Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) via the Embassy of Japan in Thailand
MEXT Scholarship, Undergraduate Students (Japanese Government, Embassy Recommendation)
The Japanese Government's bachelor's scholarship for Thai students, selected by the Embassy of Japan in Bangkok. You spend the first year in intensive Japanese and preparatory classes, then four years (six for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science or six-year pharmacy) at a Japanese university chosen by MEXT.
Application round
For the 2027 round, applications had to be posted to the Embassy of Japan in Bangkok or the Consulate-General in Chiang Mai by Tuesday 2 June 2026 (postmark date counts; no hand delivery). The written exam was on Saturday 27 June 2026 in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Songkhla, interviews at the embassy on 16-17 July, and first-screening results on 22 July 2026 at 15:00. MEXT confirms final placements after February 2027.
Next round
The 2028 round should open around April 2027 with a postal deadline in late May or early June 2027 and the written exam in late June. Ask your school for original English-language transcripts and certificates early, since the embassy does not accept photocopies.
The IELTS requirement
You don't submit an IELTS score. The embassy's written exam on 27 June 2026 covered Japanese, English and mathematics, plus physics, chemistry or biology for science applicants, and the interview was in English and/or Japanese, so English ability matters even though no certificate is needed. Most MEXT undergraduates study in Japanese after the prep year. If you would rather take an English-taught degree, those programmes usually ask for IELTS around 6.0, which is a sensible target.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- A monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (plus 2,000-3,000 yen in some regions)
- Entrance examination, matriculation and tuition fees at the university
- An economy-class air ticket to Japan, and a return ticket when you graduate and go home
- One year of Japanese-language and preparatory education before the degree
Who can apply
- Thai citizen, born on or after 2 April 2002 (under 25 on 1 April 2027)
- In the final year of upper secondary school (M.6 or equivalent) or already graduated, with 12 years of schooling completed by March 2027
- GPAX of at least 3.50 out of 4.00; or 3.30-3.49 with JLPT N1/N2 or an EJU Japanese score of 200 or more (issued within the last two years)
- Fields: social sciences and humanities, or natural sciences (engineering, agriculture, medicine and more); art and music are not eligible
- Not a previous MEXT scholar, not military personnel, and not already studying in Japan as a privately financed student
Key facts
- Provider
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) via the Embassy of Japan in Thailand
- Where you study
- Japan
- Study level
- Bachelor's
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Application round
- Closes June 2, 2026
Already know your score?
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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