Overview
Host Country: Japan
Host University: University of Tokyo
Description
Host Country: Japan
Host University: University of Tokyo
Scholarship Type: MEXT University Recommended Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
Fields: Science, Engineering, and Research-Based Disciplines
Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
Monthly Stipend: ~144,000 yen (Master’s), ~145,000 yen (PhD)
Tuition: Fully covered
Travel: Round-trip international airfare included
Intake: October 2027 entry
Application Period: October 15 – October 30, 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be international students applying for graduate admission
Hold an excellent academic record
Apply for science-related graduate programs
Meet English or Japanese language requirements
Provide strong research alignment with faculty members
Not be currently residing in Japan under certain long-term visas (in most cases)
Not be previous MEXT recipients (with some exceptions)
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency through:
English: IELTS or TOEFL (typically CEFR B2 level or higher)
OR proof of English-medium instruction in prior education
Japanese: JLPT certification (if applying in Japanese)
Additional Information
Scholarship Summary
Host Country: Japan
Host University: University of Tokyo
Scholarship Type: MEXT University Recommended Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
Fields: Science, Engineering, and Research-Based Disciplines
Scholarship Coverage: Fully Funded
Monthly Stipend: ~144,000 yen (Master’s), ~145,000 yen (PhD)
Tuition: Fully covered
Travel: Round-trip international airfare included
Intake: October 2027 entry
Application Period: October 15 – October 30, 2026
About The Scholarship
The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship is a university-recommended track of Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) funding system. Unlike embassy-based applications, candidates are first selected internally by the university and then recommended to the Japanese government for final approval.
This makes the program extremely selective, as applicants compete not only internationally but also within the university’s own graduate schools.
The scholarship supports students conducting advanced research in scientific disciplines, particularly those with strong academic backgrounds and clear research goals aligned with faculty expertise.
Degree Level
This scholarship is available for:
Master’s Degree Programs
Doctoral (PhD) Programs
Applicants must apply for admission into graduate schools under the science and research faculties of the University of Tokyo.
Available Subjects
The scholarship mainly supports science and research-based disciplines, including:
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Biology
Earth Sciences
Engineering
Environmental Science
Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
Benefits
Selected students receive one of the most comprehensive funding packages in Japan:
Financial Support
Monthly stipend: Master’s students: ~144,000 yen Doctoral students: ~145,000 yen
Master’s students: ~144,000 yen
Doctoral students: ~145,000 yen
Additional Benefits
Full tuition exemption
Round-trip international airfare
Full support for degree duration
Possible regional or institutional allowances
The scholarship typically covers:
2 years for master’s programs
3 years for doctoral programs
Eligible Nationalities
Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be international students applying for graduate admission
Hold an excellent academic record
Apply for science-related graduate programs
Meet English or Japanese language requirements
Provide strong research alignment with faculty members
Not be currently residing in Japan under certain long-term visas (in most cases)
Not be previous MEXT recipients (with some exceptions)
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency through:
English: IELTS or TOEFL (typically CEFR B2 level or higher)
OR proof of English-medium instruction in prior education
Japanese: JLPT certification (if applying in Japanese)
Required Documents
Applicants generally need:
Research proposal / study plan
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
Recommendation letter
Proof of language proficiency
Thesis abstract or academic summary
Passport copy
Additional documents required by graduate schools
Application Process
The application involves two stages:
Apply to the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science
Internal screening by the university
Selected candidates are recommended for MEXT approval
Final selection by the Japanese government
Applicants must also submit a strong research proposal aligned with faculty interests, as this plays a major role in selection.
Why This Scholarship Is Highly Competitive
The University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship is extremely selective because:
Limited nomination slots per department
High global applicant competition
Strong focus on research potential
Internal university screening before government approval
Candidates with clear research alignment and early faculty engagement often have a stronger advantage.
Tips For Strong Applicants
To improve chances of selection, applicants should:
Start research proposal preparation early
Identify potential supervisors at the university
Build strong academic performance records
Prepare language proficiency tests in advance
Demonstrate clear research goals in science fields
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Who can apply for the University of Tokyo MEXT Scholarship? International students applying for master’s or PhD programs in science-related fields at the University of Tokyo can apply.
Is the scholarship fully funded? Yes, it covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, and round-trip airfare to Japan.
How competitive is this scholarship? It is extremely competitive due to limited nomination slots and high academic standards required by both the university and the Japanese government.
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Organization
University of Tokyo
Degree
Masters, PhD
Subjects
Engineering
Nationality
International Students
Country
Japan
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.