Kochi University Special Scholarship Program

Do you dream of doing a PhD in another country but worry about the huge cost? Here's some good news. Kochi University of Technology (KUT) in Japan runs a scholarship called the Special Scholarship Program (SSP), and it pays for almost everything — your tuition, your entrance fee, and even gives you a monthly salary to live on.

This guide explains the whole program in simple words, so even if you're just starting to research scholarships, you'll understand exactly what it is, who can apply, and how to apply — step by step.

💡Important note: This program is offered by Kochi University of Technology (KUT), a specialized engineering-focused university in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. It's a different institution from "Kochi University," a separate national university in the same region. This article is about KUT's SSP program specifically.

What Is the Kochi University Special Scholarship Program?

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is a fully funded doctoral (PhD) scholarship run by Kochi University of Technology. It's designed to bring talented students from all over the world to do serious, hands-on research at KUT.

Here's what makes it different from a normal PhD:

1. You get matched with a professor first. Before you even apply formally, you need a KUT professor to agree to supervise you. This is the single most important part of the whole process.
2. The entire course is in English. You don't need to know Japanese to study here, though the university does offer free Japanese classes if you want to learn.
3. It's only for a 3-year doctoral program — specifically in the Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering. This is not for Bachelor's or Master's students.
4. A maximum of 3 SSP students can be enrolled under any one professor at a time, which keeps the mentorship close and personal.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

This scholarship has clear rules. According to the Official KUT eligibility guidelines, you must meet all of the following:

1. Get permission from a supervisor first. You cannot apply without a KUT professor agreeing to guide you.

2. Hold (or be about to complete) a Master's degree — or an equivalent degree earned after 18 years of total education.

3. Be 35 years old or younger at the time you join KUT (in principle).

4. Have a strong academic record, with good grades in both your Bachelor's and Master's degrees from recognized universities.

5. Show genuine research interest and skill in the field you want to study.

6. Prove your English ability with one of these minimum scores:

1. TOEFL iBT: 72 overall (Writing section: 17)
2. IELTS (Academic): 5.5 overall (Writing section: 5.5)
3. CET-6 or WSK/PETS-5 (for Chinese applicants)

Can You Skip the English Test?

Yes, but only in two situations:

1. You completed high school education (equivalent to Japanese high school) in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand, where classes were taught in English.
2. You completed your entire Master's degree in English and wrote your Master's thesis in English. You'll need an official certificate from your university confirming this.

What Do You Get? (Scholarship Benefits)

This is a genuinely "fully funded" scholarship. Here's exactly what's covered:

1. No entrance exam fee — normally 15,000 JPY, fully waived.
2. No enrollment fee — normally 300,000 JPY, fully waived.
3. No tuition fee — 535,800 JPY per year, waived for all 3 years.
4. Monthly scholarship of 150,000 JPY — paid to you every month for 3 years to cover your living costs (rent, food, daily expenses). Kochi is much cheaper to live in than Tokyo, so this amount goes a long way.
5. One-time relocation grant of 150,000 JPY — given only to international applicants living outside Japan who arrive on a "Student" visa, to help with flight and initial settling-in costs.
6. Help finding housing — KUT assists successful applicants (living alone) in finding a place at the International House on Kami Campus or Takasone Dormitory C on Eikokuji Campus, subject to availability.

A few costs you should still budget for:

1. Around 33,000 JPY as a compulsory insurance premium for new international doctoral students.
2. 10,000 JPY as an alumni association membership fee.
3. If you want to bring family members to Japan, you'll need to arrange and pay for your own private housing — the dormitories are for single students only.

Quick Overview: Kochi University SSP at a Glance

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose Your Supervisor

Browse the official SSP Supervisor List and pick up to two professors whose research area matches your interests and background.

Step 2: Submit the Online Pre-Application

Fill out the KUT Online Pre-Application Form for your chosen supervisor(s). This is a screening step — it tells the professor about your academic background and research plan.

1. If your supervisor doesn't reply within 2 weeks, your pre-application is considered rejected.
2. When a supervisor does contact you, reply promptly — this step matters a lot.

Step 3: Get Supervisor Approval

Once a supervisor agrees to accept you, you can move forward. If both of your chosen supervisors say yes, you still need to pick just one for your formal application.

Step 4: Mail Your Formal Application

KUT does not accept application documents by email — everything must go by post. Print, sign, and mail your full document package so it arrives before the deadline.

Mailing address: International Relations Section, Kochi University of Technology Tosayamada, Kami City, Kochi 782-8502, JAPAN Tel: +81-887-53-1130 Email: international@ml.kochi-tech.ac.jp

Step 5: Interview and Subject Exam

If your documents pass screening, you'll be invited to an online interview and a subject-specific exam (usually conducted via Webex by your supervisor). Keep a photo ID, like your passport, ready to show at the start of the interview.

Step 6: Get Your Result and Register

If you're successful, you'll receive your admission decision by mid-December (or mid-June, depending on your intake), and you'll need to complete registration by the given deadline.

Documents You'll Need

According to the official required documents list, here's what to prepare for your formal, posted application:

1. Proof that your supervisor gave you permission to apply (e.g., a printed email)
2. Your signed pre-application form (the PDF you receive after Step 2, printed and signed)
3. Original Bachelor's degree transcript, with a fresh university stamp or notarization
4. Original Master's degree transcript (or a provisional one if you're still studying)
5. Original Master's degree certificate (or expected graduation certificate using KUT's official form)
6. A copy of your Master's thesis in English (or an English abstract if it was written in another language)
7. A one-page research outline in English, describing your plans for each of the three years
8. Two signed recommendation letters on KUT's official form — one must be from your Master's thesis supervisor
9. An original health certificate, issued within the last 6 months, on KUT's official form
10. Your English test score certificate (or waiver documents, if applicable)

Optional but recommended: class rank certificate, copies of any published research papers, and a copy of your passport.

Life After Graduation: What Are the Requirements to Complete the PhD?

To finish your doctorate at KUT, you need to:

1. Stay enrolled for at least 3 years
2. Earn 10 or more doctoral course credits
3. Pass a preliminary examination at least one year before your final defense
4. Successfully complete your final dissertation defense
5. Publish at least one paper in a high-level, peer-reviewed academic journal by the time of your final defense

Final Thoughts

The Kochi University of Technology Special Scholarship Program is one of the most generous, genuinely fully funded PhD opportunities available to international students today. If you're a Master's graduate (or about to become one), have solid grades, and are excited about hands-on engineering research, this scholarship could completely change your academic journey — without the financial stress.

The most important first step? Start browsing the supervisor list early and reach out well before the deadline. Since supervisor approval is mandatory and can take time, the earlier you start, the better your chances.

🎓 Getting In Is Just Step One — Life in Japan Is Step Two

Good news: KUT Special Scholarship Program doesn't require Japanese to get in — the entire PhD is taught in English. But once you land in Kochi, daily life (grocery shopping, making friends, navigating the city, even chatting with your lab mates outside research) gets a lot easier with even basic Japanese.

At Yoisho Academy, we teach Japanese for every level — from absolute beginner to advanced — so you can walk into your new life in Japan with confidence, not just survive it.

👉 Start learning Japanese with Yoisho Academy

Ganbatte! (Good luck!)

FAQs

Q1. Can I send my application directly to KUT without doing the online pre-application first?

No. This is a strict rule. You must get a supervisor's written permission through the online pre-application process before KUT will even look at a formal, posted application.

Q2. Is the monthly 150,000 JPY stipend tax-free?

The stipend is paid as a scholarship to support your living costs. You'll also need to budget separately for the compulsory insurance premium (around 33,000 JPY) required of new international doctoral students.

Q3. Can I bring my family to Japan while I study?

The university's dormitories (International House and Takasone Dormitory C) are for single students only. If you want to bring family, you'll need to independently rent and pay for your own apartment.

Q4. What if my Master's program didn't have graded coursework, only research?

That's fine — you can submit a certificate from your university confirming that your program was research-based instead of a graded transcript.

Q5. Do I need to know Japanese to apply?

No. The entire SSP program is taught in English. However, KUT does offer optional Japanese language classes to help you settle into daily life in Japan.

Q6. How many supervisors can I contact at once?

You can send a pre-application request to a maximum of two supervisors during one application period.