Special Scholarship Program at Kochi University of Technology

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) was established in 2003 to support the development of advanced research at the university through the contribution of highly capable doctoral students. Through its 3-year curriculum, Kochi University of Technology (KUT) provides a comprehensive education in a multidisciplinary environment. The main objective is to bring strong doctoral students into the university’s research work.

Applicants need a supervisor before they can formally apply, and KUT allows no more than three SSP students per supervisor at once. The degree is a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering or a Doctor of Philosophy, depending on the research field, for students admitted from the 2024 academic year onward. Each student pursues a doctoral course in English while at the same time assisting his/her host professor in his/her research projects and receiving monthly payment in return for his/her contribution to the projects.

The program has produced more than 200 graduates and has drawn students from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and other regions. SSP has been designed to help diligent and talented students with limited financial resources, who are ready to devote themselves to the expected research and related studies, to finally accomplish their academic goal. Research fields include intelligent mechanical and aerospace engineering, electronic and photonic engineering, architecture and infrastructure design, engineering science, informatics, data and innovation, and economics and management.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Kochi University of Technology in Japan.
• Program of study: Doctoral program (3 years), Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering.
• Number of awards: Not specified.
• Language: English.
• Entry: April and October.
• Number of students: No more than 3 SSP students can be enrolled concurrently for each supervisor.
• Duration: 3 years.
• Target group: International applicants who meet the eligibility conditions below.

Special Scholarship Program Benefits

The Special Scholarship Program will offer selected candidates the following benefits:

1. Exemption from the 15,000 yen entrance examination fee, 300,000 yen enrollment fee, and 535,800 yen/year tuition fee for three years.
2. To support living expenses, 150,000 yen/month is paid as a scholarship for three years.
3. 150,000 yen is provided for travel and initial living costs (given only to international applicants who are living outside Japan).
4. English research writing class will be given to first- and second-year doctoral students by a native English professor.
5. Japanese language classes will be provided for daily conversation and grammar.
6. Tutors assist new international students with academic and daily life matters.
7. Many types of Japanese cultural activities will be offered seasonally.
8. International students can receive assistance in finding single accommodation.

Fields of Research

• Intelligent Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Kami Campus)
• Electronic and Photonic Engineering (Kami Campus)
• Architecture and Infrastructure Design (Kami Campus)
• Engineering Science (Kami Campus)
• Informatics (Kami Campus)
• Data and Innovation (Eikokuji Campus)
• Economics and Management (Eikokuji Campus)

Special Scholarship Program Eligibility

Applicants who would like to apply for this scholarship program to study in Japan must:

• have permission from the applicant’s preferred SSP supervisor to apply
• 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
• be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment, in principle
• have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities
• have the intention, adequate knowledge, and research skill to study in the research field
• have high English proficiency: a minimum score of TOEFL iBT72 (Writing 17), IELTS 5.5 (Writing 5.5), CET-6 or WSK(PETS-5). Applicants may not be required to submit an English test score if they meet certain conditions.

Completion Requirements

To complete the doctoral program, candidates must meet the following conditions:

• Three-year enrollment: Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program at KUT for at least three years.
• Course credits: Candidates must earn 10 or more doctoral course credits.
• Preliminary examination and final defense: Candidates must successfully complete the final public defense, which can only be taken after passing a preliminary examination held at least one year prior.
• Research publication: Candidates 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.

As an SSP student, you are also expected to stay motivated to publish multiple papers in high-level peer-reviewed journals before completion of the program.

How to Apply for the Special Scholarship Program

Interested applicants who would like to apply for this university scholarship program need to follow the steps below:

1. Choose a maximum of two supervisors from the SSP supervisor list.
2. Send a complete Online Pre-Application Request to your preferred supervisors via the KUT Online Pre-Application Request Form and obtain permission to apply for the SSP program. Applicants are not allowed to make a pre-application request to more than two supervisors in a given entry period. Your pre-application is considered rejected if your preferred supervisor does not reply within two weeks from the submission of the Online Pre-Application Request Form. Applicants are encouraged to send a pre-application request at least 8 weeks prior to the formal application deadline.
3. When your preferred supervisor contacts you, respond promptly. You can formally apply only if the supervisor agrees to proceed. Once you have permission, choose only one preferred supervisor, complete all required documents, and submit them to KUT by post. The documents must reach KUT by the deadline.

The system for pre-application is unavailable from 18:00 to 20:00 JST on the first Wednesday of every month for maintenance. If the first Wednesday falls on a Japanese national holiday, maintenance is conducted on the Wednesday of the preceding week.

Admission decisions follow screening of the submitted documents, an interview, and an exam in the specialized subject. KUT may reject applicants before the interview and exam. The interview and exam may be conducted via Webex or another communication tool. Please prepare a photo ID, such as your passport or an official government-issued ID card with your photograph, and have it ready at the beginning of the interview.

The October 2027 enrollment second deadline is shown below. Screening runs between April and May, with interviews and specialized subject exams conducted individually. Notification of the admission decision is expected in mid-June 2027, and the registration deadline is July 9, 2027. See the List of Required SSP Application Documents for the paperwork.

All inquiries and application documents must be addressed to the International Relations Section of the Kochi University of Technology.

Kochi University of Technology has established security export control regulations under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. Depending on your circumstances, there may be restrictions on your desired research activities, or you may be unable to receive education at KUT. Check with your prospective academic advisor before submitting your application. International students conducting educational and research activities at the university will be required to sign a pledge at the time of admission.

The October 2027 enrollment second deadline is April 9, 2027. For more details on the Special Scholarship Program at the Kochi University of Technology, please visit the university’s website.