University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 in Japan | MEXT Funding

The University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 provide international students with several funding opportunities to study in Japan. Available options include the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship, University of Tokyo financial assistance and scholarships from private foundations.

Funding depends on the scholarship and degree level. The MEXT Scholarship provides full tuition coverage, a monthly allowance and round-trip airfare, while university and private scholarships may offer partial or full financial support.

Students should understand that there is no single scholarship covering every Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programme at UTokyo. Each funding route has separate eligibility requirements, benefits and application deadlines. The University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 article below explains the main options and confirmed information for the 2027 intake.

University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 Funding Routes

International students can access financial support through three main routes. Each option has different benefits, deadlines and application procedures.

1. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship

The MEXT Scholarship is the main fully funded option. It may provide:

• Full tuition-fee exemption
• Exemption from entrance and admission fees
• Monthly living allowance
• Round-trip economy-class airfare
• Additional regional allowance where applicable

Students can apply through either the Japanese embassy in their country or a University of Tokyo graduate school.

University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 Benefits

The financial benefits depend on the scholarship route. The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship provides the most comprehensive funding package for international students.

MEXT Scholarship Financial Benefits

• Full exemption from university tuition fees
• Exemption from entrance examination and admission fees
• Monthly living allowance
• Round-trip economy-class airfare between the student’s home country and Japan
• An additional regional allowance of ¥2,000 or ¥3,000 per month for students studying in designated regions

MEXT Monthly Allowance

The monthly allowance may change according to the Japanese government’s annual budget. Scholarship payments may also be suspended if a recipient is absent from the university for an extended period.

Other University of Tokyo Scholarship Benefits

University-funded and private-foundation scholarships may provide:

• Partial or full tuition-fee exemption
• Monthly financial support
• Research grants
• Emergency financial assistance
• Other programme-specific benefits

These benefits vary by scholarship. Applicants should not assume that every University of Tokyo scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, airfare and all living expenses.

3. Private Foundation Scholarships

Many private foundations in Japan offer scholarships to international students. Depending on the programme, students may apply:

• Directly to the foundation
• Through a University of Tokyo recommendation
• Before arriving in Japan
• After enrolling at the university

These awards may provide a monthly allowance or tuition assistance. Their eligibility rules, application dates and funding periods differ.

University of Tokyo What’s Typically Included

• Full tuition coverage (MEXT and most institutional awards)
• A monthly stipend — MEXT scholarships pay roughly ¥143,000–145,000/month depending on degree level (research students, master’s, and PhD tracks each differ slightly), while some UTokyo graduate school stipends run around ¥200,000/month for high-achieving self-funded PhD students
• Round-trip airfare to and from Japan (MEXT scholarships)
• No tuition-fee entrance exam fees under MEXT
• Health insurance support, depending on the specific award

Available Degree Levels

The University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 may support international students at undergraduate and graduate levels. However, scholarship availability depends on the selected programme and application route.

Bachelor’s Degree

International undergraduate students may apply for the Japanese Government MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship through the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country.

The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship can provide full tuition coverage, a monthly allowance of ¥117,000 and round-trip airfare. Applicants must meet the official nationality, age, educational and health requirements.

Important: The University of Tokyo’s Programs in English at Komaba, commonly known as PEAK, completed its final student recruitment for September 2026. Applicants should not list PEAK as an available programme for the 2027 intake.

Master’s Degree

International Master’s applicants can explore the MEXT Research Student Scholarship through Embassy Recommendation or an eligible University Recommendation route.

MEXT-funded Master’s students may receive:

• Full tuition-fee exemption
• A monthly allowance of ¥144,000
• Round-trip airfare
• Additional regional support where applicable

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their selected University of Tokyo graduate school. Application dates and available English-taught programmes differ between graduate schools.

PhD Degree

International doctoral applicants may apply for MEXT funding and other University of Tokyo or private-foundation scholarships.

MEXT-funded PhD students may receive:

• Full tuition-fee exemption
• A monthly allowance of ¥145,000
• Round-trip airfare
• Access to university research facilities

PhD applicants normally need a relevant Master’s degree, a strong academic record and a suitable research proposal. Some graduate schools may also require applicants to contact a potential academic supervisor before applying.

check MEXT Scholarship 2027

University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility requirements depend on the scholarship category, degree level and selected University of Tokyo programme. Applicants must check the specific guidelines for their chosen funding route.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be international students who meet the nationality requirements of the selected scholarship.
• Candidates must have a strong academic record.
• Applicants must meet the admission requirements of their selected University of Tokyo programme.
• Undergraduate applicants must hold or expect to complete a recognised secondary-school qualification.
• Master’s applicants must hold or expect to complete a recognised Bachelor’s degree.
• PhD applicants must normally hold or expect to complete a relevant Master’s degree.
• Candidates must satisfy the language requirements of their selected programme.
• Applicants must be able to obtain the appropriate Japanese student visa.
• Candidates must be physically and mentally able to complete their studies in Japan.
• Applicants must arrive in Japan during the period specified by the university or scholarship provider.

Additional MEXT Requirements

MEXT Scholarship applicants must also:

• Hold citizenship of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• Meet the official age requirement for their scholarship category.
• Apply for a field related to their previous academic background.
• Complete the required health certificate.
• Be willing to learn about Japanese language and culture.
• Follow all conditions stated in the official 2027 MEXT guidelines.
• Not receive another scholarship that conflicts with MEXT regulations.

Applicants with Japanese nationality at the time of application are generally not eligible unless they complete the required procedure to renounce Japanese nationality before arrival.

Previous MEXT recipients and applicants currently serving in the military may face additional restrictions. Candidates should check the official guidelines instead of relying only on general eligibility information.

Required Documents

Applicants for the University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 should prepare their documents carefully. The exact requirements vary by scholarship route and graduate school.

Commonly required documents include:

• Completed scholarship application form
• University of Tokyo admission application
• Valid passport or proof of nationality
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Official academic transcripts
• Previous degree or graduation certificate
• Expected-graduation certificate, if applicable
• Recommendation letter from a teacher, professor or academic supervisor
• Research plan or study proposal for graduate applicants
• Statement of purpose or motivation letter
• Proof of English or Japanese language proficiency, where required
• Official MEXT Certificate of Health
• Abstracts of theses, publications or research work, where applicable

Documents issued in a language other than English or Japanese may require an official translation.

Applicants must follow the document format and submission instructions provided by their Japanese embassy or selected University of Tokyo graduate school. Incomplete or late applications may not be considered.

Information Table

Scholarship benefits and deadlines differ according to the funding route, degree programme and graduate school. Applicants should always confirm the latest requirements through the official University of Tokyo and MEXT websites..

University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 Important Dates

The application deadline depends on the scholarship route, applicant’s country and selected University of Tokyo graduate school. There is no single deadline for every applicant.

Important: The 2027 MEXT Embassy Recommendation application period has already closed in many countries. Applicants should contact the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country to confirm their current status.

University Recommendation deadlines vary between UTokyo graduate schools. Applicants must check the official page of their selected department because some schools do not accept direct scholarship applications.

The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences has stated that implementation of the MEXT University Recommendation General Category for 2027 is not yet confirmed. If it is implemented, eligible Schedule B applicants are expected to receive information around late December 2026 or early January 2027.

How to Apply for University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027

The application process depends on whether the student chooses MEXT Embassy Recommendation, MEXT University Recommendation or another University of Tokyo scholarship.

MEXT Embassy Recommendation

1. Visit the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
2. Download and read the official 2027 MEXT guidelines.
3. Prepare the required application documents.
4. Submit the application to the Japanese diplomatic mission before its country-specific deadline.
5. Complete the document screening, written examinations and interview.
6. If successful in the first screening, request provisional acceptance from eligible Japanese universities.
7. Wait for the final selection conducted by MEXT.

MEXT University Recommendation

1. Select a University of Tokyo graduate school and academic programme.
2. Check whether that graduate school participates in the 2027 MEXT University Recommendation scheme.
3. Review its admission and scholarship requirements.
4. Contact the relevant department or prospective supervisor when required.
5. Complete the graduate-school admission application.
6. Submit all required scholarship documents before the department’s deadline.
7. UTokyo will conduct its preliminary selection and nominate successful candidates to MEXT.
8. MEXT will make the final scholarship decision.

University and Private Scholarships

Applicants interested in university-funded or private-foundation scholarships should check whether applications are accepted before admission or only after enrollment. Some scholarships require a University of Tokyo recommendation, while others accept direct applications.

Students must carefully check whether their selected scholarship can be combined with other financial support.

Application Tips

The University of Tokyo Scholarships 2027 are highly competitive. Applicants should prepare early and follow the instructions of their embassy or selected graduate school carefully.

• Select a programme that matches your previous academic background.
• Prepare a clear and well-structured research plan for graduate study.
• Contact a potential academic supervisor early when required.
• Request recommendation letters before the application deadline.
• Check whether your documents require official translations.
• Use the correct 2027 MEXT application forms.
• Do not submit incomplete or outdated documents.
• Confirm all dates in Japan Standard Time.
• Check whether different scholarships can be combined.
• Submit the complete application before the deadline.

Students interested in studying in Japan can also explore the Hokkaido University MEXT Scholarship 2027.

You may also read our complete guide on How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship.