Do you want to get paid to earn your graduate degree in Japan?
Click here to find the book on your favorite online retailer!
This step-by-step introduction to the Japanese government MEXT Scholarship application process will show you when and how to apply, plus everything you need to know about eligibility and increasing your chances of success!
Free tuition. Living stipend of over 1.5 million yen per year. Round-trip flight to Japan.
This scholarship is not “too good to be true.” It is the Japanese Government investing in the world leaders of tomorrow. And it could benefit you.
Of course, there is a downside: The scholarship is incredibly competitive.
In order to give yourself the best chance to win, you need to know everything possible about the application process – the rules, the application timeline, and most importantly, the attitude and strategy required to stand out from the crowd.
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship is a no-nonsense guide to applying for the scholarship written by a former scholarship application administrator and one of the world’s leading independent experts on the subject.
Pick up your copy, now, from TranSenz, directly or from your favorite online book store!
You will learn:
- What the MEXT Scholarship offers plus where, when, and how to apply
- The mindset you need to set yourself apart from other applicants and win the scholarship
- The difference between the embassy and university application processes, and how to get started with each
- How competitive the application is and why you need to develop an application strategy
- How to perform an eligibility self-evaluation – including checking to see if you have the grades to apply
- How to establish your application strategy and position yourself to overcome the competition and become one of the few, elite scholarship winners
The book also comes with worksheets, exercises, and resources to walk you through determining your eligibility and creating your application strategy.
Distilled Expertise from Thousands of Applicants
Travis Senzaki has spent seven years working in international student recruiting and acceptance for Japanese universities, including three years as the direct point of contact for all MEXT scholarship inquiries and applications at a large, private university. He has personally processed hundreds of applications and has used his experience to help over 5000 MEXT scholarship applicants through the process through the TranSenz Blog, one of the world’s leading independent sources of information and advice on the MEXT scholarship.
Travis’ Mastering the MEXT Scholarship Application: The TranSenz Guide series builds on his blog articles and well over 2000 questions submitted through the blog, as well as exhaustive research of successful applicants’ approaches and experiences to bring you the best practices for every step of the application process.
Get Started Today!
This is a long application process – over a year in most cases – and you want to give yourself months to prepare in advance. Download and start reading today!
Buy from TranSenz, directly.
Buy from your favorite online book store! (Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Nook, and more!)
Want to Read it for Free
If you want to check out the book, but don’t have the resources to buy it now, why not try to get it at your university library?
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship is available in print, through Ingramspark or Amazon, and in ebook through Overdrive or Bibliotheca, which are ebook distribution networks for libraries, if your library stocks ebooks. Either way, your library should be able to order it through their normal purchasing channels. Just give them the title and author, and they should be able to handle the rest.
Not sure yet?
No problem. In the meantime, sign up for my mailing list below to receive a free sample application form and email course introducing you to the scholarship. No strings attached!
Hello. What is the deadline for MEXT application and where should I upload the application form?
Hi Shifa,
Then next opportunity to apply for the MEXT Scholarship would be the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship for Fall 2019.
The application deadline and where to send the application depends on the university where you intend to apply. I wrote an article about how to find that information that should help you get started here.
In almost all cases, you will have to mail your application. You would not simply be able to upload the documents.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
So I’ve been looking around and I saw that the University of Tokyo has a computer science undergrad program, however, this doesn’t seem to show up under the fields you can choose from in the MEXT undergrad program. Is Computer Science not a choice or am I missing something?
Hi Anup,
What list is this that you’re referring to? I’m afraid I’m not an expert in the undergraduate scholarship, but I have never seen a list from MEXT saying which fields you are and are not allowed to apply for. If you can point me in the direction, I’ll look into it!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Please i want to know wen is the Embassy Recommendation 2019 will be on
and how to apply for it.
And again is Asia Pacific University among the Embassy Recommendation list?
Regards
Sodeeq
Hi Sodeeq,
You start the application about a year before when you want to start your studies, so the deadline for Embassy application process to start studies in 2019 is already past. Typically the application process starts officially in April with a submission deadline in May, but you want to start preparing several months before that.
Ultimately, you will get the application instructions from the Japanese embassy in your country, but in the meantime, you can find my post from this year’s cycle about how to apply for the Embassy Recommendation here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello. First of all i thank u for your guidance. I just read about MEXT from your website. Now i am studying in language school in Japan and looking for PhD degree program in english. Just came here in early of Jul.2018. So i have to re-enter in japan for get this scholarship program? if so is there any other way?
Hi Khatanzorig.E,
In general, yes, you would have to return to your home country during the application process and obtain a new visa to come to Japan for the scholarship.
The only exception I know of is if you apply for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship and are selected for one of the Top Global University scholarship slots. My understanding is that scholarship winners in that category do not need to leave Japan before starting the scholarship, but I also do not know of any way to specifically apply for those slots. Typically, they are awarded through other procedures determined by the university.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thanks for your wonderful guide. Will be looking forward to purchasing one of your books.
Please will applicants for mext 2019 embassy recommendation be informed about the written exam or only successful applicant?
Thanks
Hi Stanley,
Thank you for your kind words!
For the embassy recommendation process, each embassy has it’s own timeline and deadlines, so I’m afraid I can’t answer that without knowing where you are from. I would recommend checking the application guidelines on their website to see if the date is mentioned there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi travis i have summited the attested photocopies to ambassy of japan for applying mext schalorship 2019 what is the next pr
Hi Adeel Ahmad,
I am in the final stages of writing an article on exactly that question. It should be finished and published on Monday, so please check back then. (If you are on my mailing list, you will get a message when it is posted!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Are the applications closed already??
Hi Thembinkosi Dhlamini,
Yes, applications closed for South Africa on June 8th. You’ll either have to wait for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship application this fall or for next year’s embassy recommendation. But that should give you more time to prepare and strengthen your application!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I’m from South Africa
Hello Mr. Travis.
Please how do I write/construct a good research topic and plan. The deadline in my country is next week and I just got to know about the scholarship. A quick reply would help. Thank you.
Hi Ada,
Unfortunately, there’s no quick way to write a quality Field of Study and Research Program Plan.
I have written an article about how to format the document once you have your plan and I am working on a book that will walk you through the process of deciding on a research topic, validating it, and writing your plan, but that is not ready yet. (Since it’s a book-length topic, I’m afraid there isn’t much I can say in the space of this short comment that would be helpful).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Mr. Travis.
I am applying for the 2019 Embassy Recommendation MEXT Scholarship in Kabul-Afghanistan.
Please I’d like to know is there any contact number or how to make an appointment to submit my documents to the Embassy in Kabul?
Please help me with an answer.
Thank you.
Hi Qudratullah Sharafi,
You should search for the website of the Japanese Embassy in Afghanistan to find their contact information.
You can find a list of all Japanese embassies in the world with links to their websites at:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Mr. Travis.
I am applying for the 2019 Embassy Recommendation MEXT Scholarship.
Please I’d like to know the number of copies of “application documents” we’re expected to submit to the Embassy for the application.
This is because section 9 of the “Application Guidelines for Research Students” lists 11 application documents to be submitted to the embassy. The ‘third and fourth columns’ of the table show ‘1 original and 2 copies’ of the documents to be submitted.
I am still confused on whether I am expected to submit 1 original and attach 2 photocopies the the original document, as applicable.
Please help me with an answer.
Thank you.
Hi Frank,
It sounds like you have it figured out. You need to submit one original of each document and also make 2 photocopies of each one, as well.
Do not “attach” them to one another, though. Just file them together in order.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much Travis.
Though I already sent my application to the Embassy before you replied, but I did exactly as you have suggested.
The only issues I had were:
(1). I couldn’t submit photocopies of the recommendation letters from both my Adviser and Employer as they were sealed in an envelop. I just simply numbered the envelops, accordingly, at the top right corner and submitted. I hope this doesn’t affect my application.
(2). I couldn’t submit original copy of my graduation evidence (Statement of Result) because I can’t afford to lose the only one I have. However, I submitted only two photocopies. The case was also similar regarding my ‘transcript of academic records’.
What do you think?
(3). Since the university I attended is yet to give me my graduation certificate, I hope MEXT would accept my ‘Statement of Result’ as an evidence of my graduation?
Hi Frank,
Since you’ve already submitted the documents, there isn’t much that can be done at this point, but just for the future:
1) I would have recommended that you contact the embassy in advance to get their advice about the letter of recommendation and what to do. If they told you to submit just one original in the sealed envelope, then that’s fine.
2) A copy certified by the university can often be accepted as an “original”, so I would have recommended that you submit a certified copy (after checking with the embassy to make sure that would be acceptable to them).
2) A certificate of graduation is any official document from your university saying that you have completed the requirements for the degree and have graduated. It does not have to be the formal diploma. So it sounds like the letter that you mentioned should work.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
Once again, thank you so much. Your answers have given me much relief: copies are certified; contacted the Embassy, and they said I’m good!
– Frank
AOA to All my Group members. How are You? Hope so all of you are fine. Anyone who has applied for Mext Scholarship 2019 (Japan) embassy Recommended for Mphill (Research-based)? A little bit guide is needed.
Thanks in advanced.
Best Regards.
Engr. Muhammad Saleem
Hi Muhammed Saleem,
You might have a little more success if you ask a specific question. Other than that, this site is filled with guides on the MEXT scholarship, so I hope you can find the information you need.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz