MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship 2025-2026 | Apply Now!

The MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship offers an excellent opportunity to study for up to five or seven years at a Japanese college or university.

Qualifications:

To qualify for the MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship, international students are offered the opportunity to study in Japan.

1. Nationality

• Must be a national of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Not eligible if holding Japanese nationality.
• Dual nationals (including Japanese) are eligible only if they renounce Japanese nationality by arrival in Japan.
• First screening must be conducted in the country of the chosen nationality.

2. Age

• Must have been born on or after April 2, 2001.
• Must be 18 years old or older at the time of admission to a Japanese university.
• Exceptions allowed only due to uncontrollable national circumstances (e.g., war, military duty).
• Personal reasons are not accepted for exceptions.

3. Academic Background

Must satisfy any one of the following by March 2026 (or August 2026 for autumn direct placement):

1. Completed 12 years of schooling outside Japan.
2. Graduated from a school equivalent to a Japanese upper secondary school.
3. Passed a qualification exam equivalent to 12 years of education.
4. Eligible for university admission in Japan under other criteria.

Note: Direct placement requires meeting condition 1, 3, or 4.

4. Japanese Language

• Must be willing to learn and study in Japanese.
• Must have an interest in Japan and a commitment to understanding its culture.

5. Health

• Must submit a health certificate (in the prescribed format) signed by a physician confirming no health conditions that would hinder study in Japan.

6. Arrival in Japan

• Must arrive in Japan between April 1–7, 2026, or within the period specified by the accepting university for fall admission.
• Late arrivals without justifiable reason may result in disqualification or loss of travel support.

7. Visa Requirement

• Must obtain a “Student” visa at the Japanese diplomatic mission in the home country.
• Those with other visas (e.g., permanent or long-term resident) must switch to “Student.”
• Failure to obtain the “Student” visa results in suspension of scholarship payment.

8. Non-Eligibility

Applicants are not eligible if they:

1. Are active military personnel or military civilian employees.
2. Cannot arrive within the designated timeframe.
3. Are former recipients of MEXT Scholarships (excluding Monbukagakusho Honors).
4. Are applying to multiple MEXT programs simultaneously.
5. Are already enrolled or planning to enroll in Japan as a privately-financed student and will not complete studies before the scholarship period.
6. Plan to receive other Japanese government scholarships.
7. Cannot meet academic background requirements by the given deadline.
8. Have dual nationality and cannot renounce Japanese nationality by arrival.
9. Change their visa status from “Student” after arriving.
10. Plan long-term stays outside Japan or long leaves from school during the scholarship.
11. Commit or attempt to cheat during the First Screening exam.

9. Others

Recipients must:

• Be active in cultural and international exchange during their stay in Japan.
• Cooperate in maintaining ties with the university and Japanese embassy after graduation (e.g., surveys, events, alumni outreach).

For more details, read the full guidelines or download the PDF.

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Benefits:

The MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship offers a comprehensive support package to help grantees focus on their studies without financial worries.

1. Allowance:
   • 117,000 yen per month
   • An additional regional allowance of 2,000 yen or 3,000 yen per month for grantees studying in designated regions.
   • Payment may change annually depending on Japan’s budget.
   • Scholarship will be suspended if the grantee is absent from the university or preparatory institution for an extended period.
2. Education Fees:
   • Entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition fees will be waived by the university.
3. Traveling Expenses:
   • Transportation to Japan:
     • MEXT provides an economy-class airline ticket to Japan from the nearest international airport to the grantee’s residence (country of nationality).
     • Grantees are responsible for all costs related to domestic travel to the airport, airport taxes, travel within Japan, and additional personal expenses.
     • In specific cases (e.g., no Japanese diplomatic mission in the country), MEXT will provide tickets for travel via a third country.
   • Transportation from Japan:
     • MEXT provides an economy-class airline ticket to the home country at the end of the scholarship period.
     • Grantees are responsible for all costs related to domestic travel within Japan, airport taxes, and personal expenses.
     • Travel costs will not be provided if the grantee returns early or continues to stay in Japan after the scholarship period ends.

For more details, read the full guidelines or download the PDF.

Requirements:

To apply for the MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship, applicants must submit the following documents:

• Application Form: Application Form HERE.
• Direct Placement Preference Form:
• Academic Transcript(s) for all school years attended:
• Certificate(s) of Graduation from the school/university attended
• Recommendation Letter from a class teacher or principal of the last school attended. Recommendation Letter FORMAT.
• Medical Certificate: Medical Certificate HERE.
• Certificate of Enrollment (if applicable)
• Certificate of University Enrollment Qualification Examination (if applicable)
• Certificate of Language Proficiency (if applicable)

Ensure all documents are submitted by the deadline and meet the specified format.

For more details, read the full guidelines or download the PDF.

Field of Study:

Applicants for the MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship must choose a “Field of Study” and specify the “Course” and “Major(s)” from the list below. You may enter a first, second, and third choice.

(1) Social Sciences and Humanities

• Social Sciences and Humanities – A
  1. Law
  2. Politics
  3. Pedagogy
  4. Sociology
  5. Literature
  6. History
  7. Japanese Language
  8. Others (excluding “Economics”, “Business Administration”, and “Others” in Humanities – B)
• Social Sciences and Humanities – B
  1. Economics
  2. Business Administration
  3. Others (e.g., Accounting, Financial Economics)

Note: Applicants who select “Others” under Social Sciences and Humanities – A may face difficulties finding universities that can accept them depending on their majors. Fields of art, including music, are not eligible.

(2) Natural Sciences

• Natural Sciences – A
  1. Mathematics
  2. Physics
  3. Chemistry
  4. Electronics
  5. Electrical Engineering
  6. Information Engineering
  7. Mechanical Engineering
  8. Naval Architecture
  9. Civil Engineering
  10. Architecture
  11. Environmental Engineering
  12. Applied Chemistry
  13. Chemical Engineering
  14. Industrial Chemistry
  15. Textile Engineering
  16. Metallurgical Engineering
  17. Mining Engineering
  18. Maritime Engineering
  19. Biotechnology
• Natural Sciences – B
  1. Agriculture
  2. Agricultural Chemistry
  3. Agricultural Engineering
  4. Animal Science
  5. Veterinary Medicine
  6. Forestry
  7. Food Science
  8. Fisheries
  9. Pharmacy
  10. Hygienics
  11. Nursing
  12. Biology
• Natural Sciences – C
  1. Medicine
  2. Dentistry

Note: If you are interested in multiple majors within Natural Sciences, you may select up to three majors from the same course. However, if you choose “Natural Sciences – C” as your first choice, you can only select a second and third choice from “Natural Sciences – B” or “C.”

Application Deadline:

The deadline for MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship are as follows:

Deadline: May 23, 2025 (Friday)

Period of Scholarship:

1. For Grantees Studying at a Preparatory Educational Institution:
   • Duration: 5 years (April 2026 – March 2031), including one year of preparatory education in Japanese language and other subjects.
   • For Grantees in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or a 6-year Pharmacy Course: 7 years (April 2026 – March 2033).
   • Note: If university term begins mid-month, the scholarship will start the following month (e.g., for a term beginning in September 2026, the scholarship period will start in October 2026).
2. For Grantees Enrolling Through Direct Placement:
   • Duration: 4 years (or 6 years for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, or a 6-year Pharmacy course).
   • The scholarship begins from the university enrollment date designated by the university.
   • Note 1: The enrollment period may start in April, September, or October 2026, depending on the university’s academic calendar.
   • Note 2: If a grantee graduates early or withdraws for graduate school, the scholarship will end upon graduation or withdrawal.
   • Note 3: Pharmacy majors must pass the “Pharmaceutical Common Achievement Tests” before practical training. Failure to meet requirements may lead to scholarship cancellation.
3. Extension of Scholarship Period:
   • If a grantee graduates and is admitted to a master’s or doctoral course (first phase) with excellent academic performance, the scholarship may be extended, subject to MEXT approval.

For more details, read the full guidelines or download the PDF.

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Application Process:

To apply for the MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship, follow these key steps:

1. Contact the Japanese Embassy or Consulate
   Obtain the application forms or download them online, and gather detailed information about the scholarship.
2. Prepare Required Documents
   Collect all necessary documents, including:
   • Application Form
   • Academic Transcript(s)
   • Certificate(s) of Graduation
   • Recommendation Letter(s)
   • Medical Certificate
   • Certificate of Enrollment
     Ensure all documents are complete and accurate.
3. Submit Application
   Please mail or hand-deliver your application package to the following address on or before the indicated deadline date below. Late applications will NOT be accepted. Attn: MEXT Scholarship Program (UNDERGRADUATE CATEGORY)
   Japan Information and Culture Center
   Embassy of Japan
   2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1300
4. Verify Document Delivery
   Due to the high volume of applications received every year, we are unable to confirm the receipt of documents individually. Please check with your courier service provider to verify the delivery of your application package. Inquiries regarding the application status will NOT be entertained.
5. Wait for Selection Results
   After submission, await notifications regarding the selection results and any additional instructions.
6. Prepare for Departure
   If selected, follow MEXT’s guidance for travel arrangements and study plans in Japan.
7. Attend Orientation
   Participate in any orientation sessions to help you adjust to life and study in Japan.

For more details, read the full guidelines or download the PDF.

Contact Information:

For inquiries about the 2025-2026 MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship Scholarship Program, Check the contact details here.

Final Thoughts:

The MEXT Undergraduate Student Scholarship provides a fantastic chance to study in Japan for up to five or seven years, depending on your field.

You can choose to focus on Natural Science or Social Science, with extended support for those in medicine or related fields.

Additionally, explore other scholarship programs at the local, national, or international levels to help fund your education.

Check the scholarship guides on this website to find more opportunities.

Best of luck with your application!

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