Scholarship Opportunities at University of Kyoto

Kyoto University offers guidance on several scholarship programmes for international students who want to study at Kyoto University, with a highly competitive selection process. In most cases, applications are accepted only after matriculation, and students are advised to secure sufficient financial resources before coming to Kyoto. For information on a specific scholarship pamphlet, it refers students to a JASSO resource.

The scholarships covered include Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships, which are funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Applications are made before matriculation either through a Japanese embassy or consulate or through Kyoto University via university recommendations. It also describes the Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan) for exchange students accepted under a student exchange agreement.

For MEXT, the page explains application routes (embassy recommendations or university recommendations) and notes that many Kyoto University recipients earned their scholarships through embassy recommendations. For the short-term exchange stipend, eligible students must apply to Kyoto University through their home institution and together with the exchange programme application; direct applications to Kyoto University or JASSO are not accepted. For private foundation scholarships, the process varies by programme and may involve student-self applications or submissions through home universities.

Support duration depends on the specific scholarship: the JASSO short-term study scholarship provides a monthly stipend for the period of stay in Japan. For private foundation scholarships, it describes monthly amounts without an overall duration. For the Taiwan Kyoto University Scholarship, it states that scholarship and entrance/tuition fee exemption are provided for up to four years. The page also notes tuition exemption eligibility for certain exchange and student categories, where applicable.

• International students wishing to study at Kyoto University.
• MEXT Scholarships: Applicants must apply before matriculation; application must be made either through a Japanese embassy or consulate (embassy recommendations) or through the host university in Japan (university recommendations).
• Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan): Applicants must be international students accepted into a Japanese university under a student exchange agreement.
• Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan): Applications must be made to Kyoto University through the student’s home institution and together with the exchange programme application; direct applications from students to either Kyoto University or JASSO are not accepted.
• Private foundation scholarships: Selection is by Kyoto University, which annually nominates candidates for approximately 90 private scholarship programmes.
• Private foundation scholarships: Some programmes accept applications from students themselves; others require submission through the students’ home universities.
• Private foundation scholarships: Many programmes expect applicants to have a certain level of Japanese language proficiency.
• Doctoral students under China Scholarship Council’s state-sponsored postgraduate study-abroad programme: Kyoto University previously exempted tuition for doctoral students under this programme, but practice has been suspended beginning with October 2022 admission, except at the Graduate School of Engineering.
• Visiting students (non-degree): Must consider admission under categories described as ‘exchange students’ or ‘special research students’ or ‘research students’ depending on whether the home university/graduate school is included in specified partner lists.
• ‘Exchange students’: Those from universities or graduate schools included in the partner lists may apply as ‘exchange students’, usually eligible for tuition exemption.
• ‘Special research students’ or ‘research students’: Those from other universities or graduate schools may apply under these categories and should contact the relevant faculty/graduate school office.
• Taiwan Kyoto University Scholarship: For Taiwanese students who wish to study at Kyoto University as degree-seeking doctoral students.
• Scholarships accepting applications after matriculation: Privately financed international students who are currently enrolled at Kyoto University and interested in scholarship opportunities are advised to refer to a separate scholarship page.
• Inquiries to International Student Division (ISD): Inquiry must include the KyotoU faculty/graduate school and degree programme concerned, and must be made in Japanese or English.

• MEXT Scholarships: Funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). (No specific amount or components are stated on the page.)
• Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan): Monthly stipend of 80,000 yen, provided throughout the period of stay in Japan.
• Private foundation scholarships: Typically 30,000 to 180,000 yen per month to one or two students. (Duration not stated; acceptance usually after matriculation.)
• Visiting students under student exchange agreements: Usually eligible for tuition exemption for those applying as ‘exchange students’ from included partner universities/graduate schools.
• China Scholarship Council state-sponsored postgraduate study-abroad programme (doctorals): Kyoto University suspended tuition exemption practice beginning with October 2022 admission, except at the Graduate School of Engineering.
• Taiwan Kyoto University Scholarship: Scholarship and exemption from entrance/tuition fees provided for up to four years.

1. For more information on JASSO-related guidance, follow the reference to the JASSO pamphlet for international students in Japan.
2. MEXT Scholarships: Apply before matriculation either through a Japanese embassy or consulate (embassy recommendations) or through the host university in Japan (university recommendations).
3. Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-Term Study in Japan): Apply to Kyoto University through the student’s home institution together with the exchange programme application.
4. For Student Exchange Support Program: Do not submit a direct application to Kyoto University or JASSO.
5. For private foundation scholarships: Check the application process for the specific programme with the office of the faculty/graduate school where the student plans to enroll, and follow the route required by that programme (student-self or through home university).
6. For foreign government scholarships: Contact the relevant agency in the student’s country for application periods, benefits, and other details.
7. For China Scholarship Council’s state-sponsored postgraduate study-abroad programme: Follow the rules described for doctoral tuition exemption, including the suspension described by Kyoto University for most cases.
8. For visiting students: Confirm whether there is an academic exchange agreement via the listed partner routes (university-level or department-level partnership). If included, apply as ‘exchange students’ and obtain a university recommendation via the home institution. Request a letter of provisional acceptance from Kyoto University by contacting the student exchange division through the relevant office at the home institution.
9. If not included, apply as ‘special research students’ or ‘research students’ by contacting the relevant faculty/graduate school office.
10. For Taiwan Kyoto University Scholarship: Follow details provided by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan and refer to Graduate Schools/Entrance Examinations eligible through the relevant Graduate Studies division.
11. For privately financed international students currently enrolled at Kyoto University: Refer to the separate scholarship information for privately-financed international students.
12. For inquiries: Contact International Student Division (ISD) and include the KyotoU faculty/graduate school and degree programme concerned; submit the inquiry in Japanese or English.

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