The Kochi University of Technology (KUT) Special Scholarship Program (SSP) 2027 is a fully funded doctoral scholarship opportunity in Japan for international students who want to pursue a three-year PhD in an English-taught research environment. Established in 2003, the SSP is designed to support advanced research at KUT by admitting highly capable doctoral students to its Graduate School of Engineering.
The KUT SSP provides full exemption from the entrance examination fee, enrollment fee, and tuition fees, along with a monthly scholarship of 150,000 yen for three years. International applicants living outside Japan who meet the applicable conditions can also receive 150,000 yen for travel and initial living costs.
The doctoral programme is conducted entirely in English and has April and October entry periods. Applicants must first obtain permission from a preferred SSP supervisor before submitting a formal application. Candidates can initially approach up to two supervisors but must select only one supervisor for the formal application.
Degree Level
The Kochi University of Technology SSP is available for:
- PhD
- Doctoral degree
- Doctoral research programme
The programme lasts three years and is offered through the Engineering Course of the Graduate School of Engineering. Depending on the research field, graduates receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering or a Doctor of Philosophy.
Available Subjects
The KUT Special Scholarship Program covers a range of research areas within engineering and related disciplines.
Current SSP research fields include:
- Intelligent Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Electronic and Photonic Engineering
- Architecture and Infrastructure Design
- Engineering Science
- Informatics
- Data and Innovation
- Economics and Management
The available research projects are supervised by individual KUT professors, and applicants must select a research area and supervisor that match their academic background and research interests. The supervisor list is updated by KUT, and individual projects may have specific required skills or knowledge.
Benefits
Successful KUT SSP scholars receive comprehensive financial support for their three-year doctoral programme.
The scholarship provides:
- 150,000 yen per month as a scholarship for living expenses for three years.
- Exemption from the 15,000-yen entrance examination fee.
- Exemption from the 300,000-yen enrollment fee.
- Exemption from the 535,800-yen annual tuition fee for three years.
- 150,000 yen for travel and initial living expenses for eligible international applicants living outside Japan who meet the applicable residence-status conditions.
- English research-writing classes taught by a native English professor.
- Japanese language classes covering daily conversation and grammar.
- Opportunities to participate in Japanese cultural activities.
- Support for finding single accommodation in Japan.
- Access to KUT’s research environment and academic supervision.
The tuition, enrollment, and entrance examination fee exemptions together with the monthly scholarship make the SSP a fully funded doctoral study opportunity under KUT’s stated scholarship conditions. However, students should note that some costs, such as certain insurance and alumni association fees, may remain payable.
Eligible Nationalities
- The KUT Special Scholarship Program is designed for international students from different regions around the world. KUT states that SSP students have come from East Asia, Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and other regions.
- International applicants living outside Japan may also be eligible for the additional 150,000-yen travel and initial living-cost support, provided they satisfy the conditions specified by KUT.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Obtain permission from their preferred SSP supervisor before submitting the formal application.
- Hold a degree from an accredited institution comparable to a master’s degree offered at KUT after 18 years of education, or be scheduled to obtain such a degree before enrollment.
- Be 35 years old or younger at the time of enrollment, in principle.
- Have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities.
- Have sufficient knowledge and research skills to conduct doctoral research in the selected field.
- Have a high level of English proficiency.
KUT’s current guidelines state minimum English proficiency benchmarks of TOEFL iBT 72 with Writing 17, IELTS 5.5 with Writing 5.5, CET-6, or WSK(PETS-5). Certain applicants may be exempt from submitting an English test score if they meet conditions specified by the university.
Supervisor Requirement:
- Obtaining supervisor approval is a key requirement of the KUT SSP application.
- Applicants should first review the official SSP supervisor list and identify professors whose research areas match their proposed doctoral research. They can submit an online pre-application request to a maximum of two supervisors during an entry period.
- If a supervisor agrees to proceed, the applicant must select one preferred supervisor for the formal application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the pre-application request at least eight weeks before the formal application deadline because supervisor approval is required before the formal application can be submitted.
- If a preferred supervisor does not respond within two weeks of the pre-application request, KUT states that the request is considered rejected.
Application Procedure
Applicants should follow these steps to apply for the KUT Special Scholarship Program:
Step 1: Review the Research Areas
- Check the available SSP research projects and identify an area that closely matches your academic background, research experience, and interests.
Step 2: Choose Potential Supervisors
- Review the official SSP supervisor list and select up to two potential supervisors whose research matches your intended doctoral work.
Step 3: Submit the Online Pre-Application
- Complete the KUT Online Pre-Application Request Form and submit it to your preferred supervisor or supervisors.
Step 4: Obtain Supervisor Permission
- Wait for the supervisor’s response. You can proceed with the formal SSP application only after receiving permission from a supervisor.
Step 5: Select One Supervisor
- If more than one supervisor agrees to support your application, you must select only one preferred supervisor for the formal application.
Step 6: Prepare the Application Documents
- Prepare all documents required by KUT, including academic records, proof of English proficiency where applicable, research-related documents, and other materials specified in the application guidelines.
Step 7: Submit the Formal Application
- Complete the formal application and send all required documents to Kochi University of Technology by post so that they arrive at KUT by the applicable deadline.
Step 8: Participate in Screening
- Applicants who pass the document screening may be invited for an interview and an examination in their specialized subject. These may generally be conducted online through Webex or another communication tool.
Required Documents:
Applicants should prepare the documents specified in the official SSP application guidelines. These may include:
- Completed SSP application forms
- Academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Master’s degree certificate or evidence that the degree will be completed before enrollment
- Proof of English proficiency, where required
- Curriculum vitae
- Research plan or research-related documents
- Supervisor approval or permission
- Other documents requested by KUT
Applicants should always check the current official document checklist because requirements may vary according to the applicant’s academic and personal circumstances.
Application Deadline:
- For April 2027 enrollment, the current KUT SSP application deadline is October 16, 2026
All required application documents must arrive at KUT by the stated deadline. Screening is scheduled between October and November 2026, with admission decisions expected in mid-December 2026. The registration deadline for this intake is January 15, 2027.
KUT also lists an October 2027 enrollment route with a second application deadline of April 9, 2027. Applicants using that route should check the official schedule and supervisor availability before beginning the process.
Because supervisor approval is required before the formal application, KUT recommends beginning the pre-application process at least eight weeks before the formal deadline.
Scholarship Duration:
- The KUT SSP scholarship is provided for three years, corresponding to the duration of the doctoral programme. Students are expected to conduct research at KUT under the supervision of their designated professor and submit research and study reports at the end of each semester.
- To complete the doctoral programme, students must remain enrolled for at least three years, obtain at least 10 doctoral course credits, pass the required preliminary examination and final public defense, and have at least one academic paper published in a high-level peer-reviewed journal by the final defense, subject to KUT’s stated provisions.
Accommodation and Living Support:
- KUT assists successful international students in finding suitable single accommodation. Students at the Kami Campus may stay at KUT International House if there is availability, while students at the Eikokuji Campus may stay at Takasone Dormitory C if rooms are available.
- Accommodation is not automatically guaranteed, and students are responsible for applicable accommodation and living costs. KUT’s published examples indicate monthly living expenses of approximately 125,000 yen for Kami Campus students and 140,000 yen for Eikokuji Campus students, although actual costs can vary.
Important Points:
Applicants should keep the following points in mind:
- The KUT SSP is a doctoral-only programme.
- The doctoral programme lasts three years.
- The programme is conducted in English.
- Applicants must obtain supervisor permission before submitting a formal application.
- Applicants can approach a maximum of two supervisors during an entry period.
- Only one supervisor can be selected for the formal application.
- Applicants should ideally begin the supervisor pre-application process at least eight weeks before the formal deadline.
- Applicants must generally be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment.
- A relevant master’s-level qualification or equivalent 18 years of education is required.
- English proficiency is required, subject to KUT’s specified exemptions.
- The scholarship provides 150,000 yen per month for three years.
- Entrance examination, enrollment, and tuition fees are exempted under the SSP.
- Eligible international applicants outside Japan can receive an additional 150,000 yen for travel and initial living costs.
- The formal application documents must arrive at KUT by post.
- Admission involves document screening and may include an interview and a specialized-subject examination.
- Scholarship benefits may be suspended if SSP obligations are not fulfilled.
