Part-time & Online MBA

Frequently asked questions

Program

  • How are students assessed?
    For most courses, students are primarily graded on their participation in each class and a report to be submitted. There are no tests within the courses. In order to graduate, students need to pass all required courses and earn the minimum number of required credits. Students entering after 2018, also need to pass the GMAP (GLOBIS Management Assessment Program) test.
  • How many courses will I take?

    In order to graduate, students will need to earn 36 credits (approximately 25 courses from the curriculum map: https://www.globis.ac.jp/curriculum/).

  • What fields can I specialize in?

    We offer a degree in “General Management,” however our flexible curriculum offers you the opportunity to specialize in different areas during your MBA. Popular specializations include “entrepreneurship,” “finance,” and “Japanese/Asian management and globalization.”

    You can see the courses offered in our curriculum map: https://www.globis.ac.jp/curriculum/

  • Do I need to study business beforehand?

    There is no need to study business before joining our MBA program. GLOBIS offers basic (elective) courses for those who are new to topics such as accounting and marketing, and welcomes students from various industries and backgrounds.

  • Is this degree officially recognized?

    Yes. GLOBIS is officially recognized as a university by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and is accredited by the Japan University Accreditation Association.

  • Is GLOBIS University internationally accredited?

    GLOBIS develops “Visionary Leaders who create and innovate societies.” GLOBIS’s approach of constantly innovating business education has received much support both in Japan and around the world. In just 10 years since its establishment, GLOBIS University has grown to become the largest business school in Japan, currently welcoming over 1,000 enrolled students per year. We are the only business school in the world which offers a Full-time, Part-time and Online MBA in both English and in Japanese across multiple campuses. We launched “Technovate” courses, which aim to equip business leaders with the tools to leverage the latest technology in business. Further, we are providing GLOBIS Unlimited, a subscription model for management education. We are also working on education using AI.

    In order to remain unique and to provide the best and most innovative business education possible, we do not seek international accreditation at this time. We feel that the accreditation by Ministry of Education in Japan is more than sufficient in ensuring the credibility our MBA. Not adhering to other external bodies’ guidelines also means that we can provide a more flexible learning schedule and environment to our students.

  • Can I take the program entirely on weekends?
    It is possible to complete the courses by taking classes only on weekends. However, it is likely that you will need to extend the program.
  • What if I miss a class?
    If you miss a class, you can take a substitute class in the same term if it is offered, or a later term. For online courses, you can watch a recording of the class you missed. Although it is of course not ideal to miss classes, it is generally not a big problem if a student cannot make it to every class.
  • What are the differences with the Full-time program?

    The Full-time program is a one-year program, and is designed for those who want to take one year off work and focus on their studies. In general, students in the Full-time program are a little younger.

    Both programs are highly international, but due to the nature of the study, the Part-time & Online program consists of more students who are already living and working in Japan.

  • What if I have a long-term business trip during the program?
    You can continue studying online if you are not able to come to campus.
  • Are classes online or on campus?

    Students have the option of taking courses both online and on-campus, in line with their needs.

  • Can I take courses in Japanese?
    Yes, you can earn up to one third of your credits (about eight courses) from the Japanese MBA program. You will need to be fluent in Japanese in order to take courses from the Japanese MBA program.
  • When are classes held?

    As the program is designed for working professionals, classes are held on weekday evenings and weekends JST (Japan Standard Time).

  • How long is the program?

    The program takes two years, with the option to extend to a maximum five years. Please note extending the program will incur an additional fee (see: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/part-time-online-mba-fees-and-financing/).

    Additionally, please note that completing the program within two years requires students to take courses on weekends and weekdays. If you have schedule limitations, we cannot guarantee you will be able to take your preferred courses in the preferred order.

    Due to the flexible format, students can earn the required credits to graduate earlier by taking on a heavier workload and/or taking courses in advance through the Pre-MBA (https://www.globis.ac.jp/programs/pre-mba/).

  • When does the program start?

    The program starts in October each year. Students can start taking courses earlier through the Pre-MBA, either online or on-campus (https://www.globis.ac.jp/programs/pre-mba/).

  • What is the typical workload like?

    The program is designed to fit the schedule of busy working professionals. That said, students should prepare to dedicate a significant portion of their time to studies. A typical study schedule would include 8-15 hours of study time per week, outside of classes.

    Students can control their schedule by adjusting the number of courses each term. Taking courses in advance through the Pre-MBA can also greatly reduce the study burden (https://www.globis.ac.jp/programs/pre-mba/).

  • How are classes conducted at GLOBIS?

    All GLOBIS classes are highly energetic and interactive. A typical class consists of a case study to be analyzed as preparation, followed by groupwork, student presentations, and discussions in class.

    Rather than “lecture,” GLOBIS lecturers focus on leading students to find their own solutions and deepen their understanding of a given learning point.

  • How many students are in a class?
    A typical GLOBIS class has 20-30 students. The small size allows for increased interaction among students and with the lecturer.
  • Who should join this program?

    This program is designed for those who want to upgrade their business skills and network with minimal disruption to work and other commitments. You can see a profile of our current students here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/students/

    Whether you’re looking to move up in your current company, expand your career opportunities, or just find a clearer direction in life, this program will help you achieve your goals as easily as possible.

  • Do I need to speak Japanese to join?

    No. The program is conducted entirely in English.

  • Can I get a visa to study in this program?
    No. GLOBIS can sponsor a student visa only for students who enroll in the Full-time MBA program.

Admission

  • When is the application deadline?

    You can see all application deadline dates here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/how-to-apply-to-mba/

    Applicants should apply as early as possible to increase their chances of acceptance.

  • How often is the intake?

    There is one intake per year, in October. You can start taking MBA courses earlier through the Pre-MBA: https://www.globis.ac.jp/programs/pre-mba/

  • How long does it take to prepare an application?

    In order to gather all the documents in time, we recommend starting the application at least one month before the deadline. Generally, applicants who start their application earlier are able to submit a stronger application.

    Applicants who need to take an English test or GMAT should register for the test well in advance of the deadline and be aware of the time required to receive the test result.

  • What documents do I need to submit?

    Application documents include essays, a letter of recommendation, university transcripts and an English test score. You can see a full list of the required documents here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/how-to-apply-to-mba/

  • What GMAT score is required?
    If you have a bachelor’s degree and two years of work experience, a GMAT score is optional.
  • What English test score is required?

    There is no defined minimum English test score as applicants’ English ability is evaluated throughout the essays and interview as well as the English test.

    That said, a score of TOEIC 850, TOEFL IBT 100, IELTS 6.5, Cambridge CPE or Cambridge CAE would be preferable.

    Native speakers and those who completed a degree conducted entirely in English are not required to submit an English test score.

  • What are the requirements to join this program?

    Applicants should be at least 22 years of age, have a bachelor’s degree, and have at least two years of full-time work experience (at the time the program starts). If you do not have a bachelor’s degree or enough work experience, you can still apply but will need to take a Preliminary Screening (https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/how-to-apply-to-mba/).

  • How do I apply?

    The application is completed entirely online, through our Online Admission Portal. You can start your application by creating an account here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/how-to-apply-to-mba/

Fees & Financing

  • How much is tuition?

    Tuition is JPY 2,998,000, payable in installments throughout the program. There is also an enrollment fee of JPY 80,000 due before the program starts (enrollment fee paid for the Pre-MBA will be deducted from JPY 80,000).

  • What scholarships are available?

    GLOBIS offers scholarships which can cover up to 50% of the tuition. You can see details regarding the scholarship criteria and application procedure here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/part-time-online-mba-fees-and-financing/part-time-online-mba-scholarships-and-loans/

  • How many students get a GLOBIS scholarship?

    The number of scholarships awarded is not disclosed. Your chances will greatly depend on the quality of your application, your profile and the competition at the time of your application.

    To raise your chances of landing a scholarship, we highly recommend applying as early as possible, spending sufficient time working on your application, and especially the scholarship essay. Your academic achievements of the past, or recent GMAT/GRE scores can also play a significant role in helping you stand out.

  • What other financing options are available?

    For those who have been living and working in Japan, you may also be able to apply for Education and Training Benefits from the Japanese government. This can provide up to 960,000 JPY towards your tuition expenses. You can see details here: https://www.globis.ac.jp/admission-fees/part-time-online-mba-fees-and-financing/part-time-online-mba-education-and-training-benefits-system/

    It is also possible to apply for a loan. Financial institutions tied to GLOBIS University offer educational loans (with favorable interest rates). Please note that you are required to speak and read Japanese in order to understand the contract. If you are coming from outside of Japan, it is generally more feasible to get a loan from within your home country.

  • How is the payment made?
    Tuition is paid in four installments, six months apart. Each payment is one quarter of the tuition, minus any Pre-MBA course tuition and GLOBIS scholarships.
  • Are there any other fees aside from tuition?
    There are no required fees beside the enrollment fee and tuition. Participation in extracurricular activities, trips, and purchase of extra textbooks (not required for most classes) and materials is not covered by the tuition.