Full funding · Study in Japan
MEXT Scholarship
Fully funded: tuition waiver, monthly stipend and return airfare
- Funder
- Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Level
- Undergraduate · Postgraduate
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
MEXT is the Japanese government's scholarship for international students, covering undergraduate, research (master's and doctoral) and specialised training categories.
There are two routes: embassy recommendation, where you apply through the Japanese embassy in your country, and university recommendation, where a Japanese university nominates you. The embassy route is more competitive but open to a wider pool.
🗓️ Deadline
Embassy recommendation applications usually open around April–May each year
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan
- Age limits apply and differ by category, generally under 25 for undergraduate and under 35 for research students
- Strong academic record in your most recent qualification
- Willingness to study Japanese, though many programmes are taught in English
How to apply
- Check the Japanese embassy website in your country for the annual call
- Submit the application with transcripts, a field-of-study plan and recommendation letters
- Sit the written examinations and attend an interview if shortlisted
- Secure a letter of acceptance from a Japanese university if required by your category
Studying in Japan
Cutting-edge research, growing English-taught programmes and a job-hunting visa after study. Post-study work: Job-hunting visa up to 1 year.
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MEXT Scholarship: your questions, answered
What does the MEXT Scholarship cover?
Fully funded: tuition waiver, monthly stipend and return airfare. MEXT is the Japanese government's scholarship for international students, covering undergraduate, research (master's and doctoral) and specialised training categories.
Who is eligible for the MEXT Scholarship?
Core requirements are: Nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan; Age limits apply and differ by category, generally under 25 for undergraduate and under 35 for research students; Strong academic record in your most recent qualification; Willingness to study Japanese, though many programmes are taught in English. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the MEXT Scholarship deadline?
Embassy recommendation applications usually open around April–May each year. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.