Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate, 2027

Applications for the 2026-2027 Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for undergraduate studies are currently being received. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships Program.

The MEXT (MONBUKAGAKUSHO) scholarship program is open to candidates enrolled in an undergraduate course at a university or who are receiving preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects prior to placement at the university. This is a unique opportunity to get a quality education for free in Japan.

Winners of this Asia scholarship should be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2027, and April 7, 2027. If an applicant is to enroll in his/her university from the fall semester through direct placement, he/she must be able to arrive in Japan during the period specified by the accepting university within two weeks before and after the starting date of the university’s relevant academic term for that year.

Applicants wishing to apply for a research, master’s, or PhD degree program should click on the following link: MEXT scholarship program for graduate studies.

Program Details

• Host institutions: Higher Educational Institutions in Japan.
• Fields of study: Social Sciences and Humanities (A or B) or Natural Sciences (A, B, or C). See the table below for majors. Fine arts (music, etc.) are not eligible.
• Number of awards: Not fixed – depends on the budget and embassy quotas.
• Duration: 5 years (April 2027 – March 2032) for most majors; 7 years (until March 2034) for medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and six‑year pharmacy.
• Eligible countries: Nationals of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan. Dual nationals who hold Japanese citizenship must renounce it before arriving in Japan.

Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies Benefits

Selected candidates for the MONBUKAGAKUSHO scholarship will enjoy the following benefits:

1. Monthly allowance: 117,000 yen. An extra 2,000 yen or 3,000 yen per month is added if you study or do researches in a specially designated region. The amount may change due to budget, and payments stop if you are absent for a long period.
2. Education fees: Entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition are all waived.
3. Travel to Japan: MEXT gives you an economy class ticket from the nearest international airport to your residence (in principle, your country of nationality) to an airport in Japan. You pay for domestic travel to that airport, airport taxes, insurance, and extra luggage. If you arrive outside the specified April window, you get no ticket.
4. Return travel: After you graduate, MEXT provides another economy ticket from Japan to your nearest home airport.

Fields of Study (Choose one course, up to three majors)

Candidates applying for undergraduate programs must choose a field of study (“Social Sciences and Humanities” or “Natural Sciences”), course, and major(s) from the following options. Applicants may enter a first, second, and third choice.

Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies Eligibility

To apply for the MEXT (MONBUKAGAKUSHO) scholarship, candidates must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Be a national of a country with diplomatic ties to Japan. Dual Japanese nationals must give up Japanese nationality before arrival.
2. Be born on or after April 2, 2002 (exceptions only for country‑level circumstances, not personal ones).
3. Have completed 12 years of schooling (or equivalent) by March 2027. If you want direct placement (skipping the preparatory year), you must have completed 12 years by March 2027 (for spring start) or by August 2027 (for autumn start).
4. Be willing to learn Japanese and, in principle, study in Japanese. If you have sufficient Japanese, you may request direct placement.
5. Submit a health certificate signed by a doctor.
6. Be able to arrive in Japan between April 1 and April 7, 2027 (for the standard track). For direct placement with autumn entry, you must arrive within two weeks of the university’s term start (September/October 2027).
7. Obtain a new “Student” visa before coming – even if you already have a different residence status.

How to Apply for the Japanese Government Scholarship for Undergraduate

Applicants willing to apply for this Asia scholarships for undergraduate studies must submit the required documents to the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country by the designated deadline. The application process starts at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. You must submit your documents by their deadline (varies by mission – check their website). The first screening includes document review, written exams, and an interview. The written exam subjects depend on your chosen field:

• Social Sciences and Humanities (A and B): Japanese(A), English(A), Mathematics(A).
• Natural Sciences – A: Japanese(B), English(B), Mathematics(B), Chemistry, Physics.
• Natural Sciences – B and C: Japanese(B), English(B), Mathematics(B), Chemistry, Biology.

No calculators or other devices allowed. If you pass the first screening, you will be recommended to MEXT for the second screening. Final results are announced after February 2027. No objections to university placement will be accepted.

For direct placement (skipping preparatory education), you will be asked to submit a Direct Placement Preference Form after passing the first screening. The Japanese mission will provide a list of universities that accept direct placement. You choose your preferred university and department, and the university will examine your academic record and language ability (JLPT or other tests).

Required Documents

Submit the following to the Japanese diplomatic mission in your country. Two complete sets (one original, one copy). Write the document number (① to ⑨) in the upper right corner of each first page. All documents must be in Japanese or English (or have a certified translation).

1. Application Form (FY2027) – with a clear photo (4.5 x 3.5 cm, taken within six months).
2. Direct Placement Preference Form – only after passing the first screening (the link to the form is on the mission’s site; the PDF is available here for reference).
3. Academic transcript(s) for all years of school/university (must show grading scale).
4. Certificate of graduation (or prospective graduation) from the last school attended.
5. Recommendation letter from a class teacher or principal of your last school. Sample format is here; any style is accepted.
6. Medical certificate (FY2027) – must be filled out by a physician.
7. Certificate of enrollment – only if you are currently enrolled in a university.
8. Certificate of university enrollment qualification exam – only if you have passed such an exam.
9. Language proficiency certificates (Japanese or English) – copies only, no originals. Issue date must be within two years of your application date. Submit two copies.

If you are currently in upper secondary school, you must also submit a final transcript and graduation certificate as soon as they are available. The same applies if you are in university.

The deadline to submit applications varies by Japanese diplomatic mission. Make sure to confirm the deadline at the website of the Japanese diplomatic mission in the country of your nationality or in some other ways. Late or incomplete applications are not accepted. For more details on the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate students, please visit the official page or contact the Japanese diplomatic mission near you.