Last updated: September 13, 2024

Special Scholarship Program (SSP)
3-year doctoral program

Program Description 1: Research-focused degree program conducted in English

Outline

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) was established in 2003 in order to support the development of advanced research at the university through the contribution of highly capable doctoral students. Through the 3-year curriculum, Kochi University of Technology (KUT) provides comprehensive education in the multidisciplinary environment. Every year, KUT enrolls approximately 15 selected doctoral students. This program is for those who have strong intention to engage in his/her research for the whole three years acquiring profound knowledge and skill and ability to become a full-fledged researcher, and aspire to satisfy the degree requirements accordingly.

Entry: April and October

Language: English

Number of students to be admitted: No more than 3 SSP students can be enrolled concurrently for each superivisor. See the SSP supervisor list for information on professors available to host SSP students.

Program of study: Doctoral program (3 years), Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering

Degree to be admitted from the academic year 2024 and beyond: Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering or Doctor of Philosophy depending on the research field

Origin of SSP international students admitted

Special Scholarship Program enrolls students from various regions around the world,
including East Asia, Southeast/South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America,
Africa and others. The program has produced over 200 graduates.

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 (Kami/Eikokuji Campus)
• Economics and Management (Eikokuji Campus)

SSP Supervisor List is here

Completion Requirements

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

a. Three-Year Enrollment: Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral program at KUT for at least three years.
b. Course Credits: Candidates must earn 10 or more doctoral course credits.
c. 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.
d. 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 a SSP student, in addition to the above requirements, you are expected to stay motivated to publish multiple papers in high-level peer-reviewed journals before completion of the program.

Curriculum and Standard Schedule for Completion

横スワイプで表の続きをご覧いただけます。

Program Description 2: Tuition waiver and full financial assistance

Benefits for Successful Applicants

1. Exemption from 30,000 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 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).

Support Systems

• English research writing class will be given to the first and second year doctoral students by a native English professor.
• Japanese language class will be provided for daily conversation and grammar.
• Tutors assist new international students with academic and daily life matters.
• Many types of Japanese cultural activities will be offered seasonally.
• International students can receive assistance in finding single accommodation.

Accommodation

KUT International House in Kami campus is a multi-cultural accommodation for KUT students. International students can enjoy this living-learning environment to develop a better understanding of Japanese culture through daily life with Japanese students if there is vacancy. International students at Eikokuji campus can stay the Takasone Dormitory, which is located near the Eikokuji campus.

for Kami students

・International House (Kami Campus)


for Eikokuji students

・Takasone Dormitory C (Eikokuji Campus)

Renting a room individually

Examples of monthly living expenses

for Kami students

Room fee	30,000~32,500 yen
Electricity fee	2,750 yen
Food*	60,000 yen
National Health Insurance tax **	2,000 yen
Other	28,000 yen
Total Approx.	Approx.125,000 yen

1JPY = 0.007USD　(as of September 2024)

NOTE

Entrance fee (30,000 yen) for International House is separately required.
*Cost for one meal is about 600~700 yen.
**Tax amount fluctuates from year to year. (It depends on your annual income in the previous year in Japan.) The above is just an average.

for Eikokuji students

Room fee	32,500 yen
Utility fees (heat, light and water)	11,000 yen
Food*	60,000 yen
National Health Insurance tax **	2,000 yen
Other	34,000 yen
Total Approx.	Approx.140,000 yen

1JPY = 0.007USD (as of September 2024)

NOTE

Entrance fee (30,000 yen) for the Takasone Dormitory C is separately required.
*Cost for one meal is about 600~700 yen.
**Tax amount fluctuates from year to year. (It depends on your annual income in the previous year in Japan.) The above is just an average.

Program Description 3: No visit to Japan required before beginning studies

Application and Admission Schedule

Requirements and Eligibility for Admission

Applicants are required to meet all of the following conditions:

1. To have permission from the applicant's preferred supervisor to apply
2. To 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
3. To be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment
4. To have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor's and master's degrees from reputable universities
5. To have the intention, adequate knowledge and research skill to study in the research field
6. To have high English proficieny
   
   
   

SSP Application Guideline

SSP Supervisor List

Online Pre-Application

Dissertation of Graduated SSP Students

Students Voice

List of International Conferences SSP students joined

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Admission

• Special Scholarship Program(Doctral Program, SSP)
  • Outline for Prospective Applicants
  • SSP Application Guidelines for Prospective Applicants
  • SSP Supervisor List for Prospective Applicants
  • List of Required SSP Application Documents for Prospective Applicants
  • Requirements when submitting electronically authenticated documents
  • Dissertations of Graduated SSP Students
  • Students Voice
  • List of International Conferences SSP students joined
• Special Scholarship Program(Doctral Program, SSP)(2019~April2024)
  • Outline for Prospective Students
  • SSP Application Guidelines for Prospective Students
  • List of Required SSP Application Documents for Prospective Students
  • SSP/CSC-KUT Research Project List for Prospective Students
• CSC-KUT Scholarship Program (Doctoral Program)
  • Outline
  • CSC-KUT Scholarship Program Application Guidelines (Full-time PhD Students)
  • CSC-KUT Research Project List
  • List of Required Application Documents for CSC-KUT Full-time PhD Student
  • CSC-KUT Scholarship Program Application Guidelines (Co-supervised Doctoral Study Student)　
  • CSC-KUT Co-supervisor List
  • List of Required Application Documents for CSC-KUT Co-supervised Doctoral Study Student
• Other Postgraduate Programs
  • Ordinary Program Application Guidelines for Prospective Students
  • List of Required Ordinary Program Application Documents for Prospective Students
• Other Postgraduate Programs(~April 2019)
• Non-degree Program
  • Short-term Exchange Program
  • List of the laboratories for special research students from partner universities
  • Short-term Research Support Program for International Graduate Students from Partner Universities
  • YOSAKOI Summer School (International Summer Program)