The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 is a Japanese Government scholarship for international students who want to complete a bachelor’s degree in Japan.
The scholarship is funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and provides financial support including tuition exemption, a monthly allowance and eligible airfare.
For the 2027 intake, the official Embassy Recommendation guidelines have already been released.
This guide explains the eligibility requirements, available fields, scholarship benefits, written examinations, application process and important dates for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027.
MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship |
| Level | Undergraduate / Bachelor’s |
| Country | Japan |
| Application Route | Embassy Recommendation |
| Monthly Allowance | ¥117,000 |
| Tuition | Exempted |
| Airfare | Provided according to MEXT rules |
| Preparatory Education | Normally 1 year |
| Normal Scholarship Period | 5 years including preparatory year |
| Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary/6-year Pharmacy | Up to 7 years |
| Main Application Period | Around April–May 2026 for 2027 arrival |
| Arrival in Japan | Generally April 1–7, 2027 |
Exact application deadlines are determined by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate responsible for each country.
What Is the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?
The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship supports international students who want to study at Japanese universities.
Selected students normally complete a one-year preparatory course before beginning their undergraduate degree.
Preparatory education includes Japanese language training as well as subjects needed for university study.
Students who qualify for direct placement may enter a Japanese university without completing the preparatory year.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must satisfy the official MEXT requirements related to nationality, age, education, language willingness and health.
Nationality
Applicants must generally hold the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
Applicants holding Japanese nationality at the time of application are generally not eligible, although specific rules apply to certain dual nationals.
Age Requirement
For the 2027 Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must generally have been born:
On or after April 2, 2002.
Limited exceptions may apply where MEXT recognizes circumstances such as compulsory military service or loss of educational opportunities caused by conditions in the applicant’s country.
Educational Requirement
Applicants generally need to satisfy one of the recognized university-entry conditions.
The most common requirement is completion of:
12 years of schooling outside Japan.
Students expected to complete the required education by March 2027 may also be eligible.
For certain direct-placement students entering in autumn 2027, completion may be permitted by August 2027 according to the official conditions.
Japanese Language Requirement
Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese and should have an interest in Japan and Japanese culture.
Under the standard MEXT Undergraduate route, university study is generally conducted in Japanese.
This is one reason most selected students first complete one year of preparatory education.
However, direct placement may be possible for applicants who meet the language and admission requirements of an eligible university program.
Fields of Study Available
Applicants choose a field, course and major when applying.
MEXT divides undergraduate applicants broadly into:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
- Natural Sciences
Applicants can normally indicate first, second and third choices according to the rules of their selected course.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Social Sciences and Humanities A
Examples include:
- Law
- Politics
- Pedagogy
- Sociology
- Literature
- History
- Japanese Language
Social Sciences and Humanities B
Includes areas such as:
- Economics
- Business Administration
- Accounting
- Financial Economics
Fields of art, including music, are not eligible majors under this undergraduate scholarship category.
Natural Sciences A
This group includes many science and engineering subjects, such as:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Electronics
- Electrical Engineering
- Information Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Environmental Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Biotechnology
Natural Sciences B
Examples include:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Chemistry
- Agricultural Engineering
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Forestry
- Food Science
- Fisheries
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Biology
Natural Sciences C
This category includes:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
Applicants should carefully select their course because changing to another major course after selection is generally not permitted.
Scholarship Benefits
Monthly Allowance
For 2027, the official monthly scholarship allowance is:
¥117,000 per month
Students studying in specially designated regions may receive an additional:
¥2,000 or ¥3,000 per month
The amount can be adjusted if Japanese Government budget conditions change.
Tuition and University Fees
MEXT waives:
- University entrance examination fees
- Matriculation fees
- Tuition fees
This significantly reduces the major academic costs of studying in Japan.
Airfare
Eligible scholarship recipients receive an economy-class airline ticket to Japan according to MEXT’s designated travel arrangements.
Return airfare may also be provided after completion of the scholarship when the student meets the official return conditions.
Applicants should note that some expenses are not covered, such as certain:
- Domestic travel expenses
- Airport taxes
- Travel insurance
- Baggage costs
- Personal travel expenses
These remain the student’s responsibility.
Scholarship Duration
For students completing the normal preparatory year, the scholarship generally lasts:
April 2027 to March 2032 — 5 years
This includes:
- 1 year of preparatory education
- 4 years of undergraduate study
For students studying:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Veterinary Medicine
- Certain six-year Pharmacy programs
the scholarship may continue for 7 years, until March 2034.
Direct Placement
Some applicants may be allowed to enter a university directly without completing the preparatory course.
Direct placement can be considered when the applicant meets the university’s academic and language requirements.
The university may evaluate:
- High-school academic performance
- Japanese proficiency
- English proficiency
- JLPT or other language test results
- Interview performance
- Additional university examinations
Direct-placement students may begin in:
- April 2027
- September 2027
- October 2027
depending on the university’s academic calendar.
MEXT Undergraduate Written Examination
The Embassy’s First Screening includes document review, written examinations and an interview.
The examination subjects depend on the applicant’s selected field.
Social Sciences and Humanities
Applicants take:
- Japanese
- English
- Mathematics
Natural Sciences A
Applicants take:
- Japanese
- English
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Physics
Natural Sciences B and C
Applicants take:
- Japanese
- English
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Calculators and similar devices cannot be used during the written examinations.
Interview
Applicants who participate in the First Screening may also be interviewed by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate.
Be prepared to explain clearly:
- Why you want to study in Japan
- Why you selected your intended major
- Your academic background
- Your future goals
- Your interest in Japanese education and culture
- Your willingness to learn Japanese
Your answers should be consistent with the information provided in your application.
Documents Required
The official undergraduate application normally includes:
- FY2027 MEXT Application Form
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation or prospective graduation certificate
- Recommendation letter
- MEXT Certificate of Health
- Certificate of enrollment, where applicable
- Language proficiency certificate, where available
- Other documents required for specific cases
Applicants generally submit one original set and one copy set.
We have prepared a separate detailed guide explaining each document:
Documents Required for MEXT Scholarship 2027: Complete Checklist
Use the official 2027 forms rather than documents from older MEXT application cycles.
How to Apply for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027
The 2027 undergraduate scholarship discussed here uses the Embassy Recommendation route.
The general process is:
Step 1: Find the Japanese Embassy
Locate the Japanese Embassy or Consulate responsible for your country.
Do not send your application directly to MEXT in Japan.
Step 2: Check Your Country’s Announcement
The Embassy publishes its own:
- Application opening date
- Submission deadline
- Required submission method
- Local instructions
- Screening schedule
Step 3: Download the Official 2027 Forms
Use the official FY2027:
- Application Form
- Certificate of Health
- Recommendation guidance
- Direct Placement Preference Form, when applicable
Step 4: Prepare and Submit Documents
Prepare the complete application according to both:
- Official MEXT guidelines
- Instructions from the Japanese Embassy in your country
Step 5: First Screening
The Japanese Embassy conducts the First Screening through:
- Application document review
- Written academic examinations
- Interview
Passing the First Screening does not automatically guarantee the scholarship.
Step 6: Second Screening
Applicants who pass the Embassy screening are recommended to MEXT.
MEXT then conducts the Second Screening and makes the final scholarship selection.
Final selection results for the 2027 cycle are expected to be communicated through the relevant Japanese diplomatic mission after February 2027.
MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 Deadline
There is no single worldwide deadline.
For students arriving in Japan in 2027, recruitment through Embassy Recommendation generally took place during:
April–May 2026
The First Screening is generally conducted from:
May–August 2026
However, exact application dates differ by country.
Applicants must check the website of the Japanese Embassy or Consulate responsible for their nationality.
Important for Applicants Reading This Now
Because the 2027 Embassy Recommendation application process began in early 2026, applications for this route may already be closed in many countries.
Do not rely on an old online deadline or assume applications remain open.
Check your country’s Japanese Embassy website for the latest status.
Students who have missed the 2027 Embassy Recommendation cycle can use the information in this guide to understand MEXT and prepare earlier for a future intake, while also checking other scholarship opportunities in Japan.
Arrival in Japan
Students following the normal April intake should generally be able to arrive in Japan between:
April 1 and April 7, 2027
Students selected for autumn direct placement follow the arrival period specified by their accepting university.
Selected students are also generally required to obtain a new Student visa through the appropriate Japanese diplomatic mission before traveling to Japan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Using old MEXT forms
- Missing your country’s Embassy deadline
- Selecting the wrong field or course
- Ignoring the written examination subjects
- Assuming all programs are taught in English
- Providing incomplete academic records
- Using unofficial deadlines from social media
- Sending the application directly to MEXT
- Assuming passing the Embassy screening guarantees final selection
Always follow the official 2027 guidelines and the instructions of your local Japanese Embassy.
Official MEXT Scholarship Information
Applicants should use official Japanese Government sources when preparing their application.
Click Here to Visit Official Website
The main sources are:
Japan Ministry of Education (MEXT)
Official 2027 Undergraduate Scholarship announcement, guidelines and application forms.
Study in Japan – Official Government Website
Official English-language MEXT Scholarship information and Embassy Recommendation application guidance.
Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Your Country
Your Embassy provides the actual local application deadline, submission procedure and First Screening schedule.
Never rely on a third-party website as the final authority for an application deadline.
Final Advice
The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 provides substantial support for international students who want to complete a bachelor’s degree in Japan.
For the 2027 intake, the scholarship provides:
- ¥117,000 monthly allowance
- Tuition and admission fee exemption
- Eligible airfare
- Preparatory Japanese education
- Access to undergraduate study at Japanese universities
However, applicants need to prepare carefully for the written examination, interview and document screening.
Most importantly, remember that Embassy deadlines differ by country. Always check the Japanese Embassy responsible for your nationality before preparing or submitting an application.
Important Note
This article is based on the official Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship for 2027 – Undergraduate Students, Embassy Recommendation guidelines.
MEXT and individual Japanese diplomatic missions may issue additional instructions or updates. Official MEXT and Embassy information should always take priority.