The MEXT Scholarship Program, also known as the Monbukagakusho Scholarship of Japan, has helped around 60,000 students, and the number is only expected to increase due to the push from the Japanese government.. You can become one of those students, and the first step is preparation.
Table of Contents
- Information about MEXT Scholarship
- Seven Types of MEXT Scholarship for Different Students
- Application Process
- Summary
Information about MEXT Scholarship
History and Reputation of the Program
Japan is well-known in the world to provide quality education to its students. It’s why the government invested a lot in the sector of education and provided forms of scholarships that may help students pursue their desired education.
One of these is called the MEXT Scholarship. MEXT stands for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology or also known as Monbukagakusho. It all started back in 1954, wherein the Japanese Government first provided the scholarship and continues to this day. The scholarship is open to different nationalities that are interested. In 2019, there were 9,220 recipients of the MEXT scholarship.
※ Embassy of Japan in the United States of America, "Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for U.S. Citizens" ※JASSO, “2019 Results of International Students’ Nationalities”
Benefits and Scope of MEXT Scholarship
If you are interested in further developing your scope of study, it is a good thing to invest and take a look at what MEXT Scholarship offers once you are in the program. The following are the perks that comes along with it:
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You are exempted from paying your tuition fee. This is a great opportunity to study because you won’t have to worry about fees while expanding your field of study. It is actually convenient as you can invest in other things while learning and nourishing yourself.
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There is a monthly stipend depending on the program that you are in. It ranges from JPY 117,000 a month to JPY 143,000 a month. While studying you can also earn or have provision to sustain yourself during the duration period of the scholarship.
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There will be cost living adjustment that can help you save in your spending inside the country
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The international round trip flight ticket to Japan is covered by the scholarship or university as well
Given these privileges that come with the program, it is good that the Japanese government is enthusiastic in providing means for those who are interested in studying in Japan. They have provided for many aspects of one’s time in Japan to help the applicants have basic provision in schooling.
Writer's Pick
Seven Types of MEXT Scholarship for Different Students
There are seven available categories that the students can apply for under the MEXT Scholarship. For easier processing of application, it is advised that you apply for the field of study that you have taken up before related to what you will be applying for the MEXT scholarship. Please note that students must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan as well. Let’s identify each of them and see what best suits you.
1. Research Students
Students who are interested in development of further research can apply in this program. This program offers a duration of 18 to 24 months that deals with primarily individual research and along with it a student must look for a Japanese professor that can monitor and give advice for the research study.
Qualifications: Applicants must be under the ages of 35 years old, a college graduate and must continue course of research study that has background and familiarization with the field of study. They must know or learn Japanese to understand instructions.
2. Teacher Training Students
This program offers to spend 1 year and half conducting research based on Japanese school education. Students applying for this must have a high interest in learning Japanese culture.
Qualifications: The applicant must be currently working as a teacher and have at least 5 years of teaching experience in primary or secondary schools.
3. Undergraduate Students
A student can choose between 2 fields of study, either under Natural Science or Social Science, and from there on spend a maximum of 5 years at a Japanese university as an undergraduate student.
Qualifications: Applicants must be a high school graduate that has diploma and must be between 17 and 22 years old.
4. Japanese Studies Students
This programs is subject in studying the Japanese language and culture for a year inside universities in Japan
Qualifications: Applicants must be 18 to 30 years and they must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student outside Japan, right after the program they must commit to return to their previous institution.
5. College of Technology Students
Students in this program spend 4 years at a Japanese University learning about technology. Field of studies includes the following: Maritime, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic, Information, Civil Engineering, Architecture and etc.
Qualifications: Applicants must be 17 to 24 years old and they must have graduated from high school and also understands or is willing to learn Japanese language.
6. Professional Training College Students
This program provides students a duration of 3 years studying at a professional training school which includes fields of Nutrition, Secretarial Studies, Hotel Management, Tourism, Design, Photography and other field studies.
The qualifications are the same as with the College of Technology of Students.
7. Young Leaders Program
This is one of the most interesting programs that MEXT scholarship is offering to the participating 29 countries as this focuses on development and cultivation of future leaders in their home counties. The select 20 students in this program will be able to learn how to promote healthy networking among leaders and help improve planning policies within and outside the countries.
Qualifications: Applicants must be under 40 years old and they must hold a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration field with top-notch academic performance, and with minimum 3 years work experience.
※JASSO, “Scholarship for International Students in Japan 2020-2021”
Application Process
Now that the types of MEXT Scholarship has been discussed and you have background information which may be suitable for you to take, let us find out more about the process of application in the scholarship. There are two main ways to apply.
Embassy Recommendation
Students that are interested to apply for the scholarship may submit the application form and other requirements to the Japan Embassy within their home country. Since all applications are sent through the Embassy, students must wait for the announcement from the embassy. Those who passed will go through qualifying exams and interviews.
After that, those who have successfully qualified for the application will be able to request for a letter of acceptance to a university in Japan. While an applicant can make requests as to the school they want to apply to, MEXT has the power to make the final decision as to the university of study. Only those who passed the final assessment in the Embassy can proceed with the application.
Read more about the process of embassy recommendation here:
How to Apply for Scholarships in Japan Using Embassy Recommendation
University Recommendation
The other process is by University Recommendation. The applicant can confer directly with the university they have already been accepted to. Once the documents and requirements are submitted, the university will then screen outstanding applications and they will be the one to forward a recommendation for the MEXT Scholarship. Applicants who qualify then will receive an acceptance letter and can receive the scholarship.
※JASSO, “Scholarship for International Students in Japan 2020-2021”
Preparation of Documents and Requirements
The following are some of the requirements that are needed by the embassy or university to process your application for the MEXT scholarship. These are the following:
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Application form
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Field of study and research plan
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Transcript Records and Graduation Certificate
This will actually depend on the specific college the applicants applied with. They must adhere to it and submit whatever is needed by the university. Please check with the embassy or university which applies to you for further details as to the process and necessary documents.
Summary
The MEXT Scholarship reflects the good governance of the Japanese nation in terms of handling their education. Providing scholarships to foreign students allows everyone to have access to quality education. In doing so, they share the value of not just Japan’s higher quality of education, but the language, the culture, and the well-rounded environment too. One important thing to note is that for most cases, recipients of the MEXT scholarship cannot apply for other scholarships. However, it just shows how much the MEXT scholarship covers in terms of your needs as a student. While competitive, it provide an amazing opportunity to study in Japan at a huge financial advantage should you be one of the lucky recipients!
