Fully-Funded Japanese Government MEXT Scholarships 2021 for International Graduate & Undergraduate Students
Study at Kyoto University - Japan Mext Scholarships
A wide variety of scholarship programs are available for international students wishing to study at Kyoto University.
The selection processes are highly competitive, however, and in most cases, applications are accepted only after matriculation. It is therefore advisable that students secure sufficient financial resources before coming to Kyoto.
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), is available to seven categories of students:
- Research Students (Graduate-Degree Students and Research [non-degree] Students)
- Teacher Training Students
- Undergraduate Students
- Japanese Studies Students
- College of Technology Students
- Professional Training College Students
- Young Leaders Program (YLP) Students.
Applications should be made before matriculation, either through a Japanese embassy or consulate (embassy recommendations) or through the host university in Japan (university recommendations). Most of the MEXT Scholarship students at Kyoto University earned their scholarships through embassy recommendations.
Kyoto University accepts the following categories of international students:
| Research Students | Undergraduate Students | Japanese Studies Students |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate degree and non-degree students | Undergraduate degree students | Credited auditors |
Application Period of International MEXT – Japan Scholarships 2021
From the date of receipt of the Passing Certificate through Friday 20 November 2020 (Japan time)
Note: The application deadline is usually mid-August, but has been extended for this year to accommodate the delays in the application process caused by COVID-19.
Benefits, Eligibility, and Application Period of Japan Government MEXT Scholarships 2021
| Category | Research Students | Undergraduate Students | Japanese Studies Students | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application method | Overseas Selection | ||||
| Embassy Recommendation | University Recommendation | Embassy Recommendation | Embassy Recommendation | University Recommendation | |
| Application period | Around April – May | Around late December – January | Around April – May | Around December | Around February |
| Selection method | Evaluation of submitted documents, a written exam, an interview, and others | Evaluation of submitted documents, an interview, and others | |||
| Eligibility | Those who have graduated, or expect to graduate, from an undergraduate or higher degree program | Those who have graduated, or expect to graduate, from a secondary school or equivalent | Those enrolled in an undergraduate program at an overseas university, and who expect to return to that university after completing a Japanese studies program in Japan (advanced Japanese language proficiency is also required) | ||
| Age (at time of acceptance) | 34 or younger | 17–21 | 18–29 | ||
| Duration | Non-degree students: up to 2 years, including a six-month Japanese-language training period (not mandatory for those with sufficient language skills) | Non-degree students: up to 18 months | Five years, including a one-year Japanese language training period | One year | |
| Degree students (master’s, professional, and doctoral): until completion of the degree program (not to exceed the standard number of years required) | |||||
| Monthly stipend |
| 117,000 yen | 117,000 yen | ||
| Those residing in certain regions may be eligible for an additional monthly payment of 2,000 or 3,000 yen | |||||
| School fees | Examination, admission, and tuition fees are exempted | ||||
| Traveling cost | One round-trip ticket is provided | ||||
Application procedures for Internationals
Pre-arrival applications should be submitted through either:
1) a Japanese diplomatic mission (Embassy Recommendation) or
2) a Japanese university (University Recommendation).
Most of the MEXT Scholarship students at Kyoto University earned their scholarships through Embassy Recommendation.
Note: For information for privately-financed international students currently enrolled at Kyoto University, see Scholarships applied for through the University.
Required Documents of Japanese Government MEXT Scholarships 2021 for International Graduate & Undergraduate Students
Make sure that all the lettering and photographs in these files are clear and legible. Any incomplete application will not be considered.
- Passing Certificate of the First Screening issued by a Japanese diplomatic mission
- Letter of Provisional Acceptance for 2021
- Application form
- Field of study and research plan
- Official transcripts for all higher education institutions attended
- Graduation or degree certificate
- Recommendation letter from the president of, or a dean or academic advisor at, the current or last higher-education institution attended
- Abstracts of thesis
- Certificate of language proficiency
- Recommendation letter from the present employer
In the 2020 selection process (general program), each Graduate School was allowed to nominate one applicant to the University, and the University was allowed to nominate up to three applicants to MEXT. Details of the 2021 process, along with the application guidelines, are expected to be announced by MEXT in late December.
Contact Details for International Students
International Student Support Section,
International Education and Student Mobility Division,
Kyoto University
Email: studyku*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (replace * with @)
