1. Introduction
Keio University in Japan offers several scholarships to international students in 2027, including fully funded, merit-based and need-based awards. Notably, the Design the Future Award provides full tuition coverage, a monthly allowance of ¥200,000 (approx. US$1,262) and a one-time preparation grant of ¥150,000 (approx. US$947).
2. Scholarship Overview
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Host institution | Keio University |
| Host country | Japan |
| Study levels | Undergraduate, Master’s, Doctoral and Professional degrees |
| Scholarship types | Fully funded and partial scholarships |
| Eligible nationalities | Varies by scholarship; international students |
| Main scholarship | Design the Future Award |
| Monthly allowance | ¥200,000 (approx. US$1,262) |
| Preparation grant | ¥150,000 (approx. US$947) |
| Tuition coverage | Full tuition for Design the Future Award recipients |
| Application deadline | Varies by graduate school and scholarship |
| Study period | 2027 admission cycle |
Note: US dollar equivalents are approximate conversions based on the exchange rate of 7 November 2026.
Types of Scholarships Available at Keio University
Keio University’s scholarship opportunities fall into five main categories:
- Fully Funded Scholarships: These scholarships provide comprehensive financial support, including tuition and living expenses. The Design the Future Award is the main example discussed in this guide.
- Merit-Based Scholarships: These awards recognise students with excellent academic performance.
- Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships provide financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need.
- Nationality-Restricted Scholarships: These awards target students from specified countries or geographical regions.
- External and Private Foundation Scholarships: Companies, foundations, local governments and other organisations provide these scholarships.
Scholarship Comparison: Funding and Eligibility
The following table highlights the different opportunities. It also helps international applicants identify the scholarships that may suit their academic and financial circumstances.
| Scholarship | Funding | Study level | Main eligibility | African applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design the Future Award | Full tuition, ¥200,000 (US$1,262) monthly and ¥150,000 (US$947) preparation grant | Master’s, Doctoral and Professional | Incoming international graduate students meeting admission and nomination requirements | Eligible to be considered |
| Keio University Graduate School Scholarship | ¥500,000–¥600,000 (US$3,155–US$3,786), based on 2026 information | Graduate | Enrolled students with outstanding academic performance | Subject to conditions |
| Keio University Scholarship for Undergraduate Students | ¥250,000–¥500,000 (US$1,578–US$3,155) annually | Undergraduate | Second-year students or above with academic merit and financial need | Subject to conditions |
| Yamaoka Kenichi Memorial Scholarship | Varies by award | Undergraduate and other eligible categories | Depends on the particular award; some categories restrict eligibility to Asian nationalities | Some categories exclude Africans |
| Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund | ¥500,000 (US$3,155) for one year | Undergraduate | Strong academic performance and financial need | Subject to conditions |
| Private Foundation Scholarships | Varies | Undergraduate and graduate | Depends on the foundation’s academic, financial and nationality requirements | Depends on the provider |
Important: The university scholarship amounts above reflect published 2026 information. However, applicants should not treat them as confirmed 2027 awards.
3. Keio University Design the Future Award for International Students
The Keio University Design the Future Award for International Students represents one of the university’s major scholarship opportunities for outstanding international graduate applicants.
Keio established this award to attract talented international students and support the development of future global leaders.
The scholarship supports eligible students entering Master’s, Doctoral or Professional Degree programmes at Keio University. However, the university selects only a few recipients, making the award highly competitive.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants receive the following benefits:
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Full tuition fee coverage |
| Monthly living allowance | ¥200,000 (approx. US$1,262) |
| Preparation grant | ¥150,000 (approx. US$947) one-time payment |
| Master’s scholarship duration | Up to 2 years |
| Doctoral scholarship duration | Up to 3 years |
The one-time preparation grant helps students cover initial expenses when preparing to study in Japan, including airfare.
Additionally, the monthly allowance helps recipients pay for accommodation, food, transportation and other living expenses.
Important: Applicants should consult their graduate school’s guidelines to establish the precise fees the scholarship covers and any additional conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
The award targets outstanding international students seeking admission to eligible graduate programmes at Keio University.
Applicants should:
- Be international applicants seeking admission to a Master’s, Doctoral or Professional Degree programme.
- Meet the academic and admission requirements of their intended graduate school.
- Demonstrate the academic ability and potential expected of scholarship candidates.
- Satisfy the graduate school’s scholarship nomination and application requirements.
However, graduate schools do not necessarily follow identical application conditions. Some schools assess candidates through their admission examinations and nominate eligible applicants for further scholarship consideration.
For example, Keio’s Graduate School of Media Design selects candidates from entrance examination applicants. Furthermore, only applicants whom the school directly contacts about nomination can proceed with the scholarship application.
Therefore, admission to Keio University does not automatically guarantee the award.
Are African Students Eligible?
Yes. The published eligibility information targets international graduate applicants and does not specify an Asian-only nationality restriction for this award.
Consequently, applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries can consider applying, provided they satisfy their graduate school’s admission and scholarship requirements.
4. Other Keio University Scholarships for International Students
Apart from the Design the Future Award, Keio University provides several other financial assistance opportunities. These include merit-based scholarships, need-based awards and scholarships supported by external organisations.
However, prospective students should note that some of these opportunities require enrolment before application.
4.1 Keio University Graduate School Scholarship
This scholarship supports eligible graduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
According to Keio University’s published scholarship information, each graduate school determines its award amount and application conditions.
The 2026 university scholarship information lists the following awards:
- ¥500,000 (approximately US$3,155).
- ¥600,000 (approximately US$3,786).
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants should:
- Be enrolled in an eligible Keio University graduate school.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
- Meet the specific scholarship requirements established by their graduate school.
Are African Students Eligible?
African students may qualify if they meet their graduate school’s requirements. Furthermore, the published information does not establish a universal nationality restriction for this scholarship.
Important: This scholarship generally supports students who already study at Keio University. Therefore, prospective students should confirm whether their graduate school offers the award and when they can apply.
4.2 Keio University Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
Keio University also provides financial assistance to undergraduate students who demonstrate excellent academic performance and financial need.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants should:
- Be undergraduate students in their second year or above.
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance.
- Show evidence of financial need.
- Satisfy the university’s applicable scholarship requirements.
Scholarship Benefits
The published award amounts include:
- ¥500,000 (approximately US$3,155) per year.
- ¥250,000 (approximately US$1,578) per year.
The scholarship generally covers one year. However, students may submit another application in subsequent years.
Are African Students Eligible?
African students may qualify if they satisfy the applicable eligibility conditions. Nevertheless, new international undergraduate applicants should note that this award does not serve as a general pre-admission scholarship.
4.3 Yamaoka Kenichi Memorial Scholarship
The Yamaoka Kenichi Memorial Scholarship supports eligible international students at Keio University.
However, some versions of this scholarship restrict eligibility to students with Asian nationalities.
For example, the first-year undergraduate award targets privately financed international students of Asian nationalities.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship category. Therefore, applicants must satisfy the nationality, enrolment and other conditions that apply to their chosen award.
Are African Students Eligible?
African applicants should not assume they qualify for the first-year undergraduate award because it carries an Asian-nationality restriction. Nevertheless, they can assess other scholarship categories separately against their published eligibility requirements.
4.4 Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund
The Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund provides financial assistance to eligible students who demonstrate strong academic records and financial need.
Keio’s published undergraduate scholarship information lists an award of ¥500,000 (approximately US$3,155) for one year.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Show evidence of financial need.
- Meet the applicable enrolment and scholarship conditions.
Are African Students Eligible?
The available information does not establish a universal nationality restriction. Therefore, African applicants should confirm the applicable conditions with Keio University before relying on this funding opportunity.
4.5 Scholarships from Private Foundations and Other Organisations
Keio University also provides information about scholarships that private foundations, companies, local governments and other organisations offer.
These opportunities have different eligibility requirements, funding amounts and application procedures.
Who Is Eligible?
Depending on the scholarship provider, applicants may need to:
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Show evidence of financial need.
- Hold a particular nationality.
- Be enrolled in a specific degree programme.
- Study a particular academic discipline.
- Meet Japanese or English language requirements, where applicable.
Scholarship Benefits
Funding varies by organisation. For example, some scholarships provide partial financial assistance, while others may offer more substantial support.
Are African Students Eligible?
Some external scholarships accept applicants from African countries. However, others restrict eligibility to particular nationalities or geographical regions.
Therefore, applicants should consult Keio University’s scholarship listings and the relevant foundation’s official website to identify suitable opportunities.
5. Overall Eligibility Requirements for International Applicants
Eligibility depends on the particular scholarship and degree programme.
For the Design the Future Award, applicants must seek admission to an eligible graduate programme and satisfy the relevant graduate school’s admission and scholarship requirements.
Additionally, other scholarships may require applicants to:
- Demonstrate strong academic performance.
- Show evidence of financial need.
- Enrol at Keio University.
- Meet specific nationality or regional requirements.
- Satisfy additional conditions established by the scholarship provider.
Eligibility Summary for African Applicants
| Scholarship | Eligibility consideration for African students |
|---|---|
| Design the Future Award | Can apply for consideration if they meet graduate admission and scholarship requirements |
| Graduate School Scholarship | Can be considered subject to graduate school conditions and enrolment |
| Undergraduate Scholarship | Can be considered subject to academic performance, financial need and enrolment |
| Yamaoka Kenichi Memorial Scholarship | Some categories are restricted to Asian nationalities |
| Goldman Sachs Scholars Fund | Must confirm applicable academic, financial and nationality conditions |
| Private Foundation Scholarships | Depends on each foundation’s nationality and other requirements |
6. Application Deadline and 2027 Intake
Keio University does not have one application deadline for all its scholarships.
For instance, the Design the Future Award application period differs according to the graduate school. Similarly, other scholarships may have separate application periods depending on whether they support students before or after admission.
For students planning to enrol in 2027, the following steps can help:
- Identify the intended degree programme and admission intake.
- Check the graduate school’s 2027 admission schedule.
- Establish whether the Design the Future Award is available for that programme and intake.
- Confirm the scholarship nomination process and submission deadline.
- Check for updates to scholarship amounts and eligibility conditions.
Meanwhile, undergraduate students should note that some scholarship opportunities require them to complete their first year before applying.
Therefore, do not rely on previous academic years’ deadlines as confirmation of the 2027 application period.
7. Required Application Documents
Keio University does not publish one universal list of documents for all scholarship applicants. Instead, each graduate school, degree programme and scholarship determines its own requirements.
Depending on the programme and award, applicants may need to provide:
- Completed university admission application form.
- Academic transcripts.
- Degree certificates or proof of expected graduation.
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- Statement of purpose or personal statement.
- Research proposal, where required.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Evidence of English or Japanese language proficiency, where applicable.
- Scholarship application or nomination documents.
- Additional financial information, where required.
For the Design the Future Award, applicants should pay particular attention to the instructions from their intended graduate school.
Some graduate schools use information from the admission application to screen scholarship candidates. However, others require additional forms or nomination procedures.
Consequently, applicants should follow their chosen programme’s document checklist rather than assume that one universal list applies.
👉 How to write a winning Statement of Purpose for graduate scholarships.
8. How to Apply for Keio University Scholarships in 2027
The application process depends on the scholarship. Nevertheless, prospective graduate students interested in the Design the Future Award can follow these steps.
Step 1: Identify an eligible graduate programme
Visit Keio University’s website and identify the Master’s, Doctoral or Professional Degree programme you intend to pursue.
Next, check its admission requirements, available courses and application periods.
Step 2: Review the scholarship conditions
Visit the graduate scholarship page and confirm whether your intended graduate school offers the Design the Future Award for the relevant admission cycle.
Step 3: Contact the graduate school
Ask whether the graduate school selects scholarship candidates through its admission process or requires a separate application.
This step is particularly important because some graduate schools only allow applicants who receive a direct nomination to proceed.
Step 4: Prepare your admission documents
Gather the academic records, certificates, recommendation letters and other documents your chosen programme requires.
Additionally, prepare any extra scholarship documents the graduate school requests.
Step 5: Submit your admission application
Apply to your intended graduate school according to its official admission instructions.
Meanwhile, pay attention to application deadlines and any additional requirements for international applicants.
Step 6: Complete the scholarship selection process
Follow your graduate school’s instructions regarding scholarship nomination, additional applications and selection.
Remember that admission to Keio University does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
For other university scholarships, students may also need to complete a separate scholarship registration process after enrolment.
9. Practical Guidance for African Applicants
Keio University may offer an attractive study destination for qualified applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other African countries.
In particular, the Design the Future Award is relevant because its published eligibility information targets international graduate applicants rather than restricting the award to a particular African or Asian nationality.
Nevertheless, applicants should distinguish between scholarships open to international students generally and those with specific nationality restrictions.
Here are some practical considerations:
1. Check nationality restrictions
Some Keio scholarships limit eligibility to students from Asian countries. Therefore, African applicants should prioritise awards whose eligibility conditions accommodate their nationality.
2. Start preparing academic documents early
Applicants should obtain their university transcripts, degree certificates and recommendation letters well ahead of their intended admission period.
Furthermore, early preparation gives applicants enough time to resolve documentation issues.
3. Pay attention to programme-specific requirements
Admission requirements can differ significantly between graduate schools. For this reason, check whether your intended programme requires English proficiency tests, Japanese proficiency or other academic qualifications.
4. Prepare a strong statement of purpose
Explain why you want to study at Keio University, how the programme relates to your academic and professional background, and what you intend to contribute after graduation.
5. Budget for expenses not explicitly covered
Although the Design the Future Award provides full tuition coverage and a monthly allowance of ¥200,000 (approximately US$1,262), applicants should confirm how the university treats other expenses.
For example, these may include visa-related costs, accommodation deposits, health insurance and personal expenses.
Therefore, do not assume that the scholarship automatically covers every cost associated with relocating to Japan.
6. Check other funding opportunities
If you do not receive the Design the Future Award, explore other scholarships that Keio University, JASSO and eligible private foundations offer.
Additionally, you can consult the Japanese Embassy in your country for information about government-sponsored scholarship opportunities.
10. Experiences, Research and Contributions of Previous Scholarship Recipients
Video: A Student’s Experience Applying to Universities in Japan
Learning from previous international students can help prospective applicants understand the academic and personal opportunities at Keio University.
If you are considering studying in Japan, this video offers a helpful first-hand perspective on the university application journey. The student shares her experience applying to Keio University (PEARL and GIGA), Sophia University (FLA), and Waseda University (TAISI and SILS). She received admission offers from all three universities and ultimately chose Keio University.
By watching, prospective applicants can gain insight into the experience of applying to competitive Japanese universities and hear directly from someone who has successfully navigated the process. You can also leave questions in the video’s comment section.
Watch the video below: How I got into Keio University
Ibolya – Czech Republic
Keio University also publishes student experiences and scholarship-related stories. These accounts provide insight into how financial assistance supports international students.
Ibolya, an international student from the Czech Republic, received the Masatada Kobayashi Scholarship at Keio’s Shonan Fujisawa Campus.
In her published account, she explained that the scholarship gave her confidence to continue her university education despite financial difficulties. She also described the relationships and support network she developed with other scholarship recipients.
Her experience illustrates that financial assistance offers more than monetary support. It can also help students concentrate on their education and build relationships within a supportive academic community.
Although Ibolya did not receive the Design the Future Award, her account provides a documented example of an international scholarship recipient’s experience at Keio University.
Read the student experience: Scholarships From: Czech Republic – Keio University
11. Official Scholarship Sources and Further Information
Applicants should consult Keio University’s official website for the latest scholarship conditions, application periods and admission requirements.
Last verified: 7 November 2026.
However, applicants should confirm all scholarship conditions directly with Keio University before submitting an application, as funding arrangements and admission requirements may change for the 2027 academic year.
Official information:
Conclusion
Keio University offers several financial assistance opportunities for international students planning to study in Japan.
The most notable opportunity for prospective graduate students is the Design the Future Award for International Students, which provides full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance of ¥200,000 (approximately US$1,262) and a one-time preparation grant of ¥150,000 (approximately US$947).
In addition, other opportunities include university-funded merit-based and need-based scholarships, as well as awards supported by private foundations and public organisations.
For African applicants, the most important step is to identify scholarships that accept their nationality and confirm whether the award is available before admission or only after enrolment.
Therefore, start by identifying your preferred graduate programme, reviewing its 2027 admission requirements and contacting the relevant graduate school about scholarship nomination procedures.
**Read about the KU Leuven Full Tuition Scholarship for Africa 2027–2028.