Ritsumeikan University in Japan will again recommend graduate applicants for the Japanese Government's fully funded MEXT scholarship, for master's and doctoral study starting in September 2027.
The application guidelines are due to be released between November and December 2026. Only the Graduate School of Life Sciences and the Graduate School of Science and Engineering are expected to recruit this time.
How the university route works
You apply for admission to Ritsumeikan through its MEXT admission procedure, and everyone admitted this way is recommended to MEXT, which makes the final choice. The number admitted equals the few recommendation places MEXT gives the university, so competition is tight.
Non-degree research student places are not offered, and you can only be recommended by one university.
Who can apply
Nationals of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan (not Japanese nationals)
Born on or after April 2, 1991
A GPA of at least 2.30 out of 3.00 on MEXT's scale, which the university calculates for you
English at CEFR B2 or above, or a most recent degree taught in English
Able to take up a new student visa and arrive in mid-September 2027
Timeline and documents
In past rounds, applications ran from late November to late December, admission results came in January and February, and MEXT announced scholarships in June and July. The fall semester starts in late September.
You will need the online application form, the MEXT application form, a field of study and research plan, a certificate of health, transcripts and a mandatory letter of recommendation. Do not contact professors before the guidelines are out; just name your preferred supervisor in the application.
Questions go to the International Center at [email protected].
