Are you dreaming of studying in Japan without any financial burden? The MEXT Scholarship, offered by the Japanese government, allows international students to pursue their education for free.
This comprehensive blog post will explain everything you need to know about this MEXT scholarship in Japan, including the application process, eligibility criteria, different types of MEXT scholarships, requirements, and some tips to help you increase your chances of securing this scholarship.
What is the MEXT Scholarship?
MEXT Scholarship is one of the prestigious and top scholarships in Japan offered by The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).
This scholarship financially supports international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies (research) at universities in Japan.
Seven MEXT Scholarships in Japan are designed for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Here are they:
Research Students scholarship
This scholarship is intended for graduate-level studies, including research, master’s, and Ph.D. programs.
You must be under 35, meaning you should have been born on or after April 2, 1990.
Fields of Study
- Humanities
- Social science
- Mathematical Science
- Physics
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- Biology and Biotechnology
- Agriculture and Fishery
- Environmental science
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Geology and Geoinformatics
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
- Material Science/Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Robotics
- Informational Technology
- Sports Science
Eligibility criteria
- To apply for the Master’s or Doctoral course (first phase), you must hold a bachelor’s degree in the pertinent field with a minimum of 70% marks. Ensure you have acquired your mark sheet and degree by September 30, 2025, to be eligible for the October 2025 intake.
- To qualify for the Doctoral course (second phase), a master’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 70% marks is required. Additionally, you must acquire practical research, teaching, or work experience after obtaining the specified qualification on or before September 30, 2025, for admission to the October 2025 batch.
Term of scholarship
- Non-regular students: The scholarship term will commence in April, September, or October 2025 and conclude in March 2027.
Note: Since last year, research-only (non-regular) courses have been abolished.
- Regular students: who have enrolled in master’s, doctoral, or professional graduate courses, the scholarship period will be necessary to complete the respective regular course regardless of the arrival date.
Stipend
- A non-regular student receiving a preparatory education stipend or scholarship value will be 1,43,000 yen (approx. 78,600Rs per month).
- For a regular student enrolled in master’s or professional degree courses, the stipend or scholarship value will be 1,44,000 yen (approx. 79,200Rs per month).
- For a regular student enrolled in doctoral courses, the stipend or scholarship value will be 1,45,000 yen (approx. Rs 79,700) per month.
This scholarship covers your education fees and round-trip airfare, which means travelling from your home country to Japan and vice versa.
Undergraduate Student Scholarship
This MEXT UG scholarship is for undergraduate students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in any relevant field in Japan.
To be eligible, you must be born on or after April 2, 1999.
Fields of study
Social Sciences and Humanities
Social Sciences and Humanities – A
1. Law 2. Politics 3. Pedagogy 4. Sociology 5. Literature 6. History 7. Japanese Language 8. Others (excluding “1. Economics” and “2. Business Administration” “3. Others(Accounting, Financial Economics, etc.)”.)
Social Sciences and Humanities – B
1. Economics 2. Business Administration
Natural Sciences
Natural Science – A
Science (1. Mathematics 2. Physics 3. Chemistry)
Electric and Electronic Studies (4. Electronics 5. Electrical Engineering 6. Information Engineering)
Mechanical Studies (7. Mechanical Engineering 8. Naval Architecture)
Civil Engineering and Architecture (9. Civil Engineering 10. Architecture 11. Environmental Engineering)
Chemical Studies (12. Applied Chemistry 13. Chemical Engineering 14. Industrial Chemistry 15. Textile Engineering)
Other Fields (16. Metallurgical Engineering 17. Mining Engineering 18. Maritime Engineering 19. Biotechnology)
Natural Science – B
Agricultural Studies (1. Agriculture 2. Agricultural Chemistry 3. Agricultural Engineering 4. Animal Science 5. Veterinary Medicine 6. Forestry 7. Food Science 8. Fisheries)
Hygienic Studies (9. Pharmacy 10. Hygienics 11. Nursing)
Science (12. Biology).
Eligibility Criteria
A minimum score of 65% in either 11th or 12th grade is required. Additionally, if you are proficient in speaking Japanese, you will be given more preference by the university over other students who could be more proficient in Japanese.+
Term of the scholarship
- From April 2024 to March 2029, scholarship students pursuing preparatory education before university enrollment will receive assistance. This period includes a year of intensive Japanese language courses and essential subjects vital for university admission preparation.
- A scholarship student who enrols directly in a university without undergoing preparatory intensive courses (direct placement) will be eligible for support for four years.
However, the scholarship duration extends to six years for students pursuing veterinary medicine or enrolled in a six-year pharmacy program beginning from the university’s specified enrollment date.
A maximum of 12 scholarships are available. (Approximately 12 applicants who pass the initial screening will progress to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.)
This scholarship offers a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (approximately 71,200 Rs. per month) and covers round-trip airfare. Additionally, education fees are waived for students of this scholarship.
Also read: Top Scholarships In Japan For Indian Students
College of Technology Scholarship
This MEXT UG scholarship is for those students pursuing undergraduate studies leading to an associate degree (diploma). You must have been born on or after April 2, 1999, to be eligible for this scholarship.
Field of study
You can choose the preferred field of study from among the courses listed below:
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Information, Communication, and Network engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Maritime Engineering
- Other fields
Eligibility criteria
A minimum score of 65% in either 12th or 11th grade is required, with additional preference potentially given to students proficient in speaking the Japanese language.
Term of the Scholarship
- Between April 2024 and March 2028, a series of one-year intensive courses will cover the Japanese language, Japanese affairs, mathematics, and other necessary subjects to prepare students for admission to a college of technology.
- Scholarship students pursuing maritime engineering will have their studies extended to four and a half years, concluding in September 2028.
Up to 12 scholarships are available. Approximately 12 applicants who pass the initial screening will proceed to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.
This scholarship offers a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (roughly 71,200 Rs per month) and covers round-trip airfare. Tuition fees are waived for students of this scholarship.
Specialised Training College Students Scholarship
The MEXT UG scholarship is for the undergraduate level and will lead to a certificate. You must have been born on or after April 2, 1999, to be eligible.
Field of study
You can choose the preferred field of study from among the courses listed below:
- Technology
- Personal Care and Nutrition
- Education and Welfare
- Business
- Fashion and Home Economics
- Culture and General Education
Term of scholarship
The scholarship lasts three years, commencing in April 2024, with an initial one-year Japanese language training period included.
A maximum of 12 scholarships are available. About 12 candidates who pass the initial screening will progress to the global final screening conducted by MEXT.
Recipients will receive a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (approximately 71,200) and round-trip airfare. Educational fees are waived under this scholarship.
Japanese Studies Students
This MEXT UG scholarship is only for students learning about the Japanese language and culture at certain universities. The Embassy has already contacted these universities, so you don’t have to contact them separately. This scholarship is for undergraduates, and you will be given a certificate when you finish.
To apply for this scholarship, You must have been born between April 2, 1994, and April 1, 2006.
Only two areas of study are available: Japanese Language and Culture. Eligible students must be undergraduates at designated universities and have studied Japanese language or culture for over a year. The scholarship duration is one year, starting in October.
It includes a monthly stipend of 117,000 yen (approximately 71,200 USD) and round-trip airfare. Tuition fees are waived. Contact your university or college for details on the application period.
Young Leaders Program Students Scholarship
This MEXT PG scholarship in Japan is for students under 40 pursuing master’s courses in the below fields.
Field of Study
- School of Government
- School of Local Governance
- Business Administration
- Law
Qualification
Students recommended solely by the following authorised bodies in India are:
- Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
- Ministry of Law and Justice
- Confederation of Indian Industry
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
- Government officials
- Legal professionals
- University Graduates with at least 2-3 years of work experience
- University Graduates with at least four years of work experience
The duration of this Japanese government scholarship is one year, beginning in October 2024.
It offers a monthly stipend of 242,000 yen (approximately INR 142,400 per month), subject to change, along with round-trip airfare. Additionally, the scholarship covers your education fees.
MEXT Scholarship Eligibility
Suppose you are planning to study in Japan and planning to secure this MEXT Scholarship. In that case, reviewing some of these eligibility criteria and seeing whether you can secure this scholarship is essential.
The eligibility criteria are different for each of the programs. Here are they:
- As a research student, You must be under 35 years old and either a college graduate (including soon-to-be graduates) or have completed 16 years of education.
- As an undergraduate student, You must be between 17 and 25 years old and have completed 12 years of school education or equivalent courses at an institution comparable to a high school (including prospective graduates).
- As a College of Technology student, You must be between 17 and 25 years old and have completed an education equivalent to high school (at least 11 years starting from primary school), including those about to graduate.
- As a specialised training college student, you must be between 17 and 25 years old and have completed 12 years of schooling or at an equivalent level comparable to a Japanese high school (including prospective graduates).
- As a Young Leader’s program student, you should be under 40 and hold a university or college degree. Additionally, if you have practical work experience, young public administrators and those anticipated to play active roles in Asia and beyond are encouraged to apply.
Examinations required for Embassy recommendation
- As a research student, you must speak Japanese and English proficiently.
- Undergraduate student: Japanese, mathematics, English, and Science.
Note: Science faculty candidates must select two out of the three subjects—chemistry, physics, or biology—for examination.
- Japanese studies students Must be proficient in speaking the Japanese language.
- College of Technology students: Japanese, English, mathematics, and physics or chemistry.
- Specialised training college students: Japanese, English, and mathematics
MEXT scholarship application process
You can apply for a scholarship in Japan in two ways: First, you can use to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) with a recommendation from a Japanese Embassy or any other Japanese diplomatic institution in India.
The second way is to apply to the MEXT with a recommendation from a Japanese Scholarship.
We will explain to you both ways:
Embassy Recommendation
Under this scholarship, candidates are recruited and undergo initial screening by a Japanese embassy or consulate general.
Some application requirements are more detailed, so please check with the Japanese embassy in India or other Japanese diplomatic missions.
Furthermore, the Japanese embassy or another diplomatic mission in India will oversee all necessary document submissions and interviews.
University Recommendation
Under this university recommendation program, Japanese universities select scholarship candidates through student exchange partnerships with international schools.
Once they are done screening candidates, universities recommend those students to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as potential candidates.
The scholarship encompasses programs such as Research, Undergraduate, Japanese language and culture students, and College of Technology participants.
Students who receive the MEXT scholarship through university recommendation typically arrive in Japan between September and October, although some may come as late as March or early April.
It’s worth noting that not all Japanese universities can recommend international students for this scholarship. If you get recommended by a university, you might be lucky.
Only a limited number of universities approved by MEXT have the authority to recommend students for the scholarship.
Hence, if you’re considering applying for a scholarship recommended by a university, it’s essential to check whether your preferred institution offers such recommendations.
Criteria for applications and academic standards fluctuate according to the respective university’s policies. Furthermore, the duration and eligibility criteria of the scholarship may differ based on the recommendation framework established by each university.
Therefore, verifying these details directly with your desired university before applying is advisable.
How to apply for the MEXT Scholarship in 2025?
After understanding everything related to the MEXT scholarship, you might be thinking about how to apply for this scholarship, well here is the process to apply for the MEXT scholarship in Japan:
- Find the Japanese Embassy or any Japanese diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan website.
- Once you visit this website, under the education/scholarship tab, you will find an option to apply for the MEXT Scholarship.
- Next, download the MEXT Scholarship form and fill it out.
- Submit the required documents to the Japanese embassy in India or your country.
- The Japanese Embassy will conduct a written test. Find Sample Written Test with Answers Here.
- Once you complete the above process, you will be called to give an interview.
- If your interview is cleared, you will be informed through email, or you can check your application status on the embassy website.
MEXT Scholarship Requirements
To apply for this scholarship in Japan, there are some documents that you have to submit to the Japanese embassy; here is the list:
- MEXT Scholarship application form
- The highest degree you have attained with official stamps on it, such as:
Bachelor’s program applicants: your 12th grade mark sheet
Master’s program applicants: your consolidated mark sheet for your bachelor’s.
PhD program applicants: Master’s degree
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Copy of your passport
- Updated Resume or CV.
- Passport sized photographs
- Statement of purpose, why you want to study in Japan, your educational background, etc.
- Scores of your English language proficiency tests.
- Other reference documents
Tips for your MEXT scholarship application
Here are some of the additional tips that will help you secure a MEXT scholarship and study in Japan for free:
- Learn the Japanese language. Although fluency may not be mandatory, possessing basic Japanese language skills shows your enthusiasm for the culture and readiness to enter Japanese society.
- Review all your application materials properly to eliminate typos and grammatical errors. Remember, initial impressions carry significant weight!
- Ensure you are punctual regarding all deadlines for submitting applications and necessary documents to the embassy/university and your selected universities.
- When applying for the Research Student scholarship, explore potential professors in your academic field at your preferred universities. Initiate contact with them to discuss your research passions and interests.
By following these additional tips, you can significantly strengthen your MEXT scholarship application and increase your chances of receiving this prestigious award.
Conclusion
Aiming for the MEXT Scholarship to study in Japan is a fantastic chance to learn and experience a new culture.
By knowing the requirements, application steps, and tips we’ve covered, you’re set to apply smoothly. Remember to start early. Make your application strong.
Want more helpful tips? Check out our other blogs for extra guidance on your education path.
