GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN (MEXT)
MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government)
full · bachelors, masters, phd
- Fully FundedScholarship type
- Japanese universitiesHost country
- Undergraduate–PhDStudy levels
- ~¥117k–145k/moLiving allowance
- Embassy or university routeApplication
- Japanese course includedLanguage support
At a glance
full
Funding
€9k
Max amount
May 29, 2027
Deadline
Countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
Country
Government of Japan (MEXT)
Provider
The MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho) is the Japanese government's scholarship for international students, funded by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and running since 1954. It supports study at Japanese universities across seven categories — Research Students (master's/PhD), Undergraduate Students, and specialised tracks such as College of Technology, Specialised Training, Teacher Training, and Japanese Studies. MEXT is fully funded: it covers tuition, a monthly living allowance of ~¥117,000–¥145,000 depending on level, and round-trip airfare to Japan, with no repayment obligations. Many programs include a funded preparatory Japanese-language course, and study can be in Japanese or, increasingly, in English-medium programs. There are two main application routes: the embassy recommendation (apply through the Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country, opening around April–May) and the university recommendation (apply through a Japanese university). The embassy route is the most common for new applicants and involves document screening, written tests in subjects and languages, and an interview.
What's covered
- Tuition — Full tuition fees at the Japanese university (entrance and exam fees also covered).
- Monthly allowance — ~¥117,000/month (undergraduate) to ~¥145,000/month (doctoral); rates reviewed periodically.
- Airfare — Round-trip economy airfare between your home country and Japan.
- Japanese language training — A funded preparatory Japanese-language course where required.
- No repayment — The scholarship carries no repayment or mandatory service obligation.
How to apply
For the embassy route, apply to the Japanese embassy/consulate in your country during the spring application window; for the university route, apply through a Japanese university that nominates MEXT candidates.
- Choose category & route — Pick your category (research/undergraduate/etc.) and route (embassy or university).
- Prepare documents — Assemble transcripts, a field-of-study/research plan, and certificates per the guidelines.
- Submit to the embassy/university — Apply to the Japanese embassy (spring) or the university per its timeline.
- Written examinations — Embassy applicants sit written tests (e.g. Japanese and/or English, plus subject tests).
- Interview — Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by the embassy or university.
- University placement & final approval — Secure a university placement (letter of acceptance); MEXT gives final approval and you travel to Japan.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan; not a Japanese national.
Age (guideline)Typically under ~25 for undergraduate and under ~35 for research students (varies by year/category).
Academic recordA strong academic record meeting the category's requirements (e.g. completed secondary school for undergraduate, a degree for research students).
Health & languageGood health; willingness to learn Japanese (English-taught options exist for some programs).
RouteApply via embassy recommendation (home country) or university recommendation (Japanese university).
The embassy route opens in spring (~April–May) for study starting the following year; the university route follows each university's timeline. You generally cannot hold MEXT alongside another major scholarship.
Eligible countries
Countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
Deadlines
2027 intake (embassy route, typical)2026-05-29
Selection
Embassy-route applicants are screened on documents, then sit written examinations and an interview at the Japanese embassy; primary candidates then seek a university letter of acceptance, with MEXT giving final approval. University-route candidates are selected and nominated by the Japanese university. Selection weighs academic record, the study/research plan, and fit with a Japanese host.
Verified sources
- MEXT Scholarships — Study in Japanstudyinjapan.go.jpofficial
About the provider
MEXT — Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology — administers the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship to promote international exchange and cooperation in education. Operating since 1954, it is one of Asia's longest-running and most respected government scholarships, delivered through Japanese embassies and universities worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the MEXT Scholarship?
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The Japanese government's scholarship (Monbukagakusho), funded by Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT), for international students to study at Japanese universities at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels — fully funded with no repayment.
Who is eligible?
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International students from countries with diplomatic ties to Japan, within category age limits (guideline: under ~25 undergraduate, under ~35 research), with a strong academic record and good health.
What does MEXT cover?
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Full tuition and entrance/exam fees, a monthly living allowance (~¥117,000–¥145,000 by level), round-trip airfare, and a funded preparatory Japanese-language course where needed — with no repayment.
What are the two application routes?
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The embassy recommendation (apply via the Japanese embassy/consulate in your home country) and the university recommendation (apply via a Japanese university). The embassy route is most common for new applicants.
When is the deadline?
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The embassy route typically opens in ~April–May for study starting the following year, with tests and interviews over the summer. University-route timelines vary; check the specific university.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
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Not necessarily — many programs offer English-medium study, and MEXT includes a funded Japanese-language course. Some categories and tests still involve Japanese, so ability helps.
How competitive is MEXT?
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Competitive, especially on the embassy route, which involves document screening, written examinations, and an interview before university placement and final MEXT approval.
Which study levels are covered?
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Undergraduate, research students (master's and PhD), plus specialised tracks like College of Technology, Specialised Training, Teacher Training, and Japanese Studies.
Is there a service or repayment obligation?
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No — MEXT scholarships carry no repayment and no mandatory service requirement, though scholars are encouraged to maintain ties with Japan.
Can I choose my university?
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On the embassy route you indicate preferences and, if selected as a primary candidate, secure a letter of acceptance from a Japanese university. On the university route you apply to a specific institution directly.
What are the written exams?
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Embassy-route applicants typically sit tests in Japanese and/or English and relevant subjects, depending on category, as part of the selection.
When do studies begin?
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Depending on the program and university, intake is usually in ~April or ~September/October of the year after you apply.