Study in Japan
The official Japanese government portal for international students, covering universities, English-taught programmes, admission routes, MEXT and other scholarships, visas, living costs and working. It links to the current MEXT guidelines.
Scholarship
Career Growth
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
Self paced
All
Free
What it is
Study in Japan is the official information site for international students, run by the Japan Student Services Organization with support from the Japanese government. It covers planning, finding programmes (including those taught in English), admission routes for graduate study, costs, scholarships, visas, housing, part-time work and job hunting after graduation.
MEXT scholarship (as of 2026-09)
The Japanese government's MEXT scholarship for research students is explained here, with links to the official guidelines. The 2027 research student guidelines describe two routes, embassy recommendation and university recommendation. They list monthly amounts of 143,000 yen for non-regular research students, 144,000 yen for master's or professional degree students and 145,000 yen for doctoral students, with small regional additions, subject to budget changes. Entrance, matriculation and tuition fees are waived and a round-trip air ticket is provided. For the embassy route, applications open from around April, with deadlines set by each Japanese embassy.
Other useful sections
- Graduate admission: many international students first secure a professor willing to supervise them, and some start as non-degree research students before entering a programme.
- Visas: your university usually applies for a Certificate of Eligibility before you apply for a student visa.
- Part-time work: students need permission to work, and the general permission allows up to 28 hours a week as of 2026-09.
- Job hunting in Japan after graduation.
How to use it well
- Read the graduate study and scholarship pages together; they are closely linked in Japan.
- Download the current MEXT guideline and read it fully.
- Search for English-taught programmes and professors in your field.
- Plan to learn some Japanese; it helps daily life and job hunting.
Is it worth it?
Yes, as the official starting point for Japan. Limits: the embassy in your country sets MEXT deadlines and procedures, and universities set admission details.
Free or paid
Free.
Common questions
Do I need Japanese for MEXT? Not for every programme, but it helps; read the guideline for your route.
Can I work on a student visa? Only with permission, within the limits stated by the Immigration Services Agency.
Ready to start?
Opens on Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) in a new tab.
Stuck on something specific?
Writing only gets you so far. If you want an answer to your situation rather than the general case, book a session and we will work through it together. Sessions are free for approved Sefism members, and a few slots open each week.
Follow along
New writing, resources and project ideas land here first.