Japanese Government (MEXT) Undergraduate Scholarships
2025/6/3
The application window for the 2026 MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship Programme for UK nationals is now closed. The application window for the 2027 scholarship is expected to open in April 2026.
Past exams can be viewed here. Those who wish to apply are encouraged to review past exams well in advance. There is no textbook or syllabus for the exam but the EJU syllabus can be used for reference.
The use of calculators is not permitted and there will be no reference materials provided during the exams.
Table of Contents
- Application Documents
- General Outline
- Application Timetable
- MEXT Alumni Personal Experiences
- Alumni Association in the UK
- Information on Safety and Disaster Management
- Promotional Material
Past Application Documents (for reference)
Please be sure to thoroughly read through the Application Guidelines before submitting the necessary documents for your application.Fields of art, including music, are not majors eligible for application.
- Application documents for download
- Self-Assessment Medical Report (Word)
*Temporary alternative form to Certificate of Health which shortlisted candidates may submit by mid-August
The 2026 list of undergraduate courses permitting direct placement is expected to be available from July.
General Outline
This award is offered on an annual basis to those with 12 years of school education, who are under the age of 24 and wish to study at a national university in Japan.Scholarships are tenable from April each year. Grantees will hold their award for five to seven years, including the one-year preparatory education in the Japanese language. The Japanese Government provides return airfare, school fees and a monthly grant of ¥117,000 (subject to change).
All enquiries should be emailed to:
MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship
Japan Information and Cultural Centre
Embassy of Japan
scholarship@ld.mofa.go.jp
Application Timetable
| Application deadline | 2 June 2025 |
| UK exams and interviews | 3 July 2025 |
| Results of primary screening in the UK* | July 2025 |
| Secondary screening in Tokyo | October to November 2025 |
| FINAL RESULTS with placement by Tokyo | December to February 2026 |
| Pre-departure orientation | March 2026 |
| Departure for Japan | April or September/October 2026 |
*Please note that, although candidates may be successful up until this point, the final result depends on confirmation of their university placement.
MEXT Alumni Personal Experiences
- Gerard Glowacki - Osaka University
- Russ Ryuichi Houghton - Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
- Megan Gouw - University of Toyama
Alumni Association in the UK
Information on Safety and Disaster Management
Earthquake information is available in English on NHK World website.Promotional Material
- Promotional flyer (PDF)
