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MEXT Scholarship for Study in Japan

The MEXT Scholarship is an annual scheme that supports foreign students who want to study in Japan., Post a Comment

Provider
Various
Host country
Japan
Region
Asia

About this scholarship

![MEXT Scholarship for study in Japan](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mext-scholarship-study-in-japan.jpg) [starportillo](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/beyondstellar/) [September 15, 2021September 15, 2021](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2021/09/15/) ##### Japan consistently ranks in the top 10 countries for education. For this reason, many international students have been considering completing a degree in the said country. ##### Through the MEXT Scholarship, studying in Japan can be made more affordable. Read on to learn more. ### Table of contents - [Benefits of the MEXT Scholarships](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mext-scholarship-for-study-in-japan/#h-benefits-of-the-mext-scholarships) - [Eligibility for Study in Japan](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mext-scholarship-for-study-in-japan/#h-eligibility-for-study-in-japan) - [How to Apply](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/mext-scholarship-for-study-in-japan/#h-how-to-apply) The MEXT Scholarship is an annual scheme that supports foreign students who want to study in Japan. Sponsored by the Japanese government, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship is geared towards learners intent on pursuing higher education institutions as recommended by the Japanese embassy. For grantees who studied at a preparatory educational institution prior to enrolling in a university, the scholarship period will last for five years. This time frame already includes a one-year preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects due to be provided upon arrival in Japan. Meanwhile, for scholars majoring in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or a six-year course in pharmacy, the scholarship period is extended to seven years. ![](https://i0.wp.com/scholarshipsforafricans.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/mext-scholarships-1.png?resize=298%2C169&ssl=1) ## Benefits of the MEXT Scholarships Detailed below are the benefits covered by the MEXT Scholarships for successful applicants: - **Allowance:** A budget of 117,000 Japanese yen shall be given to scholars per month. In addition, scholars studying or conducting research in specially-designated regions will receive an added supplemental regional allowance of 2,000 – 3,000 yen. _\*PLEASE NOTE: The amount of payment may be subject to change each fiscal year, depending on the Japanese government’s budget._ - **Education fees:** MEXT is responsible for paying the entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition fees at the scholar’s chosen partner university. - **Travelling Expenses:** MEXT will stipulate the travel schedule and route, as well as provide an airline ticket to scholars who will arrive for study in Japan during the agreed upon period. The airline ticket will be an economy-class ticket from the international airport closest to the grantee’s residence to an international airport in Japan used on the normal route to the accepting university. Meanwhile, domestic travel from the scholar’s residence to the nearest international airport, airport taxes, airport usage fees, special taxes necessary for travel, travel expenses within Japan (including airline transit costs), travel insurance expenses, carry-on luggage, or unaccompanied baggage expenses shall not be shouldered by MEXT. ## Eligibility for Study in Japan In order to be qualified for a MEXT Scholarship and study in Japan, interested applicants must first meet the following conditions: - **Nationality:** Applicants must come from a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. - **Age:** Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1997. On another note, applicants who meet the Academic Background conditions must be 18 years old and above at the time of admission to a Japanese university. - **Academic Background:** Applicants must meet one of the following Academic Background conditions in order to be considered for the opportunity: - Individuals must have completed 12 years of schooling in countries other than Japan. - Applicants must have completed their studies at a school equivalent to a Japanese upper secondary school in countries other than Japan. - Aspiring scholars who have successfully passed an academic qualification examination that is equivalent to the completion of 12 years of schooling in countries other than Japan. - Lastly, applicants must be eligible for enrollment in a Japanese university at the time of application. ## How to Apply To start your application process, please head over to the [official webpage for the MEXT Scholarships](https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-undergraduate.html). * * * _brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_ [**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo. 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Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
  • Willing to study in Japan
  • Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
  • English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
  • Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

Deadline timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

  1. 12 months out

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the MEXT Scholarship for Study in Japan?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the the stated level level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to Japan for the duration of the programme.

Is the MEXT Scholarship for Study in Japan fully funded?+

Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is varies by intake — see the official site. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.