University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 in Japan (Fully Funded)

Applications will open soon for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027, a fully funded opportunity for international students to study a Master’s or Doctoral degree at the Graduate School of Science in Japan. The program starts in October 2027. The application window runs from October 15 to October 30, 2026 (Japan Standard Time).

Students from countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan can apply, as long as they have an outstanding academic record and meet the English or Japanese language requirement. The scholarship gives you free tuition, a monthly allowance, airfare and guaranteed housing for the first year.You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host university: Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
• Host country: Japan
• Degree level: Master’s and Doctoral programs
• Funding type: Fully funded
• Application deadline: October 30, 2026 (Japan Standard Time)
• Application opens: October 15, 2026
• Program starts: October 2027
• Open to all nationalities: No. Applicants must hold the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Japanese nationals cannot apply.
• Language of study: English or Japanese

What This Scholarship Cover:

Monthly Stipend

The AY2027 amounts have not been announced yet. The AY2026 amounts were:

• 144,000 yen per month for Master’s students
• 145,000 yen per month for Doctoral students
• An extra 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month for students in some designated regions

The stipend is not paid during a leave of absence or a long absence from the university.

Tuition and Fees

Enrollment fees and tuition fees are fully exempted.

Airfare

• MEXT provides an economy class ticket to Japan from the international airport closest to your home, if you arrive within the designated period.
• MEXT also provides an economy class ticket home within the final month of your scholarship, upon application after graduation.
• If you must travel to a third country to get your visa, MEXT covers the ticket to that country and onward to Japan.

You pay for domestic travel to your home airport, airport taxes and fees, travel insurance, baggage costs and travel within Japan.

Housing

Scholarship recipients are guaranteed a furnished room in the University of Tokyo International Lodge for the first year.

• Kashiwa Lodge: about 50,000 yen per month (for students whose lab is at Kashiwa Campus)
• Komaba Lodge: about 70,000 yen per month (for students whose lab is at Hongo Campus)

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Scholarship Duration:

• Master’s Program: October 2027 to September 2029 (2 years)
• Doctoral Program: October 2027 to September 2030 (3 years)

Extension from Master’s to Doctoral

You may be able to extend the scholarship if you move from the Master’s to the Doctoral Program. MEXT reviews this strictly, and extension is not automatic. You must:

• Achieve outstanding academic results
• Have your extension application accepted
• Pass the entrance examination for the Doctoral Program
• Stay at the same university (moving to another university’s graduate school ends the scholarship)

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Eligibility Criteria:

Who Can Apply?

International students with outstanding academic records who want to enter the Master’s or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science in October 2027.

You must also have completed your admission application for the program, following the “Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science (Special Selection for International Applicants)” on the university website.

Nationality

• You must hold the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Japanese nationals cannot apply.
• Exception: a Japanese national living outside Japan who holds dual nationality and will renounce Japanese nationality before arrival may apply.

Age

You must, in principle, be born on or after April 2, 1992.

Academic Record

• Graduates must have a final grade point of 2.30 or higher.
• Current students must have a grade point of 2.30 or higher in their current courses.
• Grade points are calculated using a formula set by MEXT.
• You must be expected to maintain the same standard during the scholarship.

Academic Background and Field

• You must meet the entry requirements for the Master’s or Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Science.
• Your field should match your previous studies or a related field.
• The field you choose must be one that can be researched at the University of Tokyo.

Language Requirements

You need to meet one of the following.

English

• An English test score equal to CEFR level B2 or above (for example TOEFL iBT 72 or above, or IELTS 5.5 or above), or
• A completed educational program taught mainly in English that meets the entry requirements for the program

Japanese

• JLPT N2 or higher, or
• A completed educational program taught mainly in Japanese that meets the entry requirements for the program

Health

You must be physically and mentally healthy enough to study in Japan.

Arrival in Japan

• You must arrive within two weeks before or after the start of the semester (October 1, 2027).
• If you cannot arrive in time, you must withdraw your application, unless MEXT accepts your circumstances as unavoidable.
• Travel costs are not paid if you travel outside the specified period for personal reasons.

Visa Requirements

• You must, in principle, get a new “Student” visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country of nationality.
• If you already live in Japan under another status, you must change to “Student” status before the scholarship payment starts.
• Applicants from the Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam must submit a Certificate of Non Tuberculosis when applying for the visa.
• Payment is suspended if you do not get “Student” status before arriving.

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Who Is Not Eligible:

• You are an active member of the military, or a civilian employed by the military, when you arrive in Japan or during the scholarship
• You cannot travel to Japan within the period set by MEXT or the university
• You have received a MEXT scholarship before (there are some exceptions, such as having three or more years of study or work experience after your previous scholarship ended)
• You are applying for another MEXT scholarship for AY2027
• You are living in Japan at the time of application (short term visitors such as tourists are not counted)
• You plan to receive another scholarship or financial support from the Japanese government or related organizations after the scholarship starts
• You are expected to graduate before entry but cannot show proof of graduation by the deadline
• You hold Japanese nationality as well as another nationality and cannot prove you gave up Japanese nationality by arrival
• You plan a long period of fieldwork, an internship abroad or a long leave of absence
• You do not intend to enter a regular degree seeking program
• You do not plan to pursue further academic degrees

Required Documents:

1. Application form (printed double sided)
2. Field of Study and Research Plan
3. Letter of recommendation from a dean or above
4. Passport type photo taken within the last 6 months (4.5 x 3.5 cm, upper body, full face, no cap)
5. Official transcript from your last university or graduate school
6. Proof of language ability (TOEFL, IELTS, JLPT report or a language of education certificate)
7. Abstract of your graduation thesis
8. Official statement of (expected) graduation from your last university
9. Copy of your passport photo page

Details to Get Right

• Recommendation letter
  • It must be addressed to “the President of the University of Tokyo”
  • It must be printed on your university’s letterhead
  • It must be written and signed by a dean or above
  • Digital signatures are not accepted
• Transcripts
  • If you are currently enrolled, submit transcripts for both your last completed degree and your current program
  • Include an official document explaining the grading system if your transcript does not show it

• Format
  • Documents must be in English or Japanese, or come with a Japanese translation
  • Use A4 size and print double sided
  • Submitted documents are not returned

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When Can the Scholarship Be Cancelled:

• Any part of your application is false
• You break your pledge to the MEXT Minister
• You are convicted of a serious crime in Japan
• You face disciplinary action such as expulsion or suspension from the university
• You are unlikely to finish within the standard period because of poor results or leaves of absence
• You do not get, or lose, “Student” status
• You receive another prohibited scholarship
• You move to a higher program without MEXT’s permission to extend
• You leave the host university or transfer to another graduate school

How to Apply:

1. Complete your admission application to the Graduate School of Science (Master’s or Doctoral Program), following the university’s instructions for international students.
2. Prepare all the required documents and scan each one as a PDF.
3. Open the official online MEXT application form.
4. Upload all your documents before October 30, 2026.
5. Submit the form and check the automated confirmation email you receive.

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