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
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- 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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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!
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Hi Travis,
Thank you for your information, it was really helpful.
I wanted to ask you something:
I submitted my documents through the university track with a professor I have been talking with for 2 years, I even met him at Tokyo and visited the laboratory. The success rate in this university is around 30-40% (quite high, I think). I am applying for a PhD in Microbial Biotechnology. As merits, I submitted an award which awarded the top of the best students in my BSc. Also, 1 poster presentation, 2 conferences (one international), 2 national research scholarships, my ranking stating I was the 3rd best student during my BSc in Pharmacy (I also finished an MS in Biotechnology), Besides, some courses about research in the field I am applying, and the reports stating I have been an intern student (collaborating student) at the Microbiology Department of my university, assisting research for 2 years.
However, I do not have any mention as an author in papers. In Spain, for science students, it is not common to be mentioned as an author in a paper until you get to the PhD level. My research has been published, without mentioning me, even if illegal, it happens to almost everyone. I have no friends with papers, even if they were the top students at their respective degrees. Not having a paper will weaken deeply my application? Also, should I inform the selection panel about this situation in Spain? I do not know if in Japanese culture it may seem like an excuse.
Best regards,
Abel
Hi Abel,
Honestly, I don’t think publications are going to make a significant enough difference to mean the difference between success or not in the application. They might be a factor if all other things (i.e. the quality of your Field of Study and Research Program Plan and your past academic performance/grades) are equal, but it is rarely the case that two applicants are so closely matched.
Publications would also seem to make more of an impact if you were applying “cold” with no relationship, as they could be a way to get the professor to pay closer attention to your application. But since you have that relationship with the professor already, you’re already ahead of that step.
If you applied through a university in Japan (university recommended MEXT scholarship), there should be no selection panel in Spain. You would only face a selection panel in your home country if you were applying through the embassy. But whether you mention it in the interview at the embassy or university, I would suggest that you refer to your lack of publications only indirectly when describing your research experience. For example you could describe the research that you did and the papers that you contributed to, but then mention that they were published under your professor’s name, as is usual. If you approach it from the perspective of “I want to show my experience” instead of “I want to explain why I don’t have publications”, then it should not sound like an excuse.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hello sir
I had an enquiry regarding the research proposal. My research proposal is from the computer science domain. Do I need to give to the exact solution or some rough idea? Because I need to do a survey and based on that I can provide a perfect solution. Its not actually a software development project.
thankyou sir
Hi Hironmoy Chakraborty,
Have you read my articles about the Field of Study and Research Program Plan? I think you might find some hints there.
You should not be able to propose a perfect solution at this point. You are proposing research, not implementation. So, by definition, if you had the solution, you would not need to do any research.
You do need to provide an explanation of what problem you will be attempting to solve, how, why it matters, etc.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you sir for the help. I will look into it.
Hello Travis.
First of all, I really want to thank you for all your effort regarding the MEXT scholarship. I must admit I felt extremely overwhelmed about the whole process before finding out about your website and books. I’m currently finishing the first book and will read the second one too.
Going straight into my question (and apologies if you have answered about this before), what are the chances of staying in Japan after finishing studying through the MEXT scholarship? Reading your first book I can see there’s a lot emphasis on scholars returning home and being leaders connected to Japan. The application guidelines also ask about what would we do to help Japan and our countries after returning home. I’m asking this because the thing is that I would very much love to stay in Japan after finishing my studies. Not that I have earned the scholarship yet of course, but this is something to have in mind before committing to it all.
Is it common for MEXT scholars to stay in Japan after finishing their studies? Is it not frowned upon considering the main objective of the scholarship of having professionals around the globe connected to Japan? Is it even a good idea to approach the whole application process with the mindset of not coming back to my country after finishing?
Thanks for your help.
Hi Johnny Navarro,
Thank you very much for your kind words! That’s exactly what I hoped to do – make this scholarship understandable and less overwhelming.
It is certainly possible to stay in Japan and start a career here after your MEXT scholarship, at least from the Japanese side. (If you apply via the Embassy Recommendation, some countries will set a requirement that scholarship winners return to that country to work for a certain number of years, but that’s determined by your country’s government, not MEXT).
My recommendation was that, at the time of application, you have a plan as to how you can return to your home country and contribute there after finishing your studies (or if you stay in Japan, that it is clear how you will contribute to your country from Japan). But that is not a requirement that you follow that plan exactly after graduation. Many things can change and new opportunities can arise during your studies.
As far as I know, the majority of MEXT scholars do not stay in Japan after graduation, but that is not because of MEXT requirements, it is because of the job market in Japan. It is challenging to establish a career here without being nearly fluent in Japanese, and working conditions/employment isn’t all that great compared to other countries. I think those are the primary reasons.
For the sake of your application, I would suggest that you approach it with the mindset of returning home after your studies, at least on paper. But keep your mind open to other possibilities and understand that you are not committed to that course of action.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for your reply Travis. I’ll continue the preparations for the application with the mindset of returning home even if I wish to stay there then. I understand the job market might be challenging in Japan, but there aren’t many oportunities in my country to being with, so I think it could be rewarding trying to find something potencially better over there. I read somewhere that after finishing studying there’s a period of time you can look for a job before being sent back home, do you talk about that somewhere in the books or do you know anything about it? Apologies for the trouble and once again thank you very much.
Hi Johnny,
I didn’t mean to try to discourage you with my comments about the job market – I work here, after all! – I just meant to say that I think it’s a reason for many MEXT scholars. In many industries, companies still prefer to hire fluent Japanese speakers, so I would recommend that if you want to work here after graduation that you work as hard as you can on your language, in addition to the studies.
There is a special residence status process that will allow you to stay up to 6 months after completing your degree for job hunting, but it is completely up to the university’s discretion. I know that in some cases, universities will not support you for that visa unless you have already made it deep into the hiring process (typically the third interview) at at least one company, so you do have to start the job hunt before you graduate.
I do not cover that process in my books, yet. (It was something I had in mind for a book later in the series, but I am working on another project at the moment, so that is on hold.) It is something that I could write an article about, though, in the meantime, so I will try to do that soon.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Do I have to have a Research Plan even if I want to apply for a Master’s degree? Or do only Research students have to have a research plan? I’m asking this because the Master’s degree comes under the category of research students.
Thank you
Hi Kamali TC,
“Research Students” means all graduate students, so yes, you absolutely need a Field of Study and Research Program Plan for a Master’s Degree!
Here are my articles on the FSRPP for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship and Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis.
I’m an undergraduate student ( second year ) I study biology, I want to apply to the research scholarship ( PHD ) after I get my master’s degree which means after 4 years but in my first year, I didn’t get good grades, I got 11.73/20 annually ( 2 semesters ) sooo it’s kinda low, ( and i think it won’t get higher because it’s starting to get harder and harder , since it’s the best and the most time consuming university in my country LOL )
My questions are, how can I maximize my chances to get the scholarship ? Does having a good level in English and Japanese gives me advantage ? Does having a language certificate like JLPT and IELTS helps ? Does having recommendation letters from my professors helps too ?
Sorry for theses too many questions 🙂
Hi Tioua Chafik,
MEXT only considers the most recent two years of grades for eligibility when you submit your application, so bad grades in your first year won’t hurt you too much.
Having high grades will help you, of course, as will language proficiency scores (though to a somewhat lesser degree). The most important factor, along with your grades, is going to be your Field of Study and Research Program Plan and how you use that to present a complete, compelling application that shows your unique strengths as an applicant.
Other things that you can work on now, since you have plenty of time before applying, include trying to make research connections with Japan in your field of study. Knowing a professor there in advance that you want to study with can be quite beneficial.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Ahh i see …….
You said that the field of study is one of the most important factors , how is that ??
I’m currently studying “biological sciences – food science “, and for my master’s degree i will jump to neuroscience as well for the phd. sooooooo…….,?
And secondly ,what did you meant about research connections ?? and how to get in touch with a professor there ??
Thirdly , how can knowing a professor there be beneficial ?? they will recommend me to the scholarship ?? will i have an advantage against the other competitors??? and what should i talk with them about … for 4 years !!!
Again sorry for these too many question 😉 .
Thanks in advance .
Hi Tioua Chafik,
I said that your “Field of Study and Research Program Plan” is one of the biggest factors. That is a specific document that you will submit.
Your actual field of study (the field you choose to study) is not so much a factor, as long as it meets the eligibility requirements. The “Field of Study and Research Program Plan” is how you present your research proposal and the significance of your research. If you have a well-thought-out plan with clear research objectives and goals, that will help you.
How to make connections with a professor is a more detailed subject than I can possibly describe in a single comment here. It is the subject for a future article or book. But don’t worry, I’m not saying that you have to get in touch with them 4 years in advance. It’s just something to think about over time, especially if you have the opportunity to study abroad in Japan in the future or attend conferences in your field where Japanese faculty may also be present.
But having a connection with a professor will help you because you will need to approach that professor to ask them to supervise you, eventually. If they know you and your research in advance, that will be an easier conversation. They can also support your acceptance in internal university discussions later. Some might even be willing to look through your Field of Study and Research Program Plan when the time comes, if you have a particularly strong relationship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Regarding the Letter Of Recommendation, can I use the LOR that I got in the month of December 2019 for application in the month of April 2020. Also, How many LOR do I require for application.
Hi Kam,
What type of the MEXT scholarship application are you planning to apply for? (That will help me understand the timing).
Typically, it is best to get the letter of recommendation as close as possible to the actual application period. Part of the reason is so that you can make sure that your letter actually meets what the application guidelines are looking for.
But I understand there are some situations where that might not be possible (e.g. if you are moving countries, etc.) If you get a letter of recommendation now for the an application in the spring (the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, I assume), then make sure the letter is specific to the 2021 Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship and meets all of the requirements, at least as of the most recent guidelines. At least that will make it look like you have been preparing ahead and are not just using an old letter.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello
I’m a MEXT phd student (embassy recommended). I spent 6 months as a research student for advanced language course then i begun my phd prorgram, i spent 3 months but i had very difficult circumstances regarding my family in my home country. My question is; how to discontinue MEXT scholarship and will there be a penalty?
thanks in advance
Hi Amr gamal,
I am sorry to hear about your situation.
If you want to withdraw from the scholarship, you should talk to the administrative office that manages the scholarship at your university. (Often, it’s the international office). They should be able to direct you to the paperwork to withdraw.
There won’t be a penalty now (no need to pay back stipend, etc.), but you will not be able to come back and resume the scholarship or apply again for at least three years. And you’ll have to pay for your own flight back.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Is the MEXT scholarship applicable to all the universities in Japan or are there a list of universities?
Hi Kamali,
It depends what kind of MEXT scholarship you are talking about. For the MEXT Scholarship for Graduate Students (which is the focus of my entire website), any university in Japan is eligible to host MEXT scholars through the University or Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, though it is the university’s choice whether or not they want to.
In general, all universities with graduate schools and programs taught in English should be open to hosting MEXT scholars!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I’m looking to apply for the MEXT scholarship in the year 2021 and i have a few questions. I t would be very helpful if you could help me out with my queries. Thankyou in advance.
1. I am currently doing my Bsc. degree in India which is a 3 year program. Therefore, I only have 15 years of education. Am i eligible to apply for the MEXT scholarship? And will I be able to pursue a masters degree with 15 years of education?
The website information states that 16 years of education OR EQUIVALENT would suffice. Therefore, am I eligible?
2. Is it necessary for me to write IELTS to get selected for the scholarship and by the universities?
3. Is it mandatory for me to be knowing the japanese language to get selected?
4. If I apply for the scholarship in the year 2021 April and supposedly get selected, which month and year will i be able to attend the college in japan?
I’m sorry *APPLY IN THE YEAR 2020 APRIL.
Hi Kam,
I have addressed most of your questions in my recent articles about eligibility for the MEXT scholarship, so I would encourage you to read that article as well as the other pieces on this site, as you may find other useful information there!
1. One of the eligibility criteria (from the article above) is “Completed an undergraduate program with a standard length of study of at least three years in a country outside of Japan and received a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.” So yes, you would be eligible.
2. The embassy does not require test scores, at least as of last year, but some universities might ask for IETLS or TOEFL to issue a letter of acceptance. That’s going to be a university-by-university decision, so you’d have to check with their websites.
3. No.
4. If you submit your application in spring 2020, then the scholarship would start in either April or September/October 2021. (Which semester you start in is based on your preference as well as the university’s rule).
I have covered all of those questions and more in my articles about the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship. The more of those articles you read through, the better prepared you will be!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
May I know if I will be disadvantaged/disqualified in applying for the university recommended/embassy recommended MEXT scholarship if I took a slightly longer time to finish my bachelor’s degree?
(The original duration of my degree is 3.5 years, but I took 4 years to complete due to forgetting to take a subject during my 2nd year, which was unfortunately only offered in my last semester and wanted to improve my grades for my degree too)
Should I honestly mention the reasons in the “remarks column” in MEXT scholarship forms?
Thank you!
Hi J,
That should not disadvantage you in the application. I do not think that section plays much of a role in the competitive selection process. It’s function is essentially to prove that you meet the minimum requirements for your education background.
If you want to explain it, you could simply write something like “Tertiary education is 3.5-year program. Completed in 4 years because of course scheduling.” And I think that would be completely understandable.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Transenz, do you have any information about transferring to a different grad school or laboratory, after successfully getting the MEXT Scholarship? I am currently in Japan now under the MEXT Scholarship for Research/Masters, and I am looking for options in how to transfer schools, or change labs.
Hi Dionne,
If you are in Japan as an Embassy-Recommended MEXT scholar, it is possible to change universities when you extend your scholarship (e.g. when moving from Master’s to PhD and in rare situations, from research student to degree student) and still retain your scholarship. You will need your current advisor’s consent to transfer schools when you extend.
But you cannot transfer mid-degree unless you plan to forfeit the scholarship. Similarly, if you are a University-Recommended MEXT Scholar, then it is not possible to transfer without forfeiting the scholarship, even when extending.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
Thank you for this website, it’s been very beneficial for me during the application process for the 2020 Research Scholarship.
I officially passed the first screening and got an acceptance letter from the University of Tokyo. However, I only have this acceptance. I read something on the internet saying that you need at least two acceptances to pass the final step. I’m wondering do you know any information about that? Do you experienced such a thing or witnessed one?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Feyza,
I do not know where you heard that you need two acceptances, but that is certainly not the case. I have heard of loads of applicants making it through the application process with only one Letter of Acceptance, so you should be fine!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Great! I’m waiting fingers crossed!
I’ll update my status by time.
Thank you!
Hello Travis,
I’ll apologize in advance I have lots of questions because I’m totally new to the whole MEXT Scholarship. Firstly I want to pursue masters(data science) from Tohoku university in the fall of 2020 so is it possible if I apply now for MEXT via university recommendation and get into the university during fall 2020?
Which do you recommend shall I go with applying now for MEXT via university recommendation or thought embassy which would be in June ?(I’m worried because if I apply via embassy i guess I would not able to make it by fall 2020)
Also what are the criteria for applying MEXT scholarship in terms of percentage gained in BE (Bachelor of Engineering)degree ?
Regardless of me applying via university or embassy is it necessary to have research papers in specific field i want to pursue maters?
Hi Poonam,
The exact application timing for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship application depends on each individual university. In general, the application process ongoing in Fall 2019 would be for entry to the university in Fall 2020, so that is your only chance if you want to start in that semester. However, I do not know the deadlines for Tohoku University off the top of my head, so I would recommend that you check those directly.
In general, I recommend applying for the first opportunity available, which would be the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, in your case. If you do not succeed, then you can try for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship next May/June. The next Embassy application cycle will be for the scholarship starting in spring or fall of 2021.
I have written other articles about eligibility and how to calculate your GPA for the scholarship, so I would recommend that you read those. As you will see, there is no requirement to have published papers, but it wouldn’t hurt if you did.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, thank you so much again for your website. This has really helped me in my application. I am already scheduled to start my Japanese Language Preparatory Education this October 2019 at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and begin as a Research Student at the Tokyo University of the Arts in April 2020. However, there is an upcoming conference in October 2019 which will be valuable to my research and I have been invited to take part in it. If I pursue it, I will be missing one whole week of my Japanese language classes. I already asked TUFS if this was okay but all they said was that I need to consult the upon arrival but they would like to “respond to this matter positively” since it will be beneficial to my research. They However, I cannot wait until my arrival in Japan before I confirm my attendance to the conference because they need my answer right away. My question is this, have you heard of similar situations? Are there students under the Japanese Preparatory Language Education program who have had to leave for conferences? Do you think it is impossible to catch up after missing one whole week of classes? I cannot properly analyse the situation because I don’t know how intensive the program will be. Thank you!
Hi Nessa,
Congratulations on earning the MEXT Scholarship!
The response you got from TUFS seems perfectly Japanese to me. As far as they’re concerned, you aren’t officially there, yet, so they don’t want to make any other considerations. They also don’t want to agree easily and give you the impression that it’s OK to leave the program at any time for your own reasons. They probably want to talk to you face to face to make sure that you are taking the language program seriously and impress its significance on you.
However, my reading of what you shared is that they will agree to let you go in the end. Missing a week of the language program is going to put you behind the other students and you’ll have to study hard on your own to catch up, so they may be reluctant. But there is no rule against it that I am aware of.
I have never heard of a similar situation that was for a good reason, like yours. I have heard of students wanting to leave for a family wedding, or something like that. As far as I can recall, even though we never supported that decision, the students in that situation went and nothing bad happened to them or their scholarships. That was during the degree studies, not the language program, but I don’t imagine that you would be punished for going.
I think it should be possible, and it sounds like it’s worthwhile for you, so I would encourage you to pursue the conference. (Maybe even try to get your advisor at GeiDai on board!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I passed the first screening and was notified on the 31st of August. When notified, they told me that I have to submit the medical certificate before I can retrieve the document to start contacting universities. This was told to me a day before a flight to the US for a 2 week trip with my family (which I am currently on). I had told the embassy in advanced and asked if there was anything I had to do while I’m in the country, and they didn’t mention it before. I’m returning to my country on the 19th of August and have made arrangements to get my medical on the day of my return to submit it on the following day so I can start contacting universities from there. Because of the delay of the releasing of the interview results this year, the deadline to contact universities to request LoAs have been moved to September 13th, which gives me 23 days to contact universities.
Although that seems like a fair amount of time, I’m worried how much this might affect my chance of getting a LoA from the universities I contact. How much of a disadvantage do you think it is? Do you think it is still possible to get a LoA right in the middle of the contacting period ?
Also, do you think I have a better chance of getting my first choice university if it is a not one of the really top ranking universities (my first choice is TMU). I figure it will probably make my chances of getting an LoA from my other choices that are higher ranked (waseda and keio), but I hope that if no other university will accept me, I can at least get my first choice( especially since its not a private university which I hear is preferred by mext in terms of price). Also if your wondering while I chose TMI first over the higher ranked universities, it’s because selected based on supervisors I want to work with the most as opposed the ranking of the universities (I hope this wasn’t a mistake).
Thank you in advanced 🙂
Hi Jovan,
Now that it’s already August, submitting your LoA request to universities this week versus two weeks from now is not going to make a significant difference in your application. Faculty are already gone for the summer and the chances are good that nobody would be around to review your application and make a formal decision until September, anyway. At least at the university where I processed applications, we accepted them in August, but since professors were not around, it was always mid September or so before we could send results.
That said, even though you cannot submit the documents yet, if you are applying to universities that require you to contact or get the approval of a professor, first, I would recommend that you do that while on your vacation. And still try to send your application documents in as soon as possible after you return. If you wait until the last minute, you risk technical difficulties getting in your way.
I don’t think the rank of your university has anything to do with your placement by MEXT. If you get an LoA, that’s all that’s important. Of course, they do favor national universities over public and private ones, so that may result in MEXT preferring to place you in a lower choice on your list, but rank and popularity should not be a factor. In your case, it looks like you have one public, two privates, and no nationals. So, MEXT would probably lean toward placing you at TMU, if you get the LoA there.
You should always make your decision on universities based on the supervisors and the program’s similarities to your interests over something meaningless like rank. So, you made the right call!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you so much for the reply. Just one more question if that’s ok. How much would you say/ do you think that universities pay attention to the details of the transcript. Surely they look at the GPA, but in terms of the grades for individual courses. The reason I ask is that my Research is in Artificial Intelligence but the grade I got for my AI course was a failing one. I of course did the exam over and got an excellent score but that was after I submitted my application to the embassy, and was told that it cannot be changed/updated. I’m worried that this may greatly affect my chances of being accepted by any universities (I worry a lot as you can see lol). Do you think these details are greatly taken into consideration?
Thanks again
Hi Jovan,
For the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, universities are not going to be looking too hard at your overall GPA. The Embassy should have already checked that and ensured that you qualify and the Embassy screening was the competitive section, so the universities have no need to rank order candidates.
A failing grade in your AI class when you are applying for a degree in AI may hurt your chances with some of the universities. Even though the Embassy has said that you can’t replace your transcript, I would recommend that you consider sending a copy of your newest transcript as well, along with an explanation that it shows that you retook and passed the AI exam. That should be acceptable as an additional clarification. (In your explanation, you should take care to explain the concept of make-up exams to pass courses and how that works at your university, since that does not exist in Japan like it does in other countries).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I plan to apply for the MEXT scholarship as an undergraduate next year. However, my IELTS score (8.5) will be invalid by February and the application process starts in May. And so, I wonder if it’s possible to use this 3-month-expired IELTS score (since taking IELTS again would cost me another 215 bucks) or my SAT score instead. If not then is there any other less expensive way I can use to showcase my English proficiency?
And another thing, one of the mandatory test was a Japanese one and my being only N3 proficient, I’m not sure what to expect. The test is not available anywhere for reference and so I would like to ask for any possible way for me to study or prepare for this.
Thank you!
Hi Nghia,
I am not an expert in the undergraduate scholarship, but I do know that IELTS scores are not required. Since it isn’t mandatory, it should not be a problem that it has expired. You will take both Japanese and English exams during the Primary Screening process and those tests will be used formally to determine your proficiency.
If you already have N3 level Japanese, I assume you have done some formal study or test prep for that in the past. Whatever you have been doing, I would recommend that you continue it at the next level! There are many guidebooks out there for the various levels of the JLPT that you could use, and that should help you even with the MEXT test.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis ,
I wanted to know that during the application process they ask for the original documents to you know so after the first screening do they return back the original documents or not cause I have read in their guidelines and it is written that the submitted documents will not be returned???
Hi Abishek,
They do not return original documents. So, if you have any documents that you cannot replace, be sure to submit a notarized copy instead of the original. (A notarized copy would be considered an original for all purposes). If you have any questions about exactly what a document needs to be to be considered “original” I would recommend that you double-check with the Embassy or Consulate or University where you are going to apply.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Plenty of thanks for providing such helpful tips
I would to ask you about the nature of English Exam for research students, as i will preform one on next Sunday.
any tips or information ?
Hi Omar,
You can find tests from previous years on the official Study in Japan site, so I would recommend taking one or two of those to see how you do and if there are areas where you need particular help.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I applied for mext scholarship but I haven’t been contacted yet I don’t know if it take Argos long to be contacted? or I didn’t make it to the interview stage, am a bit confused and nervous
Hi Harmony,
It really varies from country to country. Some respond quickly after the document review stage, but others can take a few weeks, based on what I have seen in the past.
I would recommend checking the website of the Japanese Embassy where you applied to see if there is any description of the schedule there, like when applicants will be contacted for the tests/interviews, etc.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
dear sir
thanks to you and your helpful tips regarding the research proposal i got accepted in the first phase, and tomorrow i will be attending the written examination
i want to know regarding contacting the professors and universities, am i limited to the universities i mentioned on my placement form, or am i free to contact any other university ???
Hi Rowan,
Thank you for your feedback and for your kind words!
You can contact any university, not just the ones on your list, but you can only contact up to three universities at a time to request a Letter of Provisional Acceptance. After receiving your letters, you will need to resubmit the Placement Preference Form with the university names updated to include the universities that gave you a letter.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I am currently applying for MEXT through Embassy Recommendation in Vietnam (already passed the documents screening stage, the written test and interview stage are still to come). There is another scholarship came up for 1 year Master degree program in France, starting this September and will end in September 2020. If I am chosen by MEXT, I will most likely be at Tokyo Institute of Technology, where according to the university’s MEXT instruction webpage, I have to attend at April 2020 for 6-month Japanese course, before enrolling in their Master program in October. I wonder if I could ask them to exempt me from this course and let me come in October (after I finish my course in France)? The program is taught in full English so I don’t think this is a problem.
One more question. What if i cancel my Embassy Recommendation application and instead apply for the University Recommendation scheduled in September 2019? From the instruction at Tokyo Institute of Technology website, I am forbidden from applying for both methods during the same fiscal year (from this year April to next year March). However, If I choose to cancel (i.e not participating in the written test in the Japanese Embassy in my country), will I still be considered by MEXT as already “applied” even though I did not make it to the final recommended list to MEXT by the Embassy in my country?
Thank you very much!
Hi Duc V. Trinh,
When you filled out your application form, did you say that you want to arrive in Japan in April or October? If you said that you wanted to arrive in September/October, and make sure to apply only to universities that have a start date after the program in France ends, then there should be no problem with your schedule. (It is possible to arrive in the fall and do the 6-month language program, as well).
The Japanese language prep course is primarily designed for students studying in English, not Japanese. It is not academic Japanese, it is designed to teach you Japanese for daily life so that you can manage your affairs while living in Japan. So you are actually the target for that course, not someone who is likely to be exempted (unless you have some Japanese ability already). But since there is no reason that you can’t start that course in the fall, that should not be an issue.
If you did fill in your application form that you were willing to arrive in April, I would suggest you contact the embassy where you applied to see if it is possible to change that date later.
If you choose to apply via the University Recommendation, know that it is typically much more competitive. But if you withdraw your application for the Embassy Recommendation MEXT Scholarship, then you would not be considered to have “applied” so you would be able to apply for the University.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you so much for your valuable information. I did choose April to come but as you suggest (and I have asked someone with MEXT before who was in the same situation), it is possible to ask to postpone the date to October.
However, since you clarify that I could still apply for the University, I will cancel the Embassy Recommendation and apply to University Recommendation this fall, because I want to apply directly to PhD (the program in France offers the Master degree, the level at which I applied through Embassy Recommendation). Surely it will be much more competitive, but I won’t have to enter another 2.5 years for another Master degree. I will prepare again and wish myself luck.
Hi Duc V. Trinh,
The best time to try to postpone your arrival date would be when you seek Letters of Acceptance from universities in Japan after passing the Primary Screening. If those letters give you an October arrival, then that would take precedence.
But it sounds like your mind is made up. It makes sense to me that you would want to avoid going for a second master’s and move straight to the PhD program, since you now have the other Master’s degree program in the meantime. It is more competitive to apply through universities, but if you have a clear strategy and focus on crafting an application to appeal specifically to the university (as well as building up a relationship in the meantime), then there should be nothing in the way of your success.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I am currently a MEXT research student at Tama Art University. Unlike many other graduate schools in Japan, art graduate schools usually require N2 or N1 level of Japanese, but Tamabi doesn’t. Also, Art universities strictly require an entrance examination.
I arrived in April 2018, completed my 6 months long Japanese language preparatory education, and started as a research student at Tama Art University. My department held entrance exams only in October and my professor advised me to take the exam in 2019. This year, they changed the exam to be held in January only. So, I will be taking the exam in 2020 January and the new semester will begin in April 2020. However, the scholarship extension period is in November, the international office told me that it is going to be fine but, my 1 year and 11 months long scholarship ends in March 2020. I got really confused after reading your post on scholarship extension, am I eligible to extend the scholarship?
Thank you so much for your time,
Hi Naz,
Thank you for sharing that information about Tamabi. I had no idea that they did not have the language requirement, and I’m sure that will be very valuable information to the many art program aspirants who contact me here!
If you arrived in April, then you have a maximum of 2 years as a research student, including the preparatory Japanese language program. It sounds like you’re going to make it within that limit.
You will have to apply for the scholarship extension first, in November, even without knowing at the time whether or not you will pass the entrance exam. Your scholarship extension, as far as I understand it, would then be conditional on you passing the entrance exam in January so that you can start your degree program in April 2020.
Long story short: Yes, you are eligible and there should be no problem, just make sure that you complete each process at its proper time and keep your International Office up to date on your progress!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much for your posts and books, they have been the best for me applying. I am from Nigeria and I have already applied for the embassy Reccommendation without forgetting to add your page as one of my references in my attachment, I hope that is not a bad one.
1. I wish to know if your documents are complete, can you be sure of being called for the interview. I would love to send my research plan so you can read through and see if it’s worthy or it follows the basic format.
2. Do you know what estimate of slots would be given to a big nation like Nigeria with over 180 million people. Not an accurate figure though, just an estimate you feel would be okay judging from other countries.
3. How long after deadline do they inform candidates that passed document review and how many days do they inform you to prepare for first screening?
I would love to get a reply from you soon, thank you.
Hi Alfred,
Thank you for your kind words. I don’t think anyone has ever told me that they mentioned me in the references section of their application before. I’m flattered!
1. Submitting a complete application package does not necessarily guarantee that you will be called for the interview. In most cases, there is a selection phase based on the documents, particularly your grades and the quality of your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, as well as potential local requirements (such as limiting to certain fields of study – but you would have that information already from the embassy’s website). I do offer a Field of Study and Research Program Plan review service, but it is on a fee basis, since it typically takes me several hours, and I don’t think it would necessarily be that beneficial for you at this point. If you are interested, though, you can find out more at the Coaching link at the top of the page.
2. I do not know the numbers for individual countries, but it is not based solely on population. I would suggest that you look at the Embassy’s website for news articles from February-March of this year (or look for other press releases about the MEXT scholarship around then). You might be able to find an article there about sending off MEXT scholars to Japan, and that could tell you how many were selected last year.
3. This varies based on every embassy and consulate, so I cannot say for sure. I would recommend that you look at the application guidelines on the Embassy’s website to see if they indicate when the document screening results will be released or when the interview would be scheduled.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Alfred, am Abraham from Nigeria. Pls have you been selected for the first screening phase of the application process? Pls i have some questions, especially concerning the embassy here. I will be very glad if you reply. Thanks.
Hi TranSenz,
You are doing a great job. I regret not having seen this site until today. I have just submitted my application for the 2020 scholarship, and I guess seeing your article now on Field of Study and Research plan, I would say I did not do a particularly good job. However I am Keeping my fingers crossed.
I would like to ask though about the first screening test. Is JAPANESE a compulsory language test for Research students. If it is (or even if it is not) can you refer me to an online platform where I can learn Japanese?
Thanks
Hi Joshua,
Thank you for your kind words! I hope that the document screening goes well for you, even though you are concerned about your FSRPP. I think the people who follow that template are a significant minority, so you should not have anything to worry about.
The Japanese language test is mandatory, but it is not important to your screening unless you are applying for a course taught in Japanese. You can even turn it in blank, with just your name.
Unfortunately, I do not yet have an online platform that I can recommend for learning for Japanese. I have been looking for something, since it’s a pretty common question I see, but so far have not found anything that I feel comfortable endorsing. Perhaps someone else can add a comment here with their suggestions.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Joshua, please have you been contacted by the Japanese embassy in Nigeria, for an interview or examination.
Dear Travis,
Firstly, thank you very much for your very detailed information on the MEXT scholarship. I have applied for the MEXT research scholarship 2020, and have come as far as the interview stage.
However, I have some trouble with my university selections. I have applied for English literature major for graduate education of 3 universities and e-mailed all to confirm that their master’s programs are in English. Out of 3, only one has responded so far saying that all entering students are expected to study literature in both english and japanese. I am wondering if the universities I have written on my plecement preference form do not have graduate program in English, which I assume would lead to my failure, can I apply to MEXT Scholarship the next year? Or would I be disqualified from doing so as I have failed due to my own mistake in university selection? Moreover, do we have a chance to reselect our university preferences if we pass the interview?
Also, I have N4 level Japanese right now. Considering my current Japanese level, do you think I would be accepted to study in this university that has both English and Japanese classes? Or is it neccessary that all the classes should be in English?
I am sorry for the long post and too many questions, but thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Nilay
Hi Nilay,
Congratulations on making it to the interview stage!
You are not limited to only applying to the universities on your placement preference form. You can apply to others, as well (though you can only be actively applying to three at any one time). In the end, you will have to resubmit that form along with your Letters of Acceptance, and at that time, you can only list universities that have agreed to accept you.
So, in the meantime, I recommend you go back to doing your research on your universities. When you are looking at their websites, check the application guidelines for regular, fee-paying students. Those guidelines should indicate whether or not you are required to submit proof of Japanese language proficiency, which would, in turn, indicate what language they are taught in.
With N4 level Japanese, you would have to find a program taught entirely in English. In general, you would need at least N2 for most programs taught in Japanese (or a combination) and would probably need N1 for something as complex as literature, but again, you can find those requirements in the application guidelines on the websites.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I’m currently an undergraduate in a Canadian university. My major is in Nanoscience, and I’m pursuing a minor in Physics with also a heavy emphasis in Chemistry. I’ve already found researchers that I wish to work in their labs, some at Kyoto university and a few at University of Tokyo. To note, I wish to pursue my graduate studies in researching Quantum Optolelectronics (Quantum Dot Solar cells and Quantum computing), and semiconductive Nanostructures,
You’ve mentioned a lot about receiving a LOA from the universities in Japan to obtain the scholarship and to gain admission. However, do I still need to take the entrance exam for the graduate schools I am interested in? Also, I am interested in pursuing both my master’s and PhD in Japan if I get accepted. So how would I be able to transition from just a “research student” into a degree program if I am accepted?
Also, what are your thoughts about my ambitions?
Thank you,
Scott
Hi Scott,
Your ambitions in terms of your degree progression are consistent with what most MEXT scholars pursue!
You need to get a Letter of Acceptance from Japanese universities if you are applying through the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship.
Depending on the university, they might consider the screening of your documents to be your “entrance exam” (entrance exam does not always mean an actual written test or interview). However, others will require you to take the actual exam.
In the latter case, they would accept you as a Research Student, at the LoA phase, and then you would have the opportunity to take the entrance exam either before you start your actual studies in Japan (by coming to Japan on your own) or after you arrive and enroll at the university as a Research Student. (More about that possibility in my article about the Secondary Screening).
Once you arrive in Japan as a Research Student, you should talk to your advisor about taking the entrance exam and talk to the International Center about applying for an extension of your scholarship to move up from research to degree student.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you so much for your help! My confusions have been cleared up.
Regards,
Scott
Dear Travis,
Thank you very much for all your posts. They are all very helpful and I hope you can keep continue the great work. I just wonder whether MEXT will monitor our grade every semester or not for master study. What if a MEXT scholar failed a class which impacted the GPA. Will the scholarship be ceased by MEXT?
Thank you very much for your time. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Tiara,
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, your academic progress during your scholarship will be monitored and reported by MEXT.
While I have not seen any indication that your scholarship would be revoked if your GPA falls below a certain level, for example, there is a clause that if you become unable to finish your degree in time because of poor academic performance, your scholarship would be cancelled. For example, if you failed a course and had to repeat it, and that meant that your graduation would be delayed by a semester, then in that case, the scholarship would be cancelled immediately.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I think your application sample is old, In application form they ask about What was first trigger for having interest in japan 2- why do you choose japan?
Can you help me that I didn’t find in sample these Questions
Hi Jawad Ahmad,
Yes, the form I have is from last year. I have been working on my updated form guidelines, but did not finish it in time for the application deadline this year.
I do not have sample answers for those questions yet, but my recommendation is to try to relate your initial interest in Japan to what eventually made you decide to study there!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Respected TranSenz,
I just wanted to know that in Embassy Recommendation MEXT scholarship application, do we need to submit the Placement Preference form ?? Because I’m not thorough about it. Please can you let me know about it in detail?? Just a query about Placement Preference form only. Please do reply me soon, I’m waiting!! Thank you!
Hi Priyadarshini Dwivedy,
Yes, you should submit the Placement Preference Form, but the embassy website in your country will have more specific instructions.
I was planning to write an article about how to complete it, but unfortunately fell behind, so I could not complete it on time for most deadlines.
What specific questions do you have about it?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
Thank you so much for this information. I just wanted to know about the results and the time of results of 1st screening of Embassy recommendation. Can you please say about the dates??
Hi Priyadarshini Dwivedy,
The application deadlines and results release dates are different for each embassy/consulate (sometimes different between different consulates in the same country) and there is no way I can keep up with them all. The best place to get the information relevant to you is the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate that serves your area.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Are there any available statistics on the number of applicants compared to the number of scholarships awarded? I saw somewhere that for undergrad, there are 460 scholarships, but I’m not finding any info on how many people apply. Any help greatly appreciated!
Hi Dina,
No, there are no statistics on the number of unsuccessful applicants.
However, the overall number doesn’t really affect you. The slots are pre-apportioned to specific countries, so you only need to know the number of places available to your country, not overall. The only way I know of to get that information is to look at old news articles on your embassy’s website that might announce how many scholarship winners went to Japan in previous years.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear TranSenz,
First of all, thank you for all the information you’ve provided. It’s really helpful.
Secondly, I want to ask several questions. My first question is that Is having both Japanese and English language certificates considered an advantage when applying for MEXT? my GPA is rather low ( only 7.7/10- I barely pass the GPA bar set in my country which is 7.5/10 but I’m still in the upper third of my class of over 100 students) so I am very intimidated when preparing my file. I have the JLPT N2 and IELTS 7.0 but this year, I have a very strong opponent. She comes from the same class as I and her GPA is 0.3 higher than me ( she has a 6.5 Ielts certificate and no Japanese). I’m very worried about my opportunity of getting a scholarship because I know that the Embassy will choose at maximum one of us in the screening session. Oh I forgot I major in Dentistry.
I also have another question. I attended an exchange program at a university last year and contacted to several professors there. I asked one of them for a LoR (he was my supervisor in that exchange program) and he sent me his LoR saying that he will accept me if I get the scholarship. Am I allowed to include that in my file? ( I’ve already asked my Dean to sign me one)
I thank you in advance for reading my questions this far and I am looking forward to your kind answer.
Hi Nguyen Linh,
I am sorry to hear about your direct opposition with your opponent. It’s really tough when you know it’s a zero-sum game.
One reassurance I might offer is that when you convert your grades to MEXT’s 3.0 system, you might find out that your GPA looks better than it did in your home country.
But GPA is only one factor. Having n outstanding Field of Study and Research Program Plan is most important. Since you are already in contact with a professor in Japan and he has agreed to accept you, that should be a strong mark in your favor (yes, do include that letter, it can’t hurt even though it can’t replace the required letter). If that professor is also willing to take a look at your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, that could be even better.
Don’t be intimidated just by the GPA difference! You can still make up ground in other areas.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear TranSenz,
Thank you so much for your kind answer. I will try my best knowing that I have the strength to go until the end of the application process because of your amazing website.
Best regards,
Nguyen Linh
Hi Travis
Thank you for all your answers giving on this website
Am from Cameroon, maybe my question is stupid, but I want to know : after your arrival in Japan, when do you start to receive money from MEXT?, I mean, I want to know if I will take to my own expenses some needs before MEXT start giving me money?.
Hi Nitcheu,
Actually, that’s a very good question.
You receive your first stipend payment from MEXT about 2 months after you arrive, because it takes time to set up your bank accounts and set up the payment processing.
You do recieve back-payment for the monthly stipends that you missed in the meantime.
Because of that delay, MEXT recommends that you bring about $2000 US Dollars with you when you arrive to cover your expenses until the first payment. Personally, I would suggest a little more than that, if you can. Initial expenses like securing an apartment can be fairly high.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Ask for help on chemistry lessons for students of the baccalaureate
Hi Hassan,
You can find examples of old tests for the undergraduate scholarship application process at the link below:
http://www.transenzjapan.com/tests/
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, I hope you are doing well!
In the Application Form, I am a bit confused about how to score my Japanese language ability. 0 means no ability, right? I actually learned basic grammar and I can read/write in Hiragana, Katakana and a few Kanjis. I can also hold basic daily life conversations. Should I score my ability with a 1 or a 0? Thanks in advance.
Hi Aahd,
“0” does not mean zero ability, but the level you described would be either 0 or 1. There is no precise definition. If you feel comfortable holding daily life conversations to the point that you would be able to, say, go shopping in Japan, or accomplishing other basic tasks, you could go with 1.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
I did my BBA in 2012 and my percentage is 68.9 and GPA is 2.9 so ,am I aligible for MBA?
Secondly , what is the requirement for Afghanistan student
Thanks
Aimal Zaheer
Hi Aimal Zaheer,
Is that your GPA converted to the MEXT scale, or your GPA in your local country’s scale?
I have an article about how to convert your GPA to determine if you are eligible, so I recommend that you read that for more information!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thank you in advance for all information you provide.
I have a question about the possibility of going abroad internships when we are a MEXT scholarship holder.
Recently, I have been waiting the MEXT scholarship results for October 2019.At this point I have confronted with a short term research grant in Germany for next year, which it covers the December 2019 and May 2020. The applicants can stay during 1-6 months. I was trying to set a convenient time discussing with my advisor recommending me for MEXT and other Prof. in Germany. Deadline for this program is 30 April 2019. My question is that If I am selected, will I be allowed by MEXT for this internship program in Germany during at least 1 month and what would be longest duration time for this sort of visiting research program?
As I have got a short time to submit my application, I need to confirm that immediately.
Thank you
Hi Buket,
I assume you applied for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, is that right? Have you heard back from the university in Japan to confirm that they nominated you to MEXT or not?
If the university confirms that they have nominated you to MEXT for the scholarship, then there is no reason to think that you will not receive it. On the other hand, if they did not, then the application is already over.
You can be disqualified from the MEXT scholarship if you intend to participate in fieldwork or an internship overseas during the course of your MEXT degree. At the very least, you need to check in at your university in Japan once per month to prove you are still present and studying and, of course, you would not be able to miss classes for a long period of time.
During a school vacation, you might be allowed to be outside of the country for a few weeks (I would assume less than a month) for research.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
I apologize if this has been answered already (though I was unable to find a clear answer) but I appreciate any insight you can offer: I am looking to apply for the Embassy Recommendation application cycle (set to be released April 2019). I am curious what the guidelines are for the Letters of Recommendations you need to secure (who should they be from, how any are necessary, are their key points that need to be touched on in the letter, etc). I found some information but it seemed to apply specifically for the University Recommendation cycle. Thank you for any insight you can offer!
Best
Sam, New York
Hi Sam,
Typically, for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, the guidelines for the Letter of Recommendation are relaxed. (It is the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship that has stricter requirements). As of last year, it was a freeform letter and could be written by your supervising professor, Dean of your faculty, or President of your college. There was a sample format available, but that is not required.
Only one letter is required, and there are no particular specifications for what must be included, but I would recommend that it include the statement that the person highly recommends you for the MEXT Scholarship, a comparative evaluation of your academic merit (e.g. “He is one of the top 5% of students I have ever had the pleasure to work with in my career”) and perhaps one or two of your significant academic accomplishments, such as awards, presentations, etc.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I am an Indian national presently in Germany, I would like to apply for MEXT scholarship.
Can I do it from Germany?
Hi Sai Krishnan Ganesh,
For the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application, which starts soon (usually in April), you may be able to submit the initial application from outside your home country, but you will have to visit the Japanese embassy or consulate closest to your residence in India for the tests and interview later in the process.
For the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application, which starts in the fall, you can apply from anywhere.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
I am from Cambodia. I had done my MSc Mathematics in international program taught in English at IIT in India. I have two questions about MEXT scholarship for long time and i want to approach you and i hope you reply my inquiring. For BSc mathematics in my home country Cambodia, my GPA was acceptable, but for MSc mathematics in India my GPA was not good at all; it was around 65%-70% (only good grades related to my research topic) but apart from course works and thesis work in the institute, i earned two mathematical internships during my MSc studies in on my research interest (thesis work) from two different good reputational institutes in India and also I had one-year experience doing rigorously on my thesis work for a whole final year of MSc. Now i am looking for good PhD program in Japan to further my research work in MSc.
1. I am so worried about my low GPA so that in my above case, may you clarify for me whether I am eligible for PhD program in MEXT scholarship scheme or not?
2. If eligible, since i had done my MSc in international program which was fully taught in English, will i need to summit IELTS/TOEFL score?
Hi Vanny Doem,
For the MEXT scholarship, only the GPA from the last degree program matters in terms of meeting the eligibility criteria. The internships will help, but they don’t effect your GPA. That said,
1. What matters is how your GPA is related to the expectations of the university. I know there are some university systems where a 75% is a very good grade! Your GPA will be converted based on its relationship to the grading system at your university, not based on an absolute scale or comparison to Japanese grades.
2. For your English language proficiency, MEXT would accept the fact that you did your previous degree in English as sufficient proof of your language ability, but individual universities that you apply to in Japan are able to set their own requirements. You would have to check with the university you apply to, directly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
Thank you for your support on our MEXT application.
I have one question: Are there any rules regarding the fines if a MEXT scholar decides to drop out of their programs and leave Japan, at the middle or at the end of their program due to illness/or inability to complete the program on time? Does the student need to pay back the scholarship amount? What are the procedures involved?
I look forward to your answer!
Thank you very much.
Hi Laura,
No, there is no rule or penalty saying that you would have to pay back the scholarship if you had to drop out because of inability to complete the degree.
In the event of an illness that required a long-term hospitalization, there may be a special exception to allow you to complete it. But in the case of losing the scholarship due to poor academic performance leading to the inability to complete your degree on time, you would lose both the scholarship and the MEXT-funded ticket back to your home country.
In terms of procedures, you would have to talk to the International Office, or whatever office manages your monthly signatures, about the situation and they would get you started with the paperwork.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thank you for all the effort you’ve put in doing this. Really appreciate it.
I’ll have to apologize in advance because I’m gonna bombard you with questions because I’m totally new to the whole MEXT Scholarship, though I’ve been doing some reading for the last couple months.
1- I’m from Sudan, but currently living in China studying Chinese language trying to get a scholarship using the CGC program. I haven’t started the procedures to apply for that yet, can I still apply for MEXT? And if so, do I need to go back to my country to apply, or can I tell any of my family members or friends to apply for me?
2- I graduated with a Bachelor degree in Telecommunication Engineering back in 2013. though recently, I got interested in programming and am planning to take a Master degree in Software Engineering. Since I’ve read that you need to apply for what you’ve studied before or something close to it, can this be considered something close to what I’ve studied, or will I immediately get rejected for it? and if it’s the latter, would I be able to apply for the Doctoral degree for MEXT if I studied my Master with the Chinese scholarship?
3- What’s the difference between Research Students and Graduate Students? I’ve seen these two terms thrown interchangeably at some places, and differently at others, so it’s a bit confusing. From what I’d assume, Research Students are ones who apply for specific research on a certain field of study, and Graduate Students are the ones who would study for their Master or Doctoral degree normally as they did for Bachelor (attending classes, being tested, etc).
4- I’ve done some self-studying in the past years in Japanese, so I know a fair number of things about the language (if I had to rate it using JLPT standards, I’d say that my Listening is almost N2 level and Reading is somewhat shy of N3, but my Writing and Speaking are N5 level because I had no partners to practice with), and I would like to study Japanese first before starting my Master program. but I’ve heard that if you’re applying for the Master degree, you’re most likely won’t get a semester of Japanese language beforehand. Is it better to apply as a Research student instead of a Master student for that?
Again, sorry for all of these long, and seemingly stupid, questions. Not the best when it comes to academics, but just wanted to inquire about some info.
Again, thank you.
Hi Muhannad,
I will do my best to answer your questions below:
1) Yes, you can still apply for MEXT. There is no rule against applying for government scholarships in another country at the same time. Of course, as soon as you find out the results from one, you should withdraw from the other.
To apply for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you are going to have to be physically present at the Japanese Embassy in your home country at some point. You may be able to submit the initial documents by mail (check with the Embassy – procedures can vary by country), but at least at the interview and test stage, you will need to be there in person. If you apply for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, though, you would not have to be present in your home country until after you are a confirmed scholarship recipient and are applying for your visa. Nobody else can do the procedures at the embassy on your behalf.
2. It sounds to me like Telecommunications Engineering and Software Engineering could be close enough that you could make a logical connection between the two – especially if your software interest was related to telecommunications, or your did some work on software during your telecom degree. Ultimately, it is going to be up to you to make that case in your Field of Study and Research Program Plan.
3. There are two different definitions of “Research Student”. When you see the “MEXT Scholarship for Research Students” that refers to all graduate level students (Masters, Doctoral, and non-degree students at the Master or Doctoral Level). However, when a university refers to “research students” they usually mean “non-degree” students. In most cases, that would be a pre-graduate student. In general, you would apply to be a Research Student (pre-graduate student) through the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship so that you could take the entrance exam after arriving in Japan and then matriculate to the degree program. I explained more about the status in a recent article about the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship.
4. In my experience, placement in the Japanese language program has nothing to do with whether you are a research or degree student. If you apply for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship for a degree taught in English (or a research student program where your primary research language is English), you are likely to be placed in the Japanese language program. If you apply for a degree program taught in Japanese or for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you would not be placed in the Japanese language program.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis,
My name is Hamzah. I am currently working as a government employee in a research agency in Indonesia.
I am fascinated by your blog! If there is time I would like to consult to you regarding my dilemma.
I just received the announcement from Tsukuba University that I have passed the Master degree entrance exam to the MEXT U to U scholarship right after I began work (February 2019).
The dilemma is that there is a 1 year probation in my workplace before I can go continue my study abroad. I am currently negotiating my way to depart in October 2019 while simultaneously keeping my job security. However, if worse comes to worse, I would either keep the scholarship and lose my job or vice versa.
With that said, I am trying to approach another method. Is it possible to postpone the MEXT scholarship that I received in 2019 to 2020?
Thank you for your time!
Hi Hamzah,
Unfortunately, no, it is not possible to defer your scholarship (or to defer admission to a Japanese university, in general). If you decide not to accept the scholarship and arrive in October, you would have to withdraw this year and apply from scratch next year. It goes without saying that doing so would seriously hurt your chances of being selected by the same university a second time.
I do not envy you your situation but wish you good luck with your decision.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, thank you for this helpful page. Currently I’m master student at Japanese university with self financial support and I will finish my course on March 2020 and I want to apply for mext scholarship embassy recommendation in April 2019 to start mext scholarship in April 2020 Am I eligible for application?
Hi Mary,
Based on what you wrote, I do not have any reason to think you would be ineligible, but I do not have enough information to say for sure whether you are eligible or not.
My most recent article about the eligibility criteria for the MEXT Scholarship was based on the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship application guidelines for this year, but in most situations, the same criteria should apply to the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, as well, so I would recommend reading that article to make sure you meet the criteria there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for your reply. Actually, I have another question. Do you have any idea about the English exam regarding the source from which to study?. Also, what is the required score to pass the exam?. Thank you very much.
Hi Mary,
My best suggestion to you would be to refer to the former tests, available on the government’s official Study in Japan website. If you go through those tests and find an area that you struggle with, then you could focus on materials to work on that area.
https://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e-32.html#1
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Currently I am a first-year MA student in my home country and I am planning to apply for the MEXT University recommendation programme, which will start in October, 2019.
Could you please give me a piece of advice on what should I mention in Application form, in particular in Academic record section, if I don’t have intention to continue my Master’s (in case I receive MEXT Scholarship).
Should I mention my Master’s there? If yes, then is it appropriate to tick Withdrawal Status [退学] (as for 2019 Year MEXT University Recommendation Application form) and remain with the Bachelor degree in this section? Will I still be eligible?
Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.
Chris S.
Hi Chris,
If your plan is to withdraw from the Master’s program you are in now, then I would recommend that you fill in your application and Field of Study and Research Program Plan as if your bachelor’s degree was your most recent program. Only completed degree programs (or programs that you intend to complete) should be in that section. You could include the Master’s if you intend to take a leave of absence to study in Japan under MEXT then come back to finish it, though.
On the other hand, if you are a year into the Master’s already, why not put off your application for a year to finish it then apply for the MEXT scholarship for a PhD?
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Recently I am planning to apply MEXT Scholarship for graduate program through Japan embassy recommendation , So could you tell me when the application process start exactly ?
Hi Mega,
I covered that in my article introducing the basics of the MEXT Scholarship, so I would suggest that you start there!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello TranSenz Japan team, thank you so much for all the useful information and tips. They are hard to come by and very much appreciated.
I am Canadian and applying for the 2020 Embassy Recommended Graduate Studies Scholarship
and I have a few questions concerning the application.
1 I am a Canadian but I majored in Design in Beijing, China. Since this government scholarship is aimed at mutual benefit and cooperation between the two countries, would they have a preference over Science and Technology to Arts and Design? And would my background and major in a country that isn’t Canada affect my chances on applying for the Embassy Recommended scholarship?
2 I currently live in Tokyo because I am studying Japanese. Would I have to send my application material to the Embassy in Toronto? On the embassy website it says “You must submit them to either the Embassy or Consulate General which is closest to your home city.” My concern is that I have not lived in Toronto for quite a while. I’m wondering if that might be a problem.
3 If I am applying for a Master’s program and not a non-degree research program, do I contact the professor after the application has been successful, or during the application process?
4 Does the research plan have to be written in Japanese or English?
Sorry for all the questions, any help and suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!
Ye Yuan
P.S. So sorry about the repost I accidentally left the comment on the wrong FAQ page.
Hi Ye,
Thank you for your kind words!
I saw your question on the other post, but this seemed like a more appropriate place to answer it (since I am still working on the FAQ page for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship FAQ).
1. I have not seen any particular bias for one field over another. You mentioned in a separate email that you bought How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship (thank you, by the way!) and in that book I talk about the Japanese government’s goals for the scholarship. With regards to developed countries, including Canada, I have seen a trend of MEXT supporting “soft power” and promotion of Japanese culture. So, an Arts and Design field, that you could then leverage to promote cultural exchange between Japan and Canada, would be perfectly appropriate. Having earned your undergraduate degree in another country should not impact your chances negatively, and you might be able to use it to your advantage to show how you can bring even more cultures together.
2. Yes, you would apply to the embassy or consulate in Toronto, if that is where your Canadian residence is. You will also have to visit the Embassy in person at times during the application. Living abroad – particularly living in Japan to study Japanese – should not be a problem, provided that you plan to return to Canada before the scholarship starts.
3. I recommend contacting the professor as soon as possible after you have a solid draft of your Field of Study and Research Program Plan.
4. You should write the FSRPP in the language that your degree program will be taught it.
I hope that helps!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
In regards to your second answer: “You will also have to visit the Embassy in person at times during the application. ”
I am currently enrolled in a Japanese language school and they are very strict about attendance, so I am wondering if it is possible to send my application and materials directly from Tokyo and (if all goes well) only go back during the interview and written examinations?
Also, at this language school, the end of the term is March, 20, 2020. Although I think that I would be able to leave earlier if the application went through, in your book you wrote that departure needs to be at least two months in advance. Would this be a major problem and would I need to explain this in detail during the application process?
I have a few more questions that came up through the reading of the book:
1 The universities that I am applying to are all private universities, would that affect their decision due to the budget cuts on funding?
2 If my MEXT application is not successful, (or if the school does not issue an LOA), would I still be able to apply as privately funded student?
3 Is it very difficult to extend the scholarship from non-degree research student to a degree-seeking student? I tried to look for further information in this area but I could not find specific application and evaluation information.
Again, thank you for all of your help!
Best regards,
Ye
Hi Ye,
As far as I know the interview and language tests (often held on the same day or close to one another) should be the only time during the MEXT Scholarship application process that you have to be present at the Embassy (document submission should be possible by mail). However, this can vary by country if Embassies decide to conduct their own additional processes, so I would recommend that you check with them to be sure.
The requirement to go home approximately 2 months in advance is a requirement for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship. As far as I know, it does not exist for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship. Since you can show that you are in a program that ends in March 2020 and would definitely be returning home after that program is over (before the scholarship begins), I do not anticipate any problem in your case. The only challenge I can see is that if you were trying to arrive in Japan in April 2020 to start your MEXT scholarship, you might not have enough time to apply for your new student visa in Canada.
I do not think that you need to go out of your way to explain this in the application unless they ask. Simply showing that you will complete your studies in March and return to Canada should be fine.
1. There is no official consideration that says that applicants who specify only private universities would have a lower chance, so there is no reason it should affect you negatively.
2. Yes. You can still apply as a privately funded student (although that would be a separate process that you would have to start from scratch). I have never heard of an applicant who passed the screening being unable to acquire at least one LoA, so you shouldn’t need to worry about that. It’s all about passing the Embassy’s Primary Screening.
3. No, it is not difficult to extend from Research Student to Degree-Seeking student. It is not guaranteed but as long as your performance has been as expected, you should not have any trouble. I know there is very little information on this and it is on my list of articles to write in the near future!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, Travis,
Thank you for your detailed answers! They were very helpful.
Ye
I’m on the stage of preparing for the upcoming scholarship application for 2020. I already decide the three universities I’m applying for. I have a rough idea about my research plan as well. Yet, I started to doubt my chances as I’m going for the Nagoya, Osaka, and Tohoku English-taught Programs in linguistics, since I have no JLPT certificate for now. However, my research will require Japanese language Knowldge. I’m in N2 level and I’m definitely will be in N1 level when I arrive in Japan for my research, but do you think I will have any chance demanding a scholarship as a research student in English-taught programs to conduct a research (written in English) related to Japanese language? Will it matter if I have no proof of my Japanese knowldge upon application? The programs do not require it, but I can’t help but to think that my case will require it even if I go for English-taught program. Do you think passing the MEXT Japanese examination with good score will make up for that.
Hi Alyazeya,
It sound like you’re in a great place for your preparation! Starting early and giving yourself enough time to create a strong application is essential to success.
It looks like last year, for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, at least, they did not require you to have to enroll in a program taught in Japanese to study Japanese linguistics, so you have that going in your favor. Also, MEXT finally clarified the level of Japanese language ability that they expect you to have (for the University Recommended Scholarship, at least) if you are going to enroll in a course taught in Japanese: N2. (Of course, each university can set a higher standard. . .)
For the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you will take a Japanese language proficiency test at the Embassy as part of your application, so that will be what they use primarily to determine if you have high enough ability, but the universities may want to see JLPT scores when you apply for a Letter of Acceptance. That is up to each individual university to determine. Universities don’t really know what the scoring system is for the Embassy test, unfortunately, but if you have other proof, such as a long history of studying Japanese, that would be helpful.
My best recommendation to you would be to try to get more information specifically from the programs you want to apply to, by identifying a professor that you want to study under and attempting to get in contact and build a relationship. That would be your best source of university-specific information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Will the MEXT Scholarship still be available in 2025?
I’m asking this question because I read an article saying that the Japanese government is trying to reach a certain target by 2020
Hi Momo,
The MEXT Scholarship existed long before that plan existed and I think it will continue into the future, long after the 2020 goal!
Of course, I am not a MEXT employee and have no direct insight into the Japanese government’s budgeting, but I see no reason why the scholarship would go away. It might get more competitive with fewer places in the future, but it should still exist!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I’m going to begin my master degree in Japan from April, 2019 (without scholarship).
However, I also would like to apply for MEXT university recommendation scholarship 2019 in another graduate school. In this case, am I eligible to apply for the MEXT scholarship?
(If I get the MEXT scholarship, I will absolutely stop going to previous master school and leave the student visa before the MEXT program begin.)
Thank you in advance,
Best regards,
Narin
Hi Narin,
Unfortunately, your the situation that you describe is specifically prohibited by the MEXT scholarship eligibility criteria.
You cannot be attending a Japanese university at the time of application – or intending to enroll in one as a fee-paying student after the application – unless you can show that you will complete the program (e.g. graduate, not quit) and return to your home country before the start of your MEXT scholarship.
If you are enrolled and plan to drop out of your program only if you earn the scholarship, that is specifically prohibited.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for creating this website. It is so helpful!
My name is Mari and I’m planning to apply for the MEXT scholarship for graduate students. I just finished my degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from Australia. Could you help me with the grade conversion? I think you mentioned that we need at least 2.3/3.0 to be eligible for MEXT scholarship? Am I correct to say that a ‘Distinction’ grade in Australia counts as 3.0 in the MEXT grading system? Just slightly confused with that because in Australia the Distinction grade ranges from 75-85% and in the table you showed for the 5 level system, this could be between 2.0 to 3.0? 🙁 …Also for the recommendation letters, we are only required to submit one, yes? Or do people typically submit more than one? I understand that we also have to take language exams – I have only been self studying Japanese (for approx. a month now) and was wondering if you could recommend the level of Japanese I should be at to pass the Japanese portion of the test (Level1,2,3 etc.).
Do you also know whether there are a lot of applicants from Australia or how many slots are available for Australian students?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Cheers,
Mari
Hi Mari,
I wrote an entire article about how to convert your grades that should help you with the process. One of the important points to consider is that you cannot simply convert your overall grade. That will not give you an accurate score. My book also goes into further detail with conversion charts for multiple countries’ systems.
You are only required to submit one letter of acceptance, unless you are working full time, in which case you would need a second letter from your employer.
You do not need to pass the Japanese portion of the language test unless you are applying for a degree program taught in Japanese (in which case, you would need N2 level or higher).
Unfortunately, I have not been able to find information about the number of scholarship slots awarded to Australia in the past, or the number of applicants.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks very much Travis!