The MEXT Scholarship is a program of seven different scholarships offered by the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. It is a fully- funded scholarship available for international students who wish to study in Japan for the 2024-25 academic year. It covers undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and training studies at Japanese universities. The scholarship includes tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare from the recipient’s country to Japan.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the MEXT Scholarship, let us understand some key details like eligibility criteria, the application process, and the various benefits it offers.
What is the MEXT scholarship?
The Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) offers seven types of scholarships, including those for Research students, Teacher training students, Undergraduate students, Japanese studies students, College of technology students, Specialized training college students, and Young Leaders Program (YLP) students.
If you want to study in Japan through this program, you can apply in one of two ways: through an embassy’s recommendation or a university’s recommendation.
Embassy Recommendation: In this method, you apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.
University Recommendation: In this method, you apply directly to a Japanese university that has a recommendation slot for the MEXT Scholarship.
The MEXT Scholarship program offers various opportunities for international students to study in Japan, each with specific pathways, durations, and fields of study. The following table provides an overview of the different types of MEXT Scholarships available, the application methods, study levels, and additional details like duration, field of study, and financial support.
Also Read: Types of Scholarships to Study Abroad for International Students
| Scholarship Type | Research Students | Teacher Training Students | Undergraduate Students | Japanese Studies Students | College of Technology Students | Specialized Training College Students | Young Leaders Program (YLP) Students |
| Embassy Recommendation | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | Not Available |
| University Recommendation | Available (*1) | Not Available | Available (*1) | Available (*1) | Available (Recommended by College of Technology) | Not Available | Not Available |
| Study Level | Graduate School | Teacher Training at University | Undergraduate Education | Specialized Japanese Language/Culture | Transfer to 3rd Year of College of Technology | Specialized Courses | Master’s Program at Graduate School |
| Duration | Varies by course type and recommendation | 1.5 years, including Japanese language training | Embassy: 5-7 years (including Japanese language training) University: 6 months to standard years | 1 academic year | 4-4.5 years, including Japanese language training | 3 years, including Japanese language training | 1 year |
| Japanese Language Training | 6 months (if required) | 1 year (at designated universities) | None | 1 year (at designated centers) | 1 year (at designated language institutes) | None | None |
| Field of Study | Major in specialized field | Teacher Training | Undergraduate Programs | Japanese Language or Culture | Specialized Courses at College of Technology | Specialized Training Courses | Master’s Courses in chosen field |
| Scholarship Amount | ¥143,000 – ¥145,000 per month | ¥117,000 per month | ¥242,000 per month | ¥143,000 – ¥145,000 per month | ¥117,000 per month | ¥117,000 per month | ¥242,000 per month |
| Tuition | Exempted | Exempted | Exempted | Exempted | Exempted | Exempted | Exempted |
| Travel Allowance | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) | Round-trip airfare provided (*2) |
Now that we have gained a basic understanding of the MEXT Scholarship, let us learn about the different types of institutions where students can pursue programs that are supported by the MEXT Scholarship.
MEXT Scholarship types and application periods for 2025
| # | Type | Level of Education | No. of Scholarships | Application Period | Remarks |
| 1 | Research Student | Research studies(possible to continue toMaster’s/Ph.D course) | To be announced | April-May | Applications closed for 2025* The result of document screening 2025 (complete) |
| 2 | Undergraduate Students | Undergraduate level leading to Bachelors Degree | 12 | April-May | Applications closed for 2025* The result of document screening |
| 3 | College of Technology Students | Undergraduate level leading to Associate Degree (Diploma) | 12 | April-May | Applications closed for 2025* The result of document screening |
| 4 | Specialized Training College Students | Undergraduate level leading to Certificate | 12 | April-May | Applications closed for 2025 |
| 5 | Japanese Studies Students | Undergraduate level leading to Certificate | About 9 | Dec-Jan | Applications closed for 2024 |
| 6 | Young Leaders’ Program Students | Master’s Degree course | A few | Jul-Sep | Applications open for 2025. Application through nomination by recommendation organization. |
| 7 | Teacher Training Students | Undergraduate level leading to Certificate | About 9 | Dec-Jan | Applications closed for 2024 |
Please note that each category has its own specific eligibility criteria and application process. Let’s understand this in more detail.
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What are the MEXT Scholarship application deadlines for 2025?
The application timeline for Indian students for the 2025 academic year is as follows:
| Scholarship Type | Application Period |
| Research Students | April to May 2024 |
| Undergraduate Students | April 17 to May 27, 2024 |
| College of Technology | April 17 to May 27, 2024 |
| Specialized Training | April 17 to May 27, 2024 |
| Japanese Studies | December 2024 – January 2025 |
| Teacher Training | December 2024 – January 2025 |
| Young Leaders’ Program | July – September 2024 |
What are the MEXT Scholarship eligibility criteria for 2025?
Candidates must meet certain requirements for the MEXT Scholarship. Here is an overview of the different eligibility criteria:
| Category of Requirement | Description |
| Academic Qualifications | The applicant must be a college graduate or have completed 16 years of schooling. Prospective graduates are also eligible. |
| Age Limit | The applicant must be under 25 years old (undergraduate) or under 35 years old (postgraduate). |
| Health | The applicant must be physically and mentally fit to study in Japan.The applicant must also submit a certificate of health filled out by a medical practitioner. |
| Nationality | The applicant must have the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Indian nationals are eligible. |
| Recommendation Letter | The applicant must be recommended by an authorized organization in your country. In India, the application is through nomination by a recommendation organization. |
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024
Period of coverage under the MEXT Scholarship in 2025
| Category | Duration |
| Research Students | The standard period for Master’s or Doctoral programs (up to 3-4 years), plus 6 months of Japanese language training if needed |
| Undergraduate Students | 4 to 6 years (includes 1 year of preparatory Japanese language training) |
| Japanese Studies Students | 1 year |
| Teacher Training Students | 1 year |
| College of Technology Students | 4 years |
| Professional Training College Students | 2 to 3 years |
| Young Leaders Program (YLP) | 1 year |
Next, let us understand the application process for the MEXT Scholarship 2025.
What is the application process for the MEXT Scholarship in 2025?
The MEXT Scholarship application procedure consists of multiple steps:
- Submission of Documents: Applicants must submit the necessary paperwork to the Japanese consulate or embassy in India.
Required Documents:- Application form
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate or degree certificate
- Letter of recommendation
- Medical certificate
- Research plan (for research students)
- Passport Copy
- Written Test: Shortlisted applicants must take tests covering topics related to their field of study.
- Invitation to Interview: Applicants who have passed the written exam are invited to an interview.
- Final Evaluation: The final selection is made based on the combined results of the document review, written test, and interview performance.
As you can see, the MEXT Scholarship application process is highly competitive and rigorous. It’s important to apply to multiple universities and scholarships to increase your chances of studying in Japan. SelectRight can help you with this by guiding you to the best programs and universities that align with your profile, maximizing your chances of admission and financial aid.
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FAQs
You can still apply even if you don’t speak Japanese. Having fluency in either Japanese or English is, nevertheless, very beneficial.
Sure, different categories have different age restrictions. In general, candidates must be under 35, but it’s best to confirm the particular requirements for your selected scholarship category.
MEXT Scholars in Japan are permitted part-time employment. However, authorization from the immigration office and the university is needed. Moreover, work should not impede academic pursuits and should take no more than 28 hours per week.
The MEXT Scholarship has a very high bar. The global success rate in 2022 was about 22%. As a result, careful planning and a strong application are crucial.
Yes, submitting an IELTS score is compulsory for the MEXT Scholarship application. Moreover, the candidate should have a score of 6.0 or equivalent.
