Kochi University of Technology – Special Scholarship Program (SSP)

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is a fully funded 3‑year PhD program in Engineering, taught entirely in English at Kochi University of Technology (KUT), Japan.

📌 Key Benefits

• Full waiver of entrance, enrollment, and tuition fees

• Monthly stipend of ¥150,000 for living expenses (in exchange for research assistance)

• One‑time relocation allowance of ¥150,000 for students coming from overseas

• Access to advanced research under world‑class supervisors

📌 Eligibility

• Must be 35 years old or younger at enrollment

• Hold (or expect to hold) a Master’s degree or equivalent

• Excellent academic background & strong English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 72 / IELTS 5.5 / CEFR B2 or above)

• Must secure approval from a KUT professor (supervisor) before applying

📌 Program Requirements

• Conduct research under a designated project for 50 hours per month

• Submit semester reports and progress evaluations

• Publish at least two peer‑reviewed research papers before graduation

📌 Application Process

1. Choose up to two potential supervisors from the official SSP Supervisor list

2. Submit a pre‑application request online (at least 8 weeks before the deadline)

3. If approved, send formal application documents by post

4. Attend an interview/exam (can be online)

5. Final results released before the start of each semester

📌 Deadlines

• Two intakes per year: April and October

• Example: April 11, 2025 deadline for October 2025 enrollment