MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Japan)

The Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship is offered by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It supports international students at many levels, including undergraduate, research student and graduate study.

What it covers

MEXT is fully funded. It generally covers tuition and admission fees, a monthly allowance, and a return flight to Japan. Some categories include a period of Japanese language training before your degree starts.

Two ways to apply

1. Embassy recommendation. Apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country. The embassy runs document screening, written exams in some categories, and interviews.
2. University recommendation. Some Japanese universities nominate students directly, often those already in contact with the university or on exchange.

Who can apply

Rules depend on the category, but commonly include:

• Citizenship of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan
• Age limits that differ by category (for example, research student applicants are usually under 35)
• Academic qualifications that meet the category's entry level
• Willingness to learn Japanese

Documents you'll need

• Application form
• Field of study and research plan (for research and graduate categories)
• Academic transcripts and graduation certificate
• Recommendation letter
• Medical certificate
• Language certificates, if you have them

Tips

For research categories, your research plan carries a lot of weight. Contact potential supervisors in Japan early, and show how your topic fits their work.