University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 | Master’s and PhD in Japan

17 October 2024 Khalid Amin

Last checked: 19 October 2026

Are you looking for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 but unsure if it is still open? Many students find old pages with wrong dates, or posts that call it “fully funded” without proof. This guide fixes that.

You will find the real University of Tokyo MEXT scholarship requirements, the answer to is IELTS mandatory for MEXT, and the steps to apply. Also, every fact comes from the official Graduate School of Science page, last updated on 8 October 2026.

However, MEXT told universities that this route is expected to end from AY2027 onward. Still, the University of Tokyo MEXT scholarship 2027 accepts applications until 30 October 2026.

Quick Answer

The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027 is a Japanese government scholarship for international Master’s and PhD students at the Graduate School of Science, starting October 2027. It is for applicants with a GPA of 2.30 or higher, English or Japanese language proof, and a recommendation letter from a dean or above. The application period is 15 to 30 October 2026 (Japan Standard Time).

Details About the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship 2027

Provider: Government of Japan (MEXT), through the University of Tokyo
Host school: Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo
Level: Master’s and Doctoral programs
Country: Japan
Start: October 2027
Scholarship period: Master’s, October 2027 to September 2029 (2 years). Doctoral, October 2027 to September 2030 (3 years).
Covers: Monthly stipend, economy flight to Japan, and tuition and enrollment fee exemption
Deadline: 30 October 2026, Japan Standard Time

Also check: Kyoto University Internship 2026 in Japan

Important Note on the 2027 Intake

The official page says MEXT has notified universities that the University Recommendation (General Category) is expected to be discontinued from AY2027 onward. It also says this application closes before MEXT announces its 2027 guidelines. Therefore, the result schedule and other details may change. Check the official page before you submit.

Benefits

Monthly stipend: The AY2027 amount is not decided yet. For AY2026, it was JPY 144,000 for Master’s students and JPY 145,000 for Doctoral students. Some regions add JPY 2,000 or 3,000 per month.
Flight to Japan: MEXT provides an economy-class ticket from the international airport closest to your residence, if you arrive in the set period.
Return flight: MEXT provides an economy ticket home if you return in the final month of the scholarship after graduating. You get no return ticket if you leave early for personal reasons.
Fees: Enrollment and tuition fees are exempt.
Housing: The University of Tokyo guarantees you a furnished room in its International Lodge for the first year. The page lists the rent as about JPY 50,000 per month (Kashiwa) or JPY 70,000 per month (Komaba).
Extension: Master’s students may extend to a Doctoral program after a strict MEXT review. It is not automatic.

What It Does NOT Cover

Rent: The lodge rent above is not described as free.
Local travel and extras: You pay for travel from your home to the nearest international airport, airport taxes and fees, travel insurance, baggage, and travel within Japan.
Third-country travel: You pay for travel and lodging in a third country if you must go there to get your visa.
Leave of absence: The scholarship is not paid during leave or long absence.
Visa fees: Not confirmed on the official page.

Also check: Fully Funded Scholarships category

Eligibility

Grades: Final grade point of 2.30 or higher (current students need 2.30 or higher in current courses), calculated by the MEXT formula.
Nationality: A country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. Japanese nationals are not eligible, with one exception for dual nationals who give up Japanese nationality before arrival.
Age: In principle, born on or after 2 April 1992.
Admission: You must qualify for the Master’s or Doctoral program and complete the Graduate School of Science admission application.
Field: The same or a related field to your previous studies, one that you can research at the University of Tokyo.
Language: English or Japanese proof (see the next section).
Health: Physically and mentally able to study in Japan.
Arrival: In principle, within two weeks before or after 1 October 2027.
Visa: A new “Student” visa from the Japanese mission in your country of nationality.
TB test: Applicants from the Philippines, Nepal and Vietnam must submit a Certificate of Non-Tuberculosis at the visa stage.

Is IELTS Mandatory for MEXT? How to Prove Your Language Level

No. IELTS is only one option. You must meet one of these four:

English test: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 or higher (CEFR B2 or above)
English program: A completed program taught in English that meets the entrance rules of the Graduate School of Science
Japanese test: JLPT N2 or higher
Japanese program: A completed program taught in Japanese that meets the entrance rules

Upload a score report or a language-of-instruction certificate from your previous university.

Who Is NOT Eligible

Active military members or civilian military employees
Past MEXT scholarship recipients (some exceptions apply)
People applying for another MEXT program for AY2027
People living in Japan at the time of application (short-term visitors do not count)
People who will get other Japanese government scholarships after payments start
People who cannot prove graduation by the deadline
People planning long fieldwork, an internship abroad, or a long leave
People who do not intend to enter a degree program

Also check: Visa Guide category

Be Realistic About Your Chances

The 2.30 GPA is only the minimum. In the last round, each graduate school could nominate at most one applicant. The University of Tokyo could nominate at most three applicants to MEXT. The numbers for this round are set after applications close.

Screening has three stages: the Graduate School of Science, then the University of Tokyo, then MEXT. The official page publishes no success rate. Therefore, a strong research plan and a strong recommendation letter matter most.

Required Documents

No.	Document	Note
1	Application form	Download from the official page. Print double-sided. You may be asked to revise it in December 2026.
2	Field of study and research plan	Official template on the page
3	Recommendation letter	Addressed to “the President of the University of Tokyo”, on university letterhead, signed by a dean or above. Digital signatures are not accepted.
4	Passport-type photo	Taken within the last 6 months, 4.5 x 3.5 cm. A digital photo is accepted.
5	Official transcript	From your last university, plus your current one if you are enrolled. Add the grading system explanation if missing.
6	Language proof	TOEFL, IELTS, JLPT or a language-of-instruction certificate
7	Abstract of graduation thesis	Short and clear
8	Statement of (expected) graduation	Official, with the expected date if you have not graduated yet
9	Passport copy	The photo page

Write documents in English or Japanese. Otherwise, add a Japanese translation. Use A4 format. The university does not return documents, and it rejects incomplete or late applications.

Who Should Apply?

Bachelor’s or Master’s graduates in a science field with a GPA of 2.30 or higher
Students who already have a clear research topic for the Graduate School of Science
Applicants who can get a recommendation letter from a dean or above before 30 October
People who live outside Japan and can reach Japan around 1 October 2027

How to Apply

Read the admission rules. Open the Instructions for International Students applying to the Graduate School of Science and complete your admission application. Both the admission and the MEXT application must be finished before the deadline.
Choose your field. Pick a field you can research at the University of Tokyo, and write your research plan.
Request your recommendation letter now. It must come from a dean or above, with the exact addressee and letterhead rules above.
Collect your documents. Get the official transcripts, language proof, thesis abstract, graduation statement and passport copy.
Scan everything. Use the file format set in the online form, usually PDF.
Submit online. Upload all files through the MEXT online form on the official page before 30 October 2026 (JST). Email submissions are not accepted.
Check your confirmation email. The form sends an automatic email after you submit.
Wait for the results. See the dates below.

Also check: Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship 2027 in Qatar

Apply Now – Official University of Tokyo Page

Important Dates

Item	Date
Application period	15 to 30 October 2026 (JST)
Possible application form revision	December 2026
Graduate School of Science nominees told	Mid-February 2027
University of Tokyo nominees told	April 2027
MEXT final results	June 2027 (tentative)
Arrival in Japan	Within two weeks before or after 1 October 2027
Program start	October 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MEXT scholarship open for 2027?

For the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science, yes. The application period is 15 to 30 October 2026 (JST). Other Japanese universities set their own dates, and this guide does not cover them.

Who is eligible for the MEXT scholarship at the University of Tokyo?

You need a GPA of 2.30 or higher, the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan, and a birth date on or after 2 April 1992. You must also qualify for admission to the program, show English or Japanese proof, and not live in Japan when you apply. Japanese nationals are not eligible.

Is IELTS mandatory for MEXT?

No. You can show IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 or higher, or a completed program taught in English. For Japanese, you can show JLPT N2 or a program taught in Japanese.

How difficult is it to get a MEXT scholarship?

It is competitive. In the last round, each graduate school nominated at most one applicant, and the University of Tokyo nominated at most three to MEXT. The official page gives no success rate.

How do you get a MEXT scholarship at the University of Tokyo?

First, complete your Graduate School of Science admission application. Then upload the MEXT documents through the online form before 30 October 2026. After that, you go through three screening stages: the Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo, and MEXT.