Government of Japan (MEXT) via the Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu

Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships

Closed · next round not announcedFully funded

Last round (2027 intake): 22 Apr 2026 – 22 May 2026

The next round is not announced yet. We'll update this page when it is.

In short

Four options: university, technical college (KOSEN), vocational college, or research (master's level).
Full scholarship with airfare, tuition and a monthly stipend.
Apply through the Ministry of Education in Port Vila. The 2027 round ran from 22 April to 22 May 2026.
Written exam in Port Vila for those who pass the document check.

TVET certificate / diploma: shorter than a degree, with a lot of practice, to prepare you directly for a trade.
Bachelor's (incl. foundation): the first university degree, which opens the door to skilled jobs and to a master's.
Master's / graduate diploma: one or two years after a bachelor's, to specialise and prepare for more senior roles.

Age: Undergraduate, KOSEN and specialized training: 25 or under in April of the study year. Research students: 35 or under.
Work experience: Not required

Diploma / Bachelor's

You have finished high school, or will finish it by March of the study year.
Length: 5 years for undergraduate (7 for medicine, dentistry, veterinary or 6-year pharmacy), 4 years for KOSEN, 3 years for specialized training colleges, including preparation.

Master's

You have completed four years of university, or will by March of the study year.

For Ni-Vanuatu applicants

Applications go to the Ministry of Education and Training (Scholarship and Training Unit), not to Japan. Applicants outside Port Vila can send documents by email, but must bring originals to the written exam in Port Vila.
A health certificate is only needed if you pass the first screening.

Where you study: Japan
Language of study: Japanese, EnglishUniversity, KOSEN and vocational college: you study in Japanese, so you must be willing to learn it. University students start with a one-year course, mostly Japanese language. Research students: Japanese or English, good enough to work with your supervisor in Japan.
Fields of study: Four programmes: undergraduate (university), KOSEN (colleges of technology), specialized training colleges (vocational), and research students (master's level).

Not confirmed: english test. Check the official website ↗.

Airfare, tuition and a monthly stipend. Amounts are in the official application guidelines.

Not confirmed. Read the official rules ↗ carefully: many scholarships require you to return home after your studies.

How you apply: Through the Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training (scholarship unit)

1Download the guidelines and application form for your programme from the Embassy of Japan's page, and read them carefully.
2Submit the form and documents to the Ministry of Education and Training (Scholarship and Training Unit) before the deadline.

Document screening, then a written exam in Port Vila. Past exam papers are on the embassy page.

We haven't confirmed the document list yet. See the official website ↗.

Embassy of Japan in Vanuatu+678 29393 · embjpn@vu.mofa.go.jpListed on the official page: vu.emb-japan.go.jp
Ministry of Education and Training – Scholarship and Training Unit+678 33495 · vangovscholarship0@gmail.comListed on the official page: vu.emb-japan.go.jp · This office really uses a free email address. Only trust it because it appears on that official page.

Short courses and professional trainingScholarships for training without a full university degree: courses of a few weeks for people who already work, and vocational certificates and diplomas.
Writing a strong personal statementWhat the selection panel looks for, a simple plan for your text, and how to write it in your own words.
How scholarships work, from start to finishThe different ways to apply, what happens after you send your application, and when the main rounds open and close in the year.

Last checked 11 Oct 2026

Sources (3)