Kochi University of Technology Scholarship in Japan: PhD

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is a 3-year doctoral program at Kochi University of Technology intended to support the development of advanced research at the university through highly capable doctoral students. It provides a research-focused degree program conducted in English, within a multidisciplinary environment.

SSP is for applicants who intend to engage in their research throughout the full three years, acquire knowledge and skills to become a researcher, and aim to satisfy degree requirements. The program enrolls approximately 15 selected doctoral students each year and offers research fields across multiple engineering and management areas, including international student recruitment from East Asia, Southeast/South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and others.

To apply, applicants must obtain permission from their preferred supervisor. Admission eligibility includes having a degree from an accredited institution comparable to the master’s degree (or being scheduled to acquire it before enrollment), being 35 years old or under at enrollment, having an excellent academic record, strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities, an intention and adequate knowledge and research skill for the research field, and high English proficiency. The maximum enrollment is limited to no more than three SSP students concurrently for each supervisor.

Support lasts for three years and includes fee exemptions and tuition coverage, plus a monthly scholarship for living expenses. The program also provides an English research writing class in the first and second year and Japanese language classes for daily conversation and grammar, with tutor support for academic and daily life matters. After completion, candidates must meet completion requirements including enrollment for at least three years, earning doctoral course credits, passing examinations and defenses, and publishing academic work before the final defense.

• Must have permission from the applicant's preferred supervisor to apply
• Must hold a degree from an accredited institution comparable to the master's degree offered at KUT after 18 years of education, or be scheduled to acquire such a degree before the KUT enrollment date
• Must be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment
• Must have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor's and master's degrees from reputable universities
• Must have the intention, adequate knowledge and research skill to study in the research field
• Must have high English proficieny
• Must be enrolled in a doctoral program at KUT for at least three years to complete the doctoral program
• Must earn 10 or more doctoral course credits to complete the doctoral program
• Must successfully complete the final public defense, which can only be taken after passing a preliminary examination held at least one year prior, to complete the doctoral program
• Must have at least one academic paper published in a high-level peer-reviewed journal by the final defense (in special circumstances, significant research achievements may be considered in place of a journal publication) to complete the doctoral program

• Exemption from 15,000 yen entrance examination fee
• Exemption from 300,000 yen enrollment fee
• Exemption from 535,800 yen/year tuition fee for three years
• Scholarship of 150,000 yen/month for three years to support living expenses
• 150,000 yen provided for travel and initial living costs (given only to international applicants who are living outside Japan)
• English research writing class for the first and second year doctoral students by a native English professor
• Japanese language class for daily conversation and grammar
• Tutors assist new international students with academic and daily life matters
• Many types of Japanese cultural activities offered seasonally
• Assistance in finding single accommodation

1. Obtain permission from your preferred supervisor to apply
2. Submit an SSP application using the SSP application documents for prospective applicants (the guideline refers to online pre-application and required documents, including requirements when submitting electronically authenticated documents)

• Dissertation of Graduated SSP Students
• Requirements when submitting electronically authenticated documents
• List of Required SSP Application Documents for Prospective Applicants