KDU is expected to produce work-ready graduates equipped with professional knowledge and techniques. Graduates are actively working at enterprises not only in Kobe, but also in various other parts of Japan and Asian countries.

KDU offers courses to obtain various types of specialist certifications, such as: curator’s certificate (all departments), senior high school teacher certificate (Type 1) in arts and crafts in Japan (Dept. of Visual Design / Dept. of Product Design / Dept. of Manga Media / Dept. of Image Arts / Dept. of Arts & Crafts), senior high school teacher certificate (Type 1) in engineering in Japan (Dept. of Fashion & Textile Design / Dept. of Environmental Design), and junior high school teacher certificate (Type 1) in arts (Dept. of Visual Design / Dept. of Product Design / Dept. of Manga Media / Dept. of Image Arts / Dept. of Arts & Crafts). KDU students can also gain eligibility by taking examinations to obtain the certificate for 1st or 2nd Class Qualified Architect/Building Engineer (for 1st class, applicants must have work experience; Dept. of Environmental Design).

KDU financially supports excellent students’ campus lives with its own scholarship systems, along with the system of the Japan Student Services Organization and others. KDU’s own systems include the Tanioka Scholarship, the Tanioka Gakuen Kobe Design University educational corporation accommodation loan (educational loan interest benefit) system, the Kobe Design University Educational Support Scholarship, and the Kobe Design University Bunbun Scholarship.