Job Description

Opportunity Description

Looking to study in Japan and in need of a fully funded scholarship? The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan funds the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship at the University of Tsukuba, a Designated National University. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and international airfare for master’s and doctoral study, with select bachelor’s programs also open through the special program. It targets applicants holding the nationality of any country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Applications for the 2027 intake run through 2026.

Key Details

• Provided by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Government of Japan
• Host institution: University of Tsukuba
• Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
• Admission Deadlines:
  • Embassy Recommendation: application call opens around mid-April 2026 at each Japanese embassy/consulate; country-specific deadlines are set by each embassy.
  • Embassy Recommendation: The deadline to request a University of Tsukuba Letter of Provisional Acceptance is September 1, 2026 (Japan Standard Time).
  • University Recommendation: General Program: application period around November–December 2026
• Degree Level: Master’s, doctoral, and select bachelor’s programs (special program only)
• Scholarship Number: University of Tsukuba’s University Recommendation (General Program) is capped at 3 candidates per year. Embassy recommendation quotas are set by each Japanese embassy and not published by the university.
• Gender: All genders
• Type: Scholarship
• Eligible Nations: Any country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Applicants holding Japanese nationality at the time of application are not eligible.
• Eligible Degree Programs: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation General Program:
  • Open to all fields of study that can be pursued in a graduate course at a Japanese university. Some Japanese embassies further restrict eligible fields by country.
  • University Recommendation Special Program, AY2026 list (Graduate Level):
  • Degree Program in Materials Innovation
  • Graduate Program for Transforming Society Through Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Robotics
  • Graduate Program in Multimodal Biomedicine
  • International Program for Promoting AI Social Implementation
  • Plurality PBL-Driven Resilience Engineering Global Program
  • Master’s Program in Sport and Olympic Studies
  • University Recommendation Special Program, AY2026 list (Undergraduate Level):
  • Bachelor’s Program in Interdisciplinary Engineering
  • Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues

Scholarship Benefits

• Tuition coverage: Entrance examination fee, matriculation fee, and tuition fee fully waived at the University of Tsukuba.
• Stipend amount and frequency: ¥143,000/month for non-regular students and those in preparatory Japanese-language education; ¥144,000/month for regular master’s or professional-course students; ¥145,000/month for regular doctoral-course students. A ¥2,000–¥3,000/month regional supplement applies in designated regions.
• Travel allowance: MEXT provides an economy-class round-trip airline ticket between the airport nearest the grantee’s residence and the international airport used for the accepting university’s normal route.
• Added perks: Free six-month preparatory Japanese-language course for grantees who need it, with stipend payments continuing during that period.

Scholarship Awards Summary

All tiers may receive an additional ¥2,000–¥3,000/month regional allowance in MEXT-designated regions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age limit: Born on or after April 2, 1992, with limited MEXT exceptions for documented disruptions (e.g., military service, war-related loss of educational opportunity).
• Citizenship: Nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Dual nationals holding Japanese nationality must relinquish it before arrival in Japan.
• Academic background: A master’s/doctoral (first phase) entry requires 16 years of school education outside Japan, or a bachelor’s-equivalent degree from a program of at least 3 years, or equivalent eligibility for graduate enrollment in Japan. Doctoral (second phase) entry requires a master’s-equivalent degree or two years of recognized research experience.
• Other conditions: Not currently military personnel or a military civilian employee; not a prior MEXT scholarship recipient (with limited exceptions); not applying to more than one MEXT program at the same time; must intend to earn a degree in Japan.
• Language requirement: No specific standardized test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo) is required. The first screening includes written exams in Japanese and English for all applicants; the English exam may be waived for applicants from countries where English is an official language.

How to Apply?

• Embassy Recommendation: Apply directly through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of nationality, not through the University of Tsukuba. Contact the local Japanese diplomatic mission for country-specific instructions and deadlines.
• University Recommendation: Contact a prospective academic advisor at the University of Tsukuba by email first, since the university manages nominations for this pathway.

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