Sophia University Scholarships 2027: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

Sophia University Scholarships 2027 provide financial support for eligible students applying to selected English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan.

For the 2027 admission cycle, international students may apply for the Sophia University New Student Scholarship, which can cover the equivalent of one-third, one-half, or the full tuition fee for the first year. International students from eligible countries in Southeast Asia and Africa may also be considered for the Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship, which covers the equivalent of full tuition and the Education Enhancement Fee for the first year.

These scholarships are intended for students with strong academic records who have selected Sophia University as their first-choice university and are experiencing financial difficulties that could make studying at the university difficult.

For the 2027 cycle, application deadlines depend on the program and entry semester. Some undergraduate applications are open in September 2026, while graduate scholarship deadlines vary by program and admission examination.

Opportunity Overview

Detail	Information
Host Country	Japan
Host University	Sophia University
Study Level	Undergraduate and Graduate
Eligible Students	International students and Japanese students, depending on scholarship
Main Scholarship	Sophia University New Student Scholarship
Additional Scholarship	Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship
Funding	Tuition support
New Student Scholarship	1/3, 1/2 or full tuition for the first year
Adachi Scholarship	Full tuition and Education Enhancement Fee for the first year
Programs	Selected English-taught programs
2027 Entry	Spring and Autumn
Application Method	Scholarship application submitted during the specified admission period
Application Fee	Not specified as a scholarship fee on the official scholarship page

What Is the Sophia University Scholarship?

Sophia University offers several forms of financial assistance to help students manage the cost of higher education.

The scholarships available before entering the university include the Sophia University New Student Scholarship and the Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship. They are connected to the admission process and are intended to support students who have strong academic performance but face financial difficulties.

The New Student Scholarship is available to applicants regardless of nationality, provided they meet the applicable requirements. The Adachi Scholarship has a more restricted nationality condition for international students and is intended for students from Southeast Asia and Africa.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that every international applicant is eligible for both scholarships.

Benefits and Funding

Sophia University New Student Scholarship

The New Student Scholarship can provide an amount equivalent to:

• One-third of tuition
• One-half of tuition
• Full tuition

The scholarship applies to the first year of study. The exact amount awarded depends on the university’s selection process.

Sophia University Benefactors’ (Adachi) Scholarship

The Adachi Scholarship can provide an amount equivalent to:

• Full tuition
• Education Enhancement Fee

It is intended for eligible international students from Southeast Asian and African countries.

Important Funding Limitation

These scholarships should not automatically be described as fully funded scholarships.

The official 2027 guidelines state that the scholarships do not cover other school fees such as entrance and enrollment fees. The scholarship support is also limited to the specified first-year period.

For students entering in Spring 2027, the scholarship period is April 2027 to March 2028. For Autumn 2027 entrants, it is September 2027 to September 2028.

Students may later apply for other tuition support after enrollment, subject to the university’s rules.

Who Can Apply?

The 2027 scholarship guidelines state that applicants should be applying for a 2027 Sophia University undergraduate or graduate entrance examination and meet the scholarship requirements. International students applying under the international-student procedure must also have or obtain the required Student status of residence at the time of admission.

The scholarships are aimed at applicants who:

• Have strong academic performance
• Consider Sophia University their first-choice university
• Face financial difficulties that affect their ability to study
• Meet the admission requirements of their selected program
• Meet the applicable scholarship conditions

Scholarship selection considers the information provided in the application. Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee that an applicant will receive an award.

Can Afghan Students Apply?

Yes, Afghan students can apply for the Sophia University New Student Scholarship, provided they meet the applicable admission and scholarship requirements.

The official 2027 international-student scholarship guidelines specifically state that students from any country can apply for the New Student Scholarship.

However, Afghanistan is not included in the listed countries for the Adachi Scholarship. That scholarship is specifically associated with students from Southeast Asia and Africa.

Therefore, an Afghan applicant should generally focus on the Sophia University New Student Scholarship, rather than assuming eligibility for the Adachi Scholarship.

Eligible Programs

The scholarships are available for applicants to selected English-taught undergraduate and graduate programs for the 2027 entrance examination.

Undergraduate Programs

Eligible programs listed by Sophia University include:

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

Graduate Programs

Selected graduate programs include:

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

Applicants should always confirm the scholarship and admission availability for their specific program before submitting an application because admission schedules and requirements differ by program.

2027 Scholarship Application Deadlines

There is no single deadline for every Sophia University program.

The application period depends on the academic program, entry semester and admission route.

Undergraduate Programs

For selected undergraduate programs, the published 2027 scholarship periods include:

Entry	Application Period
Spring 2027 – First Application	September 1–16, 2026
Spring 2027 – Second Application	November 11–December 11, 2026
Autumn 2027 – First Application	November 11–December 11, 2026
Autumn 2027 – Second Application	March 10–April 7, 2027

The published schedule also applies specific periods to programs such as Digital Green Technology and SPSF.

Graduate Programs

For several graduate programs, the published scholarship application periods are:

Entry	Application Period
Spring 2027	August 19–September 16, 2026
Autumn 2027	March 10–April 7, 2027

For some programs, including TESOL, Education and International Cooperation Studies, different examination schedules apply. The published dates include August 20–26, 2026 for the September examination and December 15, 2026–January 8, 2027 for the February examination.

Important: The scholarship deadline is not necessarily the same as the general university admission deadline. Applicants should check the admission page for their exact program.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare their scholarship documents before the application window opens.

The exact documents can vary depending on the applicant’s situation, but Sophia University’s scholarship materials indicate that applicants may need documentation related to:

• Scholarship application form
• Academic transcript
• Financial situation
• Family income
• Residence or family information where applicable
• Supporting financial documents
• Other documents requested by Sophia University

The university’s application materials emphasize that applicants should submit the documents specified in the applicable checklist and may be asked for additional information if the submitted materials are insufficient.

International applicants should use the international-student scholarship guidelines and application form, rather than assuming that documents for Japanese students apply to them.

How to Apply

Step 1: Choose an Eligible Program

First, select an English-taught undergraduate or graduate program at Sophia University.

Check both the academic admission requirements and scholarship eligibility.

Step 2: Review the Admission Requirements

Visit the official Sophia University Admissions website and check the requirements for your selected program.

Admission requirements can differ significantly between undergraduate and graduate programs.

Step 3: Check the Scholarship Deadline

Identify the scholarship application period that applies to your program and entry semester.

Do not rely on a general Sophia University deadline because scholarship periods differ by program.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your academic records and financial documents early.

For international applicants, use the specific scholarship checklist provided by Sophia University.

Step 5: Complete the Scholarship Application

Complete the scholarship application form accurately.

Make sure the information in the scholarship application is consistent with your admission application.

Step 6: Submit the Scholarship Documents Separately

Sophia University states that scholarship application documents should be sent separately from admission application documents to the Center for Student Affairs during the specified application period.

Step 7: Wait for Selection

The university evaluates applicants according to its scholarship selection process.

Academic performance and financial circumstances are important factors in the selection process.

Step 8: Check the Scholarship Result

Successful applicants are notified of the scholarship result after the admission results are released.

Important Tips for Applicants

Official requirement: Sophia University requires applicants to follow the applicable scholarship procedure and submit the required documents within the specified period.

Practical advice: Prepare financial documents before the application period begins. Some financial documents can take time to obtain, especially when family members live outside Japan.

Practical advice: Do not wait until the final day. Sophia University explicitly states that late applications are not accepted.

Practical advice: Check whether your selected program is included in the scholarship list before preparing the complete application.

Practical advice: If you are applying to more than one program, check the separate-application requirement. Sophia University states that applicants applying to multiple programs must submit a separate scholarship application for each program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sophia University Scholarship fully funded?

Not necessarily. The New Student Scholarship can cover one-third, one-half or the full tuition for the first year. The Adachi Scholarship can cover full tuition and the Education Enhancement Fee for the first year. However, the official guidelines state that other fees, such as entrance and enrollment fees, are not covered by these scholarships.

Can international students apply?

Yes. International students can apply if they meet the applicable admission and scholarship requirements. The 2027 international-student guidelines specifically cover applicants seeking the required Student status of residence.

Can Afghan students apply?

Yes. Afghan students can apply for the New Student Scholarship because Sophia University states that students from any country can apply for that scholarship. Afghanistan is not listed among the countries eligible for the Adachi Scholarship.

What does the New Student Scholarship cover?

It provides an amount equivalent to one-third, one-half or the full tuition fee for the first year, depending on the scholarship award.

What does the Adachi Scholarship cover?

For eligible international students, the Adachi Scholarship provides an amount equivalent to the full tuition fee and Education Enhancement Fee for the first year.

Is IELTS required for the scholarship?

The scholarship page itself does not establish one universal IELTS requirement. Language and admission requirements depend on the selected academic program. Applicants should check the official admission requirements for their program rather than assuming that IELTS is always required or always waived.

What is the scholarship deadline?

There is no single deadline. For example, selected undergraduate programs have application periods beginning September 1, 2026, while several graduate programs have deadlines in September 2026 or later periods for Autumn 2027 entry.

Can I apply during the second application period?

Not always. Sophia University states that students who applied during the first application period and passed the examination are not eligible to apply during the second application period.

Final Thoughts

Sophia University Scholarships 2027 can significantly reduce tuition costs for qualified students planning to study in Japan.

The New Student Scholarship is particularly important for international applicants because students from any country can apply, subject to the applicable requirements. The Adachi Scholarship, meanwhile, has additional nationality restrictions and is intended for students from Southeast Asia and Africa.

Applicants should carefully compare their academic program, admission schedule and scholarship deadline before applying. Because the scholarship does not cover every university expense, students should also prepare a realistic financial plan for costs that remain outside the scholarship.

Official Application

Applicants should use the official Sophia University Admissions website and the university’s scholarship page to access the correct application instructions and forms.

Sophia University Scholarship Information

Sophia University Admissions

2027 Scholarship Guidelines for International Students

Related Articles

The following existing Global Scholarships Hub articles are relevant to readers interested in studying in Japan or finding scholarships for Afghan students:

• Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Afghan Students 2026
• Japan-Afghanistan Language School Pathways Scholarship in Japan
• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program 2027
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

OFFICIAL SOURCES

• Sophia University – Scholarships for Students Entering in 2027
• Sophia University – 2027 Scholarship Application Guidelines for International Students
• Sophia University Admissions – English Programs
• Sophia University – English-Taught Undergraduate Admissions Information 2027

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