Sophia University Scholarships 2027 in Japan Fully & Partially Funded

Opportunity Description

The Sophia University Scholarships 2027 in Japan provide an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.

Sophia University offers two major scholarships that students can apply for before entering the university: the Sophia University New Student Scholarship and the Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship.

These scholarships are designed primarily for academically strong students who consider Sophia University their first-choice university but face financial difficulties that could prevent them from studying in Japan.

The Sophia University New Student Scholarship is open to students of any nationality, while the Adachi Scholarship is specifically available to eligible international students from Southeast Asia and Africa. Therefore, applicants from Afghanistan can apply for the New Student Scholarship, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and are applying to an eligible English-taught program.

The scholarship can provide an amount equivalent to one-third, one-half, or the full tuition fee for the first year. The Adachi Scholarship can cover the full tuition fee and Education Enhancement Fee for the first year.

Important: This scholarship should not be considered a completely fully funded scholarship in the traditional sense. The scholarship mainly covers tuition-related costs for the first year. Other costs such as entrance fees, enrollment fees, accommodation, living expenses, travel, and other personal expenses may remain the responsibility of the student.

Key Details

Why Study at Sophia University?

Sophia University is a well-known private university in Tokyo, Japan, with a strong international orientation and a range of English-taught programs.

For international students, studying in Tokyo can provide access to a highly developed academic, technological and professional environment.

The availability of English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs makes Sophia University particularly interesting for international applicants who want to study in Japan without relying entirely on Japanese-language instruction.

Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants may receive one of the following forms of financial support:

1. Sophia University New Student Scholarship

The Sophia University New Student Scholarship provides:

• Full tuition fee for the first year; or
• Half of the tuition fee for the first year; or
• One-third of the tuition fee for the first year.

The exact amount is determined through the university’s selection process.

2. Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship

Eligible recipients of the Adachi Scholarship can receive an amount equivalent to:

• 100% of tuition fees, and
• Education Enhancement Fee

for the first year of study.

Scholarship Period

• For students entering in Spring 2027:
  • April 2027 – March 2028
• For students entering in Autumn 2027:
  • September 2027 – September 2028

The scholarships cover the tuition fee for the first two semesters only. After enrollment, students may be able to apply for other tuition-support scholarships for subsequent years, subject to the university’s rules and selection.

What Is Not Covered?

Applicants should carefully understand that the scholarship does not necessarily cover all study and living expenses.

The official 2027 scholarship guidelines state that other school fees, including Entrance Fee and Enrollment Fee, are not covered by these scholarships.

Students should therefore prepare financially for expenses such as:

• Entrance fee
• Enrollment-related fees
• Accommodation
• Food and daily living expenses
• Transportation
• Airfare
• Visa-related expenses
• Health insurance and other personal expenses
• Other university fees not covered by the scholarship

Eligible Programs

The scholarships are available for students applying for the 2027 entrance examination to English-taught programs at Sophia University.

Eligible programs listed by the university include:

Undergraduate Programs

• Faculty of Liberal Arts
• Department of Digital Green Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology
• Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF)

Graduate Programs

• Graduate Program in Global Studies
• International Business and Development Studies
• Japanese Studies
• International Graduate Course, Graduate Program in Global Environmental Studies
• Green Science
• Green Engineering
• Graduate Program in Linguistics (TESOL)
• Graduate Program in Education (English Course)
• Master’s Program in International Cooperation Studies

The exact eligibility and admission requirements differ according to the program, so applicants should carefully review the corresponding admission guidelines before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Sophia University New Student Scholarship 2027, applicants generally need to meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be applying for the 2027 Sophia University Undergraduate or Graduate School entrance examination.
• Applicants should have excellent academic performance.
• Sophia University should be the applicant’s first-choice university.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship that makes it difficult to study at Sophia University.
• Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their selected English-taught program.
• International applicants must satisfy the relevant residence-status requirements for the scholarship they apply for.

The official 2027 guidelines specify that students who will possess a “Student” status of residence at the time of admission are eligible for the international-student procedure for these scholarships.

Are Afghan Students Eligible?

Yes.

Afghan students can apply for the Sophia University New Student Scholarship, because the official guidelines state that students from any country can apply for this scholarship, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.

However, the Adachi Scholarship has a more restricted geographical eligibility criterion. The 2027 guidelines list eligible countries from Southeast Asia and Africa, and Afghanistan is not included in that list.

Therefore, for Afghan applicants, the main scholarship opportunity under this announcement is the:

Sophia University New Student Scholarship

Application Deadlines for 2027

One of the most important points for applicants is that there is no single deadline for all applicants.

The deadline depends on the program, admission type, and whether the student is applying for Spring or Autumn 2027 entry.

Undergraduate Programs

For the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Faculty of Science and Technology – Digital Green Technology:

• Spring 2027 Entry – First Application

For first-year and transfer applicants:

• September 1 – September 16, 2026
• Spring 2027 Entry – Second Application

For first-year applicants:

• November 11 – December 11, 2026
• Autumn 2027 Entry – First Application

For first-year applicants:

• November 11 – December 11, 2026
• Autumn 2027 Entry – Second Application

For first-year and transfer applicants:

• March 10 – April 7, 2027

Sophia Program for Sustainable Futures (SPSF)

For Autumn 2027 entry:

• First Application: November 11 – December 11, 2026
• Second Application: March 10 – April 7, 2027

Graduate Program Deadlines

For the following graduate programs:

• Global Environmental Studies
• Global Studies
• International Business and Development Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Green Science
• Green Engineering

the scholarship application periods are:

Spring 2027 Entry

• August 19 – September 16, 2026

Autumn 2027 Entry

• March 10 – April 7, 2027

TESOL, Education and International Cooperation Studies

For:

• Graduate Program in Linguistics – TESOL
• Graduate Program in Education – English Course
• Master’s Program in International Cooperation Studies

the Spring 2027 application schedule is divided into examinations:

• September Examination: August 20 – August 26, 2026
• February Examination: December 15, 2026 – January 8, 2027

Important: Applicants must always check the admission schedule for their specific program because scholarship deadlines are linked to the relevant admission process.

Required Documents

Applicants should follow the official scholarship application guidelines for their specific admission type.

The university provides separate forms and procedures for international students. The scholarship application must be submitted separately from the admission application documents.

Depending on the applicant’s situation and program, applicants should be prepared to provide documents such as:

• Scholarship Application Form
• Academic records/transcripts
• Evidence of academic achievement
• Documents demonstrating financial circumstances
• Admission-related documents required by the selected program
• Identification/passport documents where required
• Other supporting documents specified in the official scholarship guidelines

Applicants should not assume that the admission documents automatically serve as scholarship documents. Sophia University specifically instructs applicants to send scholarship application documents separately from admission application documents.

Application Procedure

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose an Eligible English-Taught Program

First, select an eligible undergraduate or graduate program at Sophia University.

Make sure you satisfy the academic and admission requirements of that program.

Step 2: Check the Admission Schedule

Check the admission schedule carefully because the scholarship application deadline depends on the admission type and program.

Step 3: Prepare the Scholarship Documents

Download the official scholarship application guidelines and application form for international students.

Complete the documents accurately and provide the requested supporting evidence.

Step 4: Submit the Admission Application

Apply for the relevant Sophia University entrance examination according to the program’s admission instructions.

Step 5: Submit the Scholarship Application Separately

The scholarship documents must be submitted separately from the admission application documents to the Sophia University Center for Student Affairs.

The university states that late applications will not be accepted.

Step 6: Wait for the Selection Result

The university will evaluate eligible applicants according to its scholarship regulations and selection criteria.

Applicants should carefully monitor official university communications and admission results.

Important Notes for Applicants

There are several important points applicants should know before applying:

1. Scholarship application is not the same as university admission. You must first satisfy the admission requirements of the selected program.
2. The scholarship is not automatically awarded to every applicant. Applicants are selected according to the university’s scholarship criteria.
3. Financial need matters. These scholarships are intended to support students facing financial difficulties.
4. Academic performance is important. The university specifically describes the target applicants as students with excellent grades.
5. Sophia University should be your first-choice university.
6. Afghan students can apply for the New Student Scholarship.
7. The Adachi Scholarship is not generally available to Afghan students, because Afghanistan is not included in the 2027 list of eligible Southeast Asian and African countries.
8. Scholarship documents must be submitted separately from admission documents.
9. Late applications are not accepted.
10. If applying to multiple programs, applicants must submit a separate scholarship application for each program, according to the university’s instructions.

How Competitive Is This Scholarship?

The Sophia University New Student Scholarship is particularly attractive because it can cover up to 100% of tuition for the first year.

However, applicants should understand that receiving admission does not guarantee receiving the scholarship.

A strong application should therefore demonstrate:

• Excellent academic results
• A clear academic purpose
• Strong motivation to study at Sophia University
• A convincing explanation of financial need
• A well-prepared admission application
• Complete and accurate documentation

For international applicants, choosing a suitable English-taught program and carefully following every admission requirement is especially important.

Application Tips for Afghan Students

Afghan students interested in this opportunity should begin preparing early.

Academic Documents

Prepare your transcripts, diplomas, certificates and other academic documents well in advance.

Financial Documents

Because the scholarship is intended for students facing financial difficulties, applicants should carefully prepare the documents required to demonstrate their financial circumstances.

Statement of Purpose

If your selected program requires a statement of purpose or similar document, make sure it clearly explains:

• Why you want to study at Sophia University
• Why you selected your particular field
• Your academic background
• Your future goals
• How the program supports your career plans

Apply Before the Deadline

Do not wait until the final day.

International applicants may need additional time for document preparation, certification, translation, postage and other procedures.

Is Sophia University Scholarship 2027 Fully Funded?

Not exactly.

This is an important distinction for scholarship seekers.

The New Student Scholarship can cover one-third, one-half, or the full tuition fee for the first year. The Adachi Scholarship can cover the full tuition and Education Enhancement Fee for eligible students.

However, the scholarships do not cover every expense associated with studying in Japan. For example, the official guidelines state that fees such as the Entrance Fee and Enrollment Fee are not covered.

Therefore, it is more accurate to describe this opportunity as a full or partial tuition scholarship, rather than a completely fully funded scholarship.

How to Apply

The Sophia University Scholarships 2027 in Japan are an excellent opportunity for academically strong international students who want to study at a prestigious university in Tokyo but face financial difficulties.

For Afghan students, the most relevant option is the Sophia University New Student Scholarship, which is open to applicants from any country and can provide one-third, one-half, or full tuition coverage for the first year.

Because application deadlines vary significantly by program, students should begin preparing their admission and scholarship documents early and carefully follow the official instructions.

Students should also remember that this is primarily a tuition scholarship, not a scholarship that automatically pays for all living and travel expenses.

Official Link

• Official Sophia University Scholarship Page:
  • Sophia University – Scholarships Before Entering the University
• Official 2027 Scholarship Application Guidelines:
  • Sophia University Scholarship Application Guidelines 2027
• Official Sophia University Admissions Website:
  • Sophia University Admissions