Enrolling in the Graduate School of Science as a MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship Student
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, supports outstanding international students pursuing higher education in Japan.
There are two primary application pathways for the MEXT Scholarship: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation (Special Selection or General Program). At the Graduate School of Science, most MEXT scholars are selected through the Embassy Recommendation route.
To enhance your chances of receiving this scholarship, it is advisable to begin preparations early and apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
The following resources include the most recent application guidelines and documents from MEXT, as well as relevant information from Kyoto University (available in English):
文部科学省 国費外国人留学生制度について("MEXT: Japanese Government Scholarship Programs")
Kyoto University - Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship (Research Student)
- The selection process is organized at the Japan Mission in your home country. You should start applying one to one and half years before the intended enrolment date. Please contact the Japanese embassy or consulate about the process and take the examination and interview as instructed.
- When you pass the preliminary screening at the Embassy, you will proceed to request an acceptance by contacting your chosen academic supervisor. The “Letter of Provisional Acceptance”, an official document, will be provided once the prospective supervisor and their scientific division or department approve it after a scrutiny review.
- For detailed information, please visit the Kyoto University website.
University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship (Research Student - General Program)
- • Kyoto University can nominate up to three students annually for the MEXT Scholarship through the University Recommendation (Research Student - General Program). At the Graduate School of Science, nominations for this scholarship are solicited internally among the faculty. Applications must be submitted through a prospective academic supervisor, as direct applications from students are not accepted.
- To apply, candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic performance and research achievements, and must receive an institutional recommendation from one of the following higher education institutions:
- A partner university of Kyoto University or the Graduate School of Science with an active Student Exchange Agreement (SEA).
- An overseas university recognized for international collaboration and joint research with the applicant’s prospective academic supervisor at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University.
- As with other graduate schools (departments) and research institutes at Kyoto University, the Graduate School of Science will select one candidate from the pool of eligible applicants and recommend them to the university’s central administration. The university will then carry out an internal selection process and nominate a limited number of candidates for the MEXT Scholarship (General Program) to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), based on recommendations from each graduate school.
- Please note that a recommendation from the school or institute does not guarantee a nomination from Kyoto University. Typically, each school may recommend only one candidate to Kyoto University, which, in turn, can nominate up to three candidates to MEXT.
Points to Remember
- Financial Planning: When considering a degree at Kyoto University, it’s important to think beyond scholarships and ensure you have enough financial resources to cover your expenses.
- Master’s Program: In the Master’s Program at the Graduate School of Science, most lectures are conducted in Japanese, except for those offered in the International Course and a few selected subjects.
- Entrance Examination: In general, international students—except those applying to the International Course—take the same entrance exams for the Master’s and Doctoral programs as domestic students. However, MEXT Scholarship applicants may follow a different selection process. Since the procedures vary by department, applicants are encouraged to consult their prospective academic supervisor for specific details.
- Application Information: For the latest University-Recommended MEXT application guidelines and required forms, please refer to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) website. For application schedules and updates, visit the Kyoto University website.
- “Research Student”: In the MEXT Scholarship system, graduate-level scholarships are categorized under Research Student (Kenkyu-Ryugakusei). This designation is different from the university's own Research Student (Kenkyusei) status, which refers to non-degree-seeking students.