Japan is opening its doors wider than ever to international students planning for 2027 bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD admissions. With English-taught degrees, government-funded MEXT scholarships, and university-funded tuition waivers, several top Japanese universities are actively recruiting global talent for upcoming intakes.
If your goal is to study in Japan with scholarship support in 2027, this is the shortlist that matters. These universities offer structured admission routes that include tuition reductions, fully funded government scholarships, or internal merit-based funding for international students across all degree levels.
Most universities in Japan run two main admission cycles: April intake (Spring) and September/October intake (Fall). For 2027 entry, the majority of application windows will open between May 2026 and December 2026, depending on program and scholarship type.
Below is a streamlined guide to 10 Japanese universities where international students can realistically secure admission with scholarship support for 2027.
Why Japan in 2027?
Japan is rapidly expanding English-taught degree programs and scholarship funding to attract international students into STEM, business, AI, sustainability, and policy programs. Many universities now integrate scholarship consideration directly into admission applications, meaning you can apply for both admission and funding in a single process.
Scholarships available across these Japanese universities typically include:
- MEXT fully funded scholarships (tuition, stipend, travel)
- University tuition fee waivers
- Monthly living stipends
- Research and teaching assistantships for graduate students
- Merit-based international student scholarships
For high-performing students, Japan remains one of the few destinations where you can complete a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD with significant financial support and minimal tuition burden.
Top 10 Japanese Universities Offering Scholarship Admissions for 2027
Following 10 Universities are offering new admissions to foreign applicants on different Japanese scholarships for 2027 cohorts:
| # | University | Degree Levels | Scholarship Options for International Students | Expected Next Intake | Next Admission Cycle (for 2027 entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Tokyo | Bachelor, Master, PhD | MEXT, tuition waivers, UTokyo fellowships | Sep/Oct 2027 | Applications expected Nov–Dec 2026 |
| 2 | Kyoto University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Kyoto iUP scholarships, MEXT | Oct 2027 | Applications expected Nov–Dec 2026 |
| 3 | Osaka University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | MEXT, university merit scholarships | Oct 2027 | Expected Dec 2026–Jan 2027 |
| 4 | Tohoku University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | President Fellowship, MEXT | Oct 2027 | Expected Nov 2026–Jan 2027 |
| 5 | Hokkaido University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | ISP scholarships, MEXT, tuition waivers | Oct 2027 | Expected Dec 2026–Feb 2027 |
| 6 | Nagoya University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Global 30 scholarships, MEXT | Oct 2027 | Expected Dec 2026–Jan 2027 |
| 7 | Waseda University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Merit scholarships, tuition reductions, MEXT | Sep 2027 | Expected Jan–Feb 2027 |
| 8 | Keio University | Bachelor, Master, PhD | Keio scholarships, MEXT pathways | Sep 2027 | Expected Jan–Apr 2027 |
| 9 | Sophia University | Bachelor, Master | Sophia New Student Scholarships, tuition support | Sep 2027 | Expected Mar–May 2027 |
| 10 | Ritsumeikan University / APU | Bachelor, Master, PhD | MEXT university recommendation, tuition reduction scholarships | Sep 2027 | Expected Feb–May 2027 |
What These Universities Are Offering?
| Offering Area | What International Students Receive |
|---|---|
| Fully Funded and Partial Scholarships | Many Japanese universities participate in the MEXT scholarship system, which can fully cover tuition fees, provide a monthly stipend, and include travel expenses. Universities also offer internal merit scholarships and tuition reduction schemes that can lower fees by 30% to 100% for international students across bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs. |
| English-Taught Degree Programs | International students can complete full bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees entirely in English across high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, international relations, business administration, environmental science, and global policy. |
| Research and Innovation Access | Students gain access to advanced research laboratories, international research collaborations, and strong industry partnerships. Key areas include robotics, semiconductor technology, sustainability, biotechnology, and data science, allowing students to work on cutting-edge global projects. |
| Work Opportunities After Graduation | Graduates from Japanese universities can transition to post-study work visas and long-term employment pathways. Japan’s demand for skilled global talent enables international graduates to build professional careers and secure long-term residence opportunities after completing their degrees. |
Who Should Apply?
These scholarship-linked admissions are ideal for:
- High-achieving students planning bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD abroad
- STEM, AI, engineering, business, and policy students
- Students seeking fully funded or low-tuition education in Asia
- Applicants targeting MEXT or university merit scholarships
- Students preparing early for 2027 international admissions.
When to Start Preparing for 2027 Admissions?
If you are planning to secure admission with a scholarship at a Japanese university for the 2027 academic year, the smartest move is to begin preparation well in advance. Japanese universities follow structured and competitive admission cycles, and scholarship consideration often depends on early and complete applications. Starting early allows you to prepare strong academic documents, language test scores, research proposals for graduate programs, and scholarship applications without last-minute pressure.
Between May and August 2026, most Japanese universities begin releasing updated admission guidelines for 2027 entry. This period is crucial for shortlisting universities, reviewing scholarship eligibility criteria, and understanding document requirements such as recommendation letters, study plans, and language proficiency scores. Applicants targeting fully funded routes should use this time to prepare academic transcripts, research proposals, and personal statements.
From September to December 2026, the majority of bachelor’s programs and several graduate schools open applications for the fall 2027 intake. This is the most active application period, especially for universities offering English-taught programs and internal scholarships. Submitting early during this window significantly improves scholarship consideration chances, particularly for merit-based and tuition reduction awards.
During January to May 2027, remaining graduate school deadlines and final scholarship rounds close across many Japanese universities. Some institutions also conduct interviews, entrance examinations, or additional document reviews during this phase. Applicants who meet early deadlines often receive admission and scholarship decisions within this period.