MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship for African students
MEXT (Monbukagakusho) is Japan's flagship full-funding scholarship for international students, awarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
MEXT covers full tuition, a monthly stipend (JPY 117,000–148,000), return airfare and visa fees. Streams include the Research Student programme (Masters / PhD with university placement), Undergraduate (5+ years including a Japanese-language year), Teacher Training, College of Technology and Specialized Training. Apply through Embassy Recommendation (most common in Africa) or University Recommendation.
About studying in Japan
See all Japan scholarships →Japan funds African students through MEXT, ABE Initiative and JICA, with English-taught Masters and PhDs across the G30 universities.
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Languages
- English / Japanese
- Visa
- Student visa (Ryūgaku) via a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the host university.
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Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Are MEXT scholarships open to African students?
Yes — African applicants are eligible for MEXT, subject to the country and academic eligibility set by the funder. Each listing on this page links to the official sponsor page where you can confirm the latest country list.
Are MEXT awards fully funded?
Most MEXT programmes cover full tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare and health insurance. Each card on this page states the exact funding type so you can compare like-for-like.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for MEXT?
English proficiency is required when the programme is taught in English. Some MEXT streams accept Medium-of-Instruction letters or waive testing for Anglophone graduates — confirm on the official call.
When does MEXT open each year?
MEXT typically opens once a year. We refresh this page daily so only currently-open or imminently-opening calls appear.
Where can I study with a MEXT scholarship?
MEXT sends scholars to universities in Japan. Specific eligible institutions and fields are listed on each scholarship card.
Can I study in Japan without Japanese language skills?
Yes. MEXT University Recommendation and G30 programmes (Tokyo, Kyoto, Tohoku, Osaka, Tsukuba, Nagoya, Keio, Waseda, etc.) are taught entirely in English.
How much does it cost to live in Japan as a student?
Budget JPY 100,000–150,000 per month for rent, food and transport outside Tokyo; JPY 150,000–200,000 in central Tokyo. MEXT stipends cover this for most cities.
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