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Have you ever wondered:
- How can I apply for the MEXT Scholarship to study in Japan?
- Am I eligible for the MEXT Scholarship for research students (graduate students)?
- How can I make my application for the MEXT Scholarship stronger?
This guide answers all of those questions and more with clear explanations and bonus worksheets to help you follow along.
Get the Most Trusted Independent MEXT Scholarship Application Guide!
The MEXT scholarship is one of the world’s most generous scholarship schemes for graduate students. It is competitive, but if you know what the reviewers are looking for and how to approach the application, there is no reason why you cannot earn it for yourself!
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship introduces the scholarship benefits and requirements as well as its goals, then walks you through the process of creating an unstoppable application strategy.
What’s waiting for you: Free tuition. Living stipend of over 1.5 million yen per year. Round-trip flight to Japan.
Why this guide?
Travis Senzaki is an expert in the MEXT scholarship application process and has worked with over 1000 scholarship applicants over 7 years. He worked as the MEXT scholarship application coordinator at a large, private university for three years and has run the TranSenz blog ever since, where he has published over two dozen articles about the scholarship and answered thousands of applicant questions.
How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship is based on those articles and questions, putting everything together in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step presentation. It is designed so that no matter how much experience you have with the MEXT Scholarship – whether you just heard about it today, or whether you have applied multiple times in the past – you will be able pick up at the right part of the application for you and follow through to created a strong, successful application.
Invest in Your Success
If you want anything worth having in life, you have to invest time or money (or both). How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship is for applicants who don’t mind investing a little bit of money to save themselves a lot of time.
At less than 1,000 yen, the book costs less than 0.7% of one month’s scholarship stipend. Consider that winning the scholarship could be worth nearly 10,000,000 yen in stipends – not counting the free tuition and airfare. That’s a potential 10,000X return on your investment!
Pick up your copy, now, from TranSenz, directly or from your favorite online book store!
Here’s what others have said:
“I owe 99% of my coming so far to you (and 1% to sheer luck). Thank you so much for providing all these valuable information and managing the blog!” – Amber
“Thank you for being the greatest Sensei, I bought one of the books, and I cant get my hands off it. My confidence has elevated, I managed to arrange my thought process, and of course I am more confident to compete for this scholarship. Thank you for mentoring me through your great writings. I am hoping for a great outcome.” – Shabangu
“Thanks to all of your help, I have passed the primary screening for the scholarship, I contacted a Lab at Osaka university and they agreed to write me a letter of acceptance.” – Taylor
“Your good work in guiding numerous students across the globe regarding higher education in Japan is deeply appreciated by us all. Keep going!” – Afraz
Get started on your application today!
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.
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!
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, Bibliotheca, and Baker & Taylor 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. Here’s the information your library might need:
- Title: How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship
- Author: Travis Senzaki
- ISBN: 978-4-909776-00-6
- Imprint: Travis Senzaki
- Year: 2018
Not sure yet?
No problem. In the meantime, why don’t you take advantage of the free resources I have to offer? If you sign up for my mailing list below, I’ll send you a sample completed application form, plus an email course introducing the MEXT scholarship and the most important things to consider as you start your application. No strings attached!
Hi Travis. I need you help. I m in the middle of the application period to the university recommendation MEXT scholarship program. Is it possible to get your contacts and work together for writing recommendation letter and research plan and graduation thesis? I need some tips.
Hi Fidan,
I saw that you submitted a coaching application already, so I sent you an email in reply a few minutes ago. (Please make sure that it did not end up in your spam box!)
I look forward to following up with you there in more detail. In the meantime, if you haven’t already, I recommend that you read my article about how to write the Field of Study and Research Program Plan for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I am from Mongolia. I am currently living in Japan as a visiting researcher at private university, my visa is “cultural activity”.
I have no scholarship from both government.
I have bachelor in dentistry and master in medical science in my country.
But i want to study as a graduate student to get a phD in public university. Is it possible for me to get a MEXT scholarship while i’m being in a Japan?
I can go to my country just to get an exam (2-3 weeks) for embassy recommended MEXT, but i read that if you’re in Japan you can not apply for embassy MEXT. So it’s little bit risky to leave Japan and hope for embassy MEXT.
Can i get an university recommended MEXT while i am in Japan?
Hi Byambaa,
As of last year, it was possible for universities to nominate candidates who are currently living in Japan for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship in PGP programs. I wrote about the provision in my most recent article about that scholarship.
However, that is for applicants with a “Student” resident status.
I think that for your situation, similar to the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you would need to show that you have a plan to leave Japan at least a few months before the start of your scholarship (regardless of the results of the scholarship application) in order to be eligible. But it is up to the University/Embassy as to how strict they will be on that criteria. You might be able to find a university that will just take your word for it and accept your application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I am in Japan for an undergraduate degree right now. I want to apply for MEXT after graduating with my current undergraduate degree. I would be applying to MEXT for another undergraduate degree. I was wondering if I could take the MEXT exams from Japan in any way instead of returning to my home country for the exam.
Hi Oberon,
I assume that your current degree is not funded by the Japanese government. If it was, you would not be able to apply for another MEXT Scholarship until you had at least three full years of education or work experience from the end of your current degree.
In any case, it is not possible to take the exams from Japan. You would have to return to your home country for the exams and interviews.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for the response Travis. I was also wondering how competitive is undergrad medicine for MEXT.
Hi Oberon,
The MEXT Scholarship is extremely competitive regardless of the field or degree level! Undergraduate scholarship slots are allotted by country, but are not necessarily divided into fields. So, you won’t just be competing with other undergrad medical applicants from your country, but all undergraduate applicants, regardless of field.
You will need a very strong application package and will have to do very well in the tests and interviews.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis. May I ask if I am applying for graduate program in Chemistry. Do I have to take any entry examination for example, SAT, EJU, ect….
Not to mention that I am from Saudi Arabia and do not have any of these exams, also I am going to apply to the graduate program in MEXT scholarship. Lastly, is there any exams I am going to take?
Thanks alot.
Hi Ryana,
The SAT and EJU are undergraduate level tests, so those wouldn’t be an issue.
Japan does not have any standardized tests for graduate school level admissions. Universities will each have their own “Entrance Exam” procedures, which might include a written or interview test. You’d have to check the website for the specific program that you plan to apply for.
If you plan to apply via the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship you would not need a formal English language proficiency tests (like TOEFL or IELTS) in advance, since there will be a language test at the embassy during the application process, but if you apply for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, that would be required in most cases.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I want to apply for mbbs scholarship kindly guide me
Hi Ansa,
Japan does not use the term “MBBS” and does not offer that degree. The equivalent here is the 6-year Bachelor of Medicine degree (but that degree does not give you the right to practice medicine as a doctor, you would need a Doctor of Medicine (MD) for that, which is another 3 years after the bachelor’s.
Most of the advice I have on this website if for applicants for graduate degrees. For an undergraduate degree like the Bachelor of Medicine, you would apply for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, so you do not need to worry about finding a university that offers the degree in English. (In that scholarship, you will start with an intensive year of Japanese language studies, then MEXT will place you in a university.)
I recommend that you read the application guidelines from last year to get started with understanding the process and requirements. Once you’ve done that, you may find that some of my advice for Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholars (graduate level) applies to undergraduates, as well. You can find my collection of articles about the MEXT Scholarship here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for your guidance ☺️
Hello,
I have a question about my status when I get to Japan. You’ve said before that there are 3 chances to go from non-degree to degree-seeking student.
In my 2024 application form I answered at “the first course you plan to take in Japan” with “non-degree”. This is because I was afraid that if I picked “Master’s degree program” my chances of getting accepted would be lower.
After I pass the first screening and I have to contact universities for the LoA, can I ask through an email if I can start a Master’s directly to save some time?(given that the entrance exams would only consist of a screening or an interview)
Or is the first chance directly lost and my LoA can only say “research student”?
I know I have a 2nd chance to try and change this status after I submit the LoA yet before coming to Japan, but I would like to know if, by only mentioning that I would like to start directly as a degree-seeking student, I can still profit of the first chance.
This is the paragraph that I am referring to from a 2019 post:
“Another thing to check is your status. In your application form, you had the opportunity to fill in whether you wanted to arrive as a research student or a degree-seeking student (in the master’s doctoral, or professional program).
In order for the university to issue you a letter of acceptance as a degree-seeking student, you would have had to have passed their entrance examination prior to them issuing the letter. Unless the university considers a screening of your application documents to be a sufficient entrance exam, the chances are high that you would not have passed it yet. In that case, the university would issue you a letter of an acceptance as a research student.
This can change!
The university will have 2 opportunities later to “upgrade” you to a degree-seeking student before your arrival:
During the placement phase: After you submit your letters of acceptance and final placement preference form to the Embassy, MEXT will conduct a secondary screening of your application. Essentially, it is just a double-check, not a competitive screening. After that secondary screening, MEXT will contact the universities on your Placement Preference Form one-by-one to ask them to accept you. If you have passed the university’s entrance exam in the meantime, then when the university replies to MEXT to confirm that they will accept you, they can change your category at that time to degree-seeking student.
Upon arrival in Japan: If the university agrees to accept your placement as a research student, but you then pass their entrance exam prior to arriving in Japan, then the university can send a notice of change of status and change of scholarship payment period to MEXT and you would be able to start as a degree-seeking student immediately on arrival in Japan.
If you do end up arriving in Japan and starting as a research student, there is no problem with that course of action, either. You will have the opportunity to take the entrance exam while in Japan and apply for an extension of your scholarship to cover the full degree program.”
Thank you, and sorry for the huge reply!
Silistra Radu Alexandru
Hi Silistra Radu Alexandru,
It is still possible for the universities to issue you a Letter of Provisional Acceptance as a Master’s degree student directly, even if you wrote “Research Student” as your preference in the form. (They are not required to follow your preference. If you had put “Master’s degree” as your preference, they could still issue you a Letter of Provisional Acceptance as a “Research Student”!)
So, yes, when you submit your application to them, you can tell them “Although I indicated that my preference is to start as a Non-Degree Student, that was just to indicate that I am willing to start in that status, if necessary. I would prefer to start directly with the degree program if the university determines that is appropriate and possible.” If you submit your application by email, you can write that directly in the body of the email, but if you submit it by uploading to their website, as in the case with some universities, then I recommend that you include that note as a document appended to the end of your application so that it gets uploaded together.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I’m from India and the japan embassy here has sent a different kind of application form please check it once.
In the last page it asks for placement preference. Should I fill it up or leave it blank ?
Hi Ashish,
Could you share a link to where I can find it?
If you’re talking about the MEXT Placement Preference Form, though, that is an official part of the application (but it’s considered a separate document, not part of the application form, itself.)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis.. I am willing to apply for the medical physics is there any university that provides that major among the MEXT SCHOLARSHIP universities..!?
Hi Abas salum MAGOVA
I have an article all about how to find universities that offer programs in your field (particularly taught in English) that should help!
If you need more information, I even have a whole book on the process.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I’m a high school student from Bangladesh and I’ll be graduating from high school in around September this year. However, the application for the MEXT scholarship is accepted between April and May. So, can I apply for the scholarship before graduation? If so, is there any additional steps for the application that I’ll have to take?
Hi Rayed,
Yes! You can apply before your graduate from high school, as long as you will graduate before the scholarship begins (which would be in April of the next year). In that case, instead of submitting a “Certificate of Graduation”, you would need to submit a “Certificate of Expected Graduation” that shows the date you are expected to graduate as long as you pass your courses as expected.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
So, do I have to issue this certificate from my high school?
Hi Rayed,
Yes, it would be issued by an official at your school.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I have a two-year bachelor of science (14-years of education) plus two-year master of science (16-years of education). according to the qualification framework of my country, this master of science after two-years of bachelor degree is equivalent to international bachelor. could you please let me know, if mext would consider the grades of my final degree or of both bachelor and master?
Hi Naidu,
If they were two separate degrees (e.g. the bachelors credits/GPA did not count toward the master’s degree), then I think they would only count the master’s courses for your grade calculation. But if it was one continuous course of study at the same university and all of your grades appear on the same transcript, then they would probably count both.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Sir Travis
I just want to know if you have a book specific for undergraduates
Hi Erroll Fonte,
No, I don’t have a book for the undergraduate application process. My focus has been on the application for the graduate scholarship, so I don’t think I would be qualified to write a book for undergrads. Sorry!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I hope my message finds you well.
I wanted to apply for the Mext Scholarship 2023 through the embassy recommendation, unfortunaltely I forgot to send my documents by post and only sent them by email, which resulted in the cancellation of my candidature.
Is it possible for me to still apply through the university recommendation in that case?
Thank you again,
Hi Melissa,
I am sorry to hear that.
If you have been told that your application for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship is no longer being considered, then you are free to apply for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship when it opens later this year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi travis,i am going to apply for undergraduate student and i just want to know whether a failed student in mathematics exam of mext scholarship can be chosen?..do i need recommendation letter for applying undergraduate mext scholarship?can i re apply for second time if i failed to pass at first for mext scholarship?..anyway thanks for the information …
Hi Ippo Makunouchi,
I don’t know for sure because I’ve never been involved with that step of the evaluation process, but I would think that even if you are applying in the Social Sciences and Humanities category, you need to not only pass all of the exams, but also earn excellent scores on each, as this is a highly competitive scholarship.
You do need a recommendation letter for the undergraduate application and you can find the details in the application guidelines about who must write it, etc.
It is possible to reapply in future years if you do not pass the first time, but since there is a maximum age limit, that will limit the number of times you can apply.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I was wondering.. I am enrolled in a University in Japan as of now but I have been wanting to apply for the MEXT scholarship since a long time. Since last year’s got cancelled I want to be able to apply it this year. By the time I am in my final year of the enrolled university, I will be in my first year from MEXT. Is the fact that I am enrolled in another university going to hamper my chances for the MEXT scholarship. Also, I am applying for a degree that is different from my current major. I wish to have a dual degree. Is it possible Mr. Travis?
Hi Reina,
I’m not sure I understand your situation completely, but I have a number of concerns about your eligibility to apply for the scholarship. I recommend that you read my articles on the eligibility criteria for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship and the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, as those should help you determine whether or not you are able to apply.
In general, though, you would need to finish your current degree before you could start a new degree under the MEXT Scholarship. It is fine to go through the application process while you are still enrolled in your current degree, but you would need to finish it before starting the degree sponsored by the MEXT Scholarship. You cannot be enrolled in both at once.
The scholarship is also for scholars who will “newly arrive in Japan,” so in most cases, you would have to leave Japan after finishing your current degree and return under a new student visa to start the MEXT Scholarship. This year, the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Priority Graduate Program allowed universities to nominate candidates from inside Japan, but that was the first time I have seen that happen.
Also, it is a requirement of the scholarship that you major in the same field that you have majored in previously at university or its related field, so if you are thinking of changing fields, you would have to demonstrate how they are related.
For more information, please see the articles I linked above!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you so much for answering me. It is very informative. But I do have one more concern. If I am currently enrolled in IT program, can I drop that program to start Medicine from MEXT. Medicine is my first priority but since it is highly competitive and I did not want to lose one year, I enrolled somewhere else with a different degree.It is not going to be complete even when (if I am fortunate enough) I recieve the scholarship.
Hi Reina,
The eligibility criteria specifically says that anyone who is currently enrolled in a Japanese university or other institution with a residence status of “Student” is ineligible to apply unless they can verify that they will complete the program and return to their home country prior to the start of the MEXT Scholarship. So, if you are currently enrolled in a program at a Japanese university/institution, you would have to withdraw from the program before you start your application for the MEXT scholarship. You would not be allowed to wait and see if you get the scholarship then choose to withdraw from the IT program. Given how competitive the MEXT Scholarship is, that is a huge risk. I would say that you are better off completing the IT program and then applying for the MEXT Scholarship to start after that degree is complete. In my opinion, it’s better to lose a year (and gain a degree) than it is to risk losing both your current degree and the possibility of the MEXT scholarship degree.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you sooooo much! One more question though.. I am only enrolled in a University, I have not yet started there. Can I choose MEXT given that I recieve MEXT over going to that university. I am really confused Should I just focus on MEXT? Or should I start the degree.
Hi Reina,
So, if I understand correctly, you’ve applied for and been accepted for a degree in Japan, but haven’t started it yet?
In that case, you could withdraw now before you start your MEXT application.
But you should understand that the MEXT scholarship is highly competitive and there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to get it. So, if you give up on the degree you’ve already been accepted for in order to apply for a scholarship with low chances, there is a possibility that you could find yourself in a position where you didn’t earn the scholarship and also gave up on your degree, so you would have to start again from scratch.
Unless you are confident that you have a near-perfect GPA and also a research proposal that will be better than any other applicant for the MEXT Scholarship, that seems like a significant risk, so I think it would make more sense to start the degree you’ve already been accepted for, then apply for the MEXT Scholarship for your next degree, after the current one is complete.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day sir! am also an IT major, 19 yrs old. Can I ask if you are applying for MEXT but you are currently enrolled in your home country same course as Rein which is IT, Can I ask what scholarship for MEXT should I apply for is it UNDERGRADUATE or COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY? These scholarships have the same courses it offers for Engineering. And also it states there that the age limit is 17-25 years old. Am I eligible to apply even I am now a University student in our country?
Hi Mein,
If you are currently enrolled in a degree program in your home country, that does not make you ineligible, even if you plan to quit that degree to enroll in one in Japan. It is only a problem if you are already enrolled in a program in Japan.
Colleges of Technology and Undergraduate degree programs are two separate programs, so it depends on what you want to get out of your studies. A College of Technology program does not award a Bachelor’s degree. It is technical/professional training that leads to the equivalent of a two-year Associate Degree. If you want a degree that will be recognized internationally and a longer program of study, I recommend the undergraduate program.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
First, thank you so much for all the effort you have put into this incredibly informative website. Should I end up applying, I will 100% buy your book!
A couple of questions:
1) Is it frowned upon if one applies as a research student (pursuing a Master’s Degree), but already holds a Master’s? I am possibly enrolling in a one-year Master’s degree in 2022-2023, but would really like to apply for MEXT with possibility for arrival in October 2023.
2) In the application form sample you have made, the applicant holds a Bachelor’s Degree, but has ticked “Until completion of Doctoral program” (which I assume is a PhD.) under “term you wish to study”. How is this possible? Is it safe to tick that you would like to continue throughout the Doctoral if you are applying as a research student with a Bachelor’s Degree?
3) Having no Japanese skills, will one stand a chance with just a bit of knowledge and starting language classes this spring, also to show commitment?
Thank you so much in advance.
Kind regards
Hi I,
Thank you for your kind feedback.
There are two different definitions of “research student”, so I want to make sure I know which you are using. One definition refers to all graduate-level students (including Master’s and Doctoral program students). The other refers to “non-degree students”, who are studying at the graduate level, but not yet enrolled in a degree program. Based on your question, I think you are referring to the former, so I will answer the questions based on that assumption, but if I am wrong, please let me know.
1) It is possible to apply for a Master’s Degree under the MEXT scholarship if you already have another Master’s. But in that case, you would need to be prepared to explain why a second Master’s is more appropriate to your future goals than a PhD. I have seen applicants succeed in applying for a second Master’s before.
2) The “term you wish to study” question is just to get a feel for your future plans. It is not a commitment on your part or on MEXT’s. At the end of the application, you will only be approved for the first program that you want to study in Japan. If you want to keep studying at a higher level, such as starting with a Master’s and moving on to a Doctoral degree (yes, that includes PhDs), you would have to apply for an extension of your MEXT Scholarship, later. But letting the reviewers know your plans now will help them place the rest of your application in context.
3) You would only be able to apply for degree programs taught entirely in English, of course. Starting to study some Japanese now is certainly better than nothing! If you do not have the language ability yet, you can also demonstrate your commitment by your knowledge of the progress of your field of study in Japan and explanation of why Japan is the most appropriate place to pursue your research.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much sir for the information. You really help us a lot! May God bless you more in your career. <33
Hello Travis. Does MEXT release a list of successful mext applicants or there has to be a private announcement to individuals?
Hi Emmanuel Pori,
MEXT never releases a list or contacts applicants directly, they contact the university or embassy that submitted the nomination, then the embassy/university contacts applicants.
In most cases, the university or embassy will contact applicants directly to convey the results. I have seen a few examples where embassies publish a list of successful applicants on their websites, but even in that case, I assume they email all applicants and tell them where to look for the list.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I am in 11th class and I am willing to apply in MEXT scholarship.
I may complete my intermediate in 2023 June maybe.
And result of 12th class will come in late August maybe
Now I am 16 years old and I will be of 18 y/o on June 24 2023.
So please tell me when I can apply for mext scholarship ?
Or is there any other full funded scholarships to study in Japan ??
Hi Hassan Ramay,
I recommend that you read the application guidelines for the full list of eligibility criteria. (Note that the guidelines available now are for the 2021-2022 application process for applicants who will start their studies in Japan in April 2022.)
The scholarship starts in April and you must meet all eligibility requirements by that time. Based on what you wrote below, I think you would be eligible to start your studies in Japan in April 2024, so you should start your application in 2023. The application process usually begins around mid April each year for students who will start their studies the following year.
I am not aware of any other full scholarships for undergraduate studies in Japan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir I hope all right
sir I am student of class 2nd year and I will give exam in June in 2022 ،and I study mbbs in japan
Hi Anees Sadiq,
I’m afraid I don’t understand your question. Could you be more specific?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Trevis,
I have applied for teacher Training student program, i am concerned about the examination test related to it, as most of the samples(past tests) are from other programs. Kindly guide me for the upcoming process & how i can make myself a successful candidate for teacher Training student program.thanks & regards
Hi Samina Aslam,
I don’t have any direct experience working with the Teacher Training Program – my area of expertise is the scholarship for graduate students – so I’m not sure how helpful I can be.
You can find all of the steps of the application process in the official guidelines on MEXT’s website.
Like the other types of scholarships, there is the submission of written documents (it sounds like you’ve already done this), test, and interviews. For the tests, they are only language proficiency tests in English and Japanese. I haven’t seen specific past examples for Teacher’s Training Students, but you could use the language tests for the other types of scholarships to practice.
As for the interview, I have an article about that, but it is focused on the scholarship for graduate students, so you’ll have to think about how you can apply the contents to the Teacher Training Scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Mr. Travis, I’m currently studying at a Chinese university as an international student, i want to apply for mext scholarship but I’ll graduate in 2022, should i apply for it now or should i wait? Also can i apply for mext scholarship on hope certificate? I’m an engineer and looking to do an MBA? Can you help me?
Hi Shaikh,
For the 2022 MEXT Scholarship intake, the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application deadline has already passed. You might still be able to apply for the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship at some universities (you’ll have to check the website of the university that you’re interested in to see if they are still accepting applications), but honestly, I’m not sure you have enough time left to collect the required documents and write your Field of Study and Research Program Plan in time for the deadline.
Check out the first article I linked above for the list of required documents, including an explanation of the “Certificate of Expected Graduation” that you would have to submit if you have not yet graduated.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis, I’m hoping that I can be a MEXT Scholar by the next intake. I’m glad that your platform would be instrumental in making this a reality as well. I hope you keep me updated with happenings when the application reopens.
Hi Romeo,
Thank you for your message. I will continue keeping the posts on here updated as I get new information and I hope it helps with your preparation process!
In the meantime, if you are planning to apply in 2022 for the 2023 intake, it is not too early to get started on developing your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, now!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, I have passed the Embassy Reccomendation from Papua New Guinea and have applied to three universities as a Research student for Masters. My first choice University (Meiji University) have accepted my application and sent me the Provisional Acceptance letter however my second choice University did not accept me due to Covid19. I have just applied to my third choice University (26/08/21).
Is there a possibility I can get accepted as a MExT recipient from my first choice University
regardless of the outcome of my third choice?
Hi Emmanuel Pori,
Congratulations on passing the primary screening and getting a Letter of Provisional Acceptance!
As long as you have received at least one Letter of Provisional Acceptance, you should have no problem with the secondary screening, etc., moving forward, even if the third choice university does not offer you a letter. You still have a very strong chance to be selected in the end!
When you submit your final Placement Preference Form and Letters of Provisional Acceptance to the embassy, you cannot have universities on the PPF that have rejected your application, so you will have to remove the second choice university and replace it. (You won’t have ever contacted the replacement university to request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance, but that’s fine!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day Mr. Travis, I recently heard about the MEXT scholarship from a friend but when I visited the website I found out its already past the deadline. My question is,do you have any idea about when the MEXT scholarship 2022 application will commence?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Nuella,
The Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application guidelines typically come out in mid-April and the application is due in May or June, depending on your country.
If you are signed up to my mailing list, then I send out a message when I see that the guidelines are out. I also try to post it on my various social media channels, too.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
i am intersted
Hi Eric m Siaway,
I am glad to hear that! I wish you luck in your application and hope that you find the resources and information you need on this site.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good evening travis… I am planing to apply for mext scholarship to Study master’s and doctoral degrees so… Can you help how to prepare for applying to mext…., how to get a full Mark in entrance exam, how to get a full Mark in interview and can i pass in mext scholarship without japanese language or not?
AND can i finish master’s and doctoral in more than 5 years( this question for check if i can learn the japanese language because if i went to japan without learn japanese language i must be learn it in the japan….)
Hi Suhaib,
This book will help you with your preparation, in general, such as getting in the right mindset for the application and planning your application strategy. That should help you figure out what you need to do next as you prepare.
You can also check out my free articles about the different steps of the application process, collected at https://mext.transenzjapan.com/. Those articles should help you find the answers to many of your general questions about the process, but if you have more specific questions, please feel free to leave them on the relevant article and I will get back to them as soon as possible.
You do not need to be proficient in Japanese to earn the scholarship, but if you are starting your preparation now, then starting to learn a little Japanese will make you look like a more serious applicant in the future.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, Travis.
I really appreciate you using this your blog to educate us, aspiring MEXT scholars, on what we need to know to be successful in our applications. Thank you very much.
I have two questions. Could you please help me with them? I’d be very grateful:
1) One of the MEXT’s application documents is an employer letter of reference (for those who are currently employed). I am currently employed. But I am employed in a big organization that has several branches in my country and beyond. I do not have any specific individual who I can say is my employer. Everybody working in my organization are actually employees like me. I plan to apply for MEXT next year. But I am wondering, seeing that I do not have a specific person who I my employer, who then would fill the employer letter of reference for me? Or is there an exception for people like us who work in big organizations?
2) My second question is this: one of the disqualification criteria for MEXT is “Applicants who are planning to receive scholarship money from an organization other than MEXT”. Does that mean that we are not allowed to apply for another scholarship in addition to MEXT?
Looking forward to your reply. Thank you very much.
Hi Ifechukwu Ejiofor,
I saw that you left the same question on another article and answered it there first.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Yes, Travis. I’ve seen your answer in the other article. Thank you. I appreciate.
Hello Mr Travis, I have actually asked a question before and I’m so thankful for your kind response.
Well, I have passed the first screening, but unfortunately I failed in the second screening. (The examinations)…. The exams that I have taken where for the natural science field, so if there is a chance in the future, probably next year l’m planning to choose majors under Social Sciences and Humanities field.
So my question is, does the rejection and changing the field of study will put me somehow in a bad position? What do they usually expect from the applicants who got rejected in the past years? I mean it’s true that I will be changing my field of study because I’m somehow desperate, but I’m taking this scholarship seriously. How can I show them my determination in healthy way? I’m also planning to learn Japanese, and hopefully It will help me with Japanese language examination. Since the Social Sciences and Humanities majors require to take three examinations subjects.
Looking for your kind reply.
Thank you.
Hi Lili Pole,
I am sorry to hear that you were not successful in the examinations.
If you change your field and apply again in the future, I don’t think there is any official process to check your past applications and compare your fields. Individual reviewers might remember you, but even that seems unlikely. A new application next year would simply be treated as a fresh application, the same as anyone else applying for the first time.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Good day, please how many of your books did you consider important for successful application and how much is the estimated cost. I think I stand a very big chance for MEXT scholarship (University recommended) because I have an advisor that is willing to go to extra miles because of me. I don’t want yo screw things up so kindly help me out here. Let me know the books that are most important and the estimated cost and necessary tips to having a good and a strong application
Hi Olowoniyi Johnson,
I am glad to hear that you already have a professor in Japan that is willing to support your application. In that case, you would not need my most recent book about how to find professors!
As for the other books, it really depends on what you need to help you with the application process. The first book, How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship, includes an overview of the scholarship, but the main value is in helping you create your application strategy. The second book, How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan, is all about how to develop your research idea, evaluate it, and turn it into a complete research plan that will make a strong impression on your reviewers.
I also have many free articles with tips about the different parts of the application process that should help, as well!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Mister Travis,
So, does scholarship expects from the applicants to get an excellent score in the examinations after passing the screening phase? What do they expect from the applicants? Also, do they allow bringing the Scientific calculator during the math, chemistry and physics examination? Another thing is do they the provide periodic table when taking the chemistry exam? I’m really worried because I’m not able to solve about half of the questions from the exams of the past years, and there isn’t any time left before the examination day.
Thank you for reading my message mister Travis.
Looking forward to your reply.
Hi Lili Pole,
The exam scores are competitive with other applicants and are factored in with the results of your document screening, interview, etc. for the final results. So, it is more important how you score relative to other applicants than your absolute performance.
For the exams, you are not allowed to bring calculators or other devices and I would not expect them to provide references, unless those references were also shown in the practice exams.
I’m afraid that is not very reassuring, but everyone else should be in the same position as you!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis! I’m currently in my junior year of high school and I’m seriously considering the MEXT Undergraduate Degree program for my post-secondary education. My question is, what are the main steps I should follow when making my application, when do I need to have my application submitted by, and what are the biggest concerns / things to watch out for regarding the MEXT
A little more information incase it helps you as well as lesser questions:
I’m an American student
I’ll graduate from high school in May 2022
I have taken several university-level courses through my local university and have passed all of them; will these help me be considered?
Hi Griffin,
If you will graduate in May 2022 and you are not planning to apply for Direct Placement, then you would apply in May 2022 for the scholarship that begins in April 2023.
I would not expect simply taking university level courses to have a significant impact on your application consideration. You need to put together a comprehensive application that shows why you are a better candidate than any of the other applicants based on what MEXT can expect you to accomplish in the future. I cover the idea of developing an application strategy in this book and also in a simplified form in my article about How to Maximize your Chances to Win the MEXT Scholarship. Both are written with the application for graduate students in mind, but the mindset advice and strategy should be relevant to you, too, even if the implementation steps are going to be a little different.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Griffin,
Have you read the application guidelines? That should tell you the steps. Then, you need to check with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate that serves your area to find the precise application submission instructions and deadlines.
Your high school grades will be important in determining your merit, and you also need to make sure that all of the essay questions in your application form, including your explanations of your choices of majors, are compelling and appeal to the reviewers.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Is this scholarship fully funded? I want to do the special course given in it. Teacher, I want to do a translater course. I am now a final year degree student in the country.
Hopefully
Hi Muhammed Abdulla,
In my most recent article about how to apply for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, I discuss what the scholarship covers, so I recommend that you read through that for more information!
Good Luck!
– Travis from Transenz
Hello Mr Travis, thank you so for all the help and time you are taking to write and answer our questions.
I have a question regarding the recommendation letters, how old should the recommendation letters be? if I have left the country where I obtained my bachelor’s, and I can’t obtain recommendation letters from my previous professors, what are the alternatives?
Hi Leen,
Even if you have left the country where you earned your bachelor’s degree, it should still be possible to contact your former professors and ask for a recommendation letter. Many applicants do that each year, so I think the reviewers will expect that you would put in that effort.
Your Letter of Recommendation should be a recommendation specifically for the MEXT Scholarship. Since you are required to submit the original as well as two copies for the application, it is not something that you can reuse. So, in general it should be relatively recent (within the past few months) to show that you got it specifically for this application process.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis.i just want to know whether a student who has passed grade 12 in nov 2020 in Pakistan is eligible for this scholarship or not?
Hi Laiba Farooq,
Most of my articles on this site are about the scholarship for graduate students and you would not be eligible to apply for that until you complete university, but you should be able to apply for the scholarship for undergraduate students as long as you meet all of the other eligibility requirements.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz