Are you eager to begin your academic journey in Japan? Great news! Numerous scholarships are available for international students in Japan. This article provides a comprehensive guide on the scholarships offered by top Japanese universities, their advantages, and the step-by-step application process.
Many prestigious universities in Japan are offering scholarships for international students for the academic year 2025-2026. These scholarships can be either fully funded or partially funded and cover various expenses such as tuition fees, monthly stipends, accommodation costs, health insurance, and travel allowances.
If Japan is your desired study destination, this scholarship opportunity could be ideal for you. In this article, we will elaborate on the MEXT scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
The MEXT Scholarship 2026-2027 is a fully funded program for international students. It is available for undergraduate, master's, PhD, and training studies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation expenses, monthly living allowances, and round-trip airfare to Japan. Additionally, Japanese language courses are offered as part of the program.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan provides scholarships for international students who wish to enroll in undergraduate or research (master’s/PhD) programs at Japanese universities.
MEXT Scholarship Overview
Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD / Training
Institutions: Japanese Universities
Location: Japan
Fields of Study: All academic disciplines, including Social Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Health Sciences, Arts, Humanities, and more.
Program Duration: Undergraduate (4-5 years), Master’s (2-3 years), PhD (3-4 years)
Deadline: Varies by embassy (Check the official website for deadlines)
MEXT Scholarship Coverage
The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for international students to study in Japan without financial burden. It offers the following benefits:
Monthly stipend allowance
Preparatory allowance
Full coverage of tuition fees
Accommodation expenses
Round-trip airfare between the applicant’s home country and Japan
Eligibility Criteria for MEXT Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for the MEXT Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Language Requirement: English proficiency is required.
Eligible Countries: Open to applicants from all countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Japan.
Nationality: Applicants with Japanese nationality are not eligible to apply.
For Undergraduate Students: Applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old and have completed 12 years of education (or equivalent to high school graduation).
For Master’s/PhD Students: Applicants must be under 35 years old and hold a college degree (or be prospective graduates). They must have completed 16 years of education (or equivalent) for a master's program and 18 years for a PhD program.
Application Process for MEXT Scholarship
Identify the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Visit the official website of the Japanese Embassy in your country and navigate to the Education/Scholarship section to find the MEXT scholarship.
Download the MEXT scholarship application form and complete it.
Submit the necessary documents (listed below) to the Japanese Embassy in your country.
Take the written test administered by the Japanese Embassy (Sample tests with answers are available online).
Attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Successful applicants will be notified via email or the embassy’s website.
Required Documents for MEXT Scholarship 2026
MEXT Scholarship Application Form
Highest Degree Certificate (Officially stamped and verified)
Undergraduate applicants: Completion of 12 years of education
Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree
PhD applicants: Master’s degree
Note: If the degree is not in English, a notarized translation in English is required.
Highest Degree Transcript (Officially stamped and verified, including grading system)
Undergraduate applicants: 12 years of education transcripts
Master’s applicants: Bachelor’s degree transcripts
PhD applicants: Master’s degree transcripts
Note: If not in English, a notarized translation is required.
Two Recommendation Letters (From academic or professional referees, written in English)
Passport Copy (If available at the time of application)
Curriculum Vitae (CV) (For research students)
Photographs
Study Plan/Statement of Purpose (Written in English, including motivation for application, academic background, and future research plan)
English Language Proficiency Document (Students who studied in English-medium institutions can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their university and may be exempted from language tests.)
Academic Thesis or Relevant Publications (For research students)
Additional Reference Documents (If applicable)
MEXT University Recommendation Scholarships 2026-2027
In addition to embassy-recommended MEXT scholarships, Japanese universities also offer MEXT University Recommendation Scholarships for master's and PhD students. These scholarships are fully funded and include:
Full tuition coverage
Monthly stipend of 144,000 JPY
Economy class airfare to Japan
This is an excellent opportunity for students who aspire to further their studies in Japan while benefiting from financial support. Don't miss this chance to apply for a MEXT Scholarship and start your academic journey in one of the world’s leading education systems.