✨ Should I Apply for Keio University Scholarships for International Students (including ‘Design the Future’ Award)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to Full Tuition + 2,400,000 JPY annual stipend
⏱
Duration
Normal duration of the degree program (2-4 years)
🗓
Deadline
Varies by faculty (Typically December-February for April entry; April-June for September entry)
🔬
Fields
All fields offered at Keio University (Economics, Law, Letters, Business, Medicine, Science and Technology, Policy Management, Environment and Information Studies, etc.)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 10-20 for top awards; hundreds for general internal scholarships
🏛️
Provider
Keio University
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 5% - 15% for international admission programs
Keio University offers a comprehensive suite of scholarships to support international students. The 'Design the Future' Award is the most prestigious, aimed at students who show great potential to be future leaders. Other scholarships, such as the Keio University Scholarship and the Yamaoka Memorial Scholarship, provide varying levels of tuition support and stipends to ensure students can focus on their academic pursuits in Tokyo.
👥 Who Should Apply
Must be a non-Japanese citizen, demonstrate exceptional academic records, and show financial need or high leadership potential for merit awards.
🔬 Fields of Study
All fields offered at Keio University (Economics, Law, Letters, Business, Medicine, Science and Technology, Policy Management, Environment and Information Studies, etc.)
✨ Key Benefits
The highest award covers full tuition, admission fees, and a 200,000 JPY monthly stipend. Other university-specific scholarships offer partial tuition coverage and smaller monthly grants.
🎯 Target Students
International Students
🏷 Tags
Japan
Keio
Fully Funded
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Merit-based
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Full or Partial (depending on the specific internal scholarship)
Living Stipend
Up to 200,000 JPY per month for top-tier awards; 50,000 to 100,000 JPY for others
Total Award
Up to Full Tuition + 2,400,0
✈️ Travel: 250,000 JPY one-time preparation grant for 'Design the Future' awardees
🏠 Accommodation: Varies (often included in the monthly stipend or provided via discounted university housing)
💊 Health Insurance: Partial subsidies available through university welfare programs
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: 10,000 JPY to 35,000 JPY (varies by faculty)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Full or Partial (depending on the specific internal scholarship)
🏠 Living Stipend
Up to 200,000 JPY per month for top-tier awards; 50,000 to 100,000 JPY for others
🏡 Accommodation
Varies (often included in the monthly stipend or provided via discounted university housing)
✈️ Travel Allowance
250,000 JPY one-time preparation grant for 'Design the Future' awardees
💊 Health Insurance
Partial subsidies available through university welfare programs
🎁 Other Benefits
Exemption from admission fees, access to exclusive alumni networks, and research grants for graduate students
📋 Renewal Conditions
Maintaining a high GPA (typically top 20% of the class) and fulfilling annual reporting requirements
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
International students with 'Student' visa status enrolled in or applying for degree-seeking programs
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral
📊 Minimum GPA
3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent (varies by department)
🗣️ English Requirement
TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+, or JLPT N1/N2 for Japanese-taught programs
🎂 Age Limit
None (though specific programs may have age preferences)
💼 Work Experience
Not required (unless applying for professional MBA/Law programs)
🏆 Leadership
High priority for the 'Design the Future' Award
💰 Financial Need
Considered for the Keio University Degree-seekers Scholarship
🎯 Target Students
International Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement and Study/Research Plan)
Rec Letters
Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation)
Interview
Yes (As part of the admissions process for the university)
Application Fee
10,000 JPY to 35,000 JPY (varies by faculty)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Usually 2 letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- TOEFL iBT 80+, IELTS 6.5+, or JLPT N1/N2 for Japanese-taught programs
- Interview: Yes (As part of the admissions process for the university)
- Min GPA: 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent (varies by department)
📋 Application Process
Emphasize the 'Independence and Self-respect' (Dokuritsu Jidotsu) philosophy of Keio's founder, Yukichi Fukuzawa, in your personal statement.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your research plan is highly specific and explains why Keio University is the only place you can conduct your study.