Tokyo Metropolitan University Scholarships for International Students 2026

TMU’s main scholarships and tuition reduction/exemption programs are designed for degree-seeking students (i.e., students formally enrolled as regular undergraduates or graduate students), rather than for “online-only” study.

Both exist, but the default is Japanese. Many programs at TMU are primarily taught in Japanese, and Japanese proficiency is commonly expected for full participation. That said, TMU also has English-taught degree options (including programs where classes and evaluations are in English), plus specific departments and graduate tracks that can be completed in English depending on the program and supervisor.

It depends on the scholarship. Many university-administered scholarships are tied more to enrollment status and academic performance than age. However, some major government scholarships do include age rules (and some university-linked programs have minimum-age requirements tied to master’s/PhD entry eligibility).

For example, Japan’s government scholarship track (MEXT Research Students) is commonly restricted by age (e.g., “under 35” / date-of-birth cutoffs), while certain TMU scholarship programs for graduate applicants may specify age minimums that match master’s/doctoral entry conditions.

TMU scholarships are generally available across a wide range of subjects, because they are tied to your student status (undergraduate/graduate) and scholarship type, rather than restricted to a single major. TMU spans humanities and social sciences, law and politics, economics and business administration, science, urban/environmental studies, systems design/engineering, and health sciences.

It depends on the scholarship category. TMU lists multiple supports specifically for privately financed international students (so eligibility can be broad across nationalities as long as you meet the “international student” conditions). Other scholarships are external (foundations, government) and may restrict eligibility by nationality, region, or diplomatic status.

Some TMU-linked scholarship programs explicitly target applicants based in particular regions (for example, Asia and/or Tokyo’s partner/sister-city networks). In the Global Scholarships story, Mazhar Iqbal is a Pakistani applicant.

Often yes, but it depends on your program and language of instruction. Many Japanese-taught tracks expect Japanese proficiency (and may request proof through exams or prior education). Some English-taught routes (or English-supported labs) focus on English proficiency instead. Certain TMU graduate admissions (for example, some engineering/systems design tracks) explicitly require standardized English scores such as TOEFL iBT or TOEIC.

From the recipient story, Mazhar Iqbal said: “Although not required for MEXT, I took the IELTS and scored an overall band of 6.5.” That’s a practical example of an applicant choosing to strengthen an application with a language score even when not strictly mandatory for the scholarship track.

Admissions decisions typically depend on a full evaluation (your academic record, exams/interviews, research fit, etc.), and “minimum grade” rules can vary widely by faculty/graduate school and by scholarship type. For scholarships, minimum academic thresholds are more common than for admissions in general.

For example, some TMU scholarship programs for graduate applicants specify a minimum converted GPA requirement (e.g., 2.30/3.00 on a particular conversion scale) and expect you to maintain it. Connecting this to real applicant experience, Mazhar Iqbal emphasized that reviewers also look at direction and planning, not only raw grades: “Even if your academic scores aren’t perfect, a clear vision… can set you apart.”

A strong, consistent academic record helps, but scholarships commonly reward a “complete profile”: clear goals, strong fit with the program, and evidence you can succeed (research experience for graduate scholarships, projects/leadership for undergrad scholarships, etc.). If you are applying to a research-based graduate program, showing a focused research plan and matching supervisor/lab can be especially important.

In the scholarship recipient story, Mazhar Iqbal described what made him competitive: “a combination of academic strength, industry experience, and a clear, well-aligned research plan,” plus a publication from his undergraduate project. That mix is a strong model for TMU graduate scholarships that value academic achievement and research alignment.

Exact requirements depend on your level (undergraduate/graduate), your program, and whether you’re applying for admissions, a tuition reduction, or a scholarship program. However, applicants commonly prepare transcripts, proof of graduation/degree, recommendation letters, a CV/resume, a study plan or research plan (especially for graduate applicants), and proof of language proficiency when required. In the Global Scholarships recipient story, Mazhar Iqbal described his approach: “I carefully prepared all required documents, including transcripts, recommendation letters, and other supporting materials.”

Usually, yes, many TMU programs charge an entrance examination/application processing fee (the exact amount depends on the graduate school/faculty and the year’s guidelines).