To earn a doctoral degree, all doctoral students must pass the following three steps:

① Preliminary examination
② Dissertation qualification for the final defense　"Dissertation qualification for the final defense"
③ Final public defense and final examination　"Dissertation qualification criteria"

1. Advanced researcher or Advanced engineer

There are two types of doctoral degree offered by KUT: Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy. In addition, students must decide which degree category to receive, Advanced researcher or Advanced engineer.
To apply for an Advanced researcher doctoral degree, you must have passed the preliminary doctoral dissertation assessment at least one year before the time when you receive the degree. To apply for an Advanced engineer doctoral degree, you must have passed the academic achievement assessment interview at least six months before the time when you receive the degree. For the details, please read Article 7 and 8 of Degree Regulations of Kochi University of Technology.　

Degree Regulations of Kochi University of Technology.pdf

Note

The applications forms for the two categories, Advanced reseacher and Advanced engineer, are different.
Students should consult with their advisors before deciding between Advanced reseacher and Advanced engineer, and Doctor of Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy. SSP students must apply for an Advanced researcher doctoral degree.

2. Education plan for research

-Education Plan for Research (Flow for qualifying for doctoral degree)-
The schedule of events from admission to public dissertation defense is as follows.
Note: The schedule will be pushed back by six months for doctoral students who enroll in October.

【April of the first year】Appointment of supervisor and preparation of an "Education Plan for Research"
The research supervisor (a faculty member selected at the time of application) will decide two co-supervisors.
The doctoral student will register for courses in line with the advice of his/her supervisor. In addition, the student will draw up a one-year research plan including research themes and goals, and obtain the approval of his/her supervisor.
The supervisor will submit the "Education Plan for Research" to the Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering.

【April of the second year】Supervisor prepares second "Education Plan for Research"
Each doctoral student will draw up a one-year research plan and obtain the approval of his/her supervisor. The supervisor will submit that "Education Plan for Research" to the Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering.

【November-December of second year】Submission of "Application for preliminary assessment of doctoral dissertation" (for advanced researchers)
The doctoral student will submit an "Application for preliminary assessment of doctoral dissertation" to International Relations Section.
The supervisor will nominate more than five examiners.

【February of second year】Preliminary assessment of doctoral dissertation (for advanced researchers)
Each doctoral student will present his/her research outline; statement of progress up to the time of the preliminary assessment; and research plan, in support of his/her application for public dissertation defense, within the allotted time. During the defense, the examiners will ask the student questions based on the student's presentation.

【April of third year】Supervisor prepares third "Education Plan for Research"
Each doctoral student will draw up a one-year research plan and obtain the approval of his/her supervisor. The supervisor will submit an "Education Plan for Research" to the Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering.

【May-June of third year】 Student submits "Application for academic achievement assessment interview" (for advanced engineer)
Each doctoral student will draw up an "Application for academic achievement assessment interview" and submit it to International Relations Section.
The supervisor will nominate more than five exam committee members.

【August of third year】 Academic achievement assessment interview (for advanced engineers)
Each doctoral student will present his/her research outline within the allotted time. Exam committee members will conduct an oral exam and ask questions based on the student's presentation.

【November-December of third year】Student submits "Application for degree"
Each doctoral student will submit "Application for degree" (printed version), along with his/her doctoral dissertation and an abstract of that dissertation, to International Relations Section.

【February of third year】Public dissertation defense/ final examination
Each student who has applied for a doctoral degree and passed the audit for official acceptance of doctoral dissertation, will have a public dissertation defense of his/her dissertation content and research.

3. Schedule towards obtaining the doctoral degree

First, you should confirm the planned period for completion of the program (usually three years) with your advisor. Completion dates are March and September every year. Outlines of schedules towards obtaining the doctoral degree are available via these links:

→　Advanced researcher
→　Advanced engineer

横スワイプで表の続きをご覧いただけます。

4. Download the required forms

Application for preliminary assessment of doctoral dissertation (Advanced Researcher)

Application for academic achievement assessment interview (Advanced Engineer)

Application for degree (Advanced engineer / Advanced researcher）

Abstract of doctoral dissertation (Advanced engineer / Advanced researcher)

Dissertation publication agreement form　

5. Form for a doctoral dissertation

Please use the following form for the cover page of dissertation, the abstract and the table of contents.

Template for a doctoral dissertation(Advanced engineer/Advanced researcher)

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