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.
Over 140,000 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. Those for science students, teacher training students, undergraduate students, Japanese studies students, technology college students, and advanced training college students. These government scholarships aim to help international students with financial issues that will allow them to comfortably live and finish the education. It also promotes international relationships and at the same time enriches the life are research opportunities in Japan.
The most important thing to remember is that these scholarships completely cover tuition costs, and there is additional financial assistance available in the form of a travel allowance (air ticket provided) and a monthly stipend depending on the field of study. The stipend depends on the course where undergraduate students receive around $1,000 per month and postgraduate students have around $1,300 per month to aid with additional 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 they will last up to 5 years for undergraduate students and up to 7 years for medicine and dentistry students. The scholarship is valid for one year and six months for graduate students and includes Japanese language lessons.
Eligibility Criteria for Japanese Government Scholarship
To be eligible for Japanese Government Scholarships, students must meet a variety of criteria, which vary based on the program. There are some general qualifications such as being a non-Japanese resident and obtaining a mandatory 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 prior degree. There is often a requirement that the student is willing to learn the Japanese language and take classes in said language as well for MEXT scholarship.
Graduate students have to be under the age of 35 to the enrollment date. Applicants must either be graduates of Japanese universities or have the same or higher academic capacity than a Japanese graduate.
There are additional requirements for some programs such as Teacher training students, who have to be under 35 years of age and with at least 5 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 to MEXT Scholarship
There are two ways to apply for a Japanese government scholarship: via the embassy or the regional university recommendations. Both ways require certain documentation and further testing. Candidates are selected based on academic achievements and overall enthusiasm for the Japanese language and culture. Please see the MEXT Scholarships Application Page for complete information.
Embassy recommendations
The first way of applying for MEXT is through the Embassy route. If you are applying through the Embassy, you need to get the information from the Japan’s Embassy homepage in your home country. For example, if you are from India, you would go to Japan’s embassy’s website in India. Exams are also provided for the Embassy recommendations, depending on the school. Most schools need proficiency in Japanese and English, but depending on the course, additional math, and physics, chemistry, or biology exams may be required.
The recommendation period can last up to a year and typically starts in April. After obtaining all of the necessary documentation, the student is interviewed and checked at the embassy. By late August, the embassy has recommended the chosen 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 with embassy recommendations is that the prospective student for MEXT Scholarship has to show a willingness to learn the Japanese language and be overall enthusiastic about the Japanese culture and life. This is one of the reasons why it would be 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 recommendations
Another way to be recommended for a government scholarship in Japan is by a national, public, or private university. The university makes clear recommendations to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for the chosen candidates. Students accredited by universities arrive in Japan in September or October.
The student is responsible for the documents for MEXT scholarships, which may include 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. The entire application process is described here.
To summarize Japan is a nation that is focused on the future while preserving its history and heritage. As a result, they are welcoming more 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. They are developing high-quality individuals who are not only well educated but also empathic and humble.
Universities collaborate closely with the state and government, and this collaboration has resulted in a large number of Japanese Government scholarships available to foreign students. Given that Japan is reasonably priced and that extra financial assistance is available, there are no constraints to a perfectly balanced student life.
I hope that this article on Japanese Government scholarships for international students was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Available Programs for International Students!
