Outline for Prospective Students

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Last updated: March 19, 2024

Special Scholarship Program (SSP)
3-year doctoral program

Program Description 1: Project-based

Program Description 2: English-medium instruction

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 to work in specific research projects. 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 program is for those who have strong intention to engage in his/her research projects 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

Medium of study: English

Number of students to be admitted: No more than 3 SSP students can be enrolled concurrently for each project leader. See the SSP project list for details of which projects currently have places available for 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 Projects
  • Environmental Systems Engineering (Kami Campus)
  • Intelligent Mechanical Systems Engineering (Kami Campus)
  • Electronic and Photonic Systems Engineering (Kami Campus)
  • Information Systems Engineering (Kami Campus)
  • Infrastructure Systems Engineering (Kami Campus)
  • Economics and Management (Eikokuji Campus)

SSP Research Project List is here

Completion Requirements
  • 3 years' enrollment in a doctoral program at KUT
  • 10 or more doctoral course credits earned
  • Successful completion of the doctoral dissertation defense after receiving a preliminary assessment more than one year in advance of the defense.
  • Two or more papers in high level peer-reviewed journals, published at least two months before completion of the program; this is the basic requirement for holding a dissertation defense.

Curriculum and Standard Schedule for Completion

YearSemesterResearch workCourse work ( )... Number of credits
SeminarsEnglish writing coursesCourses to acquire
cutting-edge knowledge
of various
academic fields
1st1st
  • Decide research theme
  • Submit research project work plan

  • Submit research report
Advanced seminar I (2) Technical writing II (2) Interdisciplinary
engineering A (2)
2nd
  • Mid-term evaluation and interview
  • Submit research project work plan

  • Submit research report
Advanced seminar II (2)

Research writing (2)

OR

Research writing for Management (2)

Interdisciplinary
engineering B (2)
2nd1st
  • Mid-term evaluation and interview

  • Submit research report
Interdisciplinary
engineering C (2)
2nd
  • Submit research project work plan

  • Submit research report
  • Publication of at least 1 reviewed paper
  • Preliminary assessment of doctoral dissertation
Interdisciplinary
engineering D (2)
3rd1st

  • Submit research report

4 credits

At least 6 credits

2nd
  • Submit research project work plan

  • Publication of at least 2 reviewed papers
  • Dissertation defense

横スワイプで表の続きをご覧いただけます。

Program Description 3: 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
  2. To support living expenses, 150,000 yen/month is paid as salary for research project work.
    *You must pay some amount of taxes from this salary. See the details below.
  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 technical writing and research writing class will be given to 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 and the Takasone Dormitory C are multi-cultural accommodations 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.

for Kami students


International House (Kami Campus)


for Eikokuji students


Takasone Dormitory C (Eikokuji Campus)

Renting a room individually


Renting a room individually

Examples of monthly living expenses

for Kami students

Room fee (Shared kitchen) 27,500 yen
Electricity fee 2,500 yen
Food* 40,000 yen
Income tax** 2,000 yen
Resident tax** 4,000 yen
National Health Insurance tax ** 5,000 yen
Other 34,000 yen
Total Approx. 115,000 yen

NOTE
Entrance fee (30,000 yen) and common service fee (15,000 yen / half year) for International House are separately required.
*Cost for one meal is about 500 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 30,000 yen
Utility fees (heat, light and water) 10,000 yen
Food* 45,000 yen
Income tax** 2,000 yen
Resident tax** 4,000 yen
National Health Insurance tax ** 5,000 yen
Other 34,000 yen
Total Approx. 130,000 yen

NOTE
Entrance fee (30,000 yen) and common service fee (30,000 yen / year) for the Takasone Dormitory C are separately required.
*Cost for one meal is about 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 4: No visit to Japan required before beginning studies

Application and Admission Schedule

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Requirements and Eligibility for Admission

Applicants are required to meet all of the following conditions:

  1. To have permission from the leader of the applicant's preferred SSP project to apply for that project
  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 work in the research project
  6. To have high English proficieny

SSP Application Guideline