MEXT Scholarship 2025 | Everything you need to know

If you want to study in Japan, this is a great scholarship for you. In this article, we will explain the MEXT scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application procedure in detail.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate or research (masters / PhD) students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships Programme.

Normally, the application cycle for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship is announced in April. Knowledge of the Japanese language and IELTS/TOEFL is not mandatory for this scholarship. This is the Mext Embassy-recommended scholarship. You will apply through the Japanese embassy in your country.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD / Training
• Institution(s): Japanese Universities
• Study in: Japan
• Courses Offered: All types of courses are offered in all Japanese universities, from Social Science to Engineering, Medical to Health, Arts, Humanities, etc. There are no academic field restrictions.
• Programme Period: Undergraduate: 4-5 Years, Masters: 2-3 Years, PhD: 3-4 Years
• MEXT Scholarship Deadline: Varies from Embassy to Embassy (Click here to check deadlines)

MEXT Scholarship Coverage

MEXT Scholarship is a Fully Funded Scholarship for International Students to Study in Japan For Free. This scholarship will provide the recipient with the following benefits:

• Allowances: Monthly Stipend Allowance, Preparatory Allowance (2024 Rate)
• Education Fees: Fees for the Entrance Examination and tuition fees at Universities will be paid by MEXT.
• Travelling Expenses: Transportation to Japan: MEXT will cover your round-trip Airfare Travel Expenses from your Country to Japan. The Airline ticket will be an Economy-class ticket for the flight.
• Accommodations: Residence halls for international students provided by universities.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the MEXT Scholarship, the candidate must fulfil all of the following requirements:

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: All world countries
• Applicants must have the nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan.
• An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible.
• For Undergraduate Students: You must be at least 17 and under 25 years of age and have completed 12 years of school education or have completed courses in a school comparable to a high school (including prospective graduates)
• For Masters and PhD Students: You must be under 35 years of age and a college graduate (including prospective graduates). Or you must have completed 16 or 18 years of education.
• For Teacher training students: You must be under 35 years of age and a graduate of a college or teacher training college. You must have at least five years of active experience as a teacher in a primary, secondary, or teacher-training college in your country.
• For Japanese Study Students: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old. Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students in faculties or schools which major in Japanese language or Japanese culture in a university outside Japan at the time they come to Japan and must be enrolled in their home institution at the time they return to their home countries.

How to Apply

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for MEXT Scholarship:

1. Find the Japanese Embassy or Consulate of your country from here.
2. Visit the website of the Japanese Embassy in your country. Under the Education/Sponsorship tab, you will find the MEXT scholarship.
3. Download the MEXT scholarship application form and fill it out.
4. Submit the required documents (listed below) to the Japanese Embassy in your country.
5. A written test will be conducted by the Japanese Embassy. Find Sample Written Test with Answers Here.
6. After that interviews of the candidates will be conducted.
7. The successful candidates will be informed through email or the embassy website.

Required Documents 

1. MEXT Scholarship Application form
2. The highest degree is verified with official stamps.
   1. Bachelor programme applicants: 12 Years of Education

   2. Master’s programme applicants: Bachelor’s degree
   3. PhD programme applicants: Master’s degree
      Note: If the degree is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English is required.
3. The highest-degree transcript was verified with official stamps. (Including Grading system)
   1. Bachelor programme applicants: 12 Years of Education
   2. Master’s programme applicants: Bachelor’s degree Transcripts
   3. PhD programme applicants: Master’s degree Transcripts
      Note: If the diploma is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English or
      required.
4. Two recommendation letters: The letters of recommendation must be written by the applicant’s teachers, advisors, or employers (who can evaluate your academic performance and research potential) in either English or French. (for research students)
5. Passport Scan (if available at the time of application)

6. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (for research students)

7. Photographs
8. Study plan / statement of purpose. The study plan is written in English. basic content shall include motivation of application, education and research Background, and prospective study at APU. (for research students)
9. English Language Proficiency Document: Those students whose language institute was in English can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their home university, & they are exempt from the language test.
10. Academic thesis or relevant publications (for research students)
11. Other reference documents (if applicable)

To learn more about the MEXT Scholarship, please visit the official website:

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