APU MEXT Scholarship 2027 is the Japanese government's University Recommendation (UR) route at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) in Beppu, Japan. It is for graduate applicants (master's or PhD) who want to start in September 2027. APU's deadline is November 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM Japan Standard Time (JST), which is 7:59 PM in Pakistan, 9:59 AM Eastern Time, and 6:59 AM Pacific Time.
This scholarship does not accept bachelor's applicants, and you do not apply to MEXT directly. You apply to APU for graduate admission, and APU chooses which candidates to recommend to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). MEXT then makes the final award decision.
I read APU's 2027 master's, doctoral, schedule, and online application pages on October 27, 2026, and I built this guide around what those pages actually say. You will find separate sections for Pakistani, US, and other international applicants, plus a time zone table so nobody misses the cutoff because of a clock mistake.
APU MEXT Scholarship 2027: graduate study in Beppu, Oita, Japan.
APU MEXT Scholarship 2027 in Japan: Master's and PhD
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Japanese Government (MEXT) University Recommendation (UR) Scholarship |
| Host university | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Beppu, Oita, Japan |
| Degree levels | Graduate only: master's and doctoral (PhD) |
| Start date | September 2027 enrollment only |
| Nationality | Citizen of a MEXT-designated country |
| Minimum GPA | 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at your most recent university |
| Monthly allowance | 144,000 JPY, including housing (amount subject to change) |
| Travel | Economy airfare between your home country and APU at the start and end of the program |
| Teaching language | English |
| Application fee | 5,500 JPY for overseas applicants who pay by credit card |
| Deadline | November 5, 2026, 11:59 PM JST |
| APU result | January 27, 2027 |
| MEXT final result | By the end of June 2027 (timing may change) |
- Quick Facts
- Overview
- Who Can Apply
- How Winners Are Selected
- Funding and Benefits
- Required Documents
- English Language Requirements
- Costs
- Application Procedure
- Deadlines and Time Zones
- Residence Permit or Visa
- For Pakistani Applicants
- For US Applicants
- For Other International Applicants
- After You Receive an Offer
- Common Mistakes
- Scam Warning Signs
- How to Apply Safely
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
- Official Links
- Read More
Re-verify before you apply: APU says the 2027 scholarship conditions may change, and scholarship portals update without warning. Open the official pages listed at the end of this guide on the day you submit, and recheck the English requirements for your specific program.
Overview
APU is a graduate and undergraduate university in Beppu, in Japan's Oita Prefecture, and all of its graduate classes are taught in English. The MEXT University Recommendation route lets APU nominate strong overseas applicants for a Japanese government scholarship. APU describes it as an award for outstanding international students whom APU recommends.
The route is separate from the Embassy Recommendation route, where Japan's embassy in your home country does the selecting. With the UR route, your first and most important task is a strong APU graduate application. If APU does not recommend you, MEXT never sees your file.
Finish the online application, the fee payment, and the online assessment by 11:59 PM JST on November 5, 2026 (7:59 PM PKT, 9:59 AM ET, 6:59 AM PT). APU states that deadlines will not be extended under any circumstances.
Programs you can choose
APU's 2027 admissions pages list these graduate programs. Their intake numbers are program intakes, not scholarship seats, so please do not read them as the number of MEXT awards.
- Master in Asia Pacific Studies (15 students per year)
- Master in International Cooperation Policy (45 students per year)
- Master in Business Administration (40 students per year)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Asia Pacific Studies (10 students per year)
I could not confirm from the pages I read whether every program, including the MBA, is open under the UR route. Ask APU's Office of International Admissions before you choose one.
Who Can Apply
This section covers eligibility only. Selection is a separate topic and comes next. APU's scholarship page lists the following conditions for the UR route.
Confirmed eligibility conditions
- You are applying to an APU graduate program as an overseas applicant. APU's schedule marks this route as closed to domestic and internal applicants.
- You are a national of a MEXT-designated country.
- You have a GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at your most recent university. Use our CGPA to percentage and GPA converter for a rough check, then let the university's own conversion decide.
- You are not on active military duty or employed as a civilian by a military institution when you apply.
- You meet APU's admission requirements for your program.
Educational qualifications for admission
- Master's: a bachelor's degree or a 16-year education completed outside Japan, or expected before you enroll.
- Doctoral: a master's or professional degree, or an equivalent degree, held or expected before you enroll. Doctoral applicants also need a signed supervisor confirmation letter before applying.
Some summaries online say bachelor's students can apply and that every nationality is eligible. APU's own page says this route is for graduate applicants only and requires a MEXT-designated nationality. Follow APU, not the summaries.
The Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship for Privately-Financed International Students is not counted as a MEXT scholarship. If you have received a MEXT scholarship before, check the current MEXT guidelines, because prior recipients can face restrictions that I could not verify on APU's page.
How Winners Are Selected
APU reviews application documents and selects suitable candidates to recommend to MEXT. Applicants who are recommended learn this when they receive their final APU application result, which APU's schedule lists as January 27, 2027. MEXT then decides the final award, with results expected by the end of June 2027. APU notes that this timing can change depending on MEXT's circumstances.
At the APU stage, the screening has three parts: your application documents, a recorded video interview, and online assessment tests. APU may ask for clarifications, contact your previous schools or recommenders, and request more documents. In some cases an additional interview is held online, so you do not need to travel to Japan.
What this means for your preparation
- Your personal statement and research proposal carry real weight, because they are the clearest view of your goals.
- Your video interview answers are recorded, so practice speaking in a calm, specific way.
- Your documents must match each other exactly, because APU may check them against the issuing institutions.
APU does not publish scoring weights on the pages I read, so I will not guess at percentages.
Funding and Benefits
APU's scholarship page lists two benefits for the UR route. Anything beyond these two items needs confirmation in the current MEXT guidelines.
Living allowance
144,000 JPY per month, which includes housing. APU states the amount is subject to change.
Economy airfare
Economy class travel between your home country and APU at the beginning and end of the program.
Tuition treatment
APU's scholarship page, as I could read it, does not itemize tuition. Confirm tuition coverage in the current MEXT guidelines before you rely on it.
I have not converted 144,000 JPY into dollars or rupees because exchange rates move daily. Please use a live currency converter on the day you plan your budget.
Required Documents
APU's graduate handbook includes a checklist that differs by program, and the exact list sits on page 27 of the 2027 Graduate Application Handbook. All documents are uploaded online, and APU treats the uploaded copies as official. Everything must be in English, and anything issued in another language needs an official translation.
Core documents for most applicants
Online application and personal statement
Completed inside APU's online system. See our guide to writing a winning motivation letter for structure tips.
Transcripts and graduation certificate
Academic transcripts and a graduation certificate, or a certificate of scheduled graduation.
English proof or exemption evidence
A test score, or the document that proves you qualify for an exemption.
Letters of recommendation
The number depends on the program. Check the handbook checklist for yours.
Passport copy and photograph
Both appear on APU's checklist for all graduate applicants.
Application fee payment proof
Paid through the online system, or uploaded as a receipt if you pay by bank transfer.
Program-specific items
- Doctoral: a research proposal, a curriculum vitae, a master's thesis or research achievement list, and a signed Supervisor Confirmation Letter.
- Asia Pacific Studies master's: the checklist lists a research proposal. GMAT or GRE scores are recommended but not mandatory.
- MBA: a study plan, a curriculum vitae, and a certificate of employment, since the MBA has a work experience requirement of three years of full-time work or equivalent experience.
Because the checklist table was hard to read in my copy, I kept these items general. Please read the handbook page for your exact program before you upload anything.
English Language Requirements
English is the language of instruction in all APU graduate classes, so you must show that you can follow lectures, do independent research, and write clear reports. APU lists these minimum scores.
| Test | Minimum on APU's table |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 85 (APU's table also shows a 4.5 figure, so check which test it belongs to) |
| IELTS or IELTS Online | 6.5 |
| TOEIC | 800 in Listening and Reading, and 315 in Speaking and Writing |
| PTE Academic | 69 |
| Cambridge English or Linguaskill | 176 |
If you are unsure how your IELTS sub-scores combine, try our IELTS band score calculator.
Who is exempt
- Applicants who graduated, or will graduate, from a bachelor's or master's program in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, or the USA.
- Applicants who can show they graduated, or will graduate, from a master's program taught in English in another country, using an official institutional letter or a transcript that states the language of instruction.
- Applicants who submit a master's thesis, or a draft of one, written in English. A research report does not count.
Costs
The one cost APU states clearly is the application fee, and it is paid in Japanese yen. Language tests, document translation, and certification are separate costs that depend on your provider, so I have not put numbers on them.
| Payment method | Fee for overseas applicants | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card (preferred) | 5,500 JPY | 5,000 JPY for evaluation and 500 JPY for administration. Paid inside the online system. |
| Bank transfer (only if you cannot pay by card) | 7,000 JPY | 5,000 JPY for evaluation and 2,000 JPY for administration. The sender pays all bank charges. |
- The application fee cannot be waived and is generally non-refundable.
- Domestic-use-only cards and prepaid cards are not accepted.
- Credit card payments close at 11:59 PM Japan time on the deadline day.
Application Procedure
The flowchart shows the full route from eligibility check to the final MEXT decision. After it, the numbered steps explain each stage in plain language.
Check your nationality, your GPA, and the program you want. Do this before paying any fee.
Pick a master's or doctoral program for September 2027. Doctoral applicants should contact a faculty supervisor first.
Gather transcripts, certificates, your personal statement, a research proposal if required, and English proof or exemption evidence.
Ask your recommenders early and tell them the deadline in their own time zone.
Register in APU's online application system and upload every document in English.
Pay 5,500 JPY by credit card, submit, then complete the video interview and tests. The assessment takes roughly 70 to 80 minutes in total, and instructions appear only after you submit, upload, and pay.
APU posts results on January 27, 2027 and emails instructions for viewing them. Watch your spam folder.
MEXT decides by the end of June 2027. Follow any extra instructions APU sends if you are recommended.
Deadlines and Time Zones
The timeline below uses dates from APU's 2027 schedule and scholarship page. The deadline is the only date you control, so treat everything else as planning information.
APU's official cutoff is 11:59 PM Japan time on November 5, 2026. Japan does not use daylight saving time, so JST stays at UTC+9. US clocks went back on November 1, 2026, so Eastern Time is Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and Pacific Time is Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8) on deadline day.
| Time zone | Deadline time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Standard Time (official) | 11:59 PM | November 5, 2026 |
| Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) | 7:59 PM | November 5, 2026 |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 2:59 PM | November 5, 2026 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 9:59 AM | November 5, 2026 |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 6:59 AM | November 5, 2026 |
I recommend you aim to finish at least a full day early, because the assessment alone takes up to 80 minutes and credit card payment cannot be accepted after the cutoff. Add the date to our application deadline tracker so you get a reminder.
Residence Permit or Visa
APU's scholarship and schedule pages do not spell out visa steps for UR recipients, so I will not invent them. What I can confirm is that this route is for overseas applicants, which means you will travel to Japan from your home country if you are selected. Visa steps normally run through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country, but you should wait for APU's and MEXT's written instructions.
Tuberculosis screening: APU's application page says nationals of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, and China must complete the Japan Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (JPETS) when applying for a Certificate of Eligibility to enter Japan.
For Pakistani Applicants
Pakistan is a core audience for this site, so I looked at the points that usually trip students here. First, the deadline in Pakistan is 7:59 PM PKT on Thursday, November 5, 2026, so the assessment must be completed that evening at the latest.
Payment
APU wants the fee paid by credit card in JPY, and it rejects domestic-use-only and prepaid cards. Before you start, confirm that your bank card allows international online payments. If you cannot pay by card, APU accepts a bank transfer of 7,000 JPY, and you pay the transfer charges.
English and documents
- A Pakistani bachelor's degree is not on APU's exempt-country list, so plan to submit a test score. The exception is an English-language master's thesis, or a master's institution letter confirming English as the medium of instruction.
- Transcripts and degrees that are not in English need an official translation from the issuing institution, a licensed translator, or a certified agency. The translation must show the translator's name, contact details, and signature or seal.
- APU's pages that I read do not mention HEC attestation as an upload requirement. Ask APU directly rather than assuming either way.
Eligibility check
Your 4.0 CGPA must be translated into the 3.00 scale that MEXT uses, and the minimum is 2.30. I could not confirm whether Pakistan appears on APU's list of designated countries, so ask APU's Office of International Admissions before paying the fee.
For US Applicants
If you are applying from the United States, your deadline is 9:59 AM ET (6:59 AM PT) on Thursday, November 5, 2026. That is the same moment as 11:59 PM that night in Japan, so a US applicant who thinks "I have all day" can be wrong. Finish your assessment before your morning gets busy.
English requirement
A bachelor's or master's degree from a US institution exempts you from the English test requirement. This saves you the cost and time of TOEFL or IELTS. Keep your transcript and degree certificate ready, since they serve as the evidence.
Practical points for US residents
- Your credit card will be charged 5,500 JPY, and your bank may add a foreign transaction fee.
- Your GPA is likely on a 4.0 scale, while the MEXT minimum is 2.30 on a 3.00 scale. Ask APU how your grades will be converted instead of dividing the numbers yourself.
- If you hold Japanese citizenship as a dual national, or permanent residency in Japan, APU directs you to its domestic admissions process. The UR route is for overseas applicants.
- I could not verify the designated-country list for US citizens, so confirm your eligibility with APU before you apply.
For Other International Applicants
If you are not Pakistani or American, the same APU rules apply, but your clock, your English status, and your pre-arrival steps may differ. Start with the table, which shows the deadline in several common time zones.
| Location | Deadline time on November 5, 2026 |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 2:59 PM |
| Nigeria (WAT, UTC+1) | 3:59 PM |
| Kenya (EAT, UTC+3) | 5:59 PM |
| India (IST, UTC+5:30) | 8:29 PM |
| Nepal (UTC+5:45) | 8:44 PM |
| Bangladesh (UTC+6) | 8:59 PM |
| China and the Philippines (UTC+8) | 10:59 PM |
Points that vary by country
- English exemption: if your bachelor's or master's was earned in the UK, Canada outside Quebec, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, or another country on APU's list, you may skip the test.
- Tuberculosis screening: applicants from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, and China face JPETS requirements when they request a Certificate of Eligibility.
- Eligibility: APU requires a MEXT-designated nationality, so confirm that yours qualifies before paying.
- Payment: if no international credit card is available, APU allows a bank transfer to its listed account, but only through the details published on its official page.
After You Receive an Offer
If APU recommends you, you will learn this with your application result on January 27, 2027. The scholarship is still not final at that point, because MEXT decides by the end of June 2027. Keep your documents organized and answer every APU email quickly.
APU's schedule also lists enrollment steps for the UR row: an Enrollment Fee 1 deadline of July 1, 2027 and an Enrollment Fee 2 deadline of July 8, 2027. I could not confirm how these fees apply to MEXT recipients, so ask APU in writing before you pay anything. September enrollment at APU takes place on September 21, 2027.
Tip: Save every APU email and your application number in one folder. You may need them for later procedures.
Common Mistakes
Process mistakes
- Treating submission as completion: APU counts your file only after the application is submitted, the fee is paid, and the online assessment is finished.
- Using the wrong card: domestic-only and prepaid cards are rejected, and card payments stop at the cutoff.
- Waiting for an extension: APU says none will be given.
Document mistakes
- Mismatched details: APU warns that discrepancies between uploaded and certified documents can lead to cancellation of admission.
- Untranslated files: a document not in English needs an official translation with the translator's details.
- Outsourced writing: APU warns that help from agents or friends makes you responsible for every detail, and problems can lead to disqualification.
Eligibility mistakes
- Assuming bachelor's students can apply: the route is for graduate applicants only.
- Ignoring the GPA scale: 2.30 is measured out of 3.00, not 4.00.
Scam Warning Signs
High-value scholarships attract fake agents. APU says applicants must prepare their own applications, and false information, plagiarism, or forgery leads to disqualification.
- Someone promises a guaranteed MEXT award in exchange for money.
- An agent asks for your passport, bank details, or a private transfer outside APU's published payment options.
- A message pushes you to pay immediately before you can check anything.
- An email comes from a free mail address instead of an APU domain.
How to Apply Safely
Use only APU's admissions website and its online application system. Check that the address begins with admissions.apu.ac.jp, and be careful with any site that copies APU's content. Pay the application fee only inside the online system, or to the bank account published on APU's own page.
On October 27, 2026, APU's UR scholarship page redirected to a maintenance notice, while the master's, doctoral, schedule, and online application pages loaded normally. If you see the same notice, try again later or contact APU's Office of International Admissions. Do not trust unofficial mirror pages.
You can learn more about how I research and update guides on the About Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for the APU MEXT Scholarship 2027?
APU's schedule lists November 5, 2026 for the MEXT University Recommendation route. You must submit the online application, pay the application fee, and finish the online assessment by 11:59 PM Japan time that day, which is 7:59 PM in Pakistan, 9:59 AM Eastern Time, and 6:59 AM Pacific Time.
Can bachelor's students apply for the APU MEXT Scholarship?
No. APU's page marks this route as open to graduate applicants only, meaning master's and doctoral programs. Some third-party summaries list bachelor's degrees, but APU's own page does not.
What GPA do I need for the APU MEXT University Recommendation Scholarship?
APU states a minimum GPA of 2.30 on a 3.00 scale at your most recent university. If your school uses another scale, ask APU how it will convert your grades, and use online converters only as a rough guide.
How much is the monthly allowance for the APU MEXT Scholarship?
APU lists a monthly subsistence allowance of 144,000 JPY, which includes housing, and notes that the amount is subject to change. APU also lists economy airfare between your home country and APU at the start and end of the program.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL to apply to APU?
Not always. APU's minimums include TOEFL iBT 85 and IELTS 6.5. Applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree from the USA, UK, Canada outside Quebec, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, or several other listed countries are exempt, as are applicants who submit an English-language master's thesis.
Do I apply to APU or to MEXT directly?
You apply to APU. APU says applicants must first apply for graduate admission, and APU then selects candidates to recommend to MEXT. MEXT makes the final scholarship decision, which APU expects by the end of June 2027.
Can Pakistani students apply for the APU MEXT Scholarship?
APU requires the nationality of a MEXT-designated country. I could not confirm a published country list on the APU page, so check APU's current guidance or ask the Office of International Admissions before you pay the fee. If you qualify, your deadline in Pakistan is 7:59 PM PKT on November 5, 2026.
Can US citizens apply for the APU MEXT Scholarship?
US citizens should confirm their country's MEXT designation in APU's current guidance, because I could not confirm a published list. Applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree from a US institution are exempt from the English test requirement. The deadline is 9:59 AM Eastern Time on November 5, 2026.
Final Words
The APU MEXT route rewards applicants who read the rules carefully and finish early. Confirm your nationality and GPA first, prepare your English proof, and complete the online assessment well before 11:59 PM JST on November 5, 2026.
Verify each fact on APU's official pages before you act, and ask APU in writing about anything I marked as unconfirmed. If you have a question, leave it in the comments or follow my YouTube channel for new scholarship updates.
Official Links
- APU MEXT University Recommendation scholarship page
- APU 2027 application schedule
- APU 2027 master's programs application information
- APU 2027 doctoral program application information
- APU faculty supervision request form for doctoral applicants
- APU 2027 Graduate Application Handbook (PDF)
- APU online application system
- APU international graduate admissions contact page
Read More
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Ready to apply for the APU MEXT Scholarship 2027?
Read APU's official pages, then submit through the authorized online application system.
Apply Now Official Scholarship Page Watch on YouTube Join WhatsApp ChannelEditorial note: Scholarship figures, deadlines, and admissions rules can change. Check every detail against APU's official pages before you submit. See our disclaimer for more.
Published: October 27, 2026
Last verified: October 27, 2026
Published by: Study Abroad with Arbaz
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