
MEXT Scholarship University of Tokyo: The University of Tokyo, generaly known as Todai, is Japan’s most renowned and globally recognized university. It was founded in 1877, it is a leading public institution located in the heart of Tokyo, with its main campus in the historic Hongo district. The university of Tokyo (Todai) has long been a symbol of academic excellence in Japan, attracting top students, researchers, and faculty from across the nation and around the world.
The university provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including science, engineering, law, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. While the majority courses of taught in Japanese, the University of Tokyo has increasingly expanded its English-taught programs, especially at the graduate level, to welcome more international students.

The University of Tokyo (Todai) is also a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. It plays an essential role in global academic collaboration and is a member of elite networks like the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU). Its alumni network includes Nobel laureates, prime ministers, and significant leaders in business and academia.
With its world-class faculty, rich history, and commitment to excellence, the University of Tokyo continues to shape the future of education and research in Asia and beyond.
University Basic Information:
University Name: The University of Tokyo (Todai)
Location: The University of Tokyo is located in Tokyo, Japan. Its main campus is in the Hongo district of the city. The university also has several other campuses, including—
- Komaba Campus: – Located in the Meguro ward, it primarily houses the College of Arts and Sciences and some graduate schools.
- Kashiwa Campus: – Situated in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, this campus focuses on advanced research, especially in the fields of environmental studies and science and technology.
Global Ranking (2025):
According to—
- Times Higher Education (THE): Ranked 28th globally, University of Tokyo is the highest-ranked Japanese university in this list.
- QS World University Rankings: Ranked 32nd worldwide, University of Tokyo maintains its position among the top 50 global universities.
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): Ranked 28th, University of Tokyo is consistently placed among the top research institutions globally.
Scholarship Offered: The University of Tokyo (Todai) offered various types of scholarship for international students. The Scholarship criteria, eligibility, programs, fees are given below:
MEXT Scholarship (via embassy or university recommendation only)
MEXT Scholarship is Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship. This program enables students to study at a Japanese university with a scholarship provided by the Japanese government, specifically the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). At UTokyo, students under this program are accepted only as ‘Research Students’ or ‘Undergraduate Students’.
Category for Scholarship of MEXT:
- Research Student: Master`s, Doctorate and Professional Degree Programs (Regular Graduate Student) or Graduate International Research students.
- Undergraduate Student:
——Scholarship recipients first attend a MEXT-designated preparatory school for one year.
——The preparatory program includes intensive Japanese language training and other subjects required for university admission.
——After completing the course and passing the university entrance exam, students proceed to a university designated by MEXT.
University placement is determined by MEXT based on:
- Academic performance in the primary screening in the student’s home country
- Achievements during the preparatory year
- Intended major
- Capacity of the receiving university
- Application Method: Both of the 2 (Two) types below should be applied before coming to Japan.
Embassy Recommendation:
Applications for this category must be submitted directly through Japanese embassies or consular offices outside Japan. Scholarship recipients are selected and initially screened by the Japanese embassy or consulate general in their home country.
For more Japanese Embassies and Consular Offices (MOFA).
Check by https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html or Click here.
University Recommendation:
For this category, UTokyo directly selects and recommends research students to MEXT as candidates for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. Most applicants are international students participating in inter-university exchange agreements.
Eligibility:
For Research Student:
Students (excluding research and auditing students) entering the University may be eligible for an exemption from the admission fee under any of the following conditions:
a) Graduate students who demonstrate both financial hardship and exceptional academic ability.
b) Students facing significant financial difficulty due to one of the following reasons:
- The death of a financial supporter within one year prior to admission.
- Losses caused by natural disasters (such as wind or flood damage) affecting the student or their financial supporter within one year prior to admission.
c) Students experiencing other unavoidable and exceptional circumstances as recognized by the University.
For Undergraduate and graduate students:
Undergraduate and graduate students (excluding research and auditing students) may be eligible for a tuition fee exemption if any of the following conditions apply:
a) Students who are experiencing financial hardship and are recognized for their outstanding academic performance.
b) Students facing severe financial difficulty due to one of the following:
- Damage caused by wind, flood, or other natural disasters affecting the student or the individual(s) responsible for covering their educational expenses.
c) Students with other unavoidable and exceptional circumstances, as recognized by the University.
Scholarship Application deadline & Other Required Documents:
For Application process, deadline, Tuition fees, Required Documents, Guideline for application form, Household Finances & Other details please see the blow links.
Application Procedure for 2025, Admission / Tuition Fee Exemption / Deferred Payment (PDF: 96KB)
Application Form for Admission & Tuition Fee Exemption – AY2025 (PDF: 382KB)
The Guideline for application form (PDF: 710KB)
Record of Household Finances (Form2) (PDF: 118KB)
For more tuition fee free scholarship Click here