Full funding · Study in Japan
Keio Design the Future Award for International Students
Full tuition and fees, ¥200,000 a month for living costs, and a one-off ¥150,000 preparation grant
- Funder
- Keio University
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
Created for Keio's 150th anniversary, the Design the Future Award is the most generous scholarship any Japanese university offers, covering tuition in full alongside a substantial monthly stipend.
It is awarded at master's, doctoral and professional degree level, and applications go to the individual graduate school rather than to a central office.
🗓️ Deadline
Varies by graduate school — most rounds fall between August and October for the following year
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Applying to a Keio master's, doctoral or professional degree programme
- Outstanding academic record and research achievements
- Undergraduate degree obtained outside Japan
- Some graduate schools nominate by invitation rather than open application
- Tenable for two years at master's level and three at doctoral
How to apply
- Identify the graduate school you are applying to and check its route
- Note that deadlines and documents differ by school
- Prepare a research plan, transcripts and strong references
- Submit the award application to the graduate school with your admission papers
- Check the annual application information PDF for the current cycle
Studying in Japan
Cutting-edge research, growing English-taught programmes and a job-hunting visa after study. Post-study work: Job-hunting visa up to 1 year.
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Keio Design the Future Award for International Students: your questions, answered
What does the Keio Design the Future Award for International Students cover?
Full tuition and fees, ¥200,000 a month for living costs, and a one-off ¥150,000 preparation grant. Created for Keio's 150th anniversary, the Design the Future Award is the most generous scholarship any Japanese university offers, covering tuition in full alongside a substantial monthly stipend.
Who is eligible for the Keio Design the Future Award for International Students?
Core requirements are: Applying to a Keio master's, doctoral or professional degree programme; Outstanding academic record and research achievements; Undergraduate degree obtained outside Japan; Some graduate schools nominate by invitation rather than open application; Tenable for two years at master's level and three at doctoral. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Keio Design the Future Award for International Students deadline?
Varies by graduate school — most rounds fall between August and October for the following year. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
What does the placement service cost?
A flat SGD 50, billed as two monthly instalments of SGD 25. That covers everything: counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer. There are no hidden extras, no agent fees and no commission on your tuition, because our counselling is funded by our university partners, the SGD 50 only covers administration. Separately, you pay the university’s own tuition or semester fees directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated SGD 50 placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.