If you are interested in pursuing studies in Japan with a scholarship, then please read this post carefully. In this article, we will provide an explanation of the MEXT scholarship for the year 2025, outline its advantages, and present a step-by-step guide to the application process.
The MEXT Scholarship for 2025 is a fully funded scholarship opportunity for international students. It encompasses undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and training programs. The scholarship will cover tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly living allowance, and round-trip airfare expenses from your home country to Japan.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan administers this program to provide scholarships to international students who aspire to pursue studies at Japanese universities, whether at the undergraduate or research (master’s or PhD) level, through the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships Program.
Typically, the application cycle for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship is announced in April. Notably, knowledge of the Japanese language and IELTS/TOEFL scores are not mandatory requirements for this scholarship.
This scholarship is embassy-recommended, and you will apply through the Japanese embassy in your respective country. Links to all embassies can be found below.
MEXT Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD or Training
- Institution(s): Japanese Universities
- Study in: Japan
- Courses Offered: All types of courses offered in all Japanese universities, from Social Science to Engineering, Medical to Health, Arts, Humanities, etc. There are no academic field restrictions.
- Program 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
The MEXT Scholarship 2025 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 (2025 Rate)
- Education Fees: Fees for the Entrance Examination and tuition fees at universities will be paid by MEXT.
- Traveling Expenses: Transportation to Japan: MEXT will cover your round-trip airfare expenses from your country to Japan. The airline ticket will be an economy-class ticket for the flight.
- Accommodations: Residence halls for international students are provided by universities.
Eligibility Criteria for MEXT Scholarship 2025
To qualify for the MEXT Scholarship, candidates must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: All world countries
- Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has 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 that major in Japanese language or Japanese culture at 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.
Documents Required for MEXT Scholarship 2025
(1) MEXT Scholarship Application form
(2) The highest degree verified with official stamps
- Bachelors program applicants: 12 Years of Education
- Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree
- Ph.D. program 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 verified with official stamps (Including Grading system)
- Bachelors program applicants: 12 Years of Education
- Master’s program applicants: Bachelor’s degree Transcripts
- Ph.D. program applicants: Master’s degree Transcripts
Note: If the diploma is not in English, a notarized copy of a translation in English is required.
(4) Two recommendation letters: The letters of recommendation must be written by the applicant’s teachers, advisors, or employers (who are able to 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
(9) English Language Proficiency Document: Those students whose language institute was in English can submit an English Proficiency Certificate from their home university, and they are exempt from the language test.
(10) Academic thesis or relevant publications (for research students)
How do I apply for the MEXT Scholarship 2025?
Please follow the following application instructions to apply for the MEXT Scholarship:
- Find the Japanese Embassy or Consulate of your country from here.
- Visit the website of the Japanese Embassy in your country. Under the Education/Sponsorship tab, you will find the MEXT scholarship.
- Download the MEXT scholarship application form and fill it out.
- Submit the required documents (listed below) to the Japanese Embassy in your country.
- A written test will be conducted by the Japanese Embassy. Find a sample written test with answers here.
- After that, interviews with the candidates will be conducted.
- The successful candidates will be informed through email or the embassy website.
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