The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) 2024 batch at Kochi University of Technology (KUT) offers a unique opportunity for international candidates to engage in advanced research projects while receiving financial support.
Below are comprehensive details on the benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and deadlines for prospective students.
Benefits
The SSP program at KUT provides several attractive benefits to its scholars:
- Tuition and Fees Waiver: Exemption from the entrance examination fee (30,000 yen), enrollment fee (300,000 yen), and annual tuition fee (535,800 yen).
- Monthly Stipend: A salary of 150,000 yen per month for research project work to support living expenses. Note that some taxes may be deducted.
- Travel and Initial Living Costs: 150,000 yen is provided for travel and initial living costs for international students living outside Japan who intend to acquire “Student” residence status in Japan at the time of entry.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the SSP, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Obtain permission from the leader of their preferred SSP project.
- Hold a degree comparable to a master’s degree from an accredited institution, completed after 18 years of education, or be scheduled to acquire such a degree before KUT enrollment.
- Be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment.
- Have an excellent academic record with strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities.
- Demonstrate intention, knowledge, and research skills suitable for the chosen research project.
- Possess high English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 72, IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2, CET6).
Application Process – Step-by-Step Guide
- Choose a Research Project: Browse the available research projects at the following link: Research Projects.
- Pre-Application Request: Send a completed Online Pre-Application Request to the leader of your preferred project via the KUT Online Pre-Application Request Form at least six weeks before the application deadline. This step is crucial as only those who receive permission from the project leader can proceed. Submit your pre-application request here: Pre-Application Request Form.
- Formal Application Submission: Submit your formal application following the guidelines provided here: SSP Application Guidelines.
Deadlines
April 2025 Enrollment (Second Deadline)
- Application Deadline: September 13, 2024
- Screening: Between October and November 2024
- Notification of Admission Decision: Mid-December 2024
- Registration Deadline: January 10, 2025
October 2025 Enrollment (First Deadline)
- Application Deadline: September 13, 2024
- Screening: Between October and November 2024
- Notification of Admission Decision: Mid-December 2024
- Registration Deadline: January 10, 2025
October 2025 Enrollment (Second Deadline)
- Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
- Screening: Between April and May 2025
- Notification of Admission Decision: Mid-June 2025
- Registration Deadline: July 4, 2025
By following these steps and meeting the requirements, you can take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at Kochi University of Technology while receiving substantial financial support.