The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 supports eligible international students entering a Master’s or Doctoral programme at the Graduate School of Science. The university conducts a preliminary selection before recommending candidates to Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Selected recipients receive tuition and enrolment fee exemptions, a monthly allowance, and eligible travel support. The electronic application period runs from October 15 to October 30, 2026, Japan Standard Time.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: 2027 University Recommended Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Host: Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
Country: Japan
Academic Level: Master’s and Doctoral Programmes
Entry Period: October 2027
Application Period: October 15 to October 30, 2026, Japan Standard Time
Scholarship Duration: Two years for Master’s students and three years for Doctoral students
Funding Benefits: Monthly allowance, enrolment and tuition fee exemptions, and eligible travel support
About the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027
The scholarship is offered through the MEXT Scholarship with University Recommendation scheme. Under this process, Japanese universities conduct an initial selection and recommend their chosen candidates to MEXT.
The Graduate School of Science accepts applications from international students who want to study in Japan. The programme aims to develop individuals who can strengthen relationships between Japan and their home countries while contributing to wider development.
Scholarship Duration
The scholarship period begins in October 2027 and covers the standard duration of the selected degree programme:
✓ Master’s Programme: October 2027 to September 2029
✓ Doctoral Programme: October 2027 to September 2030
Master’s students who want to proceed to a Doctoral programme may request an extension. However, MEXT conducts a rigorous assessment, and an extension is not automatic.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected recipients receive the following support:
✓ Monthly allowance
✓ Enrolment fee exemption
✓ Tuition fee exemption
✓ Eligible economy-class airline ticket to Japan
✓ Eligible economy-class return airline ticket after graduation
✓ A guaranteed furnished room in the University of Tokyo International Lodge during the first year
The monthly allowance for the 2027 academic year has not yet been determined. For reference, the official page states that the 2026 monthly amount was 144,000 yen for Master’s students and 145,000 yen for Doctoral students.
Recipients are responsible for certain expenses, including airport taxes, travel insurance, baggage costs, and some domestic travel costs.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be an international student with an outstanding academic record.
• Plan to enter Japan in October 2027 as a new student.
• Apply for a Master’s or Doctoral programme at the Graduate School of Science.
• Complete the admission application for the relevant Master’s or Doctoral programme.
• Have a grade point of 2.30 or higher under the MEXT calculation method.
• Be expected to maintain the required academic standard during the scholarship period.
• Hold the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with the Japanese government.
• Be born on or after April 2, 1992, in principle.
• Hold the qualifications required for admission to the selected graduate programme.
• Apply for a field previously studied at university or a related field.
• Be physically and mentally able to pursue studies in Japan.
• Be able to obtain the required “Student” visa and arrive in Japan during the designated period.
Applicants with Japanese nationality at the time of application are generally ineligible. The official page provides a limited exception for certain dual nationals residing outside Japan who plan to renounce their Japanese nationality before arrival.
Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants must satisfy at least one English or Japanese language requirement.
For English proficiency, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
• Hold an English proficiency test score equivalent to CEFR B2 or above, such as TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 5.5.
• Have completed an educational programme taught primarily in English that satisfies the relevant graduate admission requirements.
For Japanese proficiency, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
• Hold JLPT N2 or a higher qualification.
• Have completed an educational programme taught primarily in Japanese that satisfies the relevant graduate admission requirements.
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Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the required documents through the designated application form.
The application documents include:
• Application form
• Field of Study and Research Plan
• Recommendation letter from a dean or a higher-ranking university official
• Passport-type photograph taken within the last six months
• Official academic transcript from the most recently attended university or graduate school
• Proof of language proficiency
• Abstract of the graduation thesis
• Official statement of graduation or expected graduation
• Copy of the passport page containing the applicant’s photograph
The recommendation letter must be addressed to the President of the University of Tokyo. It must appear on the university’s official letterhead and include the handwritten signature of a dean or higher-ranking official. A digital signature is not accepted.
Documents must be written in Japanese or English. Documents written in another language must include a Japanese translation.
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must first complete the admission application for the relevant Master’s or Doctoral programme at the Graduate School of Science.
They must then upload the complete MEXT Scholarship application documents through the designated electronic application form. Applications submitted by email are not accepted.
Both the graduate admission application and the MEXT Scholarship application must be completed before the deadline.
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Selection Process
The Graduate School of Science conducts the initial selection and recommends selected candidates to the University of Tokyo.
The University of Tokyo then conducts a university-level selection process. Candidates selected at this stage are recommended to MEXT, which makes the final decision.
The official notification schedule is:
• Mid-February 2027: Graduate School of Science nomination results
• April 2027: University of Tokyo selection results
• June 2027: Tentative notification of the final MEXT decision
Application Period
The electronic application period runs from October 15 to October 30, 2026, Japan Standard Time.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Applicants must submit complete and correctly prepared documents within the stated period.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
Apply for the 2027 University Recommended Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
