Questions about the MEXT scholarship? Ask them in the comments here or on the individual FAQ pages listed below!
FAQs Released so Far
Here are the links to the existing pages:
- MEXT Scholarship Application Basic Information (Where to apply, etc.)
- Contacting Professors (Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Application)
- Field of Study and Research Program Plan
- University Recommended MEXT Scholarship Application
Explanation
Given the recent volume of questions, I am afraid that I no longer have the time to answer each emailed question one-by-one and get you the response you want in a timely manner.
Instead, I will group similar questions and answer them in the subject-by-subject FAQ articles linked above.
Live Q&A?
Once TranSenz reaches $50 in monthly support on Patreon, I will start a monthly live video Q&A. If you are interested in supporting this effort, or simply getting faster responses to your questions and access to articles ahead of everyone else, you can become a patron of TranSenz for as little as $2 per month!
Get All the Answers, Fast
When you sign up for my MEXT Scholarship Mailing List, I will send you my sample MEXT application forms as well as a email course introducing you to the essentials of the MEXT scholarship application, step-by-step.
Tips to Get Your Questions Answered Faster
There are some ways you can get your question featured faster:
- Be clear. Let me know what type of application process (Embassy/University/Domestic Selection) you’re asking about, what level (Undergraduate/Graduate), what year, and any other relevant details. If I have to guess what you mean – or write back to you to ask you to clarify your question, it’s going to take more time.
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- Be original. If there is an FAQ for your question already, please watch/read what I have posted in there already. If you ask a question that’s just been answered, it will take me longer to circle back to it.
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Subject Specific FAQs
As I release and publish new Q&As and Q&A videos, I will post each of them on a separate page for that subject. Before posting a new question, please check to see if it’s already been answered, to save yourself some time!
If you can’t find an answer, you can post your question in the comments on the subject-specific page or on this page.
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Dear Travis,
I am applying for a Doctoral program at Tokyo Institute of technology under University recommendation (SGU) scholarship starting in April 2019. Can I also apply for a similar program but at University of Tokyo starting in October 2019 simultaneously?
Cheers for the Good blog!
Hi Kaustubh,
Thank you for your kind words.
You are only allowed to submit one University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application per year. So, if you are applying at Titech, you can’t apply at Todai for the same year, even if one is an April start and one is October.
That said, almost all University Recommended MEXT Scholarship programs start in October and you mentioned SGU, which is not related to the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, so that might by a different scholarship category (SGU Domestic Selection) and therefore might be OK. I would have to see the guidelines for the Titech program to be able to tell for sure.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
We REALLY appreciate your efforts, Thank you for your helpful posts.
I would like to ask about : I was refused two years in a row by MEXT Embassy recommendation, and now I’ll try with University-recommendation. The thing is when I wanted to get a recommendation letter from the dean of my university, the Dean’s office refused to sign the letter telling me that I must send their email to the university that I wish to apply to, and then they will send the recommendation electronically!!! I don’t know, what do you think I should do?
I already have a recommendation from my professor and was signed by the Higher Education office in my university , do you think is OK ?
The last thing I want to ask :
Does the Japanese universities give a conditional admission letter like other countries ? because if things doesn’t work out, I plan to apply for another scholarship in which the conditional admission letter is required.
Thank you so much for your help.
Hi F.M.W.,
It might actually be possible for your Dean’s office to send the Letter of Acceptance directly to the university. I’d recommend that you contact them to check.
When I processed these applications, the Letters of Acceptance were about the only thing that we would accept separately from the rest of the application. I know we accepted a few each year directly from the recommenders.
If you explain that that’s the only way the Dean issues recommendation letters, and that it would be coming directly from an official university email account, they may take it.
Otherwise, I don’t think the letter from the professor is likely to be accepted. If it were countersigned by the dean, that would be a different story.
Conditional Acceptance: As far as I know, no, Japanese universities do not grant conditional acceptance letters. You either get an acceptance letter (and in that case, if it is not acceptance via the MEXT scholarship, you would have to pay the non-refundable admission fee almost immediately), or not.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis san,
How you are doing good.
Let me give you a background before asking my question.
I am planning to apply for MEXT next year. I have a B. Tech undergraduate degree in Information Technology and I have been working as a Japanese Translator for the past two year and have a JLPT N 3 certification. Japanese is my 3rd language. I would be writing my N2 but I don’t think I would be able to clear N1 so soon.
My question is, I am planning to get an MBA scholarship through MEXT and apply for an English program in Japan. Would that lower my chances?
My research would be more related to my career work so far than my undergraduate education. Would that be a negative point?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Pallavi,
One of the requirements of the MEXT scholarship is that you have to apply in a field that you have majored in during a past degree or a related field. Going from Information Technology to and MBA might be a bit of a stretch, so you’ll need to think carefully about how you are going to justify that.
Unfortunately, even if your career was in a different field, MEXT wants to see the connection with your degree to know that you have the academic background necessary to undertake advanced studies in the field.
The biggest challenge to your chances is going to be whether or not you can show the relationship between the degree fields. Applying for a program taught in English will not hurt your chances. Having some Japanese language ability should help you stand out during the primary screening phase of the application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Sir,
Actually i want to apply for Mext Scholarship 2019 and download documents from this link
[Edit: Link removed]
but in the guideline form the result date of first screening mentioned as 24 August 2018
so i confused either i download correct form or not
but
when i saw this link
https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/admission/scholarship.html
I also confused which documents necessary to be download or which documents to be sent to JAPAN
Kindly help me regarding to this issue….
Hi Sumiya,
Thank you for your question. I removed the link because the site that you referenced was clearly giving incorrect/incomplete information and I do not want anyone else getting misled.
You should always get the application instructions and forms from the embassy or the university where you intend to apply, since they will have the most complete and accurate information. I try to provide supporting explanations here, but you also need to be referring to the actual application sites.
There are two ways to apply for the MEXT scholarship: via Embassy Recommendation and via University Recommendation. I outlined the difference between the two in this article, so I would recommend you start there, if you are unsure which to pick. The deadline for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship for 2019 was back in May/June, so it is too late to apply for this year. The deadline for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship for 2019 should be coming soon, though it varies by university.
The University of Tokyo link you posted was for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship for 2019, so if you follow the instructions there to apply to Todai, you cannot go wrong!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I passed the first screening for MEXT Embassy recommended scholarship 2019. I have also secured a Letter of Provisional Acceptance from a professor at the University of Tokyo (Graduate School of Engineering). Earlier this year in April 2018 I was offered an admission letter by the same professor for a special graduate program at the University of Tokyo called the IME program. Unfortunately at that time there was no scope to support my PhD study in that program due to unavailability of scholarships. I had to let go of that offer. However in June 2018 I applied for the embassy recommended MEXT scholarship. After my interview and before the result of the first screening I contacted the same professor to confirm if he would accept me as a PhD student if I passed the first screening. He kindly agreed to supervise my PhD study if I passed the first screening. After the first screening I submitted all my documents to the University of Tokyo and the same professor granted me a letter of provisional acceptance with my status being an international research student.
Seeing as how the professor had given me acceptance letters twice this year I did not approach any other professor or university. I mentioned the University of Tokyo as the only university in my placement preference form .
I have two queries:
1. At this juncture when I am waiting for the result of the second screening what do you think are my chances of finally getting the scholarship keeping in mind that I have only listed one university in the placement preference form because of the strong communication with the professor.
2. During this time of wait should I keep in touch with my professor? I have already sent him a short email thanking him for granting me the letter of provisional acceptance.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Afraz Khan.
Hi Afraz Khan,
1. If you have passed the Primary Screening and submitted at least one Letter of Acceptance, you are practically guaranteed to receive the scholarship. Having only one university on your Placement Preference Form should not affect that.
2. Yes, I recommend that you keep in touch. Sending the thank you letter was a great start. Since the outcome is nearly certain, I would recommend that you continue to remain in contact with your professor to get his/her guidance on what research, studying, or preparation work you should be doing now before you arrive.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you so much for your suggestions! Your good work in guiding numerous students across the globe regarding higher education in Japan is deeply appreciated by us all. Keep going!
Afraz
Hello Travis,
I have some questions regarding the travel expenses.
The scholarship also covers a round-trip air ticket.Does the embassy (or the university) handle the process of purcaching the ticket or can the participant do it by herself? Also if there are no direct flights to japanavailable in my home country will the scholarship still cover the flight to another country where there are direct flights? Does the scholarship also pay for the taxes that are included in the airfare(ticket)?
Hi Maria,
MEXT contracts the ticketing process out to a travel company, typically, and you will not have very much say in the scheduling. The university will tell you what day you need to arrive or they may let you choose between two days.
MEXT will pay only for the international portion of your flight. So, they will pay for a flight from the closest international airport to your home, in your home country, to Japan. It doesn’t matter if it is a direct flight or you have a layover in another country on the way, they will pay for it either way.
You will be responsible for the airport usage taxes, but you won’t have to pay them until after you arrive in Japan. From what I understand, typically you will get an invoice to pay those taxes about a month after you arrive.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
Good day to you . I have an query regarding the MEXT Embassy recommendation university placement . I have been passed the primary screening and received three letter of acceptance . the universities are
1. Kyoto University ( public)
2. Waseda University ( Private)
3. Kyoto institute of Technology ( National )
is it possible for me to get waseda if i put waseda on preference no. 1 ? Waseda is a private university. option 3 is my least preferred and if possible would not like to put the name on the placement form .
Thank you for your kind assistance.I would appreciate your immediate help as my submission date is very close.
Hi SJ,
Kyoto University is a National University, not a public, so if that is your top choice, you would have a very high possibility of being placed there.
If you put Waseda as your first choice, it is possible that you would end up there, but you might also end up at your second choice. MEXT says that they may pass over your first choice if it is a private or public university and instead try to place you in your highest-choice national university, but I have not been able to find any particular criteria that they use to choose which students that will apply to.
I do not think MEXT would skip over your second choice if it was a National University and go straight to your third. The only situation I can see where you might end up at your third choice would be if the second choice university declined to accept you in the end.
If you order the schools Waseda – Kyoto – KIT, that gives you the best chance of being placed at Waseda and minimizes the chances that you would end up at KIT.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis ,
It is great to have your kind suggestion . Thank you for correcting me. I think your order makes sense & this information would be very helpful to me .
Thank you again and my best wishes to you.
Have a nice day.
-Sj
Hi,
I have a general question I have done my BSc (Hons) four year course (8 semesters) with CGPA 3.46 out of 4.00. I have a transcript of all combine four years. How can I provide the CGPA transcript of last two years? I’ll wait for your humble reply.
Thanks in anticipation.
Hi Sharjeel Ashfaq,
You should submit your transcript for the entire four years. As long as it is clear when you took each course, that will be enough for the university or embassy to calculate your grades for only the last two years of courses.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I am a little bit confused about a certain point and I need your advice about it.
I hold a pharmacy diploma and in my country we study 6 years to get the diploma which is equivalent to a bachelor degree in japan. And therefore, I have chosen to do a master degree in my application form during the submission ( Embassy Recommandation )
While requesting my letter of acceptance my supervisor told me that I can directly start into a doctoral program because the 6 years that I did are sufficient to enroll into a doctoral program and is asking me now to choose between master program and doctoral program.
But the problem is that in the documents submitted to the embassy, I did a two years research plan that applies to a master degree, And I am afraid that it causes me problems during the second screening if they see that I hold a doctoral letter of provisional accepts but that I did a master degree research plan.
Do you think that choosing a doctoral program will cause me problems?
Thank you,
Best Regards,
Ishak
Hi Ishak,
The secondary screening is not competitive and it will not be a problem if you submitted a 2-year research plan but plan to enroll in a 3-year doctoral program.
The secondary screening really exists for MEXT to double-check the embassy’s work and make sure that no rules were violated.
I do not think a doctoral program will cause you problems at all, especially since it’s the university making the recommendation.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
This is atsede Gebreegziabher and I need to ask you How I will
receive the letter of acceptance from universities. Am I going to
receive the letter in Hard copy through postal address or I can
receive it scanned letter or soft copy of it.
please let me know if you have something to say.
Hi Atsede Gebreegziabher,
The universities should send you the hard copy of the letter by post. However, if it looks like the hardcopy may not arrive in time, they may send you a scanned copy first. You will need to ask the embassy where you applied if they will accept the soft copy while waiting for the original to arrive.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I applied to the MEXT Specialized Training College scholarship this year in Sweden, and I’ve passed the first screening. The embassy said that the score on the math test was a bit weak so the chance of getting the scholarship might be a bit lower, but that I did great on the interview so the interviewers and the embassy really wants to recommend me anyway.
So my question is how much of a lower chance do you think it might be? Or rather what sort of impact might it do on the second screening?
My friend said that it might depend on your subject of field and I applied for Animation (3D), so it doesn’t feel like it should matter that much? I am also 23 (soon 24) and have experience living in Japan for 21months. I was told that I did the best out of all applicants on the Japanese test (I only really had trouble with the C part), and the English test was really easy so it might’ve been a 満点 haha.
Not in any way want to seem braggy just wanted to give a sort of view on how my application went.
Thanks in beforehand, and sorry for the long text.
Hi Alexander,
My area of expertise and the focus of this blog is on the MEXT scholarship for graduate students.
Unfortunately, I do not know anything about how the scoring or evaluation system for Specialized Training College scholarships, so I cannot guess how subject tests might affect your evaluation. It sounds like the system is completely different from the scholarship for graduate students. (At the graduate level, each country has a certain number of slots, so if the embassy nominates you, you are practically guaranteed to receive the scholarship, since there are no further competitive screenings).
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help. Perhaps another reader on here has expertise in the STC scholarship and can give better advice.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I am in Canada doing my undergraduate. I was thinking of applying for MEXT Medicine Scholarship Undergraduate program. What is the minimum GPA for MEXT undergraduate applicants? Do you know anyone who studied Medicine in Japan? Do you have any advice?
Hi Haley M,
The minimum GPA is 2.3 out of 3.0 on MEXT’s scale, so you would have to convert your grades to that system (you can find an explanation of how to convert grades here).
I have never heard of anyone successfully studying medicine under the MEXT scholarship. You would have to be native-level fluent in Japanese to be able to get in to a medical program because all of the license testing, etc., that you would need for practical training parts of the program must be acquired in Japanese. That rules out most applicants.
If you are interested in medicine, then I would suggest that you consider applying for an academic degree in Life Sciences to conduct research related to your medical interests. However, if you really want to go for an MD, then Japan and the MEXT scholarship may not be your best option.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you so much for taking the time and replying to many of these comments.
So I’ve been been recommended by the embassy and have sent my documents to the schools that I hoped to apply to (Keio, Tokyo). I have a question about receiving the LOA from the schools that I applied to. I sent in my documents around 2 weeks ago, haven’t heard anything back from them yet. I know it takes some time to process all the documents, but do you think it would be inappropriate to ask and check if all the paperwork is going smoothly so far? Just a little anxious.
Thank you so much!
Hi Mike,
Congratulations on passing the primary screening!
Did you send the documents by email or post? The instructions from MEXT this year said to send them by email, but the universities might have old instructions on their websites. (It goes without saying, but double-check the instructions for applying for an LoA on the universities’ websites to see if they mention anything about when and how to expect a reply to your application).
If you sent the documents by email and have not heard back, I think it is a good idea to contact the universities and make sure the email arrived. Sometimes emails with large attachments can end up being blocked.
If you sent the documents by post, first check the tracking information on the package to make sure it arrived, then I would suggest emailing the university to confirm that your application package was complete and politely ask about the processing time for the application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I sent the email by email and they confirmed that they received it. It’s been several weeks though, I think I’m going to just (of course politely) ask about the processing time for the application.
If you have any objections to that based on your own experience, please let me know before I accidentally send a rude email! 🙂
Many thanks for your help.
Hi Mike,
I do not think that it is rude for you to ask them about the processing time, as long as your email itself is polite!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
From your experience, when do universities usually get back to the applicants regarding the LOA?
I sent in my documents almost 6 weeks ago, and have yet to hear anything back from the universities I applied to. (After my last question to you, I politely asked and they basically said things usually take 3-4 weeks, please don’t email us again until we email you).
From talking to other students who applied to the same university, they haven’t heard anything back either but they submitted their documents much later. At this point I’m getting a little worried, if you could give me your thoughts on this (especially if you think something is wrong), I would really appreciate it!
Hi Mike,
When I used to handle LoAs, there were times when it took us nearly 2 months to get back to applicants. It all depended on the timing of the documents’ arrival and the individual graduate schools and their faculty meetings schedules. (There were also times where if a document set arrived on Monday, we would be able to get it approved by the following week, but if it arrived on Tuesday, it would miss the last faculty meeting of the semester, so we wouldn’t be able to reply for two months.)
As long as the university has acknowledged that they have your documents and are processing them, you have nothing to worry about. In general, the fact that it is taking them a long time is not any reflection on your application and it does not indicate that they might reject you any more than a quick reaction time would. It is just that universities can be very large and bureaucratic, so slow to get things done.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Mr. Travis
I intend to apply for the research MEXT Scholarship through the university recommendation , but it seems that Japanese universities only recommend international students coming from their overseas partner institutes. Maybe I have get something wrong and the exchange agreement is just priority and the scholarship is based on merits.
However could you please help me regarding these questions? (I would like just further clarification)
1. Am I eligible to apply for research MEXT Scholarship via university recommendation as an Iranian applicant?
2. Is it necessary that my domestic university has an exchange agreement/ collaboration with Japanese Universities and if so, do they have an exchange agreement with “Allameh Tabataba’i University” in Iran?
I am just worried that I miss the deadline so maybe that is why I become too hasty.
Regarding the embassy recommendation MEXT scholarship, I cannot apply this year because the application period has been over (It is on early May in my country every year). Therefore, the university recommendation track is the only way for me now.
So it would be appreciated to help me and send more information.
I am looking forward to your reply.
Regards
Paria Fadaei
Hi Paria Fadaei,
I saw you had asked the same question on another post and answered it there first.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I have some questions about the visa application form. I already successfully passed the MEXT Scholarship (University Recommendation) & I have to go to the embassy to finalise my visa for October 2018 departure. I tried contacting the embassy but they weren’t the most helpful, so I thought I’d put my questions out here.
Apologies if the answers are pretty obvious, but it would be a wasted journey for me if the form was filled out incorrectly!
1. I assume I have to wait for my flight and accommodation information to be confirmed by the university before completing the form as it asks for date of arrival & address for duration of stay?
2. Is my intended length of stay whatever is indicated on my Certificate of Admission (1 year) or since I am planning on taking the entrance exam for the doctoral course would it be the total length of time I am expecting to stay (3 years)?
3. Is the guarantor/inviter in Japan my academic supervisor &/or the university itself?
I apologise if you’ve touched on this elsewhere on your site but I wasn’t too sure where it would be found!
Many thanks,
Dale
Hi Dale,
Congratulations on earning the scholarship!
When you went to the embassy, did you inform them that you were a MEXT scholar? There is a special visa application process for MEXT scholarships winners, since you are essentially an invitee of the Japanese government. A few of the questions you mentioned should not be necessary for MEXT scholars or the Embassy should be able to give you specific guidance on how to fill it in as a MEXT scholar. When I was working with MEXT scholars, none of them ever contacted us with these questions (whereas non-MEXT scholars contact me constantly with them, now), so I can only assume the Embassy offers specific guidance.
1. No, you do not have to wait because this does not need to be your final answer. Your best guess is fine for now. Look up a possible route and fill in that information.
2. It should be the length of stay on your acceptance certificate. You will extend your period of stay in Japan once you officially extend your enrollment and MEXT scholarship.
3. Please check with the Embassy for this. In general for students, your reference in Japan is that university (not an individual), but it might be different for MEXT scholars.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks Travis,
I contacted the embassy again and they basically relayed the information you confirmed to me above, although they informed me that my name wasn’t on the list of government scholarship recipients. Hoping that this is resolved by the time I actually head to the embassy!
Many thanks,
Dale
Hi Dale,
During the application process, did the university ask you which embassy was closest to your home? Typically, your name is only placed on the list for one embassy or consulate, so only that location would have your information and you would only be able to apply there.
There is another possibility – were you selected for a Top Global University category scholarship? (You would know that you are in that category if MEXT is not paying for your flight ticket to Japan). In that case, you might be subject to a different application process or have a later application date. Unfortunately, I haven’t worked with that process directly, so I would recommend that you check with the university that nominated you and ask them if they have any guidance for your visa application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Mr. Travis,
Thanks for your helpful information.
I am now contacting with my professor at kyushu university and I intend to apply MEXT scholarship through university recommendation in 2019.
Because of lacking knowledge in Japanese, I still can’t find the 2019 application form for MEXT scholarship through university recommendation.
Would you mind sharing me the 2019 university recommendation application form?
This will be the best support for me at the moment.
Once again, thank you for your kindly help.
Best Regards,
Truong Gia Huy
Hi Truong Gia Huy,
It’s not a problem with your language ability – the form and instructions most likely are not out yet.
The exact timing and process for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship varies significantly from university to university, but it looks like Kyushu University opens for applications in December. At least, that’s what their website indicates now, I would recommend that you follow up with them directly later to be sure.
Their site also indicates that they only nominate students from partner universities, so if your university does not have a partnership, then you might want to follow up on that, as well.
Typically, the official MEXT application form for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship only comes out after universities have stopped accepting applications, so they will likely have some other forms for you to complete in the meantime. You would need to get those from the university, itself.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Mr. Travis,
Thank you for your great guidelines! Would you be so kind as to help me to understand one thing?
I’m interested in postgraduate scholarship. So I have some work experience, I’m going to improve my English and Japanese as well, I have numerous recommendations, and I have a good idea for my future research, BUT my university grades are not the best one. And I’m curious is it possible to get a scholarship if my grades are not so good?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Alina,
Your grades do have to meet the minimum requirement when converted to MEXT’s 3.0 scale. Sometimes, you may find that grades that do not look so good in your home country actually convert fairly well, so do not give up hope!
Higher grades does make you more competitive for the scholarship, but it is still possible to earn it with lower grades if you have an outstanding field of study and research program plan and do well in your interviews. You’ll just have to work harder to make sure that you do the best you can on the parts of the application that are under your control.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Mr. Travis,
Thank you so much for your reply!
Well, yes, this looks not so scary 🙂 Thanks again!
Mr. Travis,
And I have another question. I’m going to enroll in a master’s degree programme. However, my point of interest not in the same field as my bachelor’s degree. To be more clear, I have a bachelor’s degree in Japanese translation, but I’m interested in business administration as I’m working in this field currently. Is it possible?
Sorry for bothering you again! 🙂
Thanks in advance!
I’m sorry for bothering you!
Hi Alina,
One of the eligibility criteria for the MEXT scholarship is that you have to apply in a field that you majored in previously in university or in its related field. So, whether or not it is possible to apply in Business Administration depends on how well you can justify to the screening committee that it is related to your previous Japanese translation studies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thanks for all your amazing guidelines. They were so very helpful to my while preparing my documents. I’ve submitted them last week and I’m waiting for the Japanese Embassy in my country to call me for exams. How long do they take to do so?
And my other question is how much score in the English language test is enough to get to the Interviews stage? I know it is a 100 points total.
I wish you could help me with these question.
Thank you again for all your efforts.
Sincerely,
Ed
Hi Ed,
Thank you for your kind words! I’m very glad to hear that you found the posts helpful!
Unfortunately, the way that universities handle exams and the timing of the Primary Screening varies wildly from country to country, so I can’t give you an answer. The best I can do is suggest that you check the embassy’s website and the guidelines posted there to see if there is any information about when results will be released and exams scheduled.
The scoring policy for the exams also varies from country to country, and, of course, it depends on whether you’re applying for a degree program taught in Japanese or English.
Since your questions are specific to your country/embassy, I’m afraid I don’t have enough information to be able to help.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi TranSenz,
I wanted to thank you for all your guides regardint the MEXT scholarship, they’ve been a lifesaver. I recently found out about the scholarship before scrambling to apply this cycle, and all the posts on your website have been a fantastic source of information.
I wanted to ask you for some advice regarding my next steps in the MEXT application. I been lucky enough to recieve news this past week that I’ve been selected for the embassy recommendation.
From my end, it seems like all I have to do now is [1] get letters of acceptance (I’ve been able to get a yes from two universities of my choice so far) and [2] submit those to the Japanese consulate and pray for the best? Is there anything else you would caution me about at this point? I’m planning on sending out the documents to the universities as soon as I receive them back from the consulate.
After that it sounds like I just wait for secondary confirmation and placement (by the way do you know when this usually occurs? I saw that it said after December, I just wanted to know the latest they could notify me).
Again, thank you so much for website, I definitely couldn’t have gotten this far without your help. I hope you’re doing well yourself!
Hi Jay,
Congratulations on passing the primary screening! Thank you very much for your kind words, too. It means a lot to me to be able to help in some small way.
Your understanding is correct – all you have to do now is to contact universities to request Letters of Acceptance, then submit those letters, along with your potentially revised Placement Preference Form (if you change your order of preference based on your interaction or based on the letters you receive) to the embassy.
My only caution to you would be to apply for the Letters of Acceptance as early as possible and to make sure that you are applying according to the university’s instructions.
As for notifications, typically, the Secondary Screening is concluded by early November and MEXT starts contacting the universities then to confirm that they will accept you. However, there is no real consistency on whether or not they will notify you first that you have passed the Secondary Screening or will wait until they have your placement confirmed. The placement confirmations can come as late as December or even early February in some cases (I assume the Feb cases are when MEXT has to contact multiple universities to find one to accept the candidate).
In the meantime, you might get unofficial information from your professor or the university saying that they’ve been asked to accept you. While not official, you can generally treat that as true.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear TranSenz,
Thank you so much for the initial reply.
Two more quick questions:
[1] How long does it usually take to get the LOA? I’ve been following up with my embassy and they told me they would get the documents back to me the week after next weekend. I’ve been in contact with the universities on my placement form in preparation to send them the documents as soon as I get them. I just wanted to make sure that there would be enough time.
[2] If I say on the form that I want to do a PhD (I’m still a little iffy on this, I mainly applied I wanted to work with a professor on a particular research project, not necessarily for the degree) , will I still get the two years as a research student (non-degree) prior to the beginning of the PhD program? I was just wondering if they try and get you in after your first year, or if you still had the option to take the two full years before beginning the PhD course.
All your help is greatly appreciated. I hope you have a great weekend ^^
Hi Jay,
1) It depends. The guidance MEXT gave universities this year was that they were to get LOAs back to applicants within one month, and no later than September 25. But each university is going to have its own processing time and processes – and it may even vary by graduate school. August is summer vacation for Japanese universities, too, so responses are likely to be slow then.
All you really need to worry about is being sure that you contact the universities by the August 24 deadline. Of course, earlier is better. If you can get them your documents by the end of July, then you might catch the professors before they go on vacation.
2) Your length of time as a research student is not fixed in advance (aside from the maximum time of 2 years if you arrive in April or 1.5 years if you arrive in September). It will be up to you and your professor to decide when to take the entrance exam if you arrive as a research student.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Sir,
I want to apply by University recommendation as for now the embassy recommendation is over what are the important things that I will be needing. Also if I’m an average student, but very passionate about studying in Japan. Will it be a problem for me to get University recommendation?
Hi Anushriya Bhardwaj,
The University Recommendation scholarship is very competitive, so you will need to work hard to ensure that you can beat out all of the other applicants.
The most important things to have are good grades and an outstanding field of study and research program plan, plus meeting all of the other requirements, like having English language proficiency test scores.
The articles I linked above should help you get started.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Sir, I’m currently a 4th year student of Bachelor of Technology, specializing in Electronics and Instrumentation from Banasthali Vidhyapith, Rajasthan,India. I’ll be completing my 16 years of education on June’19. I want to do MBA from Japan using MEXT Scholarship.
I haven’t done any research work in my bachelor’s, just a project.
I wanted to asking which category do I exactly fall. I don’t know under which of the program should I fill the MEXT application. Kindly guide me for the same.
Hi Anushriya Bhardwaj,
It sounds to me like you should be applying for the MEXT scholarship for research students (graduate students) for a Master’s degree or Master’s level research student.
One of the requirements of the MEXT scholarship is that you apply in a field of study that you have majored in at university in the past. If your bachelor’s degree is in Electronics and Instrumentation, then applying for an MBA does not seem to be related.
You do not need to have completed research in your bachelor’s degree to apply for the MEXT scholarship for graduate studies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Sir,
Well even if I apply for M.Tech in Japan, I have absolutely no idea where to get started with my research plan. I haven’t done any sort of research before. So do you think the project that I’ve made in B.tech will help me turning it into a research? Will that work?
Hi Anushriya Bhardwaj,
I’ve written about the structure of what a Field of Study and Research Program Plan should include, which might give you a hint as to how to get started. I am currently working on some resources about how to develop your research question to get started, so look for those to come out in the future!
In the meantime, I would think that some of your current professors could be a great resource to help you determine a research topic and plan, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
sir,
I am applying for mext scholarship in 2020, so i have been gathering information on it. This year in India, the embassy of japan released a preliminary form which needs to be submitted before document screening. It said “course applied-Research/masters/phd”. I have some questions regarding it.
1) Does applying directly for masters is the same as going to research and then applying for masters? Do I have to give an extra exam?
2) If I am unable to qualify directly for masters then can I still go as Research student and then apply for masters?
I asked the embassy but they told me ” if you want to apply for masters, then write masters” but they didn’t clarify the above mentioned questions.
Hi Hironmoy,
I haven’t seen the extra document from the embassy in India, so my answers may not be specific to that document.
1) There is no difference at the Embassy level between applying for research student status or directly to the degree. The difference would come in your interaction with the universities. They may ask you to undertake an additional exam or screening to accept you as a degree student versus a research student. I wrote about the timing that this screening could occur in my recent article about applying for Letters of Acceptance.
2) This will be up to the university to decide when they issue you a letter of acceptance, as I cover in the link above. Regardless of whether you ask the university to accept you as a research student or a degree student, it is ultimately their discretion as to which status to offer you a LoA for.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis
How the first/ initial screening is done? How we get to know that it has been done? How much time the Embassy takes for initial screening?
Hi Sadia Fida,
It depends on the embassy. Some embassies move quite quickly between the stages of the primary screening and others take much more time. For example, I know some embassies may take two weeks to finish the document review and decide who gets invited to the exams, but others will give an answer within days.
I would recommend that you check the website of the embassy/consulate where you applied to see if the application guidelines there give any information about when the document screening results will be out and when the exams and interviews will be held.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I am Nigerian, I applied for Mext scholarship 2019 embassy recommendation as a research student.
Please how do I know if I passed the document screening?
Hi Ajayi Tolulope,
Each embassy has its own results announcement procedures, so I would recommend you check with them directly. You may find the answer in the application guidelines. If not, you can contact them to ask when it will be released.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I just found out about your blog and I dare say it’s very informative! Thanks a lot for your efforts and help.
My name is Khlood, I am from Egypt! Recently, I have been in contact with a professor from Kumamoto University, his secretary emailed me to apply for SGU scholarship, according to the MEXT grade conversion I did on my own, I am ineligible, but they said they couldn’t calculate my GPA from my transcripts and asked me to provide a letter stating that I am considered at the top 25% and send all original documents- which I did, I am not sure if the university will accept it, and if they did accept me and submit my papers to MEXT, would they refuse me if they manage to calculate my grades? or is the decision based solely on the university recommendation? I should note that I was rejected before at the Embassy and University MEXT as well from another university.
Anyway, what I am confused about is, what does JSPS have to do with this scholarship? as the secretary said the student’s affairs office told her that if I passed the internal selection, they will recommend me to JSPS, and if JSPS wanted more documents they will let me know, but they’re not sure when.
I am not sure whether the JSPS or MEXT are intercalated or is that a different procedure.
I got so confused and tired to the point I just want any sort of reply ASAP! And I am not even sure if the results will be out in August as you mentioned before and I get accepted there would be enough time to issue a visa and such since paperwork take FOREVER in Egypt! If I get accepted, that is!
Sorry for the rant!! I know that there might be nothing you can help me with but I think I just wanted some…consolation, perhaps?! Or just some pointers on what to do!!
Hi Khlood,
Since I have never seen your transcripts, I cannot give you a meaningful answer on the grade calculation. But if the university said that they cannot calculate your grades and asked for the letter, then I would trust that they know what they are doing.
There is another category of the MEXT scholarship that is related to JSPS. As far as I know, it has nothing to do with SGU, but I haven’t done enough research into it to be sure. Unfortunately, that is out of my area of expertise. All I can tell you is that the scholarship category does exist and that it is a link-up between MEXT and JSPS.
The results for that scholarship category should also be out by the end of June (but as with everything else related to MEXT, may be late).
I’ve worked with many scholarship winners from Egypt in the past and they started their MEXT visa application process in mid to late July and had no problems arriving in Japan in time, so I wouldn’t worry about that.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis 😄,
I recently applied for the Japanese mext scholarship in my country Zambia . However during my application process the doctor said it was not necessary to have my medical report typed so he filled it in by pen . Do you think that this can jeopardize my chances ?🤔😭
am worried because the report stated that it should be typed .
Hi Chipo,
The form says that you should fill it out in print or type in Japanese or English, so handwriting (print) should be fine. “Print” in this case refers to writing letters individually and clearly as opposed to “script”. (All capital letters is preferred, but that won’t hurt you if the doctor didn’t do that).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
With Your help, I managed to pass the first screening. I am motivated and ready for the exams, but I need some help in clarifying some stuff. Im an undergraduate student, applying for humanities. I did past exams from the MEXT site, and I scored 95%-100% in english, 25-30% in math. When it comes to Japanese, I only know katakana, hiragana and basic kenjis aswell as phrases for every day life ( such as asking for directions, greetings etc). After seeing the Japanese exams, I am afraid I could turn in a blank paper. My question is: What scores exactly are needed to pass? I read that in humanities, english and japanese is more important than math, Should I then study hard Japanese to get atleast 10% or should I ignore it and focus on math to get 50%? Will 100% from English and 50% from Math compensate for my blank test from Japanese? I really enjoy learning that language but I have hard time understanding the exams. Thanks for your time and help.
Malak.
Hi Malak,
Congratulations on passing the document screening!
Unfortunately, I do not know what the required passing scores are for the undergraduate exams. Perhaps someone else here with experience in the undergraduate application can comment with more information!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I am applying for Embassy recommended MEXT scholarship, my transcript of undergraduate degree does not include total and obtained marks, just grade, total cgpa and percentage, can you please tell me what should I write in marks obtained section in Mark sheet?
Thank you.
Hi Ifrah,
You need to submit some official documentation from your university that shows your performance in each of the courses you have taken, individually. Maybe that document is not called a transcript in your case. If you do not know what document is appropriate for your specific country and education system, I recommend that you contact the embassy for clarification. They should know your system better than I do.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi.
I am a Nigerian. Where do submit my MEXT application?
Thank you
Hi Adejoh Bank,
If you are applying for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, then you would submit it to the Japanese embassy in Nigeria.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day Mr. Travis.
My problem for the undergraduate form is the section for academic record.
After filling my primary education, lower secondary education and upper secondary education details, is it relevant for me to fill the section for tertiary education?
Hi Okpechi Anthony,
If you do not have any tertiary education, then you would not fill that in on the form. I think most applicants for the undergraduate scholarship would not have any tertiary education experience, so that would not put you at a disadvantage.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
I’m looking to apply for the 2019 intake for MEXT scholarships. Being from the UK, my exams don’t finish until the end of May, which would mean that I would be unable to be in Japan for the 1st of April for the Preparatory Education. Does this mean I will have to wait until the 2020 intake? Unfortunately my Japanese is not good enough for direct placement!
Is there any way for me to go next year?
Thanks
Hi Jenson Hanna,
If you are applying for the 2019 intake, you can select a fall semester arrival, which would be after your exams, so you should still be eligible to apply!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thanks for your time and information you’ve been sharing here to help people. I’m a Nigerian and want to apply for Masters. Pls I need a breakdown on how to get the fillable forms, I just got to know about this scholarship yesterday and the deadline is on the 8th of June. Thank you.
Hi Daniel, success ugochukwu,
You should get all of the forms from the website of the Japanese embassy in Nigeria.
Since they may have additional requirements or instructions, it is important that you get it from them directly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
Thanks for the elaborate article. Just need to know that in case, where my university name is bigger than the space allocated in the typed format, what should I do? It doesn’t give me an option to go to next line and doesn’t let me complete it either. Should I print the form and hand write it? Note: Everything else is typed!
Hi Sahar,
In excel, you can change the font size or change a cell so that any overflow carries on to a second line. I recommend trying both of those to get the name to fit.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello!
For the graduate research programs, does one have to select a program under the Global 30 Project in order to receive the MEXT scholarship? Or can one apply to any university as long as other criteria like availability of a PI are fulfilled?
I’m terribly sorry if this question has been answered before.
Thanks in advance
Raagini
Hi Raagini,
You do not need to limit yourself to Global 30 programs. Any degree program at any university in Japan is available.
Unforatunately, I do not know what a PI is.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Your blog has an infinite wisdom, Thank you with all of my heart,
In the guidelines document, 10. ACQUISITION OF ADMISSION LETTERS, there is a contradiction here.
They say the applicants who have passed the First Screening shall directly contact the Japanese universities after Fri., August 24, and they also say August 25 or after is not permitted.
I need more elaboration on the deadline, how can we just have one day to request the issuance of admission letters?
Hi Fadi Bakoura,
I think you might have misread the guidelines, but the English wording is confusing. It says you must contact the universities “after the notification of the First Screening results by Fri., August 24 (Japan time).” (*Emphasis added) That means after the results of the Primary Screening but before (by) Aug 24.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
what if someone applies without no TOEFL AND IELST test’s scores.
Hi Aris,
You do not need TOEFL or IELTS to apply for the Embassy Recommended MEXT scholarship, but you might need them to get a Letter of Acceptance from a Japanese university and you would need them to apply for the University Recommended MEXT scholarship application, so I would recommend taking one of the tests.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey, Travis!
I am applying for MEXT embassy recommended scholarship for 2019 intake
Do I need to give the GRE exam for this? is it a necessity of is IELTS score enough ??
and if GRE is compulsory what is the right time to take the exam ?
thanking you
-Aishwarya
Hi Aishwarya,
The GRE is not required for the Embassy Recommended MEXT scholarship application, but some universities may ask you to submit GRE scores when you apply for an LoA or if you apply for the University Recommended MEXT scholarship. You’d have to check the individual university web pages for details.
If you find out that the GRE is required for your university, I recommend taking the test as soon as possible to make sure that you have your scores in time.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis !!
I have an URGENT QUESTION
should I contact more than one professor from the same university……….. since the professor that I have sent the mail to hasn’t replied yet.
how long should one wait for a reply? (as I don’t wanna be rude)
And also one of the professors that I have mailed is an Adjunct Professor……..will that be a problem… I mean is it necessary to only have Professors/Associate Professors as a supervisor?
Hi Aishwarya,
Considering that you do not need to have a professor’s reply until after you pass the primary screening, it is not that urgent, so please don’t worry so much. You can list professors on your placement preference form even if they have not replied.
Typically, I would recommend that you wait a week before sending a reminder. I do not recommend contacting multiple professors from the same university unless one has already turned you down and you need an alternate.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Thanks for your extraordinary efforts
Regarding the recommendation letter from a dean or an advisor, According to Embassy of Japan in our country, we must submit 1 original recommendation letter and 2 copies. but my supervisor just puts one original in the envelope and closed the envelope. The problem is my advisor is overseas because I graduated from overseas university, so it is difficult to ask him again to send me another envelope by post. it takes so long time and the envelope might be delivered after the deadline.
What should I do in this case? Can I
Thank you
Hi Omar Yahya Al-shargi,
Thank you for your kind words!
For the letter of recommendation copies, my best advice is to call the embassy or consulate and ask them for guidance. In the past, I have heard different instructions given in different countries, so it’s best to see what they want.
The most common answer I have seen is that they will tell you to open the letter and make copies yourself, but some other countries will tell you just to turn in the single, sealed copy. In any case, you should not need to get extra copies from your Dean or Advisor.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Your blog really helped me through embassy recommendation application process.
I have completed my 16 years of education that is Msc(internationally equivalent to bachelors)so i applied for MS PROGRAM right?
In my country placemmet preference form is optional so i dont need to fill it.Is it effects my application and selection or not?
Secondly i have done thesis in my bachelors program but there was no any publication so what can.i write in thesis portion in application form just thesis title is ok?
Thirdly, i am little bit confused about my study plan in Japan will u please guide me to answer questioned in study plan like present field of study ?
I have not been involved in any study since 6 years and my thesis in bachelors is not too good.waiting for ur response
Thamks regards,
Sundas
Hi Sundas,
You had asked some of the same questions on another post and I answered them here.
For the Study Plan, I wrote a detailed article about how to complete that form last year that is still valid. You can find that article here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I want to pursue PhD in Political Science. How to get University recommendations?
Where i can get the details of Professors and their contact address?
Apart from MEXT , how can JASSO be utilised for getting scholarships??
Hi Abhishek,
Here’s a link to my most recent article on How to Apply for the University Recommendation MEXT Scholarship and the article on How to Find Professors.
The JASSO scholarship is not awarded prior to enrollment, you can only apply for it if you have already enrolled in the university as a self-financed student. Each university’s application process in that situation would be different. Essentially, though, you would have to be one of the top international students to qualify for the scholarship!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, Travis, I’m an Indonesian student and have found your blog very informative. I just have one simple question which I can’t seem to find any clear answer online. I am applying for the undergraduate SGU MEXT scholarship and I already got the university recommendation and they are preparing to apply me for the scholarship. I just can’t seem to find any details on the next steps and the announcement date for the scholarship.
I know your blog is mostly about the Graduate scholarships ( I still found it very helpful) but I’m just wondering at what time do they usually announce their scholarship. I just can’t seem to find any clear information out there.
Thank you very much
Hi Bondan,
While I specialize in the graduate scholarship, not the undergraduate scholarship, the Top Global Universities application process and timeline is the same for both, so I do have a little bit of information about that.
The final results from MEXT for the Top Global University scholarship slots are expected to be released in early August to the universities.
After that, if you are outside Japan, you will need to apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate nearest your home in your home country (you will have to give this information to the university). There is a special application process for MEXT scholarship recipients.
Finally, you will have to purchase your ticket to fly to Japan! Unfortunately, for Top Global University scholarship recipients, MEXT does not cover the flight ticket.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
In Undergraduate application form, how specific should I answer ‘What academic field would you like to study in Japan?’ should I elaborate it to the most specific or just a branch of science (e.g biology) or more specific (e.g ecology, anatomy etc)?
Hi Fauzi Akbar,
I do not have any expertise in the undergraduate scholarship, so you may want to consult with other sources as well.
In the application guidelines, there are a list of the fields that you can choose, so I think you have to fill in the form with fields from that list! Please refer to the guidelines for more details.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Actually, There is two question related to that. The first is what academic field, the second is what major. the list of field is used to fill what major, but I dont know about academic field. below this academic field question, there are questions about impression about japan and future study plan, so I get the impression that this question is asked to measure character, passion, etc. But i realy dont know.
Hi Fauzi Akbar,
Sorry, I don’t have any expertise in the undergraduate scholarship yet and have never looked at the application form. I’m afraid your question is outside my area of expertise, but maybe someone else can offer an answer.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good Day!
Thank you for all those useful advices! Can you tell when I can expect the final results this year after starting process in Tsukuba University?
I participate in Special Programm for Central Eurasia Students and my study will start in September, so official results day (november-december) useless for me.
Hi Vershinin Ignat,
Unfortunately, there is no information available about when individual universities will release their results. MEXT has said they will release results to the universities by the end of June, but they are routinely late, so early July would not be a surprise.
Typically, universities contact students shortly after they get the news from MEXT.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello!
In the Research Application document, on page 4, what do I need to write on question 12 Field of specialization studied in the past（Be as detailed and specific as possible.)?
Another question: what should be answered and how long should the answer be on the Placement Preference document the questions 5.1 (Field of Study in Japan) and 5.2 (Detailed field of study)?
Hi Felippe,
For the Field of Study in Japan, I recommend writing the name of the department and graduate school that you want to study in at your first choice university. For the Detailed Field of Study, write the specific research question that you plan to explore.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Felippe,
I’m working on an article now to go through this year’s application form step-by-step and answer each question, but in the meantime, I recommend that you refer to the article I wrote about the application form for the 2018 Embassy Recommendation MEXT scholarship, where I address that question.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for the answer! Do you think it is necessary, in this field, to describe the major using something like 2 lines or not?
Hi Felipe,
There’s no specific length requirement. In general, one to two lines should be fine, but if you have done more research, then write long enough to get the message across. Rather than the field, you should be describing the particular areas of the field that you have done individual research in – I recommend focusing on the research that is related to what you want to study in Japan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you so much for your support and help. Actually I would like to know if I’m eligible for the MEXT scholarship even if I don’t have any research experience or have not done any significant project till my third year in my bachelors engineering. I have a above decent cgpa of 8.48 out of 10. The thing is I love Japan and everything about it. That has been the motivation for me. But, obviously I will write my research proposal. So i wanted to ask, can I get the scholarship only on the basis of research proposal and my keen interest in Japan and it’s culture.
Thank you again.
Expecting your reply at the earliest.
Hi Shivam Vidhate,
Yes, you do not need to have research experience or significant projects on your resume to be eligible to apply!
A solid research proposal and good GPA, as well as a strategic and professional approach to the interview process should make your application go smoothly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for your reply!
I want to prepare myself for the English language test, what sources can I use?
Hi Fatma Emam,
Have you taken the practice tests? JASSO makes the old tests available at:
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e-32.html#1
If you’ve taken those tests, then I recommend that you find textbooks or workbooks that focus on the areas that you have struggled with.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey! I’m currently doing my diploma in Software Engineering and I did some digging on doing my degree but I only saw Information Engineering that is most related. Are they the same or is my course not eligible?
Hi Low Yiyuan,
Yes, Software Engineering is a subset of Information Engineering in most programs I know of, so you should be fine!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for the information. However, I just missed the application deadline for the year 2019. May I know when can I start applying for the year 2020?
Hi Low Yiyuan,
I’m sorry to hear that – that’s an early deadline in your country!
There will be a chance to apply for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship for 2019 later this year, but unfortunately, the application timeline varies by university, so I can’t tell you exactly when it will begin.
The Embassy Recommendation application process usually begins in early to mid-April each year. If you’re subscribed to my mailing list, I send out an announcement as soon as I see that MEXT has released the application guidelines each year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hello Travis,
how are you
i want to ask you
do you know some one who has 2.7 out 3 based on the MEXT scale
get the university recommendation???
i thank there will be a lot of applicant who has 3 out of 3 ,,,,,,
i am asking about master degree
Hi Susan,
There are no separate categories for Master’s and PhD applicants. You would be competing against applicants for both degrees.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Susan,
GPA is not the only criteria. If your GPA is a little lower than others, you can still with the scholarship over someone with a higher GPA if your field of study and research program plan is stronger. Still, I think your chances would be better with the Embassy Recommendation, as they are for everyone, in general.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hello sir i am applying for masters do i have to fill university preference?
Hi Sitesh Chaudhary,
Yes, you do! You need to fill in the universities and professors’ information in the Placement Preference Form.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, thank you so much for all the info you put up.
I am right now preparing the documents for the extension of the MEXT scholarship so that after a few months of being a non-degree-seeking student, I can move towards a PhD program.
My question is: if a student fails to secure an extension, can she/he try again in the next round?
For example, if I am not awarded the 3-year extension for the PhD starting October, I would apply for the 3-year extension for a PhD starting April (if possible).
Thank you very much!
Regards,
Joan
Hi Joan,
Your scholarship extension would have to be effective in the same semester that you matriculate to the PhD program from research student status. If you were to advance to the PhD program but fail in your scholarship extension application, then I’m afraid that you would lose the scholarship at that point, since your existing scholarship only covered research student status.
On the other hand, if you don’t pass the entrance exam to advance from research student status to PhD, then in that case, my understanding is that you can keep trying to pass the entrance exam (and applying for the extension each time).
In practice, though, I have never seen a MEXT applicant fail to pass the entrance exam or not receive the extension when they moved from research student to degree student status, so you should be fine!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
in MEXT embassy scholarship preference placement form. can i choose a M.Sc. program from a department and an adviser from another department?
i want to choose water engineering program in Civil Engineering department but professors with the same research interest are only in Chemical Engineering department or even in Chemical Science (not Engineering) department.
Thanks a lot
Hi Mohamed,
Your advisor has to be from the same department that you will be enrolled in. So, you would either have to change your department that you are applying to or choose a different advisor as your primary advisor and then try to collaborate with the professor in the other department on the side after you arrive.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
This is Anika Uddin Hridy,from Bangladesh.
I want to know one thing that is I have seen that from today we are able to do apply for MEXT 2019.
Here,I want to mention that,my husband is eager to apply,he is a graduate from IUT in the dept EEE,later on he has done a masters degree from a public university in business administration and now he is doing masters in Governance and development studies.
My question is where he will be able to have PhD on development studies or such related subjects?
He is willing to have PhD in these subjects, he has good IELTS score (7.5) and currently he is doing a govt job under Bangladesh govt,and such type of degree will enrich his career profile that’s why he is willing to do so.
Pls let me know about your answer. I will be waiting.
Hi AU Hridy,
If your husband will finish his masters in governance and development studies before coming to Japan to start the PhD program, then yes, he would be able to apply for a PhD in development studies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I cannot thank you enough for your help and assistance. I just would like to ask a question regarding MEXT scholarship undergraduate program. In the application form, there is a section about language ability. Do we have to take TOEFL or any assessment equivalent to TOEFL to prove that you are proficient in English? To be specific, is it a requirement to take an English proficiency exam. Thank you!
Hi Johnny,
You do not need to have a TOEFL score, etc., to apply for the Embassy Recommendation MEXT scholarship. Since you are applying for the undergraduate program, you should not need one at all. (Applicants for the graduate scholarship may be asked to show language proficiency test scores later in the application process).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir
I want to ask you
Is an online master acceptable to get mext scholarship for PHD ? If it is acceptable will the online degree be disadvantage for me in the selection process??
Thanks in advance
Hi Iman,
You are still eligible to apply for a PhD with a Master’s earned online or by distance education. The biggest “disadvantage” you will face is that all of the same requirements still apply to you – you are going to have to acquire a letter of recommendation from the university where you did your online degree as well as all of the other paperwork.
As to the degree being online rather than face-to-face, it’s only a disadvantage if you let it be one. If you have a strong justification for it, then you should have no problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis ~
I hope you are doing well.
First I would like to thank you for doing this, I really appreciate it.
I have a couple of a questions i hope you can help with.
My plan is to apply as a research student (non-degree) and then to extend it to a degree one (masters). I’m hoping to strengthen my Japanese during the research period in order to get into masters.
1- Do you think the 6 month Japanese language programs is enough to start conducting your research ?
2- Most of the departments that are close to my thesis topic are not English based programs, i feel like its perfect for what i want to do but i don’t want to put myself at risk of not being able to communicate with the professor. Do i have to pick an English based program if my Japanese level is low – intermediate ?
3- After getting accepted into a university to conduct my research in and then if i wanted to extend it to a degree program, do i have to enter the same university i conducted my research in as a non degree student ?
Thank you so much for your time.
Hi Njood,
Thank you for your kind words!
1. The 6-month Japanese language program is designed to get you up to speed to be able to hold basic daily-life conversations in Japanese, such as talking with your landlord or bank. It is not designed to improve your academic Japanese so that you can get into a Japanese-taught degree program.
2. The universities are going to decide your acceptance based on your Japanese level at the time that you apply. If your Japanese is not at least N2 level for STEM programs or N1 level for humanities/social sciences (each university will set its own standards, of course), you would have a very hard time getting into those programs, so I would recommend choosing a program taught in English.
3. In general, yes, you would have to extend at the same university unless there was some overwhelming reason why it was impossible for you to pursue your degree there (such as the professor retiring).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
That was very clear and helpful, thank you so much !
Hello Sir!
It is very first time or rather first scholarship I am intended to apply for and I am pleased to have found such an excellent blog. First of all I must acknowledge your effort, guidance and keen insight. Thankyou!!
Sir, I have number of questions to ask, Hope you’ll answer and make the procedure even easier for me to apply.
I am English Linguistics student and intended to do Masters in Applied Linguistics, so my questions are..
1. As English Linguistics is not one of ‘Priority Graduate Programs’, still I can apply for the scholarship?
2. I have no knowledge of Japanese Language but I have keen interest to learn it, so no knowledge of Japanese Language will affect the selection process?
3. What thing needs to be concentrated or done first ‘Embassy’s first screening test’ or ‘Contact the University’s Professor as Research Supervisor for LoA’?
4. For choosing University for Scholarship, the university should be public or private?
5. In ‘Placement Preference Application Form’ Is it fine to mention University name, and Professor name even before contacting them?
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Hi Elsa,
Thank you for your kind words!
1) You can apply in any field that is taught in a Japanese university, as long as you have the language ability to enter the program. It does not have to be a PGP (and for the Embassy Recommendation application process, PGPs don’t matter at all).
2) There is no requirement to have Japanese language proficiency unless you are applying for a program taught in Japanese. Having the willingness to learn is all that is required.
3) The first thing you need to do is to apply for the Embassy’s Primary Screening. You cannot officially ask for a Letter of Acceptance until after you pass the Primary Screening.
4) You can choose from any university that teaches your degree program in English, but you have a better chance of getting placed in your first-choice university if it is a National University.
5) Yes.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Sir,
My problem referred in the previous comment got solved as the website got updated yesterday.
I would like to ask about the English exam scores to be submitted to the universities. I have checked Kyoto university guidelines and they mentioned if the exams scores could not be submitted in time a letter to that effect can be submitted. Can u explain about that.
Thank you
Hi Shahma KP,
That would be up to the discretion of each individual university, so I cannot guarantee that every university would accept the same thing.
When we accepted alternate letters at the university I worked at, we would ask the head of your university’s English department to give you a one-on-one examination of your ability and write a letter that compared your ability to scores on the TOEFL test for each skill level.
I don’t think I’ve ever come across a higher requirement than that, so if you acquire that kind of letter, it should be fine. But please do refer to the individual university’s site.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis;
I am going to apply mext scholarship via embassy recommendation and I am little bit confused about non-regular (non-degree) course and master’s degree course. I could not understand the differences. I made a two-year timetable according to embasy’s announcement. I guess that allocated time is not enough for me. Maybe more than 2 years I will work. So, I do not know which option I may choose. Could you explain the differences between non-regular (non-degree) course and master’s degree course?
Best regards
Hi Cisem,
Typically, you would enroll in the non-degree program for up to 2 years before matriculating to the degree program. Once you are in the Master’s Program, you only have 2 years to complete your degree. If you think you need more time, I would recommend that you apply to start as a Research Student then move into the Master’s Degree Program later.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis;
I am little bit confused about Non-regular (Non-degree)course and Master’s degree course. What are the differences between them?
Thank you for your help
Hi Cise,
A Non-degree course does not result in a degree. You only take classes and do research, but you get no certification at the end. A Master’s degree course results in a Master’s degree at the end.
Typically, scholarship winners start as non-regular students for a semester then take the entrance exam and start the degree program.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
sir,
Thank you for the mail. I have been visiting the websites and trying to get updates. But the application form for MEXT 2019 for Indian students are not updated in the website. The site is http://www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/Education/japanese_government_scholarships.html. I called Japanese Embassy and they informed that the admission for Indian students is open for 2019. Can i fill the forms of 2018? I will be grateful if you reply.
Thankyou.
Hi Shahma KP,
It looks like the Indian Embassy has a preliminary application form at the link you sent that you would have to complete first.
I could not read the file, but all of the forms were titled “2019” so they look like they have been updated!
One you move on to the final forms, the application forms that I linked to in this article are from the official MEXT website, so I do not think there would be any problem if you used those.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis from Vietnam,
I would like to ask that when I write the Application Form for MEXT 2019, in the Name Section, because I am Vietnamese, so the “Native Language” section would be filled in by my name in Vietnamese. But the problem is the “Alphabet” section, I don’t know whether should I write my name in this section by Vietnamese or English. Please help me Travis!
Thank you so much.
Hi The Dang,
Your name in your “Native Language” would be in Vietnamese, but in the Alphabet line, you should use only Roman alphabet characters. If you look at the bottom of your passport, you will see your name written there in English characters surrounded by several < symbols. Write it that way in the form (but without the “<” symbols or other letters and numbers down there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much Travis! 🙂
Hi Travis,
First I would like to thank for your help and guiding to the MEXT. I really appreciate your effort. I sent the questions to you through “contact me” already, but it seems I sent to the wrong place….sorry ^.^
I’m planning to apply a master degree via Embassy recommended for MEXT 2019.
Again my questions are:
– With the application form, what kind of form do I have to submit to the embassy ( soft or printed version)?
– About acceptance letter, do I have to fill the form and send to university or I have to send in original version from embassy without filling anything to university?
– And for abstract of theses, I have written it as book, but it wasn’t published. So, do I have to submit it along with my application form?
Thank you.
Hi Panha,
Sorry I did not get back to you on the contact form, yet. I have been getting too many questions there to be able to keep up in a timely fashion. Asking in the blog comments is always going to be faster.
– I have just published an article about how to apply for the Embassy Recommendation scholarship for 2019 that I think will answer your first question.
– You do not contact universities for letters of acceptance until after passing the embassy’s Primary Screening. But when you do, you would send them the blank Letter of Acceptance. They will fill it in. I have written more about that process in this article, but it looks like the deadlines have changed this year, so I will be updating that soon.
– An abstract is a 300 – 500 word summary. You do have to send the abstract. Don’t send the whole book!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi! Thanks for this wonderful blog, So helpfull.
I have a specific question: if, say, for personal reasons we have to go back to our country before the end of the scholarship (the research one), after 6 month or a year, are we expected to pay back MEXT? Thank you!
Sylvain
Hi Sylvain,
If you quit the scholarship for personal reasons, you do not have to pay back the money to MEXT.
I hope you don’t end up having to do that!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Neither do I, thank you for the information though!
S
Hello again!
I have another question that involves sorting documents for the application. It states I need to submit one original and one copy of everything.
Should these be sorted as both the original and copy together and labelled the same in one stack, or one stack of originals and one stack of copies? If it is the latter, I am assuming paperclips should be used?
Thanks again!
Also – The application states it needs one original sealed recommendation letter and one copy. Should I ask for both a sealed and unsealed letter from my recommender? I can’t copy it myself without breaking the seal on the envelope for the original. Thanks!
Hi Michael,
For the letter of recommendation, I would recommend that you double-check with the embassy/consulate for their guidance. I have heard multiple sets of instructions in the past. Some embassies have said to open it and make copies. Others have said to just submit the one original.
This year, the application guidelines themselves do not appear to require that the letter of recommendation is sealed. The sample template on MEXT’s website says that it should be, but you do not need to use that template and the instructions on that sample are from previous years when it was required to seal it.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Michael,
The guidelines call for one original and two copies of each document.
MEXT’s guidelines do not specify either way. I would recommend checking with your embassy/consulate to see if they have specific instructions, too.
If not, then I would recommend that you submit the original and two copies together. Number each original/copy and keep them together in the stack.
In my opinion, administratively, it is easier to take three documents together and separate them into three piles than it is to collect from three piles and shuffle them together.
Yes, I would recommend paperclips!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi I am BS Telecommunication. My cgpa is 2.87 out of 4.oo .Am i eligible for Mest Master scholarship 2019. Waiting for your positive response. Thank you
Hi Numan Khan,
Unfortunately, you can’t simply convert your cumulative GPA from one scale to the other. You have to convert your grades for the last two years on a course-by-course basis.
I talk about the conversion in my article about eligibility, so you can check there for more information, and will have GPA conversion charts and tools in my upcoming book to help make that process easier.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSez
Dear Travis
First of all thank you very much for all the support and information, it has been very useful.
I will be applying for 2019 MEXT scholarship (embassy recommended).
I wanted to ask one thing regarding LOR’s, I will be graduating in May 1st week, will it be ok if my LOR is dated in May ? or does it have to be a very recent one at the time of application. And shall i start contacting professors from now itself ?
kindly help me with this process.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Hi Aishwarya,
A later dated in May should not be a problem! As long as your letter is original and refers to the 2019 MEXT Scholarship, that should be perfectly acceptable.
You can start contacting professors in Japan as soon as you like, but you cannot ask them for Letters of Acceptance until after your pass the Primary Screening. In the meantime, I recommend that you focus on building relationships and trying to figure out which professor would be best to supervise your research.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for such a speedy reply.
I wanted to ask you……..,..(this might sound a bit silly) but can I use the same Letter of recommendation while applying for universities as well as for the MEXT scholarship process? ( i mean same LOR one for scholarship application and other for the university…..and will the university mind if LOR is dated in May 2018?)
And how many LOR’s are required?
And while writing an email to a professor shall I tell my research plan only or should I tell about my academic achievements…is it a good idea to attach a resume as well in the first mail?
Kindly help me with this.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Thank you
Hi Aishwarya,
If you are talking about applying to universities for the Letter of Acceptance later in the MEXT scholarship application process, then yes. Actually, you would have to use the same documents that you submitted to the embassy for the primary screening.
If you are applying separately to the university as a self-financed student or for the University Recommendation MEXT scholarship application, then I do not recommend reusing the same letter. In that situation, they would look down on it being a copy and not specific to their university.
You only need one letter of recommendation from your university, plus one from your employer if you are working full time.
I do not recommend putting too much information into your first email. The longer it is, the harder it is for the professors to reply. You want to start a conversation and a relationship, not get everything done in one message. Express interest in the professor’s research and in working with them, give him or her an overview of what you want to research and how it would work with their own research, and ask if they would be able to supervise you in the future.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis !
How should i build a relationship with any professor….. i mean what exactly should i include in the first mail so as to get a reply. I do have a good academic record and projects done in my UG.
And I wanted to ask you one more thing…the preliminary application form just came out a few days ago in my country…it says that we are supposed to “describe the research i wish to carry out in Japan” now since i would like to pursue masters in power electronics should i write regarding that and the projects that i have done or the ideas for projects that i would like to implement. And in the “present field of study” part should i include all projects and internships that i have done in that field or about my UG studies?
Applying from India.
Eagerly waiting for your reply.
Hi Aishwarya,
It is difficult to describe the best way to reach out to professors in such a small space as this. It is a subject for a whole article (or, indeed, for a chapter in one of my upcoming books). The basic rule of thumb is to be polite and respectful of the professor and his/her time and to write an email that is easy to reply to (short, to the point, invites a reply).
For your questions on the field of study and research plan form, I would recommend my detailed article on how to complete the Field of Study and Research Program Plan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good Day.
I’m a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Science in Biology from Philippines, I would like to ask if I can apply for the MEXT to pursue MS in Microbiology?
Thank you
Hi Rocel,
Yes. In general, any field of study is available as long as you can find a program in Japan that teaches it.
The Japanese embassy in your country may impose additional limitations on the field of study, though, so I would recommend that you contact them to see if there are any restrictions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey there! I am applying for the embassy scholarship. I already have a university and a supervisor who said they will accept me. Should I mention this somewhere on my application documents or will it improve my chances? I know it may hurt applying to other universities, but if it guarantees passing the interview stage it may be worth it. Applying from the US. Thanks!
Hi Michael,
Yes, having a connection with a professor in Japan who is willing to supervise you will provide an advantage, especially during the interview process. You will certainly want to bring it up then!
In the mean time, the best place to list that would be in the Placement Preference Form. There’s a specific table to list what universities and professors you want to study with.
You could also refer to your research interest with the professor in the Field of Study and Research Program Plan, but that gets a little risky, because you’d be sending that plan to every university in Japan that you apply to for a Letter of Recommendation.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
Thanks so much for your help. I love this website!! Thanks for helping all of us so much 🙂
I have one more question, I read somewhere that chances are lower to get the mext if you are in Japan when they make the decision?
In my case, I have a work visa valid until the end of this year and I got the university recommendation. I wrote in the documents that I would go back to my home country in July 2018. I really don’t want to mess this up since I have gotten so far. Do you think it would be better to go home now? Like in may? Cancelling my visa is a little risky, but if it helps with the mext, I would do it.
Best regards,
Anna
Hi Anna,
Thank you for your kind words!
If you have already been nominated by the university to MEXT – congratulations! – then you have passed the point where “chances” matter. Your scholarship award is all-but guaranteed at this point! MEXT is only double-checking the university’s work.
There is no part of the scholarship application process where chances are lower if you are in Japan. If you are living in Japan, there are certain criteria you have to meet – like leaving the country and giving up your residence status before the scholarship starts so that you can return as a Student – but you’ve met those by committing to leave in July, so you should have no problem.
At this point, I do think you need to change anything!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi,I m Afra from bangladesh…I’ve a question for undergrad. candidates is it possible to sent the documents direct to university?If i apply under embassy it’ll be a little tough for me that;s why am asking
Thank u
Hi Afra Anan,
For the undergraduate scholarship, in general you can only apply for Embassy Recommendation. As of the 2018 application cycle, there were only 7 programs in Japan that you could apply directly to as an undergraduate scholar. You can find them on page 3 of the document below:
http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2017/12/01/1398647_1.pdf
For all other programs, you can only apply via the Embassy.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis, thanks for all the great information!
I just have one question about the letter of recommendation when applying through the embassy/consulate. In the previous guidelines, it states that a recommendation is required from the president/dean or advisor of the last university attended. I graduated from my university about 5 years ago and I am certain that my previous advisor is no longer in the department. I am unsure how to go about getting a recommendation from the president/dean. The professor that I worked with most extensively throughout my time at the university is no longer at the university either, but I still maintain contact with this professor.
Is it alright to have this professor write a letter of recommendation for me to submit to the consulate with my application? Or is it absolutely necessary for me to get a signed recommendation from the president/dean?
If you could clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it!
Hi Andrew,
In cases like yours, it should be acceptable to have your former advisor write your letter of recommendation. The professor should explain that he or she was your academic advisor during your studies and that he or she has continued to stay in touch with you and monitor your progress since. I recall accepting letters like that in the past.
I would double-check with the Embassy once they open the official application process, but you should be fine.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Me too am interested about MEXT scholarship but for undergraduated student! And if possible send me application form for that
Hi Kelly,
Unfortunately, I do not have a sample application form for the undergraduate scholarship yet.
I have focused on creating resources for the graduate scholarship, so most of what you will find on this page is about that. I may create some resources and specific articles about the undergraduate scholarship at a later date, but I already have my writing schedule set for the next several months, so I’m afraid it will not be in time for this year’s application schedule.
I recommend that you consult with the local Japanese embassy or consulate about the application process.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear sir,
thank you so much for this informative content.
I have an urgent question which I cannot find a clear answer to, so I’m hoping you could maybe help me out. I received the great news that Keio University will sponsor my MEXT, but I stumbled upon this paragraph:
[5] If an applicant is, in principle, currently enrolled in a Japanese university or other type of school with the resident status of “College Student,” or will be enrolled in a Japanese university, etc. as another source or self-financed international student between the time of application for this scholarship in his/her country and the time the scholarship period is due to begin. This does not apply to current self-financed international students at Japanese universities who will complete their courses of study and return to their countries before the end of the current fiscal year;
I have a Japanese work visa and I was about to enter Osaka school of music, a 専門学校
in principle, my plan was to enroll at OSM and then return home in July, give up my current “college student visa” in order to re-apply for it with the MEXT. Now I’m not sure if I can do that any more but I have to make a super quick decision since the program is about to start.
Thank you so much in advance!
oh I just wanted to add: the above paragraph is one of the conditions which make you NOT eligible
Hi Anna,
Based on that criteria, you would not be able to enroll at OSM between the time you apply for the scholarship and when the award starts.
If you enroll at OSM before submitting your MEXT scholarship application and you are enrolled in a program that has an end date before July of the year your scholarship would start, that could work. But enrolling in a program after submitting your application or enrolling in a program that does not have a completion date before July of the year your scholarship starts (even if you intend to drop out then) would make you ineligible.
Auditing individual courses while on a work visa shouldn’t be a problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello there Travis,
I believe your guides are very helpful to those who would want to do their masters in Natural Science or Liberal Arts. The thing is, I am very interested in applying for Masters in Fine Arts in Japan. But it’s really hard for me to answer my research theme after arrival in Japan and Study/Research Proposal questions. As far I know Masters in Fine Arts is a practice-based degree that are highly involved with creative work projects and performances. Which will accompany more on advanced piece of work and creative projects in the final year. There’s not much of a thesis or research to think about. I have prepared portfolios and my projecrs for the interviews. But how do I fill those questions based on Masters in Fine Arts? Do I still have to follow your examples above and prepare a research thesis even if I won’t be doing it at all? Or is there other ways to write it?
Hi Nazu,
Even as a fine arts scholar, you are going to be going through the same application process as everyone else and your reviewers may not necessarily be experts in your field, so it would be to your advantage to write your plan in a way that looks familiar and is easy to understand to them.
I am also not an expert in fine arts, so my understanding is limited, but I assume that you will need to practice and master new techniques and produce works to demonstrate your mastery. You will also have to understand the meaning behind certain elements of the work, right? Understanding, mastering, and applying techniques would be your research and production. Your works will be your thesis. Try to think about it that way and write the plan in a similar pattern to what I described the Field of Study and Research Program Plan article.
If you want an example of how a past fine arts student wrote his Field of Study and Research Program Plan, and completed his entire application process, check out Lars Martinson’s excellent blog!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello sir! thanks soo much for the great job your doing may god bless you .ı would like to know when i will be asked to submit in my trans cript and other documents like passport copıes and birth certificate .because i saw the appication form its not asking for the them yet
thanks!
Hi Isaac,
I’m not sure what application process you’re applying for, but I’m guessing that you’re looking at applying for the Embassy Recommendation?
MEXT has not released the application guidelines yet for this year, so the official application process has not yet started. Some embassies may be running a pre-screening process for applicants. In that case, they could ask for a separate set of documents and then only ask for the full set once the formal screening starts.
Typically, the Embassy Recommendation application process starts with the guidelines release in April, so it should be soon!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
First at all, I thank you so much because recently, I have learnt many things from your useful posts of your blog about the MEXT Scholarship (I didn’t know that there are two ways to apply to it)
I have been reading your posts and the information on the Japan Embassy’s website in my country (I’m from Colombia), and in that page, one of the requirements about health, says:
“Candidates must be well enough physically and psychologically to carry out their studies in Japan.”
After reading that, I think it is ambiguous, because it says nothing about the candidates that could suffer from any serious disease (like Cancer) who are also being treated and have that health condition under control. They deal with it succesfully and that allows them to live a normal life with certain restrictions. For that reason, I would like to know if a person like that could be an eligible candidate for the scholarship? That doubt came to my mind because I’m one of them. Let me explain that to you.
In the second half of last year I was diagnosed that I suffer Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and since that time I have undergone a treatment for this disease which has resulted in a great improvement of my health. Currently, my health condition is stable, however, I must continue with the treatment that entails medicines use, tests samples taking and medical controls attendance with rheumatology and nephrology specialists, mainly. In addition, I have a specific diet and have to be careful with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
My question is if my current condition is an impediment to be eligible for the scholarship.
Hi Jhon Fredy Pardo,
Thank you for writing in and sharing your concern!
The requirement sounds vague, but ultimately, either the Embassy or the University will ask you submit a Certificate of Health completed by a doctor. That certificate includes multiple test results you have to submit and, at the end, there is a check box for the doctor to certify that he or she believes that you are physically and psychologically fit to carry out your studies in Japan. If the doctor checks that box, then you meet the eligibility requirement.
Of course, you would have to work with that doctor ahead of time to plan for how you will continue your treatment in Japan and you will also need to go through the procedures to import medications to Japan, but that would not make you unfit. As long as the doctor is comfortable with your plan, then you should be fine.
Personally, I would recommend that you consider limiting your application to universities in large cities where there are more likely to be hospitals with English-speaking medical staff, if you need ongoing treatment. English ability is not widespread in the medical profession in rural areas.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for the information, I have another doubt, Does the embassy or University give the certificate of healt’s template ?
Hi Jhon Fredy Pardo,
The embassies typically uses MEXT’s template and universities sometimes use it too.
Here’s a direct download link to the excel form from MEXT’s website for the 2018 application cycle, if you want to check it out in advance:
http://www.mext.go.jp/component/a_menu/education/detail/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2017/04/21/1384499_06.xlsx
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I am Duygu, I have written to you before about the field of study. This time I would like to ask you something different. I will be applying through Embassy Recommended Mext.
I have been through many universities for my field of study and I managed to narrow down to 6 universities. As I read your articles, I decided to contact the professors, not for Mext directly but to learn if my research idea is on the same page with the professor or if s(he) is interested. During the professor research, I hit a wall. I can’t find e-mail addresses of professors and in some universities, I can’t even find the names of the professors. Before you ask, I checked both English and Japanese pages of the same websites. I have managed to find professors name for 4 universities but I can’t find the professors or lecturers’ names in the department in 2 universities. On a side note, I could only find 2 professors’ ( from different universities ) articles to check their works ( articles, reviews, etc.) if they are the one I am looking.
I would like to know if it is a good idea to ask to the administrative offices for the e-mail addresses. I don’t wanna spoil anything with one e-mail before it doesn’t start.
Thank you for your time,
Kind Regards,
Duygu
Hi Again Dugyu,
Of course I remember you!
I’m surprised the universities wouldn’t have their professors’ names, at least, listed. If you can’t find them on the website, I’d recommend that you try to get a hold of the promotional materials for the graduate school you are interested in. Almost every recruiting pamphlet I have ever seen lists the names of the faculty members.
If the university has an online syllabus, you might be able to find names there, too, based on who is teaching the courses.
If that still fails, and you are willing to tell me the names of the universities, I can try to take a look.
Contacting the administrative offices is not a bad idea, if you have the names of the professors. But I would not recommend that you ask for the professors’ email addresses directly. Instead, explain that you are trying to get in touch with the professor and ask if the office will forward a message for you. If the professor writes back, then you have the contact info you need!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for your quick answer. Like you suggested I tried to check syllabuses and found some names. The ones I couldn’t find, I will wait for the Mext application announcement’s time as they may put it for international students.
If you don’t mind I have one more question. As you know there is a school search list in excel format on Jasso website, if a school or a department is not listed on that list, can’t we apply to that school or department?
Thank you again,
Have a great day,
Duygu
Hi Dugyu,
The JASSO list should be fairly complete for programs taught in English, though it could be out of date. If you find a degree program in English that is not on that list, of course it would be OK to apply there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis. Thank you so much for this blog! I’m in the middle of writing my application (embassy-recommended, applying this year) and reading this has been so helpful, but I do have a few questions.
Info: I want to study traditional Japanese painting. I have a background in art (academic and personal), and am currently finishing an undergraduate degree in Japanese language and culture and writing a thesis on the depiction of reality in Japanese arts.
Here are my questions, numbered for convenience:
1. Do you think there is any problem with me applying for Japanese painting Master’s if I’ve never studied it before? Since the universities do accept MEXT students I don’t see why it would not be possible and I doubt anyone has experience in it if they’re from outside Japan…
2. I have already been a MEXT scholar (last year) as part of the Japanese studies scholarship. Do you think this might detract or aid my application?
3. I’m a bit concerned about my research plan. I have all the bits together (what I want to study, why in Japan, why it’s important, timetable, etc.), but, since I want to enter the Master’s program and the main part of the Master’s program is creating artworks, how am I even supposed to title my research theme? (As far as I understand it, writing a thesis is optional, artworks are the main thesis in the programmes I’ve been looking at). I’m currently planning on making the theme the extension of my undergraduate thesis. Do you have any advice concerning this? Also, do you think the guy who did calligraphy research made a good proposal? (I’ve read his blog too and I’ve seen that you mentioned it too).
4. Considering the nature of my study plan, do you think it’s necessary to contact professors? (One university I’m applying to has no info about it, one says it is advised to write a name of the professor you want to supervise you but says nothing about contact, and one says to describe reasons for choosing a professor, but says it’s not necessary to contact them). Personally, it seems very daunting and I would rather skip it and contact them after I pass the embassy examination or even after getting the LOA… I can’t pick them based on research, since they are all painters…my reason for choosing one of them as an advisor would be purely based on their artwork, so I don’t see a point in contacting them beforehand.
5. Art universities have entrance exams in January/February. Is it possible to be a research student for a year and a half (almost two if arriving in April) and then take the entrance exam and prolong the scholarship for the duration of the Master’s? I’m asking because I feel that it might take me longer than one year to learn about Japanese painting techniques (since I’ve never used them before) before applying for Master’s, and would therefore need to write my timetable accordingly…(basically I’m asking if it’s possible for it to be 2+2 years instead of 1+2).
I’m sorry for asking a lot of questions. This is a bit of a special case and I really have no idea who to ask! I’m also planning on sending an email to the universities to ask them some general things, but I wanted to check here too…Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Kii,
You referenced Lars Martinson and his excellent blog in the middle of your questions. I would suggest that you read carefully through the steps he took and why he took them, as I think it could be especially helpful in your situation. His approach was clearly a good one: it succeeded.
Please keep in mind that I have zero expertise or knowledge of your field and take my comments with a grain of salt if I’m off in terms of your field.
1. For any field of study, you need to relate it to your previous studies for MEXT’s purposes. You’d also need to have a strong enough/similar enough background to satisfy your desired preofessors’ qualifications. I don’t know enough about painting to know what that might be.
2. Being a MEXT Japanese Studies Scholar all by itself will not help or hurt you – it’s how you present and sell that experience in your application process that matters. It is certainly something you can leverage, especially when it comes to the interview.
3. Here is where I think you would be best served by referring to Lars’ experience. His program was in art as well and he focused on learning techniques and how to apply them in creating his work, if I remember correctly. If your final project for your Master’s degree would be artwork, then you would need to explain how you will build up the background and techniques to create your portfolio, instead of how you would research academic sources to write a thesis. The basic pattern would be similar, though.
4. Yes, I absolutely think it is necessary to contact your prospective advisors in advance. (Again, refer to Lars’ experience). If you’re training under a master in acquiring a specific artistic skill, you are going to have a much closer relationship with your advisor than you would if you were studying art history, instead, for example. Beyond the requirements of the MEXT scholarship, this is someone you are going to spend the next 2-4 years in close proximity to. It is a good idea to make sure you get along!
At this point, though, you should not be talking to them about the MEXT scholarship or LOA, just trying to build a relationship as a student who is interested in studying under them.
5. If you arrive in April, the maximum amount of time you can be a research student is 2 years. If you arrive in the fall (September or October) it is 1.5 years. So, yes, your plan would work!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for your reply and advice! I’m really apprehensive about contacting professors but I’ll do my best. I have a few follow up questions if that’s okay.
You say I shouldn’t be talking to professors about the scholarship or LOA but what should I say? Something vague like “I would like to study at your university and research [this and this]” and ask if they would be interested in supervising me? (I know it’s not as simple as that, but just as a general point 🙂 ) I will make sure to read the rest of this site for more info too.
And last question! I feel pretty confident about being able to write PART of my proposal in Japanese (for example, the research approach and the timeline is no problem at all, I already wrote most of it in Japanese) but the other parts, where I explain my research theme and research goals might be a little too academic for my Japanese writing skills. I’m confident I’ll be okay taking classes in Japanese and communicating with professors, but I feel that writing the application in English might be better.. what do you think? Does the application have to be in Japanese if the university has all-Japanese classes?
Again, thank you so much. You’re so kind to share all this knowledge with us. I’m sorry about asking so many questions.
Hi Kii,
It’s my pleasure to help, as much as I can.
When contacting professors, you’re not only telling them that you wan to study at that university, you’d be approaching them to express specific interest in their work and in studying under that specific professor. You should certainly make it clear that you are familiar with your work and give specific reasons why you want to study/practice under them. I hope that makes sense.
If you are applying for a program taught in Japanese, then in general, your entire Field of Study and Research Program Plan should be in Japanese, as well. If you’re not confident, then get someone to proofread it and edit it afterward. But it is likely that some of your classes in Japan will require you to write papers in Japanese, as well, which will certainly be academic and longer than this one, so you’ll have to get comfortable with it at some point. Better to start early!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis;
Thank you for this blog, because it helps me very much. I would like to apply MEXT via embassy recommendation. My question is about placement preference form for japanese government (monbukagakusho:mext) scholarship. I wanted to make a contact with professors, but some of them rejected me and some haven’t turn me back. I guess I have to write three universities, but I have no clue which way I have best chance to get acceptance letter from universities after primary screening. If I get acceptance letter from universities which had not written on the form, could I change them after primary screening?
Hi Cise,
Ultimately, it is up to the embassy in your country to decide whether or not you are allowed to change the universities on your Placement Preference Form after you receive your LoAs. In every case I have heard of, it is permitted!
In the meantime, I would recommend that you keep trying to connect with professors. You should not be asking them about the MEXT scholarship or letters of acceptance at this point, just trying to build a relationship and mutual interest so that you can ask later.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I will be 35 in January 2019. As the age eligibility requirements for MEXT scholarships shifts by one year,does this make me ineligible to apply for the university and embassy recommendation routes in 2019? Please correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that students for the university recommendation route pick up scholarships the same year they apply(so applications made in January 2018 mature in October of the same year) ,while embassy recommendations go into mature following year( applications in Ghana in April 2018 as is the case, mature in April or October 2019). So therefore, does the age limit apply to both embassy and university recommendation routes?
Secondly, I have checked with some* universities and I realize that deadlines for university recommendation routes for MEXT scholarships have elapsed. Although I am still looking out, do you know of any universities in Japan which have deadlines for the university recommendation route still running?
Thank you very much
Hi Benedict,
For the scholarship beginning in 2018, the requirement was that you must have been born on or after April 2, 1983. So, if you apply for the scholarship starting in 2019, the requirement will be that you were born on or after April 2, 1984.
If you turn 35 in January 2019, that would mean that you were born in January 1984, so you would unfortunately not be eligible. The age requirement does apply to all application methods.
The deadlines for all universities for the 2018 scholarship have already passed. Universities need to complete their selection process and inform the results to MEXT by the middle of this month, so there is no possibility that they would still be accepting applications at this point.
I’m sorry I don’t have better news for you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I need some help about MEXT application.
There’s a requirement grade point 2.30/3.00 or above.
I searched for some calculation method and got it.
However, I still have a question that the calculated credits are from only last 2 years or not.
For example, I took 4 years Bachelor’s degree, so the calculated credits should be at my 3rd and 4th year, aren’t they?
And… How could I show the evidence after finish calculation?
They mentioned that a transcript couldn’t define the grade points as MEXT needs.
Please kindly clarify, Thank you so much.
Hi Karn,
The calculated grades are from the last two years of grades shown on your transcript, except in some specific cases, such as transfer students, moving from undergraduate to graduate in the last two years, etc.
In your situation, as long as you have finished your 3rd and 4th year and those grades are on your transcript, then those would be the years used for the calculation.
MEXT/the embassy/the university will calculate the grades themselves. They do not ask you to calculate it and will not accept your calculation. That’s just for your own reference.
In order for them to make the calculation, your transcript will need to show the grading scale or system. In most cases, this is shown on the transcript, either on the front or back. However, if it is not, you would need a separate document issued by your university that shows the system.
I have another article that covers the grading conversion on more detail at: http://www.transenzjapan.com/blog/mext-scholarship-eligibility/
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis!
According to MEXT UG application form one has to mention their academic performance from elementary to higer education.
Do I need to submit all Marksheet from elementary to higher education or just secondary and higher education?
I asked this question before but don’t know where it has gone. Sorry for repeating same question again.
Hi Avinash,
Here’s the original question and answer. I’m including the link because you had another question about the JLPT last time, too.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Avinash,
If you’re applying for undergraduate, you would need to submit your marksheet from all years of high school.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
They are asking for transcripts and Recommendation Letter from last school attended. If am currently studying in 2nd year of 3 year diploma program and before this I went to a local College for my studies 3 years ago.
What will be considered my last school? Is it my diploma college or my previous college which I attended 3 years ago?
Please help me I am very confused.
And they are asking for academic transcript of every school year of last school attended but I lost my 9th and 11th standard marksheet as they are issued by school not by government and not valid anywhere. But I have my 10th standard and 12th standard Marksheet which is accepted everywhere in India.
What should I do?
Hi Durgam,
If you have lost the marksheets issued by your school, you should contact the school to request a new copy.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Durgam,
What is a diploma equivalent to in the Japanese education system? Is it a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree? A professional certification? A high school qualification? Without knowing that, I can’t give you an accurate answer.
Your last school is the last university/college where you earned a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher (assuming you are applying for a Master’s degree now). If your diploma program is a professional certification or is otherwise not equivalent to a degree, then it would not count.
I hope that helps, but if I’ve missed the mark, please let me know what a diploma is in your education system and I will try again.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
I am 20 years old. If I apply for MEXT SCHOLARSHIP for College of technology will they extend my scholarship for Undergraduate Courses ( if my grades are good enough) after completions of Associate Degree program even if I would be 24 years old by then?
Hi Durgam,
Age is not an eligibility criteria to extend your studies under the Colleges of Technology scholarship, so it would be possible for you to extend, as long as you met the eligibility criteria for the Colleges of Technology Scholarship when you applied.
Of course, you have to meet all of the other criteria and expectations, particularly outstanding performance and passing the entrance exam to the next program you wish to enroll in.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
So it means that my scholarship can be extended as long as my grades are good.
Thanks Travis!
sir
In the application form for mext scholarship, we are supposed to give the name of 3 professors but can we give the name of assistant professors who have the same research field as my research topic? Because its getting a bit difficult in finding the appropriate professor for network security.
thankyou
Hi Hironmoy,
It depends on the university, but if you see that the assistant professor has his or her own lab and has at least the degree that you are applying for, you should be able to list them. In any case, the Embassy is not going to check if that faculty member is qualified to supervise you or not – the university will tell you later when you apply for an LoA.
Of course the best way to know for sure is if you build a relationship with that professor in advance to find out!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I am a MEXT scholar doing my Masters in Japan.
Do you know the requirements of MEXT Extension Scholarship for Masters to PhD? Is it using the same requirements/conditions set in MEXT scholarship for Embassy/University’s recommendation? I know one of the requirements is 2.50 above CGPA on a scale of 3.0 but how about age of applicants or if the applicant’s spouse is also a MEXT scholar or any other requirements?
Hi Yang,
Aside from the 2.50/3.00 GPA, the other requirements are:
There is nothing specific about age or spouses, but there is a lot left in there for the university’s discretion. As long as your university is fine with recommending you, you should have no problem!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
First of all, nice to E-meet you 🙂
All of information regarding MEXT scholarship are all there and it is super useful, so I just want to thank you for all of the effort in putting this up.
I have been recommended by the university for MEXT.
The aim of this study is MBA in Tokyo. However, I am stuck with the research proposal for the application process.
It seems that the questions format is meant for those research student who have specific studies in each field. So, I am not quite sure how to illustrate that with my MBA.
Thus, could you please help me explain more on how to deal with these three questions for the scholarship as per below? What do they expect from each question?
– “Proposed study program in Japan (Outline your field of study on this side and the specific of your study program on the reverse side of this sheet. This section is one of the most important references for selection” what does this statement means?
– for Q.1what is “Present Field of study”? I was graduated since two years ago and currently working, so should I illustrate more about my career path and current expertise instead of the education?
– for Q.2, ” Your research topic in Japan: Describe articulately the research you wish to carry out in Japan”, since I’m aiming for an MBA program, so I’m not sure what should I write in this section. I can explain why I need to pursue it in Japan and with this university but I have no idea about the research topic.
– for Q.3,” Study program in Japan: (Describe in detail and with specifics – particularly concerning the ultimate goal(s) of your research in Japan)”, should this part explain about my MBA program and how it benefit myself? or it should focuses on how it will benefit the society or Japan? Should it be a short -term goal like after graduation or long-term mission in the next 5-7 years after MBA graduation?
Thank you again in advance for your help. This scholarship means a lot to me and I really want to receive it.
Best Regards,
Pipat J.
Hi Pipat J.,
I’ve written an entire article on the Field of Study and Research Program Plan that goes into detail on how to answer the questions on that form. Based on your questions, it sounds like you haven’t read it yet, so I would recommend that you read that first.
Just because you’re going for an MBA doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have a research proposal. I’d recommend that you review the curriculum of your MBA program, see what they are looking for, and write your plan to conform to it.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
I am from bangladesh. my B.Sc. hons final will be published in june 2018.but i want to apply for mext in this year .is it posible for me? am i eligible?
Hi Sajid,
Yes, you would be eligible.
If you apply this year, it would be fore the scholarship starting in April or September/October of 2019, and you will have graduated by then, so there should be no problem.
During the application process, you would have to submit a “certificate of expected graduation” instead of the certificate of graduation. I wrote about the difference in my article about supporting documents, so I recommend you check there for more information!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis! First of all, i would like to thank you for all the information you have provided us for MEXT It has been really helpful when filling out my documents. Consequently, I have a few questions about the undergraduate scholarship:
-I’m plannig on studying medicine, Is it too difficult to be elegible for such career? Could you recommend me some biology books? Firstly I was planning on studying a whole book of it but it is too much since I have to study other subjects, so, I would like to know if there’s any specific topic to study for biology.
-The other question would be that by applying to the undergraduate scholarship, How many years of school do I need to be elegible? 12? 16? I Have finally ended school and by taking out the kindergarten years it all sums up to 12 years of school and I’m not sure if that’s okay. I’m from latin america and the academic background is completely different from the japanese school system.
Thanks
Hi Valentina,
Thank you for your kinds words.
I do not have any direct expertise working with the undergraduate scholarship and have not done any research specifically on that, so my ability to help is going to be limited.
To get into the medicine field in Japan, you are going to need to be fluent in Japanese to a native level before you can complete your graduate professional degrees and professional training. I don’t know how difficult it is to get into just the undergraduate programs, though.
I would recommend that you try to find someone who has studied medicine, particularly in Japan, to help recommend study resources to you.
For the eligibility criteria, my best suggestion would be to check with the Japanese embassy for their guidelines, once the scholarship application process opens around April. The Embassy is going to have the most accurate information and will also be familiar with the education system in your country!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hey i am sujit and willing to do my bachelor in japan in engineering so i have some questions..
1) is MEXT scholarship for undergraduate student or not?
2) what is the process to apply for japanese embassy exam in nepal for study in japan and from where and how should i appply?
3) opening and dead line of application form?
4) Requied document for embassy exam?
If you know any consultancy in nepal which help in processing for embassy exams then please recommend me
Hi Sujit,
I’d recommend that you read my existing articles to find the information you need. Starting with the basics and how to get started with the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship.
Please do note, however, that all of the information and resource I have here are for the graduate scholarship, so you’d need to follow-up with the Embassy for more details on the undergraduate scholarship.
I do not know any consulting services in Nepal.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
ok thanks so much
Hi, Travis
Thank you so much for your wiriting. It really helps.
I am Wanda, currently works as an English teacher in Malang, East Java, Indonesia.
I really want to study in Japan for my master degree in education/english language teaching. So far, my only concern is finding the university which has education/english language teaching major. Btw, I am planning to apply the embassy one. I want to ask you:
1. Will mext consider my application since my major is not really popular? I mean, its english language teaching :/
2. Do I have to contact the professor in my target university before applying?
Thank you so much!
Hi Wanda,
1. MEXT only requires that your major is related to what you studied in university previously and that it is available in Japan. As long as you meet those requirements, you should be fine. However, your embassy may set additional requirements, so you should check with them, as well.
Do remember though that you are competing with all other applicants in your country for a limited number scholarships, so it is your responsibility to make them see the value of your degree plan and what you will contribute to your society after completing it!
2. You don’t have to, but in general it’s always a good idea to have some communication with a prospecive advisor in advance to get to know one another a little bit. You don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) mention the MEXT scholarship, at first, just talk about what you want to study/research and how that might contribute to the professor’s larger research work.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis Sensei!
Happy New Year!
Thanks for helping me a lot with your blogs.
I requested for a sample application form for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship and I’ve got one but what i got is for research student and what I needed was an Undergraduate Scholarship Sample form.
I know you can’t fulfill everyone’s request but I am giving a try. I am requesting you to please send me a link for sample application form of Undergraduate MEXT Scholarship. And sorry for commenting so many times because I can’t see my posted comments here even after commenting it three times.
Thanks
Hi Vishwas,
I replied to your comment yesterday here.
Your comments will not appear until I approve them manually. However, I don’t approve repeats, so I have deleted a few of them already.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
First of all thank you for your help with all those articles it really helped me clear-up a lot of questions.
But I still have one little question that I really can’t understand.
I’m planning to apply for the 2019 Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship as a PhD student.
I saw that many universities say that we must start as Research students first then pass the Entrance examination test to start the PhD Degree.
What i can’t figure out is the research plan, if I make a 3-years PhD research plan, what will I be doing during the semester when I’m just a non-degree research student preparing for the entrance exam. I can’t understand if the professor will give some research to do or I should start working on my 3-years research plan
I would be very thankful if you can clear me up regarding this point
Best regards,
Isaac M.
Hi Isaac,
To some degree, this varies based on whether you are applying for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship or University-recommended MEXT scholarship. For the embassy, most applicants spend their first semester studying Japanese language and getting started on their research.
Ultimately, though, I would recommend that you write your research plan to your final goal. If you want to apply directly for the PhD but you have to start as a research student for a semester because of your university’s policies, then I would recommend that you write a 3.5 year plan. (Part of that first semester will be preparing for the entrance exam!). As a research student, you would be getting started on your research that you will continue in the PhD program and may even start taking some coursework (which you could later “transfer” to the degree program.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
what is difference between Embassy and university recommended MEXT scholarship. is IELTS or other english language test score is necessary for this scholarship. where can i find the full procedure of this scholarship.
Hi Arshad,
I’d recommend you check out my article on the Basics of the MEXT Scholarship for the difference. Then you can read the introductory articles for the University and Embassy scholarship for more details and the requirements for each application process.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Transenz, I applied and submitted my Letters of Acceptance… was wondering if final results of the MEXT Application are sent out December? Or is it usually January or February next year? I am so nervous!
Hi Dianne,
The results release date varies by country, so you’ll need to check with the Embassy/Consulate where you applied.
MEXT’s guidelines only say that the results of the secondary screening and placement will be released between November and February through the embassy/consulate.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi travis.we just got married a month ago here in the phil.and my has a long term visa in japan.is it possible that she can bring me japan?and what are things that we need to do?tnx in adv
Hi Jann,
Congratulations!
Your wife should be able to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for your to get a Dependent Visa. I describe that process in this article. She will have to apply for that Certificate from within Japan, so she’ll have to go first and you will go later after you get the visa.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
I’m 19 years old, from South Africa and applying for the 2019 undergraduate MEXT scholarship.
I’m currently a student at Unisa. Unisa is a online university and you have to register every semester to do new modules, so you only continue the next semester if you want to. I wrote my exams and am waiting for my marks. I have only done my first semester now so I want to know. For the Embassy recommendation, when MEXT asks for my academic transcript of all the years of school last attended I should give them all the years of my high school then? Is that correct? I need to know whether to pick my school or my university where I only have one semester, one good semester. I didnt write a university enrollment qualification examination so I do not have to provide one, correct? Thirdly, would knowing another language be in my favor? And lastly, according to the application guidelines for undergraduate students section 6, subsection 9, number 7 ” Those who are planning to receive scholarships from an organization other than MEXT (including a government organization of the applicant’s country) on top of the scholarship provided by MEXT after arrival in Japan”. Does this mean I cannot apply for any other type of scholarship anywhere, because I want to apply everywhere. If I get the MEXT scholarship I will not accept any other scholarship that I applied for, but I still want to cover all my bases. So can I apply for other scholarships as well. Thank you
Hi JJ,
Yes, if you’re applying for the undergraduate scholarship, you would give them all of your grades from high school. You can certainly mention that you’ve been taking online college courses in the meantime to further your studies, as well.
Knowing another language that is not Japanese won’t hurt you, of course, but I wouldn’t expect it to be a significant boost, particularly if you are from a country where many people speak multiple languages.
You cannot accept other similar scholarships during your time in Japan, but there is no rule against applying for other scholarships elsewhere in the meantime as a back-up plan. You would just have to withdraw from those scholarships after you get the one from MEXT.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
So today is December 04 2017, is now a good time to apply for the MEXT undergraduate scholarship? I am 19 years old, and plan to apply through the embassy here in Jamaica. Also, do I have to have GREAT high school grades to be accepted? I know it says the last 3 years of high school.
Hi Mackaina,
I don’t think the embassy is accepting applications in December. Typically, the application process begins around April, but it varies from country to country. Please contact the Japanese Embassy there directly to be sure.
Even if you can’t apply yet, you can always start preparing for the tests, the interview, and your studies in Japan.
For your GPA, higher is of course better. You’re going to be competing for a limited number of slots, so every advantage you can get over other applicants helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
I have completed my 12 year education in 2015 and currently in 3rd semester of 6 semester Diploma course.(Diploma in Electrical engg.).I want to apply for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship in APR2018 so that I can go to Japan in APR2019. According to them I have to Japan in first week of APR2019(1st April to 7 Apr). But the problem is my 6th Semester Exam(Final Exam) of Diploma will be held in May2019 and result will be declared in JUL 2019.And according to your articles demanding for an exception is bad for my application.
1. What should I do? Will they allow me come to India to give my final exams and complete my diploma in May 2019( One month after reaching Japan)? Should I apply on the basis of my Diploma ? Or,
2.Should I apply on the the basis of 12th(We call it intermediate) graduation?
Hi Vishu,
I don’t know enough about the system in India off the top of my head to know if a diploma is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, but I’m assuming it is and that you’re applying for the scholarship for research (graduate) students.
You cannot start your MEXT scholarship until you have completed your previous degree and graduated, so you would not be eligible to start in April 2019. It would not be possible to get an exception.
However, you should be able to apply and specify September or October 2019 as your arrival date. In that case, you would be eligible for the 2019 cycle.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
One more thing they say my age must be between 17 to 21 year.
What does iT means?
Is it considered when I apply for MEXT or when I go for Japan under MEXT?
Because I am 20 year old in APRIL 2018.Can I apply in MEXT 2019 also?
Hi Vishu,
In MEXT’s application guidelines, they actually list the dates that your birthday must fall between, so that would be the easiest way to check.
The guidelines for the 2019 cycle are not out yet, but extrapolating from the 2018 undergraduate guidelines, your birthday would have to fall between April 2, 1997 and April 1, 2002 to be eligible.
This might answer your question about whether or not to wait a year to apply, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
In India Diploma is equivalent to Intermediate(12 year education) which means you have to apply for Undergraduate courses if you want study further.
What I want to know whether I should apply on the basis of 12th(which I have completed in 2015) or on the basis of my Diploma which I can’t complete until July2019?
If I apply on the basis of my Intermediate , I will have to leave my Diploma (which I am ready to do)?
Extremely Sorry if I bothered you!!
Hi Vishu,
It’s not a bother at all. I didn’t realize you were applying for the undergraduate scholarship, though, and I don’t have expertise in that area.
My comments about being able to choose to arrive in Sept/Oct were for the graduate scholarship, so I don’t know if that applies to you.
If you are able to apply on the basis of your 12th (check with your embassy to be sure – they are the experts on how the scholarship works in India!), and it is not a problem for you to leave your diploma, then it would seem that applying sooner is to your benefit, but that’s just my opinion.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks Tarvis for your kind help!
You are doing a great job!
Hello TarnSenz
I am Avinash and I am in Second year of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.I have small doubt regarding my eligibility for Undergraduate Cousres. Although I am fluent in English but I don’t have any certificate like TOFEL for that. Is it important to have these certificates to be eligible for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?
Thank you!
Hi Avinash,
I would recommend that you read the application guidelines on MEXT’s site. According to that document, there is no requirement to know English and you are not required to submit TOEFL scores.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks TranSenz for this early reply!
I have some other doubts also. As I told you that I am in 2nd year(3rd Semester) of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and my exams of 4semester will be held in May2018(result will be declared in July2018) and I will graduate from the college in Jul2019 and they are asking for Graduation certificate for last school attended. What document should I submit? And they are also asking for 1 original copy for Graduation Certificate and since my college doesn’t issue 2 original copy what should I do?
One more question they are asking for acedemic transcript for all years last school attended. And my school doesn’t issue any acedemic transcript.What should I do?Can I submit a copy of my Marksheet as acedemic transcript?
I will be grateful to you for your help.
Hi Avinash,
For your Certificate of Graduation and what to do about the originals, I covered that in the article about supporting documents for the MEXT scholarship, so I’d recommend you read that (you may also find some other useful information).
An academic transcript is a document that shows the grades/marks that you have earned in all your courses, as well as an explanation of the grading system. Your university might call it something else, but if it meets that requirement, it’s fine!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
HI TRAVIS,
im 18 and from kuwait ,i wanted to apply for the mext scholarship(embassy recommended),my problem is i graduated from an english school(british school) which has 11 years, and i read that to be eligible to apply you need to have atleast 12 years of high school.
My questions are
1)can i somehow still apply for the mext with 11 years?
2)do the mext want my last year school grades or all of my high school grades or my igcse grade and what is the minimum grades they are looking for?
3) can i just enter pre unversity to make it up for my 12th year and then apply for the mext?
4)do english university in japan accept my igcse or i can enter by doing the pre university course?
i know these questions are alot, but i would highly appreciate it if u answer my questions
and please give me your best advice in my situation because i cant seem to find a solution
THANK YOU
Hi Jerry,
If you read the application guidelines, it should answer most of your questions.
1) Yes, according to the eligibility criteria list, completing schooling equivalent to high school is acceptable.
2) The application guidelines clearly say you need to submit your grades for all years of high school.
3) Not applicable, because an 11-year completion of secondary school is acceptable
4) For the undergraduate scholarship, you typically do not apply directly to a university. You would spend your first year in a MEXT language program then MEXT would place you in a university. So, you only need to apply to the Embassy.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I am Anas Alfaituri, a Libyan undergraduate who has just graduated from high school and obtained the Irish Leaving Certificate.I want to apply to the MEXT scholarship by April, 2018 , however, the Japanese embasy in Libya is closed and I have been emailing Japanese embassies in the neighboring countries such as Tunisia and Egypt but I am not sure if I can apply through them ,so please if you know any way for me to ensure that I can apply to this amazing scholarship in my current situation, please, please, tell me. I will be so thankful and grateful to you guys for my whole life.
Also,I want to know if the Japanese MEXT scholarship covers RESIDENCE FEES for the whole period of the scholasrhip or not?
Thank you kindly in advance,
Best Regards.
Hi Anas,
According to the Japanese Embassy in Libya’s website, the official functions are being carried out by the Japanese embassy in Egypt, so you should contact them for information.
It is too early for the application cycle now, though, so they may not write back until they have information for the next application period.
Unfortunately, I don’t know what you mean by residence fees. As a MEXT scholar, your tuition is waived and you get a monthly stipend, but you have to pay all of your expenses, including housing, out of that stipend.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much Travis for the information you have given me.I am truly grateful for your help.
Hi Travis,
It’s a good job you’ve done with this blog. More grease to your elbows.
I am a prospective MEXT scholar and I have turned in my 3 LoAs to the Embassy for the second screening phase. I want to fancy my chances of getting the scholarship eventually. I am from Nigeria by the way.
I havr a coupleof questions however:
1. I plan to get married in 2019 and therefore would like to return to Nigeria to do so after the fall semester in early 2019. Is there any provision in the MEXT Scholarship guidelines that prevents returning momentarily to one’s home country while ke the scholarship is in effect?
2. If in the case of no hinderance to come home to get married, what difficulties are associated with coming back to Japan with my wife vis a vis application for visa and requirments?
Thank you a lot for the help you’ve rendering so far. Accept my best wishes.
Hi Sulaiman,
Thank you for your kind comments.
If you’ve passed the primary screening and submitted your LOAs, then you are practically certain to receive the scholarship. It’s just a waiting game now!
1. You can leave Japan during the scholarship, but not while classes are in session. You also cannot be gone for longer than a month, since you will have to sign for your scholarship stipend on a certain day each month.
2. Once you are married, you would return to Japan alone first then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for your wife to come to Japan on a Dependent Visa. I have an article outlining that application process here that may help.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much Travis. Your response was very insightful.
Dear Travis,
I would like to ask you some questions regarding dependent visa.
My wife she is working in Japan – Kyoto, since last 2 months.
Her salary is around 160000 Yen / month only.
This amount is enough to show in immigration for applying dependent visa or not?
If, it is not enough, how much the minimum salary will be required?
We already prepare married certificate plus others documents, now she is waiting for the next salary for showing 2 months of salaries.
Thank you very much for your time and waiting for your reply.
Thanks and best regards,
Dipen Thapa
Sent from my iPhone
Hi Dipen Garanja Magar,
160,000 JPY/month should be fine for applying for the Dependent Visa. I have seen MEXT scholars successfully apply for it with a monthly stipend that was closer to 145,000 JPY.
She should be able to get a certificate of employment from her job showing her employment period and her monthly salary. If she gets that, she wouldn’t need the two months’ salary statements.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Appreciate your prompt reply.
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Dipen
Dear Travis,
I am sorry to disturb you again, but before to visit Embassy in Japan for applying Eligibility Certificate, I would like to make sure about married certificate.
The married certificate should be certifying under which family name?
We got married after getting the student visa and the marital status was single and all the documents were issued under her father’s address while she applied the student visa.
Now, she had been changed the visa status from student to working visa in Japan.
As per our passport, my address and her address is different and not yet issue the citizenship card under my family name.
We have made 2 married certificates during our vacation on March 2017 and got approvals from the government, 1 is belongs to her father family name and address and 1 is mine.
On this case, which certificate have to submit in Japan Embassy and which one is better?
In advance, thank you.
Best regards,
Dipen Thapa
Hi Dipen Thapa,
This really is the wrong page for these questions. This page is about the MEXT scholarship. I have another article about applying for a Dependent Visa. (Just specifying for anyone else reading so they don’t get confused).
The marriage certificate should show both of your family names as they were when you got married. Your current passports should match those names or, if your wife changed her name, you should be able to provide documentation showing that she changed her name. (In some cases, showing her old passport and new passport would be enough).
Since it is your visa that you are applying for, it is most important that your passport and documentation match.
It does not matter that your addresses are different on your passports. That is normal.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello! I’m Nisa from Bangladesh. I’m alredy living in japan. I’m planning to study in Osaka University. Can I apply for Mext scholaship from Residing in Japan for PhD April, 2019 session?
Hi Tania,
That depends on why you are living in Japan.
Technically, you have to “newly arrive” in Japan as a student to start the scholarship. So, whatever your current activities are in Japan, they would have to end and you would have to return to Bangladesh on a “permanent” basis before the scholarship starts (i.e. not just for a short trip home, but marking the end of your previous stay completely).
If you are applying for the Embassy-recommended scholarship, you would of course have tests and interviews at the embassy in Bangladesh, as well.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis .
I´ve been reading your blog and it is great , thank u so much for all the effort. My intention is to apply for the scholarship (Via Embassy) 2018 from Spain.
I ´ve been following your advices regarding the choice of universities teachers etc but I find myself with a few questions: I majored in English Studies and took a Master in pedagogy. I have some ideas on what I would like to research in Japan but searching for universities with english programs related to my field have been really difficult ( I have used many resources, yours and others).
Until now I´ve found 2 national universities (not in Tokyo) and 4 private (in Tokyo ). The main question is: what are my chances of being selected in a private univ. if a put it in my 1 preference? and the second one is, since I have already a master which was a requirement in order to practise my major in Spain, is it advisable to apply for a master program ? I would love to do so since the options are quite interesting.
Thank U so much and greetings from spain
Hi Montse,
I don’t have any specific statistics on the likelihood of being placed in your first choice school if it is private. I have heard rumors that roughly 1/3 of embassy-recommended MEXT scholars are placed in private universities, but I don’t have the sources to back it up, I’m afraid. I know it is possible.
Of course, that assumes you’ve already got the Letter of Acceptance.
If you already have a masters, I would encourage you to go for a PhD with MEXT. If you have a Master’s degree, you would not be able to join a Master’s program as a research student under the MEXT scholarship, and many universities will require that you spend at least a semester as a research student, so that could end up eliminating some choices.
If you do go for a second masters, you’ll need to be able to justify in your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, plus your interview, why a second master’s is better than a doctorate for the impact you intend to make on the world.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I have few questions regarding MEXT university recommendation scholarship.
1. Is there any chance to reject MEXT application, if I will apply another scholarship in Japan?
2. If a candidate is nominated by university, is there a chance to reject the scholarship by Japanese government?
3. Still I didn’t heard about the Scholarship opening day for Kumamoto university.(but I have seen it opens for several universities (Tokyo..)). I kindly ask you if you know any detail about it could you please tell?
Thank you very much.
Hi Wijesekara,
1. I’ve never heard of any other scholarships in Japan that are nearly as good as MEXT, so there’s nothing else worth rejecting it for.
2. There’s a chance, but usually only if the university missed a huge problem with your application. (For example, if you want to research WMDs and the university didn’t notice). I’ve never seen a university recommended applicant not get the scholarship.
3. Sorry, I don’t have university-by-university information on hand. Each school does it differently and I can’t keep up with 850+ unis!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Actually, this social work is really nice and want to thank you again.
regards,
Wijesekara
Dear,
Hope you are doing well I need a format of MEXT University recommendation form of 2018.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Md. Touhidul Islam
Hi Md. Touhidul Islam,
I covered that in my post about the Letter of Recommendation for the University-recommended scholarship. Please check out that article!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi Travis!
you are doing an awesome job, wish you more success in future.
I have not selected for embassy based scholarships.I want to apply for the university-based scholarship and I have gone through all the questions and answers but unfortunately, i could not understand.kindly let me know how to deal with this and where to get started,
Hi Nazia,
I have written several articles about the University-recommended MEXT scholarship application process, covering it from start to finish in detail.
If you’ve read through all of those and still have specific questions, please leave them in the comments. Right now, I don’t know what your question is.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you a lot for all the advise and information. I appreciate your work very much.
I have taken a look at the FAQ link that you sent. It was really helpful.
I still have one question in mind.
I am preparing to apply Masters program in September 2018 and I’m about to contact to the professors of the universities.
However, I don’t know if I should contact one after another or contact all of them simultaneously because in the MEXT application form, I could choose 3 universities to apply. Is there any rule mentioning I’m not supposed to do that? and what if when I do that, more than one professor accepts my request for researching at their university. What should I do?
If you have time, could you please answer the question. Once again thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Nguyen Dinh Tai
Hi Nguyen Dinh Tai,
If you haven’t already passed the Primary Screening and started acquiring Letters of Acceptance, then it’s much too late to start applying for the scholarship that starts in September 2018 through the Embassy. That application process would have started last spring.
If you go through the Embassy-recommended MEXT Scholarship, you can apply to three or more universities. It’s fine to be in contact with all of them at the same time since, in the end, it is MEXT not you that will choose which university to place you in. However, I would recommend that you contact them all separately and tailor your approach to each university/professor!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you so much for the response. Hope you have a good week.
You mentioned that it’s too late for me to apply through the embassy for September 2018. I am a bit confused because I was referring online information and some said that the primary screening for September 2018 would open on April or May 2018 depending on the embassy.
Unfortunately, I am studying outside my home country so I cannot go to the embassy in my country to ask in person. I wrote them an email to ask for the guideline and they have not replied for a few days.
Hence, could you please specify the period that I should apply for the scholarship? Should I wait till next spring to apply for April 2019?
Thank you for your time.
Best Regards,
Nguyen Dinh Tai
Hi Nguyen Dinh Tai,
I’m afraid the information you are referring to was mistaken. The application that begins in April or May 2018, depending on the embassy, is for the scholarship that will start in April or September 2019. The primary screening at the embassy always begins a year before the scholarship would start.
So, if you apply according to the dates you stated, that would be for the scholarship starting in 2019, which is your earliest chance now for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship.
You can still start the application this fall for the University-recommended scholarship. That process may have already started or will be starting soon, depending on the university, and would be for the scholarship starting in fall 2018. If you are interested in that, you have to narrow your choices down to one university and follow up with them on their dates and processes.
I have also written several articles on here about the application process for the University-recommended scholarship, so I recommend you read up on those, as well!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for your help.
Best Regards,
Nguyen Dinh Tai
Hello, please I have three questions.when is the deadline for the scholarship,what do I do after filling the form and what exam is required.Thanks
Hi Sadeeq,
First, you need to decide whether you’re going to apply for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship (earliest opportunity will be spring 2018 application for the 2019 scholarship) or the University-recommended MEXT scholarship (next opportunity will be fall 2017 application for 2018 scholarship).
Once you have decided on that, read through the articles I’ve written on both scholarship application procedures that cover all the requirements in detail. For deadlines, check with the embassy or university where you will apply!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I’m Hironmoy
sir,
i have 2 questions regarding the MEXT scholarship through embassy.
1) I am currently a 2nd year, 1st semester in B.Tech and will be applying for Research student in the 4th year. And my college gives certificate of grade between May and July.
This is a problem for me since the application period in my country for it is from April to May. So can i still apply for it through the result from my 2nd year ,2nd semester-4th year, 1st semester.
2) The grading system in my college is 10 level system where
DETAILS GRADE POINT
90<O<=100 10
80<A+<=90 9
70<A<=80 8
60<B+<=70 7
50<B<=60 6
40<C+<=50 5
30<C<=40 4
20<D<=30 3
10<E<=20 2
0<F<=10 1
So will above 70% or 80% calculate as 3.0 in MEXT scale? Or should i also give the grading system copied from wikipedia of my country(India) and signed by the Dean( In my college the principal is Registrar)?
Thankyou
Hi Hironmoy,
1) Yes, you can apply even if you don’t have your final results yet. MEXT will calculate your GPA based on the most recent 4 semesters of grades available.
2) It looks like you could convert your grades to a 5-level system.
A-0 = 3
B-B+ = 3
C-C+ = 2
D = 1
E-F = 0
That’s not official though, just how I would do it based on my experience. Of course, you have to convert the grades course by course, not your overall average.
You will need an official explanation of your grading system, so if it’s not printed on your transcript itself, then something signed by the dean would work!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello dear,
Thumbs up for your great work!!
My queries are regarding the University recommended MeXT scholarship for 2018 intake of graduate students in the field of Engineering:
1) Do I have to send the required documents along with filled application form through post to the desired university in Japan on my own behalf ( not involving my previous university or embassy)?
2) Have I to get an acceptance letter from supervisor of my choice first? And that letter is also to be sent along with application material?
3) I have not been involved in any studies since 3 years. Can I still apply? Also my thesis in Bachelors is not strong enough. Can I choose a field different from my thesis work?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Salman,
1. Yes, you handle the entire application directly with the university.
2. No, you are applying for acceptance and the scholarship simultaneously. However, in your field, you may want to try to contact the professor in advance just to get to know him or her and make sure that he or she is someone you want to work with for the next two years.
3. You can still apply even if you’ve been out of studies for a several years, but your degree does have to be related to what you studied in your bachelors. It doesn’t matter that much if your Bachelor’s thesis isn’t strong. It’s your Bachelor’s grades and your research plan for your Masters that are more important.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, my name is Idrissa from Sierra Leone. Please, I have downloaded and filled the MEXT scholarship Application Form for 2018, but my problem now is how can I send the MEXT scholarship form when there is no email given to send it. Am little bit worried about it, can you please help me with it.
Thanks.
Hi Idrissa,
You cannot submit the application by email.
If you are applying via the Embassy, you would need to submit the application form to them, though it is past the deadline for this year’s application cycle.
If you are applying via University-recommendation, you would need to submit all of the application materials to the university based on the instructions on their website.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi ! I wanted to ask : After I finish filling the application form what should I do ? and where should I send it ? Thank you for help.
Hi Soumaya,
You would submit your application to the Japanese embassy if you are applying for the Embassy-recommended scholarship and to the university you want to attend if you are applying for the university recommended scholarship.
Check with the embassy or university directly for their submission instructions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Transenz,
Was wondering if it’s allowed to change the arrival period from September to April? As I thought the Japanese language training starts at the same time school starts…… knowing now that this is not the case, now I want to arrive in April!!!!! 🙁
Also, since I indicated September on the application form and so I had to contact universities stating September, surprisingly, the LOA I got stated April as the period of arrival. Will this affect my application in any way?? 🙁 Though I’d love to arrive in April and take the 6-month language training and start the program/school on September…
The application instructions state:
“(In either case, the above-mentioned the period of scholarship includes a 6-month period of Japanese language training for grantees who require such training.) In cases of arrival in Japan other than those periods specified above, MEXT will decide such cases separately on a special basis.”
“In principle, a change in the arrival period is not permitted after the submission of the Application.”
omg I am so worried…
Hi Ginger,
I would recommend that you contact the embassy to ask about changing the arrival period. As far as I understand, the arrival month that you stated was your “desire,” and the letter from the university that accepts you will be the final answer. The embassy should be able to give you more information about that, but it shouldn’t hurt your application if your desired arrival period and the university’s letter of acceptance don’t agree at this point – there should still be time to correct it one way or another if you contact them right away.
It isn’t yet decided whether you would take the Japanese language program. Your university would decide that when MEXT contacts them to ask them to accept you.
When MEXT contacts universities to ask them to accept applicants formally, the universities have to return a sheet answering yes or no for each applicant and designating whether the applicant should take the Japanese language program or not. (In most cases where applicants have no Japanese language program, they will tell you to take it).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hii Travis..
First I want to thank u for this blog and all ur hard work..
Second I have 1 question : Is there any (paid off) scholarships to study Architecture (undergraduate) in Japan except the embassy recommendation for MEXT?…..
I am studying Architecture in Egypt now…but I want to get my bachelor degree from Japan…
I applied for MEXT 2018 but I had a problem with some stubbed paper so my paper got rejected…
I cant apply for the MEXT next year because of my age and I would lose all years I attended here in Egypt…
what do u think?… is there a way to apply for any scholarship?
I have already tried to reach u by mail but u didn’t answer…
hoping to find a good solution with you….
and best of luck to you my dear…
Hi Mohammed Ramadan,
Thank you for your kind comments.
I am not aware of any other full scholarships for international students at the undergraduate level in Japan in any field.
I would recommend that you finish your undergraduate degree in Egypt then apply for graduate studies under MEXT later. (I have significantly more experience with the graduate scholarship and hope I could be of assistance then!)
Also, I’m more than 3 months behind on email. I get far more questions every day than I can possibly respond to, so I have had to stop answering individual inquiries there. If you have a question, you can leave it on the blog or, if it’s urgent, you can become a TranSenz Supporter for priority responses or contact me about coaching.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks Travis a lot for the reply…
I hoped to find a way getting my undergraduate degree from Japan… but no problem then..
I think I will take ur advice and apply for the research after finishing my undergraduate degree… and thanks again my friend…
Hi Tranz,
please is the 2018 Mext scholarship out at the Nigerian embassy? and are we to pay for it at the embassy ,please notify me via my email soonest
[redacted]
Hi Ayanbajo Ibidapo,
You would need to check with the embassy directly. I cannot keep track of all the embassies in all the countries of the world!
(I can tell you, however, that in August it is too late to apply no matter what country you’re in!)
Good Luck next year!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
My name is Tan Choon Beng. I plan to apply MEXT (Embassy-Recommended) next year (2018) for PhD degree in 2019 (April admission).
Currently, I am a Master student (by research) in Computer Science field in Malaysia.
I noticed that one of the required documents is the certified copy(s) of our transcript (Bachelor’s/Master’s) for each academic year. However, in my university (Universiti Malaysia Sabah), we do not have transcript for Master/PhD student (by research) as we do not take any course work, rather we are fully committed to our Master/PhD research. What should I do to fulfill/replace the required transcript we don’t actually have?
URL – Japan Embassy in Malaysia:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/JIS/education/scholarship/scholarship.htm#B
URL – PDF:
http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/JIS/education/scholarship/MEXT2018/GuidelinesPostgrad2018.pdf
Sincerely,
Thanks in advance.
Tan Choon Beng.
Hi Tan Choon Beng,
Are you saying that you receive no grades or evaluation at all during the course of your degree?
I used to work with applicants who had graded coursework in the first year of their Master’s degree but spent the rest of the time in research and had no grades for that period. In those cases, we used the one year of grades plus the applicant’s final year of undergraduate grades. In your situation, if you have no grades at all from your grad program, then they might refer to your last 2 years of undergraduate grades instead (you should certainly be prepared to include that transcript in your application).
If this is a common system in Malaysia, I would think that the Japanese Embassy there would be familiar with it and have a preferred way of dealing with it. I would suggest you contact them for the best answer!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, sorry to bother you again.
How long (period) does the MEXT scholarship funds their recipients ?
Is it two years for PhD student ?
If yes, can sponsorship last till the end of PhD study, since PhD study usually last for 3-5 years?
Otherwise, is there any legal self financing way to continue study after the end of 2 years MEXT sponsorship?
Sincerely,
Thanks in advance.
Tan Choon Beng.
Hi Tan Choon Beng,
The MEXT scholarship is 2 years for a Master’s Degree, 3 for a PhD, and up to 2 for research student status (if you arrive in the fall semester as a research student, then the maximum for that status is 1.5 years).
If you take longer than the time above to complete your degree, you cannot extend the scholarship. You would be able to stay in Japan as a self-financed student (though you would forfeit the MEXT-funded plane ticket home, if you do).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I’m the past recipient of JASSO scholarship, specifically “Student Exchange Support Program (Scholarship for Short-term Study in Japan)” in 2016. Am I eligible to apply for Embassy Recommended MEXT in this coming March?
Sincerely,
Thanks in advance.
Tan Choon Beng.
Hi Tan Choon Beng,
Past receipt of the JASSO scholarship does not disqualify you, even if it has been less than 3 years since you were receiving it, so you’re safe! The only conditions apply to past receipt of a MEXT scholarship, and even in that case, the scholarship for short term study abroad is exempted.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I’m sorry for barging in.
Am I right assuming that one scholarship status could transform into another with the allocated time kinda adding up? That is, if I were to enroll as a research student and then go for a master degree after a year, would scholarship cover all these 3 years? Would it be possible to continue further into PhD still being under the MEXT?
Thank you!
Hi Tereya,
It’s not automatic, but yes, you can apply to extend your scholarship when advance from Research Student to Master’s Program and again from Master’s to PhD. You have to be sure to file the extension application during the designated time period – your university should let you know when that is. If you advance without getting approval for the scholarship extension, you would lose the scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey, I am a MEXT scholarship student doing my PhD in Japan. There is a lot of information about doing internship outside Japan but no information about doing internship in Japan. My question: to satisfy the requirements of doctor program in my University, I need to do minor research for 3 months. I want to do this in another University in Japan and I can come to sign for the scholarship every month in my University. Is it possible to do the internship/research in a university in Japan for mext scholars?
Hi Himankshi Rathore,
This isn’t so much a question about MEXT – it would be about your university’s policies. For MEXT, you have to be engaged in research activities and sign at your university every month, as you said. Whether or not your university would approve you to be away from campus and conducting research at another university is entirely up to them. I’d recommend you ask your advisor!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
How do I get the MEXT APPLIATION FORMS.
Hi Ivy,
I covered this in the most recent FAQ about getting started. Check there if you haven’t seen it already.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
We cannot thank you enough for your help, we really do appreciate it. your blog really helped me through embassy-recommendation application process. Unfortunately the embassy rejected me this year, so now I’m going to apply for Uni-recommendation.
My inquiries are :
1) I’ve read in the comments that it is not okay to apply for more than 1 university at the same time, but I’m afraid that I will lose opportunities especially if 2 universities application time are in the same month!
2) do I apply to one university and if they rejected me I apply for another ?
Thank you so much.
Hi F.M.W,
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t pass the Primary Screening for the Embassy, but I admire your determination to go for it again for the university recommendation.
Unfortunately, for the University-recommended MEXT scholarship, you can only apply to One university per year. The application periods (including the application evaluation period) for all universities overlap, so it is not possible to apply to more than one.
In order to make sure you don’t miss an opportunity, I’d recommend that you really take your time to evaluate your target universities and even start trying to build relationships in advance.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please Travis, I would like to know some universities in Japan that uses MEXT SCHOLARSHIP because I want to apply as an undergraduate student through universities in Japan
Hi Malik,
Unfortunately, there is no university-recommended application for the undergraduate scholarship. You will have to apply through the embassy in your country.
Every university in Japan works with MEXT (it is the Ministry of Education, after all), but for the undergraduate scholarship, you typically do not get to choose the university yourself.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please, I went to the Ghana-Japan embassy today to receive more details concerning the MEXT scholarship for undergraduate students. The person over there told me that the time for submission is over. I asked him whether there was another way out. He told me that I can apply it through a particular university this year specifically this month. So please I would like you to enlighten me on how to apply for such scholarship and how to go by it please.
Thank you
Hi Malik,
As far as I know, the person at the embassy was mistaken. I know you can apply for the scholarship for graduate students directly through a Japanese university, but I have never heard of that process existing for undergraduates.
I’m afraid the best option you have is to try again next year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey thanks for your detailed articles.
My question is regarding the research plan. My background in research coming from undergraduate level isn’t too high yet it seems like I need to know how to develop a plan and what techniques to use in a lab. I’m speaking from a science overview, do you have any advice for someone inexperienced ?
Hi Zahra,
I wrote an article on what you should include in the Field of Study and Research Program Plan that you might find helpful. I am planning to cover the process in much more detail in an upcoming book, but that will not be in time to help you this year, I’m afraid.
But my best advice for you is to find someone who is experienced in research that can help you, like a professor from your undergraduate program or another mentor in academia.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Good day Travis
Thank you for been helpful thus far,
I am a citizen of Nigeria and I applied for the MEXT scholarship for 2018, to the Nigerian-Japan embassy, I’m yet to get a response
I submitted on the 7th of June
How do we know we have been selected
Your reply will be deeply appreciated
Hi Jude,
If the embassy hasn’t contacted you, then I would recommend that you contact them to ask!
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Where is the application form for 2018?
Hi Jesca,
You can get the application form from wherever it is you’re applying to (i.e. from the Embassy if you’re applying for the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship or from the University if you’re applying for the University-recommended MEXT scholarship).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there!
Do you have any information regarding the announcement date for the Undergraduate Level of MEXT through University Recommendation this year (2017/2018)? I’ve been looking around for a while and haven’t found any information regarding it so far.
If it could be of any use, I applied for the G30 program at Kyushu University, which is set to start this October, and received the recommendation notification on March along with the results for the screening. I’ve submitted the forms on May as well, and am currently still waiting anxiously for the announcement.
Hi Athelis,
Unfortunately, there is not University-recommended undergraduate MEXT scholarship. The undergraduate program scholarship application only goes through the embassy (and is only available in some countries).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, I’m applying for the MEXT scholarship via embassy recommendation and I have been call to the interview and they are asking me to send them a document indicating my hobbies, extra-curricular activities, personality description and life experiences supporting it, and I’m not sure how I should fill it, and how much should I mention, for example I like anime, is it ok if I say it?. Thank you in advance.
Hi Alejandra,
I’m afraid my comment is much to late to help you, but for the sake of future applicants, I’ll offer my advice.
Yes, it’s OK to be detailed (and it’s OK to list anime). This document is most likely going to be a conversation starter.
However, for everything you list on there, think in advance how you can connect it back to your research and your academic and professional goals for studying in Japan. Then, no matter what they talk about, you’ll be able to steer the conversation back to highlighting why you’re the best candidate for the scholarship.
Good Luck,
Travis from TranSenz
Hi i participate in mext scholarship (undergraduate) and i will pass the exam i wanna to ask you how I prepare for the exam and thank you
Hi DjerdM,
The exams you need to take are based on your subject areas. For preparation, you can find old exam questions at:
http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e-32.html#1
That’s an official government site and completely legitimate, so that should be a good resource.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
We cannot thank you enough for your help, we really do appreciate it. your blog really helped me through embassy-recommendation application process. Unfortunately the embassy rejected me this year, so now I’m going to apply for Uni-recommendation.
My inquiries are :
1) I’ve read in the comments that it is not okay to apply for more than 1 university at the same time, but I’m afraid that I will lose opportunities especially if 2 universities application time are in the same month!
2) do I apply to one university and if they rejected me I apply for another ?
Thank you so much.
Hi F.W.M
I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t able to make it through the Embassy’s primary screening. The level of competition at a particular embassy can vary wildly from year to year, based on the number of applications (and slots) they receive. For what it’s worth, I’ve heard of applicants getting through on their second or third try, so I would definitely encourage you to keep trying!
1) That is correct, you can only apply to one university per year through the university-recommended scholarship.
2) By the time you get the results from one university, it would be too late to apply for a second.
So, the best thing to do is to make sure your single application under the university-recommended scholarship is very strong. I would also recommend trying to build a relationship with your desired faculty supervisor at that university in advance, if you can!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
do i have to apply for MEXT scholarship and to a Japan university all at once ; or MEXT will place me into a university of her choice. i am an international student to enroll in an undergraduate degree. i am in Swaziland
Hi Mzamane,
For the undergraduate MEXT scholarship, you just apply to the Japanese embassy in your country. MEXT will determine later what university to place you in.
Best Regards,
Travis
Can you please make a faq on the Interview and particularly the examinations (english and japanese language exams) for the embassy mext scholarship?
Thank you!
Hi George,
I did write an article on the Interview after receiving your comment. However, the English and Japanese language exams are simply language proficiency exams, so there isn’t much I can offer on that subject.
Here’s an official JASSO website that has old MEXT exams questions and answers, including the language exams.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Transenz!
My question is related to post-nomination. I am currently a nominee for a university-recommended PGP MEXT scholarship. I have made a couple of friends who are also nominated under the PGP, but nominated by different institutions. Some of them were contacted by their unis for accommodation and visa-related matters in early-June 2016 (as you know, results for PGP aren’t even out yet). I am just wondering whether this is supposed to happen BEFORE the results are released. If yes, do you recommend me to contact my institution to ask about it? Or is this a case-by-case basis, whereby certain unis prefer to settle it prior to the release of the results, while others do it after. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks alot! Appreciate your amazing work!!
Hi K,
For the PGP-category, if you are nominated by the university, you are all-but guaranteed to receive the scholarship, so that might be why your friends’ universities were contacting them before the results were out (especially if housing is limited at their institution). However, I would say that definitely is not the normal course of action, so you don’t need to be worried.
At my university, even though we knew nominees were essentially guaranteed the scholarship, we did not contact them in any way until after the official results were out.
Unless you have heard that other students from your same university have been contacted, I would say that you don’t need to worry and can wait for the official results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis, I really appreciate your effort in guiding people with your blog. It is really helpful.
I live in Afghanistan. The deadline for the MEXT scholarship is tomorrow. I am going to apply for the undergraduate scholarships, but there are some things that are bothering me. First, I saw the past papers of its examination and they were really tough. I don’t think we will be able to compete on an international level especially if there aren’t any quotas for Afghanistan ( are there any quotas). Second, I’m worried about my age which is 21 now and will 22 on December. I spoke with the Japanese consulate and they said it was ok. However, I’m not sure. Furthermore, I’m an undergraduate at a university here in Afghanistan that adds in hurting my chances of getting accepted.
I also don’t know what to write in the present status box. As I’m not in a school and I’m neither employed. 1-What kind of impression do you have of Japan? 2-What is your career plan after studying in Japan?
Finally, do you think it would be better for me to choose social sciences because they have fewer subjects to be tested in compared to Natural sciences where there are 5?
Again, thank you for your effort.
Hi Adam,
I answered several of your questions on another page, but it looks like you added a few.
I’m really confused about your situation. You say that you are an undergraduate student, which to me means that you are enrolled in a university as an undergraduate, but then you said that you are not in a school. Which is it? Do you mean that you want to apply for the undergraduate scholarship but that you are not yet a student now?
If you are not working or in school, then your “present status” would be “unemployed.”
I think you should choose your field based on what it is you want to do after you earn your degree. If you haven’t figured that out yet, then maybe it’s too early to start thinking about applying for the scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi!! I have applied for MEXT via embassy recommendatio as an undergraduate and the deadline was 26 of may, but i have not yet received notification for the first screening result. Does it mean that i have missed the scholarship?? Since the first interview will be on 16 of june??
Hi Johnson,
In some countries, I’m afraid the embassies only notify successful applicants. Other times, they just take a while.
It’s really impossible for me to say what is the case, so I’d recommend you contact them directly if you have any questions about your results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi there, I’m wrapping up my application form, and everything is done except for the ‘study program in Japan’ part. In the ‘MEXT Scholarship: Field of Study and Research Program Plan’ article you wrote, you said that the study program ‘should cover two years for a Master’s Degree and three for a Ph.D.’.
I am currently applying for a scholarship for a research student position, which would take a year. My plan is, of course, to advance to a two-year Master’s program afterwards. My question, therefore, is the following: should I write a program that covers only the 1 year as a research student, or 3 years as a Master’s student?
Hi Rutger,
I’ve put together an FAQ about the Field of Study and Research Program that I hope will answer your question.
Check out the link above!
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi my name is Richcarde and I just sent my application for the undergraduate scholarship, now waiting for the embassy to call me.. I made a mistake, I gave the original form of the certificate of health so what do you think I should do as I know this certificate is required when applying for letter of acceptance? As I didn’t apply for direct placement, do I still need the letter of acceptance?
Thank you for answering
Hi Richarde,
Hopefully your situation has been resolved by now.
In any case, since you’re applying for the undergraduate scholarship, you do not need to apply for a letter of acceptance. That is only part of the process for the graduate scholarship application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Richarde. I read your comment concerning the medical certificate.I wish to,know if the certificate is delivered by a specialized physician designed by MEXT or any qualified physician in my country can do that. I intend to apply for Mext 2019.thanks
Dear Travis,
I want to ask your opinion… I am currently waiting for MEXT acceptance after being nominated by Osaka University.
When I ask the assistant of my professor, he said that Osaka University has received the result from MEXT. Howevwr, up until now I have not received any news and the assistant said to wait until he receive from the headquarter/admission office.
Is this a sign that my application getting rejected or am I reading it too far?
Thank you for your concern.
Yours sincerely
Hi Evan William Chandra,
I hope you’ve heard good news by now. This is way too late to help you, but since there is another results release date coming up for the PGP candidates, it might help them to answer.
Some universities have a few internal procedures they go through before releasing the results to applicants. Usually, it has more to do with the universities being bureaucratic than your results!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
What are the chances of an alternate recipient getting the scholarship (specifically for the Young Leaders Program)? Will MEXT notify alternate candidates that all slots have been taken, or I still have to wait for the deadline (they said they will notify me no later than july 28)? Also, I just noticed that there are not alot of info regarding YLP here. Thanks!
Hi Dindin,
I’ve never worked with the YLP program, which is why I haven’t written about it. I only have experience with the scholarship for graduate students.
That said, for alternates in the scholarship for graduate students, you can only move up from “alternate” to primary candidate if one (or more) of the primary candidates decides to withdraw before the deadline.
It really won’t be decided until July 28, so don’t expect any information before then.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
How hard is to enter a phD course being a MEXT university recommended research student?
How difficult is it to obtain the scholarship extension?
Thanks a lot
Hi Frederico,
If you were a PhD-level research student, it should generally be very easy to pass the PhD entrance exam at the university and extend your scholarship to cover your PhD. Most students do it in their first semester as research students.
The “entrance exam” in most cases consists of just filling in an application form, nothing difficult. The only way I could think of that you could get turned down was if you showed up and really made the university angry or couldn’t do your research at all.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz