Essential things you need to know about the MEXT scholarship
I noticed that many students who want to study in Japan on the MEXT scholarship don’t know much about it. Therefore, I put together a list of frequently asked questions that you might find helpful. Please feel free to add any other inquiries in the comment box below.
What is a MEXT scholarship?
The MEXT scholarship, otherwise known as monbukagakusho or monbusho, is a Japanese Government Scholarship Program. MEXT stands for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. So, the Japanese Government offers international students the chance to study in Japan on a full scholarship.
The monthly allowance ranges from 117,000 yen (1,100 USD) per month for undergraduate students to 143,000 yen (1,350 USD) for research students. The transportation to Japan and school fees are all covered.
There are multiple scholarships, but the most popular ones are the Undergraduate Scholarship and Research Scholarship.
Who can apply?
Students who will finish high school and wish to enrol at a university in Japan are eligible for the Undergraduate Scholarship. Students who completed a university course in their own country and would like to enrol in a master or PhD program in Japan are eligible for the Research Scholarship.
Of course, the students who apply must be interested in Japan, its culture, studying the language, and becoming a link between their own countries and Japan. They must be determined to learn, have high grades and be very serious.
How do you apply?
You apply at the local Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your own country. Before that, check their website and see the requirements because they differ slightly from country to country. Basically, you will put together an application file (forms, medical forms, recommendation letter, etc.) and submit it at the embassy sometime between March-May. It is good to contact the embassy and discuss with them if you have any particular circumstances.
After you submit the file, if they select you for the next phase, there will be some exams and an interview. Both undergraduate and research students will take English and Japanese exams. Then, the undergraduate students will have other exams depending on their field of study: maths, physics, chemistry, biology.
Do you need to know Japanese to study in Japan on the MEXT scholarship?
Although there have been cases of students accepted without any prior knowledge of the Japanese language, I really don’t recommend this. I would suggest a minimum understanding of Japanese to complete part A of the Japanese MEXT exam.
I know too many students who failed to obtain this scholarship for lack of Japanese skills. Of course, the lack of Japanese might have been overlooked had they taken higher scores in the other exams. And this leads me to the next question.
How difficult are the MEXT exams?
I would have to say above average, at least. Some students were really well prepared and had no trouble at all. But others couldn’t even understand the requirements of the tests. And on a few occasions, students who applied for engineering failed the math test. Of course, they will not choose a student who takes low grades on the exams and has not bothered to learn some Japanese before applying for the MEXT scholarship.
I studied Japanese for two years before applying. My Japanese was not perfect, but I had a good enough score to show that I was really interested and willing to make an effort.
Anyway, you don’t need to be perfect or have perfect scores. You just need to have better scores than the fellow students who apply in your own country. They will select the best of you. Although I did hear of situations when they didn’t choose any students. I guess this can happen as well.
The conclusion is to study hard, be prepared, be determined. Do not be overconfident and just rely on your charisma or good luck. Take it seriously if you want to be taken seriously.
What are some popular fields of studies that you can choose and some fields you should avoid?
A trendy one lately seems to be engineering. This is excellent, but you need to have good grades in maths, physics, and chemistry.
My favourite and the one that I studied as well is Business Administration. You need good grades for any business-related subjects, an excellent justification for choosing this field, and only English, Japanese and Math A exams.
For Japanese studies, you need to know a lot of Japanese. You cannot start from scratch here. Also, for other fields such as Japanese literature, or Japanese law, you need to have a high Japanese skill level.
Some fields of study that might not get you the scholarship are sports, art, manga and anime, pop culture, etc. There can be some exceptions, but you need to separate your hobbies from the more sophisticated study fields. Nonetheless, be careful not to choose something depressing. Some students I knew were researching social abuses, and they became very depressed and could not go through with their studies. Try to focus on something positive.
How long does the whole selection procedure take?
It takes about a year. If you apply in spring this year, you will go to Japan in April or September next year if you are selected.
Conclusion
There are many particularities and things you need to know about this scholarship. The best is to give yourself at least one or two years to prepare before you apply. However, I know many students decide to go for it quickly. In this situation, try to read more about the MEXT scholarship and prepare for the MEXT exams. Do not underestimate the Japanese MEXT exam by thinking that you will study in the English language, don’t need Japanese, or learn Japanese when you get there. This is a common mistake and can make students miss a valuable opportunity of studying abroad in Japan on a full government scholarship.
Please write in the comments below if you have any question so far, questions about the MEXT scholarship or life in Japan that you would like me to tackle.
Hey I am also trying to apply for a business Administration major. But the problem I have is all the subjects I took in my high school were all natural science subjects (physics, biology, chemistry, etc.) Can I still apply for a social science course? Thank you
Hi Al-Amin,
Yes, you can still apply for a social science course like Business Administration even if your high school subjects were in the natural sciences. The key is to demonstrate your interest and motivation for the new field in your application.
Best of luck with your application!
Hello,
Should I write an essay to apply for the MEXT Scholarship?
Hi Pamela,
You don’t need to write a separate essay for the MEXT Scholarship application. However, you will need to answer several questions in the application form that are similar to those in a personal statement. These questions include:
-What was the trigger for having an interest in Japan?
-What kinds of things do you think you can contribute to Japan and your home country through your experience of studying in Japan?
-Why do you choose Japan as a destination to study graduate-level education? (Research Applicants Only)
Make sure to provide thoughtful and detailed answers to these questions.
Best of luck with your application!
Hi! I just discovered your site and found it extremely helpful since I plan on taking the upcoming test. I’d like to ask you a question, ’cause I can’t find information on the Internet. I’ll try the Japanese studies students test, and the second selection will be an interview, like the other tests I suppose. But, I have this silly (maybe really stupid) question I need to ask: will the interview be in Japanese, or English, or your mother tongue depending on the country you live in?
Hi Alessia, thanks for your message. I am glad you found some helpful info on my website. Sorry about the delayed response.
About your question (it is not silly, it is a legit question), the interview is usually in English, never in the mother tongue (unless it is English, I guess). Nowadays, they ask some questions in Japanese as well. Also, students can opt to have the interview in Japanese. But usually, it is in English, with a few questions in Japanese. I hope it helps! Best of luck!
Hi, I wanted to ask that if the Natural Science C ,such as Medicine, will be taught in English or Japanese for international students apply in the undergraduate program?
Hi Mahnoor, thanks for your message. About your question, the medicine course will probably be taught in Japanese. I hope it is helpful. Best of luck!
I’m an Year 3 student at University of Papua New Guinea. I would like to apply for graduates or post-graduate studies in Business administration or Economic History in Commerce. Is it too late or still ok for me to apply?
And assist me out if this courses are provided in one of those universities in Japan.
Kind regards
It is never too late. You should apply for the MEXT research scholarship, and from there, you can go to the master’s (graduate) or doctorate course (postgraduate). However, you need a master’s degree for the PhD (doctorate). Many universities offer research/master/PhD courses in business administration, and some have classes in English too. Some examples are Waseda University and Meiji University (in Tokyo). Just make sure you choose business administration faculty, not economics or social studies. They are different fields of study. Check for universities in Japan, and then check which has a business administration faculty for each university. Write to them and see if they are willing to accept research students with your research plan (you need a research plan – what you intend to specialize in). Best of luck!
can I choose any career path as an undergraduate student? or is there a limit of options?
This scholarship is offered for many fields of study. However, there are some limitations. Not so much for art, sport, or similar domains. You should read the MEXT guidelines, and you will find there all the areas of study for undergraduate students. Best of luck!
I don’t know Japanese but I want apply for mext scholarship…can I apply for it
You can, of course, but without at least some intention of studying Japanese, chances are slight, to say the least. But I did encounter MEXT students who didn’t know Japanese at all. So, anything is possible.
In Bangladesh, the government has said that they will only select 25 students in the first screening. And they will prefer students with IELTS or TOEFL. I don’t have IELTS. Should I apply?
Yes, it is better to try than to regret and wonder what would have happened and if maybe you had a chance. This is a local requirement (IELTS or TOEFL exams). They are not MEXT requirements. However, the embassy conducts the first screening, so they set the rules for the students of that country. Maybe you can take one of these exams as quickly as possible. 25 students is a low number, so the competition is quite fierce. Even so, your country is trying to select the best out of the best students, so you must make an excellent impression. Best of luck if you decide to apply.
I am in 12th std is it too late for applying?
It’s never too late. You should prepare and go for it! You can do anything!
hello. I am a student of class 11 (2022-23) and I want to apply for the MEXT scholarship for Undergraduate but I don’t know when to apply for the MEXT scholarship. can you help me?
You need to check the application deadline on the Japanese website in your country. But the application period has closed for this year. You can apply next year around April-May.
Please how long does it take for MEXT to contact you after submitting your application?
They should contact you within a few days to invite you to the MEXT exams. Or the latest before the MEXT exams. You can check when the exams are in your country. They should contact you before the exams.
Blessed day Philip, please I applied for the MEXT Scholarship program and I am confused if I am to learn hiragana or Kanji
Hello Fongang Powell, best of luck with your application!
You should learn hiragana first, learn it as best as you can. After hiragana, you can start learning basic kanjis for N5. I hope it is helpful! You can do it!
Thank you very much for posting this article! Very informative. I just need clarification regarding the exams for Natural Sciences A, are they taken in the Japanese language or in English? Will this be taken along with the interview during the second screening or the first screening? In the MEXT guidelines, I’ve read that “The Japanese diplomatic missions will conduct the First Screening of applicants by means of examination of submitted application documents, written academic examinations and interviews.” But this and other articles say that the examination and interviews will start at the second screening/phase. Could you kindly confirm which of them is correct? P.S. I’m applying for the Undergraduate Scholarship. Thank you!
Dear Jesica, thank you for your comment. I am happy to answer your questions and clarify the misunderstandings.
The exams for Natural science A are taken in English. These exams are Math B, English, Japanese, Physics, and Chemistry.
The embassy conducts the first screening. This means reading the application files, examinations and interviews. So, the exams and interviews are in the first screening, not the second.
I hope it is clear now.
Yes, it’s clear now. ^^ Thank you for the immediate response and clarification!
Good evening,
Thank you for posting this. I found it quite beneficial, especially the section about preparing well in advance. I’m currently researching on MEXT. I’ve been learning jp for 4 years but I recently only got serious with it. I count last year as year 1.
I wanted to ask, if I am to apply for a course like Media and Culture Studies at Waseda for example, or something in the humanities, are you required to still take the math, physics, etc exam? And also, since MEXT assign you based on of the choices you’ve outlined for where you want to study, are you able to choose?
Lastly, how did your interview process go? I’m certain that you can’t disclose much but if possible, could you give some advice on what’s expected?
I apologize for the lengthy post.
Hello Uchi,
Thank you for your comment. I am happy to hear that you found my posts beneficial.
About your questions. Undergraduate students need to take English, Japanese and Maths A for humanities. No physics, chemistry or biology.
It depends on MEXT where you go, but it also depends on where you are accepted. Just put the universities in the order of your preferences.
My interview was ok, and I was very relaxed. They ask you about what you want to do in Japan in the future, talk about what you want to study, and how it is important. They will also ask how Japan and your country will benefit from you studying in Japan. These are important questions. It would be best to practise with a friend or in front of a mirror.
Best of luck!
Good day,
Thank you very much for your reply. I’ll do my best!
I majored in English can I study the Japanese language as a research student?
Hello Hama, to be able to study the Japanese language as a research student, you need to have a JLPT of N2 or at least N3. If not, it is better to find something else to study and take the Japanese courses when you are a research student. I hope it is helpful. Best of luck!
hello! Can you please tell me what is the approximate school average matters should be?
There is nothing official, but at least 70-80%. Any average below that is too little.
I want to do master in computer what should i do please give me some path
Apply for the MEXT research scholarship. Exams: English and Japanese. Prepare a research plan for your desired field of study. Find 3 universities in Japan that offer graduate studies in computer science. You have a good chance! Best of luck!
What are the requirements getting a part time job there though
Hi Marvellous, you need to go to the immigration service bureau and apply for a part-time job visa as a student. You fill out a form, pay a tax at a convenience store (it was about 4000 yen the last time I paid, but maybe it changed a little). You receive a stamp on your passport which says that you can work part-time.
After getting the scholarship, will one need to prepare his own money for the first month before going?
Yes, you will need at least 1000 USD for the first month, until you get your scholarship. 2000 USD would be more comfortable.
For Master degree in IT field, do I have to take Mathematics Exam? Or all student for graduate students have to take only Japan and English?
For the graduate (research) scholarship, you don’t need math, only English and Japanese. But make sure your research plan is top notch, it’s super important! Good luck!
Thanks for these informations
I am studying chemistry engineering in my own country and wanna do a master in Japan what items will i be examinated in the exam ? I know that math is sure there but what else ????
Hi Mohamed, thanks for your comment. For a master (graduate studies), you will apply for the research scholarship and you don’t need math, you only need English, Japanese and an excellent research plan. You need math if you want to apply for the undergraduate scholarship and go to university (not graduate studies). I hope it is helpful.
Thanks for the great article! I had a question concerning staying in Japan after finishing the scholarship, I mean changing the residency from student visa to a work visa. Is it possible to do this while staying there without returning back to my country? and how? Thank you again 🙂
Hi Amr Tamer, thanks for your comment. About your question, the answer is yes. You can remain in Japan after you finish with the scholarship, and you don’t need to return to your home country. Changing your visa depends on whether you find a sponsored job or not. If you finish school and want to find work, you change the visa to a job-hunting visa with the recommendation of your university. You can extend after 6 months, so you have in total one year to find work. You need to find a visa sponsorship job, and they will recommend changing your job-hunting visa to a work visa. Not all companies are willing or able to offer this sponsorship. But you have one year to go to interviews and find a job. Then, later on, you can change the job without any visa sponsorship. Only the first time is important. However, if you are applying for the MEXT scholarship, don’t tell at the interview that you intend to work in Japan. Just say that you will go back home after you finish. I hope it’s helpful. Best of luck!
Thank you so much!
Hi the article is a good read lots of information really. I would just like to know, im an undergraduate and i wish to take the MEXT exam, do they really give Japanese exams?
Hi Veronica, thanks for your kind comment. To answer your question, yes, if you apply for the MEXT undergraduate, you need to stand for the Japanese MEXT exam as well! However, I did hear of students saying that they skipped the Japanese exam or left the pages empty. But I am not sure if they got the scholarship. If your Japanese level is very low or zero, then I suggest you learn a few basics because the first part of the exam is elementary. It is far better to say that you have started to learn Japanese than say that you will learn when you get to Japan. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to show that you are determined and serious. Best of luck with your application. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you very much!!
Thank you for the article! I had a question: I finished engineering studies in my country but started to pay back my student loan. So I wanted to know if the scholarship by itself is enough to live and is it still possible to save some money on the side every month?
Hi Sara, thanks for your message and sorry for the late reply. About your question, if you want to continue with research and master, then your monthly allowance will be 143.000 yen or 1.095 euro. If you choose to stay in a dorm or with a family for the first two years, then you will be able to save some money. The dorm rent was about 35.000 yen with utilities. However, the apartment rent was 61.000 yen without the utilities (water, gas, electricity, internet). So, you will need to take a part-time job to be more comfortable. Or you can teach private English; 3-4 hours per week should get you another 40.000-50.000 yen per month. And then you will be very comfortable with your savings.
It depends also on your personality. I know people who were on the scholarship, and they paid their student loans, about 30.000 yen per month, and were still saving money. But I couldn’t do that. I had difficulties saving, so I got a part-time job at an English school, and I also had private classes. Then I was more comfortable. I could eat whatever I wanted and travel more. I hope it is helpful! Best of luck!
How hard would you rate the math exam? Which topics should be prior and how did you studied for the exam?
Dear Kevin, thank you for your questions. For undergraduate, there are Math A and Math B. These are high school level, and I would give them a rating of 8/10 and a 9/10. However, some high schools do not offer a complete curriculum, and they avoid topics such as the absolute value (modulus) or vectors. Then, of course, if these appear at the test, it becomes problematic. The tests themselves might be above average, but the way they phrase the questions is confusing. I think it is essential for any student to familiarize themself with the math tests and learn things like functions, integrals, geometry, etc., to be able to get a decent score.
I studied by practising, not by memorizing or trying only to understand how a problem is solved. For example, I did the functions, and then I worked all exercises with functions from all the math books that I could find. I remembered all the formulas by practising and applying them within problems, not repeating and learning by heart. I strongly believe in practising when it comes to math, and I always had top grades at math during high school. The fact that I loved math helped a lot. I could practice 4-5 hours of math every day, even though I was going to school. And I also did math during classes I was not interested in. I just moved to the back of the class and worked on math. Then I would copy the notes from a colleague in case I had a test on that subject.
This worked for me, but you need to find out what works for you. And don’t forget that the high school average matters at MEXT. I knew my teachers, and I knew when I could work on math and how not to upset them.
Great Article! Loved the way eveything was explained.
Thank you so much, Vinayak! 🙂