Program background

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.

Program structure

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. This is a great opportunity for those who would like to pursue their postgraduate studies in Asia.

This scholarship program to study in Japan has been designed to help diligent and talented students with limited financial resources, especially foreign students from emerging countries, who are ready to devote themselves to the expected research and related studies for the coming three years, to finally accomplish their academic goal.

Program Details

Field	Details
Host Institutions	Kochi University of Technology in Japan.
Area	Available projects on the SSP Research Project List.
Number of awards	Numerous available positions.
Duration	3 years.
Target group	Open to international students.

Special Scholarship Program Benefits

Benefit	Details
Exemption from fees	Exemption from the 30,000 yen entrance examination fee, 300,000 yen enrollment fee and 535,800 yen/year tuition fee
Living expenses	To support living expenses, 150,000 yen/month is paid as salary for research project work.
Travel & initial costs	150,000 yen is provided for travel and initial living costs (given only to international applicants who are living outside Japan).
English & writing classes	English technical writing and research writing class will be given to first and second-year doctoral students by a native English professor.
Japanese language classes	Japanese language classes will be provided for daily conversation and grammar.
Tutors	Tutors assist new international students with academic and daily life matters.
Cultural activities	Many types of Japanese cultural activities will be offered seasonally.
Accommodation assistance	International students can receive assistance in finding single accommodation.

Special Scholarship Program Eligibility

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

• have permission from the leader of the applicant’s preferred SSP project to apply for that project
• hold a degree from an accredited institution comparable to the Master’s degree offered at KUT after 18 years of education, or to be scheduled to acquire such a degree before the KUT enrollment date
• be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment
• 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 work on the research project
• have high English proficiency. A minimum score of TOEFL iBT72 (Writing 17), IELTS5.5 (Writing 5.5), CET-6 or WSK(PETS-5). Applicants may not be required to submit English test score if they meet certain conditions.

How to Apply

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

1. Choose one research project from the SSP Research Project List. The list also contains the name of the potential supervisor for Prospective Applicants.
2. Send a completed Pre-Application Request to the leader of your preferred project by e-mail and obtain the leader’s permission to apply for that SSP project. The project leader’s email address is provided in the project’s description.
3. When you obtain the permission of the project leader, complete all required documents and submit them to KUT by post. Documents must reach KUT by the deadline.

The April 2027 enrollment (first Deadline) is April 10, 2026 while the second deadline is October 16, 2026. For more details on the Special Scholarship Program at the Kochi University of Technology, please visit the university’s website.