University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master’s & PhD in Japan
Overview
The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship provides fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue Master's and PhD programs in Japan. The scholarship operates through the University Recommendation track, where the university screens candidates and nominates them to MEXT for final selection. Scholars typically begin as non-degree research students before transitioning into their degree programs. Programs commence in October 2027.
Who can apply
Applicants must not hold Japanese nationality and must be able to arrive in Japan by the start of the term in October 2027. Master's applicants must hold or be about to complete a bachelor's degree, while PhD applicants need a Master's degree. Most graduate schools require candidates to be born on or after 2 April 1992 and expect strong academic results. Individuals who are current or former MEXT scholarship recipients under specific categories are ineligible. Candidates must also meet individual graduate school admission rules and English-language requirements.
What you get
The scholarship covers tuition and enrollment fees for the duration of the award. Selected students receive a monthly living stipend of approximately ¥144,000 for Master's students and ¥145,000 for PhD students, with an additional ¥2,000 to ¥3,000 provided for those placed in designated regions. Round-trip airfare to Japan is also covered.
Requirements
Applicants must submit an online application form, a field of study and research plan, a letter of recommendation, and a passport-style photo. Additional required documents include an official transcript from the most recent university, an abstract of the graduation thesis, a certificate of graduation or expected graduation, and a passport copy.
How to apply
Candidates must select a graduate school and department from the University of Tokyo, read the specific school's MEXT guidelines, and contact potential supervisors early. Applicants need to prepare a research plan, gather recommendation letters and academic documents, and submit everything through the relevant graduate school online portal prior to the deadline.
Key dates
Application deadlines vary by graduate school, with the Graduate School of Science accepting applications from 15 to 30 October 2026, and the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology closing its online window on 30 October 2026 at 17:00 JST. Other schools, such as Frontier Sciences, operate on separate timelines. MEXT screening and nomination take place around January 2027, with final results announced around June 2027. Students arrive in Japan between late September and early October 2027, followed by enrollment in October 2027.