What age limit and eligibility conditions apply if I want to apply for the MEXT scholarship?
MEXT scholarship eligibility varies by category. Applicants must be citizens of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan and meet the educational qualification for their category. Age limits are typically under 35 for research students, under 25 for undergraduates and under 40 in principle for the Young Leaders Program.
MEXT eligibility changes slightly with your scholarship category. You must be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan, meet the education requirement and stay within the age limit for your category, as set out in MEXT's published guidelines.
Age Requirements by Category
| Scholarship category | Age requirement |
|---|---|
| Research Students | Under 35 years |
| Undergraduate Students | Under 25 years |
| College of Technology Students | Under 25 years |
| Specialized Training College Students | Under 25 years |
| Teacher Training Students | Under 35 years |
| Japanese Studies Students | 18 to 29 years |
| Young Leaders Program | Under 40 years (in principle) |
Other Eligibility Points
- Apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate, or an eligible Japanese university, depending on the route
- Undergraduate applicants need 12 years of school education or an equivalent qualification
- College of Technology applicants need at least 11 years of formal education
- Embassy route applicants may sit written tests in English, Japanese, mathematics and, for some undergraduate programs, science
- You may be rejected for missing the age limit, language or entrance requirements, or for incomplete documents
My Advice
Age is calculated using specific birth date criteria announced each year, so check the latest guidelines for your category before you plan. Start gathering academic documents early, since incomplete or incorrect files are a common reason for rejection.
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