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.
- Be detailed. If your question is “Please help me with the MEXT Scholarship application” or “I don’t know where to start,” then read through the articles that exist on this site first. Specific questions that are easier to understand and research will get answered first. If your question seems like it’s asking for a half-hour sit-down chat, then it’s probably not possible for me to answer in the FAQ.
- 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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Hello TranSenz
I need a guidance on mext application. I prepare to call for 2022 mext research scholarship and I’m gathering information about two points which seem always obscure to me.
– About application documents, it is told to submit documents in two packets but it gets still confused to me especially about determining exactly which sort of number of each document ( original and copies) should I provide..I precise I must also add translation (transcripts and degree certificate are in French). It’s hard to know either way ..
In the guidelines, they said 1 original and 2 copies for each document but 1 original for the Placement Preference Application Form.
– In the case of transcripts (three years of study) and degree certificate, the entire number of documents equal 12 right? I understood that originals mean attested copies but in concern of the translation , i don’t know precisely about it how many can I have to submit.
– About Application Form and field of study and Research, if 1 original and 2 copies do apply, i think should I make 2 more copies of the original document filled? So do the health certificate and Recommendation letter?
Here are some explainings of my current doubts I want to clarify.
Hi Tom Fulvio,
The instructions to submit documents in two packets sounds like something that your local embassy has come up with. Since it is unique to your country and I have not seen those directions, I am afraid that I cannot answer the question. Maybe they mean one packet with the originals and one with the copies? In that case, the Placement Preference Form would only go in the packet with the originals.
For any documents in a foreign language, like Certificates of Grades or Graduation, you have to include the original issued by the school (or attested copy) and a certified translation. Both of those would count together as one “original”. Then you would make a copy of both to count as one copy.
If you have a separate transcript for each year of study, then all three years of study (with their translations) would count as “one document.”
For the Application Form and Field of Study, as well as the other forms, yes, you would make two copies of each of the originals.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Hope all is well. I am happy to report that I made it to the interview phase. So, first I just want to say thanks for the help and for the book that helped me out a lot.
The issue is that I haven’t actually heard anything back yet when it’s been almost a month since the interview. At the end of it I did ask the general timeline of things going forward after the interview and they said perhaps 1-2 weeks. I know that I will be notified regardless but I’m wondering if this is normal for it to take this long. And no, I have not received anything in the mail, as I know you do if you pass.
My question is simply just wondering whether or not this is sign of failure to pass or not. In your experience, do you know if it’s common for them to notify the people who passed and then just get around to the rejectees later? I’ve thought about this but it doesn’t really make sense why they would do that. Plus there were only six people who interviewed at my consulate. Do you think it’s ground to contact them with a follow-up?
Hi C,
Thank you for your kind feedback!
I’m surprised that you still haven’t heard back after such a long delay, but there is no “usual” timeframe, since it can vary significantly from country to country.
I have heard that some embassies do not contact all applicants after the document screening, but after the interview, they should have a much smaller applicant pool, like you said, so I would think that they would contact everyone, regardless of your results. Since so much time has passed – more than they have projected – it would be reasonable for your to contact them and ask when they expect to be able to release results.
I’m sure you’ve already done so, but just in case, I recommend checking your spam filter first, to make sure that there is no message from the embassy lost there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi,
I have studied in japan from kindergarten to 4th grade but since then I have studied in Nepal and did my undergraduate in India, will I be eligible for MEXT?
Hi Rasik Dhakal,
Based on what you wrote in your comment, I do not see any reason why you would be ineligible. Moving countries should not hurt you in any way. Although if you are not in India now, it may take more effort from you to get all of the documents that you need from your university there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello! I have a question regarding the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship. Under the Application Guidelines, they provide us with its stated that you need to complete 12 years of education in countries other than Japan. But I’ve heard from some other website that you need to complete those 12 years of education in your own country. I’m confused. I personally have completed my primary and nursery education in another country, but have completed my middle school and high school education in my own country. Am I still eligible?
Thank you so much!
Hi Zarar Khan,
There is no requirement that your education be in your country of residence. I think most people assume that “outside of Japan” means in your home country, but that is not the case.
For the graduate scholarship, there is a similar requirement that applicants complete 16 years of education or the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree “outside of Japan” as one way to qualify, but I know many applicants who completed their degrees in another country and it was never a problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thanks for all your efforts; I have a question regarding the MEXT Scholarship.
I applied for MEXT scholarship and I am waiting for approval letter, and as you know MEXT scholarship procedures take a lot of time, meanwhile I got accepted in another scholarship in another country, and as I am not quite sure whether MEXT will accept my application or not, I was wondering if it’s acceptable, to start my studies in the other scholarship till the results of MEXT shows up, knowing that I am willing to withdraw my current scholarship in favour of MEXT scholarship in Japan.
Hi Bowa,
I’m not sure what year you applied for the MEXT Scholarship, but I am assuming you applied to the Embassy in 2021. In that case, your final results won’t be out until next Feb/Mar.
As far as MEXT rules go, you are not allowed to receive any other similar scholarships at the same time. So, if you start your studies under another scholarship in another country (it must be outside Japan), as long as you withdraw from that scholarship and end your studies before your MEXT Scholarship would have started, then you should be fine. (The other scholarship/university is likely to be upset though. . . )
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for replying Travis.
I understand the situation more clearly now, thank you so much for the insights.
Dear Travis! I am so happy for finding your blog.
Please if you can, give me an advice in the following situation.
I received scholarship via embassy recommendation in 2019 and i am in Japan since 2020 october, as a research student, in an English based class. Since the entrance exam for masters was held in japanese my advisor agreed to postpone it till February so I can have enough time for preparation.
Unfortunately in the meantime I had serious family problems and I need to return to my home country as soon as possible, and cancel the scholarship; I also need medical treatment. The difficult part is that I don’t really have a good relationship with my laboratory, due to covid restrictions I barely could meet them. I re-read the contract many times to figure out what to do, and I am terrified what if I need to pay back the scholarship.
As it’s stated:
“) The scholarship is cancelled in principle if the recipient is absent from the
university for an extended period. The scholarship will be also cancelled in principle in the
following situations. If the recipient has been receiving the scholarship despite his/her falling under
any of the following situations, the recipient will be ordered to return the amount of scholarship
that he/she received during the period wherein he/she was involved with any of the following
situations.
①The recipient is determined to have made a false statement on his/her application;
②The recipient violates any article of his/her pledge to MEXT;
③The recipient violates any Japanese laws and is sentenced to imprisonment with or without work
for life or for a period of exceeding 1 year;
④The recipient is subjected to disciplinary action by the university, including expulsion (The
scholarship payment may be stopped during the period up until punishment is decided by the
university.);
⑤It has been determined that it will be impossible for the recipient to complete the training course
within the standard time period because of poor academic grades, suspension or absent from the
university;
⑥The recipient’s residence status has changed to one other than “Student” as defined in the
Appended Table I-4 of the Immigration Act;
⑦The recipient has received a scholarship from another institution (excluding those specified for
research expenditures).”
I am confused about these points. I participated in online classes, but I was absent from the university for an extended period.
Also I don’t know if research students and regular students fall into the same category. I have no savings or a job, and in a case of paying back the scholarship I will run out of options.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Hi Tsubaki,
If your situation is an emergency that is beyond your control, you should not be forced to pay back the scholarship.
I recommend that you consult with the office at your university that manages the scholarship. It should be the International Center or perhaps the administrative office of your graduate school. They should be able to check for you and get you the official answers, and you would not be punished or automatically have your scholarship cancelled for talking to them.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for all the updated information you have shared so far, I have been accepted for MEXT Scholarship (Embassy Recommendation) and would like ask you about a few things:
1) Is it normal if universities haven’t received official letters despite MEXT announcing the final placement result? What’s the process usually like?
2) Will the university issue another acceptance letter/any kind of document confirming that you will be accepted as non-degree student after the embassy has announced the placement result?
I kind of need the university letter for travel purposes due to Covid-19 situation in my country.
Your reply is appreciated. Thank you and stay safe.
Hi M,
Congratulations on being accepted for the MEXT Scholarship!
1) The Universities would know first – after all, they are the ones that have to confirm to MEXT that they will accept you before MEXT finalizes its decision. (However, it could be just the office that handles the scholarship that knows the results, not the professors, etc.)
2) Not that I am aware of, unless the situation has changed. If you need further documentation, it should be the embassy that issues it at this point. The embassy (on behalf of MEXT) should be able to provide documentation if you need it to travel domestically to apply for your visa, etc. I would recommend contacting them about your situation.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you for answering Travis, at least you help shed some light! Just realised that my uni mentioned no official letters on October 2021 scholars as of June. Does that mean they are still awaiting further instruction from MEXT?
Will do as you suggested. Thank you again Travis!
Hi M,
I think so. At this point, your processing is all up to MEXT and the Embassy. When I worked at the university handling MEXT Scholars, we didn’t give them any official documentation until they arrived at the university, I think.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Greetings for the day sir
First of all thank you for being available everywhere. I have come here from your YouTube video with Tokyo State of Mind.
(Q). If I wish to stop my research as a non-degree student mid-way and continue it in my master’s degree, is that possible?
I do not want to wait for autumn season of University application. That is, I am looking forward to 5-6 months japanese language course and complete my research in next 6 months.
(Q). Can I do research and take japanese language classes simultaneously?
(Q). Will I be getting language classes at the University itself? Or do I stay in some city for a while for learning language and then relocate in the city where my University of choice is when research begins?
Waiting for your reply!
Thank you!!!
Hi Shruti,
1. Most applicants start their research as non-degree students (for a semester) and then continue that same research after they matriculate to the degree program, so that would certainly be possible. There is no requirement that you complete the research in your proposal before starting your degree.
2. You can start your research, such as literature reviews and consulting with your professor, while in the language program, but you will not officially be part of the university, yet, so your options would be limited. The Japanese language program will also keep you fairly busy, I think, so do not expect to get too much research done at the same time.
3. In most cases, the language courses are at a different university, as far as I know. (In the case of my university, they were at a university in a different city.) It depends on what university you end up placed at.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I’d like to ask if my application will be dismissed if I sent 3 copies of the Placement Preference Application Form instead of just 1. Will that be the case? I just submitted my application kit earlier today and I’m really kicking myself for failing to notice that only 1 copy is necessary. I know that the screening committee will take into consideration the ability to follow instructions so I’d like to know if I just blew my chances. *Sigh*
Hi Xei,
That should not be a problem. I do not think they are going to toss out your application just because you submitted extra copies!
Overall, compared to your grades and your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, a mistake at that level is not likely to be significant.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Mr. Travis. Thanks for this valuable website. I intend to apply for MEXT this year. I finished my master’s degree in my home country. Can I apply for a 5-year scholarship or I just can apply for a 3-year scholarship?
Hi Nabdak,
If you are applying for the scholarship for a PhD, it would be for three years. That is the standard length to complete a PhD in Japan. If you were to apply for another Master’s, that would be for two years, then you could apply to extend your scholarship for another three years later to cover a PhD afterward.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello!
I’m applying for the undergraduate scholarship Can i send the certificate of expected graduation from the ministry of education site as we have a part of it that explains that i’m in 3rd secondary school this year and i’ll take the test before the schoolarship or i should get the certificate from school …
Another question
In the application form
I went to 2 primary schools should i seperate the dates in each one i went or just write the the date of the whole period of primary school and if to seperate how should i write that
For the grading system the government changed the educational system this year .. and the embassy didn’t change the conditions yet which is to get a 95% in my 2nd year till i finish the 3rd year and provide them with the grades which also should be 95% or higher so will it be considered that in the new educational system the range of high grades will change ( will be lower ) or not even the embassy didn’t change it’s old conditions ( in egypt )
For more detailed info this system started since my first year in highschool and i got 92% which is high compared to my peers
And i’m really confused if to apply or not because of the embassy conditions
In the language rating if i know the hiragana and karakana how can i rate my japanese should i write 0 or 1 in reading and writing for speaking and listening i know some simple conversations so should i put 0 or 1 too
Hi Mariam,
I’m afraid I can’t answer the questions that are specific to your country’s education system or the requirements at the embassy, since those are specific to your country and I do not have that level of detail.
Since these are embassy requirements, not MEXT requirements, I recommend that you ask the embassy directly.
Regarding the language ability, if you cannot read at least some of the most common kanji, I would suggest writing “0” for reading and writing. You could fill in 1 for speaking and listening though.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Sir Travis,
Thanks for your helpful articles about the MEXT application documents.
After undergoing all necessary tests to be filled on the health certificate, I noticed the doctor who filled the form made a little mistake when ticking the box if I had past diseases/disorder, such as kidney disease, diabetes, etc. She mistakenly ticked the box for “psychosis” instead of “None” since I am healthy and have not suffered from any of the illness listed. Although I was cleared as being medically fit for the studies in Japan.
I would like to know if it would be accepted by the Embassy, or if I should print a new health certificate form for the doctor to fill.
I appreciate your response. Thanks in anticipation.
Hi Fred,
I recommend taking the Certificate of Health back to your doctor to ask her to correct it. If she crosses out the mistake, signs in that location, and then marks the correct tick, that should be fine.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, thank you so much for your efforts!
I’m applying for embassy recommendation undergraduate degree..
I’m sorry i might have many questions .. I’ve read through your articles and went through your templates, but i still seem to not understand how the academic records are filled yet.. There’s changes between the 2020 and 2021 application forms and my academic background is alittle complicated.
1-The educational system in my country is 8 years of elementary school and 3 years of high school. How do i divide this system in the form?
2-Also, I have moved between 3 schools in elementary and skipped 5th grade, and moved between 3 schools in high school too.
Should i list all this in my form? Can’t I list the school that i graduated from?
3-in the new form there’s a table with 1st,2nd and 3rd choice to list your field of study and major, i want to choose a specific major, can i list the same things 3 times?
4-under the previous table there’s another one to specify the reasons for choosing each major, should i list the same reasons since it’s the same major or what should I do?
I hope my questions are easy to understand, I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Aseel,
It sounds like you are applying for the undergraduate scholarship. My area of expertise is the graduate scholarship, but I will try to answer as best I can.
1. If that is the official system for the country (as described by your ministry of education, not just the school that you went to), then you can fill in all eight years in the “elementary” section and skip the lower secondary. The embassy in your country should be used to that system.
2. You have to list all of the schools that you attended and explain that you skipped a grade. It sounds like you are probably going to have to attach an additional sheet like I described in the article.
3./4. You should list different majors. Try to think of different fields you could study to approach the same problem or issue that you are interested in.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis!
Thank you so much for helping us applicants with all this information!
I just wanted to ask, MEXT in Australia (NSW) recommends that we have one letter of reference from the president/dean of our university/ an academic advisor (Document 6). My question is does it have to be from an academic advisor? Because my university doesn’t necessarily have an ‘academic advisor’ for my subject area as well as the fact that academic advisors are only assigned to people who are not performing well in university. Is it okay if I just submit a letter of recommendation from my tutor/teacher/lecturer/professor?
Also, I bought your first book but couldn’t seem to get the MEXT gpa calculator to work, I think it might be broken. Could I get access to the link?
Thank you so much!
-An
Hi An,
Typically, an academic advisor is someone who oversees your academic career and helps you with selecting courses, etc., to make sure that you stay on track to graduate. It is not a tutor for remedial studies like you described, so it’s probably a good thing that you don’t have that kind of advisor!
Is there is a faculty member that helped you with course selection, etc., or advice during your studies? Or, if you wrote a graduation thesis, your thesis supervisor would also be appropriate to fill that role.
If you have none of those, then a teacher that you took multiple classes from or a department head/higher would probably be best.
I am sorry to hear that you had trouble with the GPA calculator. Was the problem with the calculator not working, or being unable to download it? I tested the link and was able to download it fine, but if you can let me know your problem, I would be happy to try to solve it with you. Could you please send a message through the coaching form (see the link on the top right). That form has a priority alert, so I will be sure to see your message right away.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I apologize bothering you again but I have a question regarding something you wrote about the one year prepatory course for the MEXT. According to what you wrote that course would only improve our basic Japanese skills not on a level where we can study in universities that don’t offer English taught degrees, however according to the application guideline we shall study our subject areas in Japanese as well before moving on to Uni. Therefore just to clarify would I have the ability to study in these universities properly after going through that course or would I have to look for universities that teach my program in English? Sorry and Thanks Again in Advance
Hi Faiz,
If you’re referring to a one-year language course, I assume you are applying for the undergraduate scholarship. Is that correct?
In that case, the one-year course is designed to get you to the point where you would be able to study for your degree in Japanese. If you are applying for the undergraduate scholarship, you do not get to choose your university, anyway. MEXT will place you at the end of your language program.
For applicants for the graduate scholarship, there is a one-semester language program that is designed to improve their basic skills to the point where they can survive day-to-day life. So, graduate applicants would have to already know Japanese or apply only to programs taught in English.
So, ultimately, the answer depends on what level of scholarship you are applying for.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I would like to ask you about a slight complication I have with the application procedure. I am currently away from my home country and am thinking about submitting my documents through mail however I am not sure when I will be called to the Japanese Embassy in my Home Country for a Written Examinations if I am called there. Could you clarify this aspect of the procedure along with an estimated time period( how many days or months after deadline) of how things could possibly go since the COVID situation has made it hard for me to return to my country.
Hi Faiz,
Unfortunately, if you are called to participate in the written exams and interview, as far as I know, it would have to be in-person in your home country. (Unless the COVID-19 situation is so bad in your country that the embassy is conducting the process entirely online – you can check with them to see if that is the case).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
I had a doubt on the eligibility criteria.
I am an MSc student in my second semester, and am planning to apply this time for the 2022 batch.
However, my Masters will be completed by August 2022. I’m not very sure if I am eligible for the scholarship.
Also, is there a separate application form for the April and October intake?
It’d be really helpful if you could shed some light on this.
Thanks!
Hi Jeshma Ravindra,
If your current degree will finish in August 2022, then you are eligible to apply as long as you specify in the application form that you want to arrive in September/October.
There is no separate application form for fall arrivals, just a check box in the form.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis Thank you for all the supporitng articles on this web page, but i hava a doubt, I am from Mexico and i want to apply through the University recommendation fot Master program, the steps i should follow are: applying to the university, and in the process appying to the MEXT (University recommendation?) or in which moment should i apply for the MEXT?.
Thank you
Hi Fernando Salgado,
Universities in Japan should have a specific application process to apply for admission with consideration for nomination for the MEXT Scholarship, where you apply for both at once.
I recommend you search through the website of the university that you are interested in applying to to find their instructions for applying for the MEXT Scholarship. Usually, you can find it in the section for international students or the section about financial aid.
Since the exact process is different at each university, the best thing to do is to check with them directly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thanks a lot for all the help and advice.
I wont be finishing my master’s degree thesis until the end of this year ( which is after the deadline of the application period of MEXT scholarship ) should I send the abstract of the unfinished thesis anyway?
thanks again.
Hi Hala,
Yes, you can submit the abstract for your thesis even if it isn’t finished. In that case, I would recommend that you mention that you have not yet submitted it and show when you will do so.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Your website has been really helpful when I try to get more information about MEXT, thank you so much. I’ve obtained my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in the past and recently come across MEXT (yea, maybe slightly too late lol). I am interested to learn Nihonga in Masters if there’s a chance but my Master’s results is way below the MEXT minimum requirement to even be eligible to apply. However, my Bachelor’s results are higher than the requirement. So I just wonder in this case, since applicants have to submit both results from Bachelor and Master, if there is a possibility to be considered as an eligible applicant?
Thank you.
Hi Yi Pei,
Thank you for your kind words!
Unfortunately, my understanding is that the embassy or university will calculate your GPA based on your most recent degree program. Even if you already have a Masters and are applying for a second Masters, they will be looking at the Master’s degree (as the most recent evidence of your academic performance) rather than the Bachelor’s.
I’m sorry I do not have better news for you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
Thanks for your prompt reply!
I sort of expected this but still, thanks a lot, at least I can save my time and effort to think of other alternatives :))
Regards,
Yi Pei
Hi, Dear Travis!
Thank you for your valuable advice and information you provide.
Travis, I checked new application form for this year. Last year they released EXCEL form if I’m not mistaken, but this time it is in pdf format. So should we fill it in manually this year?
Thank you so much for your reply.
Best wishes ,
Yulduz
Hi Yulduz,
MEXT seems to go back and forth between excel and pdf application forms. You are right that it changed from pdf to excel this year, but when I checked, it is a fillable pdf. So, you should be able to open it with Adobe Acrobat Reader and fill in all the fields there before printing.
I recommend that you fill in everything (except your signature and the date) using Adobe Acrobat Reader before printing. You should avoid filling out the form by hand to the maximum degree possible.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, Travis
Thank you for your reply. I will do my best to avoid manual filling in the application form))
Hello Travis, i have one question for you:
How i can prepare for the exams in maths , english and japanse Since there is no specific syllabus on the topics they are going to take, would having a certificate with a n5 level of Japanese help me to enter the scholarship? or if or if I need n2 for mext to accept the request? thanks since now
Hi Pablo Quiroga,
I am assuming you are applying for the scholarship for undergraduate students, since graduate student applicants would not take an exam in math.
While there is no syllabus, you can access the old tests, so that should give you an idea of what is tested and what you need to prepare. For the undergraduate application, the old Japanese language tests are not available, but the other fields are.
You do not need Japanese language ability to apply – you do not even need the N5, although having it shows that you have put effort into studying Japanese in the past so it will make you seem like a more serious applicant. If you are accepted for the undergraduate scholarship, you will spend your first year in an intensive Japanese language program that is designed to help you get up to the ability you need for your studies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
If i get mext scholarship or other country scholarship at the same time did i cancel my mext scholarship or not
Hi Saurabh kumar verma,
Your MEXT scholarship would not automatically be cancelled if you got a scholarship from another country, but you could choose to cancel it. However, if you do that after you are selected, then they would not be able to nominate a replacement scholar, so you would be taking the opportunity away from someone else. I understand the need for back-up plans, but please make sure that you are considering your goals and priorities in advance and not applying for the MEXT Scholarship if you think you are very likely to reject it in the end.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, I have some questions about the MEXT
undergraduate scholarship. I want to know if it okay to tell a short story in the section of *what was your trigger of studying in Japan* . For explaining why I chose this field of study can I mention my achievements and voluntary work?* . For the question of what kinds of things I will contribute to my country. What should I focus on?
For the essay. Can I tell a short story in it ?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Ebtsam Hussien Gad,
The space you have to answer the questions is limited, so I don’t think you have space for much of a story.
I would recommend that you stay focused on the question and try to avoid any tangents. I have seen several cases of applicants in the past who tried to stuff these questions with things they wanted to share about themselves but ended up not actually answering the question. So, make sure that your volunteer work and achievements are directly connected to answering the question of what motivated you to study in Japan.
For contributing to your country, you should focus on career goals that will benefit your society and that would also benefit from (or necessitate) the studies that you want to complete in Japan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi sir,
I want to ask that, under research student the website shows level: Graduate school level
(Research/Masters Course/Ph.D. course)
I wana ask that masters course can be done normally or as a research student, since it falls under research student and besides it gives choices here as research/masters course.
I am literally confused that can the masters degree be done normally or have to do by research.
Hi Ransom,
Typically, all Japanese Master’s degrees require a combination of coursework and a final thesis. The term “research student” does not mean that you will be earning the degree by research alone.
There are two meanings to the word “Research Student”. Or, to be more accurate, there are two different Japanese words that are translated into English as “Research Student”.
The first simply means “Graduate Student” (as opposed to “Undergraduate Student”). So, the MEXT Scholarship for Research Students refers to the scholarship for all graduate-level studies.
The second meaning of Research Student is “Non-Degree Student”. When you see the levels broken up as Research/Masters/PhD, that “Research” is referring to non-degree students. Non-degree students are usually pre-graduate students. They take courses at the university and start their thesis research preparation, but they haven’t yet taken the entrance exam to formally enroll in the degree program. Many, if not most, MEXT scholars start in this status for one semester and take the entrance exam during that semester so they can start the formal degree program in their second semester. (Another type of non-degree student is a student who is enrolled in a graduate program at another university overseas and comes to Japan for a few semesters to work on their research, only, kind of like an exchange student).
I hope that helps clarify the terms! To find out what coursework you will have to take and what the thesis/research expectations will be for you, you should check the websites of the individual degree programs that you want to apply to, since it can vary from university to university.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
I want ask you question regarding MEXT university recommendation.
I wonder is it allowed to apply another scholarship in different country as back up plan ? If I tell my university in Japan I will withdraw the back up scholarship it if I selected as MEXT student, will they still keep my status as MEXT candidate ?
Hi Han,
Yes, it is permissable to apply for another scholarship in another country as a back-up, but you do have to declare that on the application form, if I’m not mistaken. You will also have to make it clear that you will withdraw from that scholarship if you get MEXT, like you said.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, Travis!
(I commented this bfore but lost connection so I’m not sure if it was posted or not, sorry if you’re seeing this forthe second time…)
I want to apply for the embassy-recommended undergraduate program. I have looked for universities that are linked to MEXT but haven’t really found an official list, so I’m not sure which ones I can and can’t apply for. I wanted to get into Waseda University, but whenever I see notices of this university they are for exchange or graduate students and not for undergraduate. So basically is it posible for me to apply for this university with MEXT? And also, I wanted this one because they offer a great English taught degree course, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to get into that one instead of a full Japanese undegraduate… These are my questions, any info would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi Tatiana,
Your other question did post and I have answered it separately on that page.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Is the scholarship applicable to working class only or Secondary School students too? What is the required GPA?. How can we apply?. Is the 2021 applications still open?
Hi Caleb,
There are several different types of MEXT Scholarship for applicants at different levels. The one I am most familiar with is the scholarship for graduate students, so that would be applicable to current university students or university graduates who want to pursue their graduate degree in Japan. There is another scholarship for undergraduate students, thought it is not available in all countries. That one would be available to current secondary school students who want to study their undergraduate degree in Japan.
As far as I know, the major scholarship applications have all closed for 2021 applicants. It sounds like you are interested in the undergraduate scholarship. That application process typically goes through the Japanese embassy in your home country and usually starts in April/May of the year before you want to arrive in Japan. So, the application period would be April-May of 2021 for applicants who want to start their studies in Japan in April 2022 (the start of the Japanese school year).
I hope that helps! If you have further questions, it would be helpful if you could let me know what type of MEXT scholarship you plan to apply for.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
HI
I am currently accepted for the MEXT scholarship in the social studies A section. During the application form, there was a chart of my desired subjects to major in like politics, law, etc. And I personally aspiring to become a diplomat myself chose “international relations” as my first choice, but now that I look further into Japanese universities. I realized that “International relations” is not so famous subject in Japan that there are hardly any universities that can give me a bachelor’s degree. So I started thinking of getting my bachelor’s degree in “Politics” major which was the second choice I wrote on my application form. Can I do that? Please help me.
Hi Musashi,
My area of expertise is in the graduate scholarship, so I am not familiar with when in the selection/scholarship process the majors are decided.
However, my understanding is that after you submit your application form, the decision is out of your hands. MEXT will make the decision on which of your proposed majors to select you in and what university to place you at.
From what I understand, “International Relations” is not one of the options in the chart, so I am assuming you chose “Others” and filled in “International Relations” on your own. If that is the case, and MEXT is unable to place you in an international relations program, then they would likely go to your second choice, politics, anyway. (By the way, in many cases, international relations is a major within the field of political science, anyway.)
I do not think you have the option to change your priority order now, but ultimately, it is MEXT that will choose your university for you, so there should not be a problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I was wondering if I am not accepted for the scholarship for this school year, can I still apply again next year? Or is there a rule against applying more than once?
Also, what is the difference between the process of university recommendation and direct placement for undergraduate studies?
I hope you can answer my questions.
Thank you!
Hi Adrienne,
There is no rule against applying multiple times. As long as you are still eligible, you can keep applying each year. (Though I would recommend trying to improve your application each time!)
I have heard of applicants who were successful on their third attempt.
I am not an expert in the scholarship for undergraduate students, but the big difference you are looking at here is that the Direct Placement process is part of the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship and it depends on your finding a program in advance where you meet all of the language requirements. You can choose from any such program.
The University Recommended MEXT Scholarship for undergraduate students is limited to pre-selected Priority Graduate Programs, which means that there are only a few specific programs across the whole country that you are able to apply for. If your interest does not match one of those programs, then you wouldn’t be able to apply via the university.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Sir
thank you very much for all the information it is very helpful. however I do have a question I really would like to ask: Must you do the MEXT exam in your home country’s embassy or could you do it in another embassy in another country?
I am asking this because I am in my final year of high school overseas but due to COVID-19 I could not leave the country and return to my home country for the MEXT exams as the borders are closed (and I wont be able to return to finish my high school if I depart, not to mention the quarantine process). However I am really interested in the 2022-2023 MEXT and hope to at least have an opportunity, thus I wonder if sitting the exam in another embassy (where I study) is possible or if there are any COVID-19 considerations on the embassy’s part. Thanks in advance and sorry for my long question. Thank you very much.
Hi Hope,
Unfortunately, as far as I know, for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you do need to be in your home country for the exams and interview. Even if the exams could be administered in another country, the interview should be conducted by the same group to ensure fairness. However, once the application period starts, you could ask the Japanese embassy in your home country directly.
Another option is to apply for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, but for undergraduate applicants, that is typically limited to only a few PGP programs, and might not meet your field.
I hope that your embassy can give you better advice when the application program starts (and also that the COVID-19 situation and border restrictions are better by then!)
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis, I really enjoy your blog posts, they’ve helped me quite a bit in understanding the MEXT scholarship and process. I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer( but I was going to email my state’s embassy anyway) but I’m currently a 3rd year at my university here in the states but my projected graduation isn’t until 2024. So, I’ve been debating which program I should apply for (either the undergraduate or the specialized training). I know that I would withdraw from my current university should I be accepted, but I wanted to ask you if I should still apply anyway, or perhaps wait until I finish a bachelor’s here. But if it all seems fine, I wondered how would I be able to go about asking my university for official documents(like transcripts) even though I have a long time until graduation. Any insight is appreciated, so thank you once again for providing such wonderful resources~
Hi Mimi,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
My recommendation would be to wait until you have finished your bachelor’s degree in your home country and then apply for the MEXT Scholarship for graduate studies (if you are interested in graduate studies, of course!).
The MEXT Scholarship for graduate studies is a significantly larger program – there are at least 10x the number of scholarship awards – and I think that you would get more benefit from a complete graduate program in Japan than you would from an undergraduate degree here. Additionally, it sounds like you have several years of university complete already, and you would not be able to transfer those credits to Japan, so if you applied for the undergraduate program or specialized training, you would be starting your studies from scratch.
I don’t know what your motivation is for pursuing the MEXT Scholarship, and I certainly can’t say what is the best path for you, individually, but please consider if earning a bachelor’s degree from a Japanese university would be worth the time you would lose having to restart your studies from the beginning.
As for getting the documentation from your university, that’s really going to depend on your university system. In a Japanese university, any student can get a copy of their transcript at any time. (My university has a machine that prints them, so students don’t even need to talk to the staff to get one.) If you do have to talk to a staff member to get one, and they demand to know a reason, then I would recommend telling them that you are considering applying for a scholarship. But really, in most systems that I am familiar with, students have the right to have access to their transcripts/grades when they want to, so I hope you won’t have a problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I have applied for the MEXT PhD scholarship program and recently received a mail which says ” You’ve got recommended as a potential student for the Japanese government scholarship program 2021″ and the MEXT will make the final decision on the offering of the scholarship through a separate screening process .
Could you please tell me what this separate screening of MEXT would comprise of , it’ll be of great help .
Hi Shubham Kumar,
Congratulations on being recommended for the scholarship!
I’m assuming that you applied for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship and that the email you received was from the university. If I got that wrong, please let me know, and I will adjust my answer.
During the Secondary Screening, there is nothing you have to do. MEXT will be screening the nomination documents submitted by the university that nominated you. MEXT’s screening is less about the academic content of your application and more about making sure that your application falls within all of the rules. For example, they are going to make sure that you haven’t been nominated by two universities within the same year, or that you do not have a history of having earned the scholarship in the past, as well as the other eligibility criteria that the university cannot necessarily check.
In general, universities know exactly what criteria their applicants have to meet for the application process and know how many applicants they are allowed to nominate, so it is almost unheard of for an applicant nominated by the university to be rejected during MEXT’s screening. The only time I heard of that happening was in 2019 in the year of budget cuts, when MEXT cut the number of spaces for both university and embassy recommendations at the last minute. But I do not think that is something that you have to worry about this year.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I was the sufferer in 2019.Today, I got the answer to why my application rejected after University recommendation.
Hi Shamim Munna,
I am sorry to hear that you were one of the applicants who had to go through that unfortunate situation. That really was the worst I have seen from the MEXT Scholarship in my decade of working with it.
I hope you have been able to apply again and find more success this time!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Shubkam Kumar,
Please, what is the name of the university you applied into.
Hi Travis,
I applied for the international multidisciplinary engineering (IME) program in October 2020, which is automatically considered for a MEXT scholarship recommendation or other scholarships by the University of Tokyo (Results will be out by late February 2021). I’m not sure what the internal process is, but not very much detail was given other than that it’s an internal and automatic recommendation.
I am now applying to the English-based Graduate Program in Science and Engineering (EBSE) at Waseda University, which just opened up for online applications. To be considered for MEXT in this application, I need to submit all documents by January 11th, 2021. The results for this will be released in March 2021.
My question is the following: Since both schools’ recommendations for MEXT is internal, is it acceptable to apply to both in this case? Will the schools check if I have been nominated in a different school, and let me know of my final decision before nominating me? There isn’t anything written in either of the applications on the restrictions for Top Global Type A MEXT, so I am very confused on whether it would be safe to apply without jeopardizing my chances of getting MEXT for UTokyo.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Alex N,
I saw that you left the same question on another article and I answered it there, first.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello. I was wondering this question about MEXT.
If you apply to MEXT, could you still apply to universities within your country just in case you do not get in?
Hi Hannah,
Yes, you can apply to universities in your country as a back-up plan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Dear TranSenz,
I have some questions about MEXT university recommendation, not from embassy.
1. Are the documents should be filled for university recommendation the same as embassy recommendation? Or should I get them from the selected university’s website ?
2. What should I do after a professor nominate me to the university? I don’t know the process after that.
I read your article about university recommendation but still I’m confused.
I appreciate your help,
Hi Same,
For the university recommended MEXT scholarship, you should get all of the documents and instructions from the university’s website.
Each university is going to have their own procedures and instructions regarding how you should apply, so the most important thing you can do at this time is to make sure you know the instructions for the university you are applying to and follow those precisely.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thank you for everything you’ve done on this site. It truly is very helpful.
I have a question regarding work after MEXT in Japan,
aside from having a great command of the language, what else might increase my chances in finding a job? Would you recommend me to go for a PhD or do you think that a master’s degree would be enough to land a job in Japan?
My field of study is environmental science.
Thank you again Sir.
Hi John,
Thank you for your kind words.
It all depends on what kind of job you are aiming for. If you are looking to be an environmental science professor or researcher, then you would need a PhD, certainly. However, if you were looking for a job managing a national park, then a Master’s degree might be enough.
I would recommend that you search now for job openings for any specific careers that you are interested in and look at the requirements they have for applicants. I can’t think of any better resource than that. Another way to look for information would be to talk to your professor and the career office at your university after you arrive in Japan to get their input on the field.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
So what u are saying is for me to contact the embassy directly about the screening result
Hi Miracle,
I would recommend that you check their website, first, for any information about what the application timeline is. But if there is no information there, then yes, the only way to find out the dates for your embassy would be to check with them directly.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis
How and when do i know if application to write the MEXT scholarship exam was accepted?
Hi Miracle,
I’m assuming you applied for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship. The process is different at each embassy, including the timeline, so I would recommend that you check with them directly about when they will release the results of the document screening.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Thanks for everything.
My question is:
Do everyone that apply for the undergraduate scholarship get to take the primary screening or does the embassy make selections?
Hi Tochi,
No, not everyone who submits an application will be invited to the next stage of the Primary Screening (the tests). In most cases, some applicants will be eliminated at each stage as they narrow down the potential selectees.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
I have a question regarding MEXT Scholarship extension.
Currently, I am a graduated student (Master degree) sponsored by MEXT and
I expect that next year on March, I will graduate. However, as my international
student section said that they will inform me and my supervisor about the extension
from master to doctor degree around November or December. In this case, I have
a plan not to continue it due to a personal reason but actually in the future i want to continue my doctoral study. So, my question is if I reject the extension, can I apply MEXT in the future again or
once I reject then there is no chance to apply it again ?
Thank you very much
Hi Gewinner,
If you decide not to extend your scholarship now, you can always apply again in the future, once you have at least three years of working or education experience accumulated before the start of the next scholarship period, since that’s an eligibility criteria.
Of course, your chances of winning the scholarship from scratch again in the future are lower than the chances of success in the extension application, simply due to the number of applicants and the level of competition, but if you’re OK with that, go for it!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz