International students planning to study in Japan in 2027 have an important fully funded opportunity through the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. Offered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the scholarship supports eligible international students who want to pursue undergraduate studies at Japanese national universities.
For the 2027 MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship, successful applicants can receive a monthly allowance of ¥117,000, university tuition and entrance fees, and qualifying international airfare to Japan. Depending on the programme and placement route, undergraduate scholarship support can continue for four to seven years.
The scholarship covers a broad range of academic disciplines, including engineering, computer and information studies, economics, business, agriculture, medicine, dentistry, nursing, law and the humanities.
This guide explains the official 2027 undergraduate MEXT Scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, fields of study, application documents, and selection process.
What Is the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship?
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is a government-funded international education programme administered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The official 2027 undergraduate guidelines state that MEXT offers scholarships to international students who want to study at Japanese national universities as undergraduate students.
Under the programme, an undergraduate scholar is either enrolled in a university undergraduate course or receives preparatory education in Japanese and other subjects before beginning university studies.
The scholarship therefore provides more than financial assistance. Depending on placement, students may receive intensive preparation designed to help them transition into Japan’s university system.
MEXT Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
Host Country: Japan
Scholarship: Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Funding Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
Study Level: Undergraduate
Eligible Applicants: International students meeting MEXT requirements
Monthly Allowance: ¥117,000
Tuition: Waived
Entrance Examination and Matriculation Fees: Waived
Airfare: Provided subject to MEXT travel rules
Study Areas: Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences
Scholarship Duration: Generally four to five years, with longer periods for certain medical and professional degrees
Application Route Covered in This Guide: Embassy Recommendation
How Much Does the MEXT Scholarship Provide?
One of the biggest attractions of the MEXT Scholarship is its comprehensive funding package.
According to the official FY2027 undergraduate guidelines, recipients receive a ¥117,000 monthly allowance.
An additional regional allowance of ¥2,000 or ¥3,000 per month may be provided to recipients studying in specially designated regions.
Applicants should remember that scholarship payment amounts can change depending on the Japanese Government’s budget for each fiscal year.
Full Tuition Support
MEXT also waives major university education fees.
The scholarship covers:
- University entrance examination fees
- Matriculation fees
- Tuition fees
This significantly reduces the financial burden associated with earning a university degree overseas.
Airfare to Japan
MEXT generally provides an economy-class airline ticket for eligible recipients travelling to Japan within the officially specified arrival period.
The ticket is normally arranged from the international airport nearest the recipient’s residence to an international airport in Japan used for the normal route to the accepting university.
Applicants should note that not every travel-related expense is covered. Costs such as certain domestic transportation, airport charges, travel insurance and baggage-related expenses may remain the student’s responsibility.
MEXT may also provide qualifying recipients with an economy-class ticket to return home after completing their scholarship, subject to programme rules.
MEXT Scholarship 2027 Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy several official requirements.
1. Nationality
Applicants must generally hold the nationality of a country that maintains diplomatic relations with Japan.
An applicant who holds Japanese nationality at the time of application is generally not eligible.
Special rules apply to dual nationals who also hold Japanese citizenship.
2. Age Requirement
For the 2027 undergraduate scholarship, applicants must, in principle, have been born on or after April 2, 2002.
Applicants must also satisfy applicable age requirements for admission to a Japanese university.
Exceptions to the standard age requirement are limited and are generally considered only under circumstances recognized by MEXT.
3. Academic Requirements
Applicants must satisfy one of MEXT’s approved academic-background requirements.
These include applicants who have completed 12 years of schooling outside Japan, as well as those expected to meet this requirement by March 2027.
Students seeking autumn direct placement may generally be expected to complete 12 years of schooling by August 2027.
Other qualifying routes can include completing education equivalent to Japanese upper-secondary schooling or passing an academic qualification examination recognized as equivalent to 12 years of education.
4. Japanese Language Requirements
Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese and demonstrate an interest in Japan.
Under the standard scholarship route, students must generally be prepared to undertake their academic studies in Japanese.
This requirement is particularly important because the standard programme can include intensive Japanese-language preparation before university.
However, direct placement arrangements can differ depending on the receiving university and programme.
5. Health Requirement
Applicants must submit the prescribed medical certificate signed by a physician.
The certificate must confirm that the applicant does not have a condition that would prevent them from completing their studies in Japan.
6. Ability to Travel to Japan
Standard-route applicants must generally be available to arrive in Japan during the period specified by MEXT.
For the 2027 programme, the standard arrival period is April 1–7, 2027.
Students entering through autumn direct placement follow the arrival schedule specified by their receiving university.
What Can You Study Under the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?
MEXT divides undergraduate study into Social Sciences and Humanities and Natural Sciences.
Applicants select their field, course, and preferred major.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Available disciplines include:
- Law
- Politics
- Pedagogy
- Sociology
- Literature
- History
- Japanese Language
- Economics
- Business Administration
- Accounting
- Financial Economics
- Other approved humanities disciplines
Applicants should note that art-related fields, including music, are not included as eligible majors under these undergraduate guidelines.
Natural Sciences Courses
Students interested in STEM and health-related degrees have numerous options.
Science and Engineering
Available areas include:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Electronics
- Electrical Engineering
- Information Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Environmental Engineering
- Applied Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Chemistry
- Textile Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Maritime Engineering
- Biotechnology
Agriculture and Health Sciences
Students may also choose from fields including:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Chemistry
- Agricultural Engineering
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Forestry
- Food Science
- Fisheries
- Pharmacy
- Hygienics
- Nursing
- Biology
Natural Sciences C covers Medicine and Dentistry.
Does MEXT Include Japanese Language Training?
Yes.
As a general rule, recipients who are not directly placed at a university first undertake one year of preparatory education.
The programme includes intensive Japanese-language study as well as subjects required for subsequent university education.
Social Sciences and Humanities students may study subjects including Japanese affairs, mathematics, English and social studies.
Natural Sciences students can receive preparation involving subjects such as physics, chemistry and biology.
After completing preparatory education, recipients proceed to a university designated by MEXT, subject to satisfying the applicable requirements.
Can Students Enter University Directly?
Some applicants may qualify for direct placement, meaning they can enter their university without completing the standard preparatory year.
This may apply where applicants have sufficient Japanese-language proficiency or where the receiving undergraduate programme does not require Japanese ability at admission and permits direct enrollment.
Depending on the university calendar, direct-placement students may begin in April 2027 or during the autumn term in September or October 2027.
Universities may assess applicants using academic grades, language qualifications and other methods.
Depending on the institution, evidence such as JLPT results or English-language proficiency scores may be requested.
How Long Does the MEXT Scholarship Last?
Scholarship duration depends on the programme.
For students completing preparatory education before university, the normal scholarship period is five years from April 2027 through March 2032.
This includes the one-year preparatory programme.
Students pursuing medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or a six-year pharmacy programme can receive support for seven years, through March 2034.
Students who enter university through direct placement generally receive funding for four years.
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and qualifying six-year pharmacy programmes normally receive six years under direct placement.
Exceptional students who proceed to graduate school may also have opportunities to seek an extension of their scholarship, subject to MEXT requirements and successful examination.
MEXT Scholarship 2027 Application Documents
Applicants must submit the required documentation to the Japanese diplomatic mission in their country of nationality by its designated deadline.
Required or potentially applicable documents include:
- FY2027 MEXT Application Form
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate or prospective graduation certificate
- Recommendation letter
- Medical certificate
- Certificate of university enrollment, where applicable
- University entrance qualification certificate, where applicable
- Japanese or English language proficiency certificates, where applicable
- Direct Placement Preference Form for eligible applicants after First Screening
Documents must generally be prepared in Japanese or English.
If an original document is written in another language, a Japanese or English translation must be attached.
Applicants are required to submit the document sets specified by the diplomatic mission and should carefully follow formatting and certification instructions.
Recommendation Letter Requirements
The scholarship application requires a recommendation letter from the applicant’s relevant school or university.
For applicants currently attending school or university, the recommendation should be issued by their current institution.
Applicants who have already graduated should obtain the recommendation through the institution from which they graduated.
Because recommendation letters can take time to arrange, prospective applicants should prepare early rather than waiting until shortly before their local deadline.
How Does the MEXT Scholarship Selection Process Work?
The MEXT Embassy Recommendation process involves multiple stages.
The First Screening is conducted by the Japanese diplomatic mission in the applicant’s country.
Selection can involve:
- Review of submitted application documents
- Written academic examinations
- Interviews
Passing the First Screening does not automatically mean an applicant has received the scholarship.
Successful candidates are subsequently recommended to MEXT, which conducts the Second Screening and determines the final scholarship recipients.
Final results are communicated through the relevant Japanese diplomatic mission.
For the 2027 programme, the guidelines state that applicants will receive final selection results after February 2027.
MEXT Written Examinations
Subjects tested depend on the applicant’s chosen field.
Social Sciences and Humanities applicants take examinations covering:
Japanese, English and Mathematics.
Natural Sciences A applicants are examined in:
Japanese, English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
Natural Sciences B and C applicants take:
Japanese, English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.
Calculators and other devices cannot be used during the written examinations.
Applicants should therefore prepare thoroughly for the required academic tests.
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship 2027
For the Embassy Recommendation route covered by these guidelines, applications are submitted through the Japanese Embassy or other relevant Japanese diplomatic mission in the applicant’s country of nationality.
Applicants should first identify the appropriate Japanese diplomatic mission serving their country.
Next, carefully review its local MEXT announcement because application deadlines and submission procedures are determined by the relevant diplomatic mission.
Prepare all required documents, including academic transcripts, recommendation documents, and the prescribed medical certificate.
Submit the complete application before the locally specified deadline.
Eligible candidates then participate in the First Screening, including applicable written examinations and interviews.
Those who successfully pass this stage may be recommended to MEXT for the Second Screening.
Applicants should avoid relying on unofficial websites for country-specific application deadlines because embassy schedules can differ.
Important Financial Planning Before Moving to Japan
Although the MEXT Scholarship provides substantial financial support, students should prepare some money for their first weeks in Japan.
The official guidelines recommend that recipients bring approximately US$2,000 to cover immediate expenses because the first scholarship installment may not arrive until roughly one to one-and-a-half months after arrival.
Accommodation costs are also generally the responsibility of the student.
Depending on availability, recipients may live in accommodation connected to their preparatory institution, university residence halls, regular dormitories, or private apartments.
Students must also enroll in Japan’s National Health Insurance system after arriving.
Why the MEXT Scholarship Is Worth Considering
The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive options available to international students interested in studying in Japan.
Successful undergraduate recipients can potentially receive:
¥117,000 monthly allowance + tuition waiver + university fee waiver + qualifying international airfare + preparatory education.
The programme also covers an unusually broad selection of disciplines, ranging from economics and business to engineering, agriculture, biotechnology, medicine and information engineering.
Students should nevertheless understand that MEXT is competitive.
Strong academic preparation, careful documentation and good performance during examinations and interviews can therefore be important throughout the selection process.
Final Thoughts
Students searching for Japan scholarships for international students in 2026–2027 should consider the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship among the major opportunities available.
The official MEXT Scholarship 2027 undergraduate guidelines confirm financial support including a ¥117,000 monthly allowance, waived university entrance and tuition fees, and qualifying airfare.
Eligibility includes requirements related to nationality, age, academic background, health, language readiness, and availability to study in Japan.
Applicants should pay particular attention to their local Japanese Embassy or diplomatic mission because the Embassy Recommendation application process and local submission deadline are administered at the country level.
Start preparing academic transcripts, graduation documents, recommendations, and other required materials early. Applicants should also begin preparing for the written examinations and, where necessary, strengthen their Japanese-language skills.
Always confirm the final deadline and country-specific application procedures with the Japanese diplomatic mission responsible for your country before submitting an application.
Disclaimer: Campus Lifestyle is an independent information platform and does not administer or award the MEXT Scholarship. Scholarship conditions, allowances, and application procedures may be changed by the Japanese Government. Applicants should verify current information with MEXT and the Japanese diplomatic mission responsible for their country.
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