host institutions. Application requirements, procedures, period, the evaluation guidelines and other details are explained in an orientation session organized annually for first year students in the second term.

*EMBA students interested in participating in the International Exchange Program are advised to contact the EMBA program office for more information.

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled as regular degree-seeking students in their second year at KBS.

  1. Average grade in the core courses higher than a specified minimum by the end of the second term of the first year
  2. Sufficient language skills and motivation to engage in studies at a partner school
    *TOEFL score above a specified minimum
    *Certain partner schools may have their own requirements for the minimum acceptable TOEFL score
  3. Expected successful completion of studies at KBS
  4. Since in the second year the time from September to December will be spent abroad, applicants must be willing to provide a prospectus of their master's thesis before the exchange

*The requirements are subject to change. An orientation session organized after admission to KBS provides more information about the requirements.

Credit from Partner Schools

Within the limits of 8 credits, credit received from partner school MBA program business electives can be counted towards the credit requirement at KBS.

Costs

While on exchange, students are exempted from registration fees and tuition fees at host institutions, but they are responsible for travel, living, textbooks, insurance expenses, and other incidentals.

Receiving Students from Partner Schools

In order to provide an environment for excellent MBA students from abroad and to offer an opportunity for KBS students to learn the global business language of English in Japan, KBS offers business electives in English in the second (Sep-Dec) and third (Jan-Mar) terms. Consequently, even without participating in the exchange program abroad, KBS students have the opportunity to interact with foreign students and gain global understanding without leaving Japan.

Partner Schools

ASIA / OCEANIA

EUROPE

NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

MIDDLE EAST

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