If you want to pursue your education in a creative and modern country, Japan might be the place for you. Universities in Japan have it all: a world-class academic infrastructure, incredible research opportunities, and proven groundbreaking programs. They are particularly welcoming to international students, who are seen as contributing to the multicultural environment and promoting free thought.
Japan is regarded as one of the best nations in the world, with relatively low crime rates. This is one of the most critical considerations for international students. In addition to being very polite and encouraging, the Japanese have fantastic scholarships and grants to assist both foreign and domestic students on their path to higher education.
Hundreds of thousands of foreign students attend universities in Japan, demonstrating once again that this country is a popular destination. With mild weather, travel, and culture-enriched life, this might be the perfect place for every enthusiastic student. In this article, we will be looking at Japanese Government scholarships for international students.
MEXT Scholarship Awards
MEXT (Japanese Government Scholarships) are available for six different types of students, depending on the program. The scholarships are intended for science students, teacher training students, undergraduate students, Japanese studies students, technology college students, and advanced training college students. MEXT aims to help international students with financial issues that will allow them to comfortably live and finish their education in Japan. It also promotes international relationships and at the same time to have the opportunity to be involved in research opportunities in the country.
These scholarships completely cover tuition costs, and additional financial assistance is available in the form of a travel allowance (air ticket provided) and a monthly stipend depending on the field of study. The monthly allowance will depend on the course and the exact amount may change every academic year. This stipend is given to students to help aid in their living costs.
These scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students who are nominated by either the embassy or the university. The duration of the scholarships varies depending on the program, but it typically lasts up to five years for undergraduate students and up to seven years for medicine and dentistry students. The MEXT scholarship is valid for one year and six months for graduate students and includes Japanese language lessons.
Eligibility Criteria: MEXT Scholarships
To be eligible for Japanese government scholarships, students must meet the eligibility criteria, which vary based on the program of choosing. But in general, a candidate must be a non-Japanese resident with a valid student visa.
Undergraduate candidates must be over the age of 17 and under the age of 25 and have completed (or are about to complete) a 12-year primary and secondary schooling. A candidate may be required to submit a Japanese language certificate. If you have been planning to study in Japan, we recommend learning the language as early as possible. This may be one of the reasons to impress the deciding committee.
Graduate applicants on the other hand must be under the age of 35 before the enrollment date. Applicants must either be graduates of Japanese universities or have the same or higher academic capacity than a Japanese graduate. Additional requirements for some programs such as teacher training students, who have to be under 35 years of age must have at least five years of experience as a teacher. Also, Japanese studies students have to be between 18 and 30 years old with a major in the Japanese language or culture in a school or university located outside Japan.
Check Also: Available Programs for International Students
How to Apply: MEXT Scholarships
There are two ways to apply for the MEXT Scholarships: via the embassy or the regional university recommendations. Both require certain documentation and further testing. Candidates are selected based on academic achievements and overall enthusiasm for the Japanese language and culture.
Embassy Recommendation
One way to apply for the MEXT scholarship is through the embassy route. If you are applying through the embassy, you need to get the information from the Japan Embassy homepage of your home country. For example, if you are from India, visit the official website of the Japanese embassy in India.
Exams and dates will be coordinated through the embassy or the university. Most schools will require students to submit Japanese and English proficiency exams, but depending on the program, additional math, and physics, chemistry, or biology exams may also be required.
The recommendation period usually lasts up to a year and typically starts in April. After obtaining all of the necessary documents, eligible students will be invited for an interview. By late August, the embassy will forward a list of successful candidates to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the prospective student for the MEXT Scholarship has to show a willingness to learn the Japanese language and be overall enthusiastic about Japanese culture and way of life. This is one of the reasons why it is a good idea to learn the basics of the Japanese language even before you arrive in Japan. Even if there are courses available in English, the Japanese language is considered mandatory.
University Recommendation
MEXT scholarship may be granted through the recommendation of a university that has certain exchange program agreements with Japanese universities. These institutes will recommend potential students to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.
Scholars who have been chosen must provide necessary documents such as a letter of recommendation, identification or a passport, verification of prior experience and records, a health certificate, and records of language or special academic abilities. After the application process is completed, scholars usually arrive in Japan in September or October, although there are instances that students would arrive by March or April.
To summarize, Japan is a nation that is focused on the future while preserving its history and heritage. As a result, the country welcomes foreign students each year who are excited to be a part of tomorrow’s creative society. The colleges are cutting-edge and committed to education in every way. Universities collaborate closely with the state and government, and this collaboration has resulted in a large number of Japanese government scholarships available to international students. Given that Japan is reasonably priced and that extra financial assistance is available, there are no constraints to a perfectly balanced student life.
We hope this article will encourage you to apply for scholarships. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs in Japan and Study in Japan pages for more study options!
