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MEXT Scholarship: Comprehensive Guide

Updated on 17 January, 2024

Shivangi Mishra

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

MEXT Scholarship

Japan has been a steady friend of India over the decades. Trade volumes have gone up, with India being Japan’s 18th biggest trading partner in 2021. Japan was also India’s 5th biggest investor in FY2021, and 1,439 Japanese companies had branches in India by 2021. As of December 2022, there were also 43,886 Indian nationals staying in Japan. To foster this relationship, Japan also offers MEXT scholarships for Indians and other foreign students.

What is MEXT Scholarship

MEXT or Monbukagakusho, is a Japanese government scholarship that offers financial aid to foreign students pursuing their higher education in Japanese institutions. They are chosen based on recommendations by the Japanese Consulate General or Embassy, Authority, or University. The entire application process is done through consulates or embassies in foreign nations or higher education institutions based in Japan. 

There is the MEXT scholarship at the undergraduate level along with scholarships for research students, college of technology students, specialized training college students, Young Leaders Program students, Japanese studies students, and teacher training students.

MEXT Scholarship- Eligibility Criteria 

Here are the MEXT scholarship requirements for various levels of students. 

Research studentsAge should be less than 35, and applicants should be college graduates.
Teacher training studentsApplicants should be less than 35 years of age while being a teacher training college/college graduate. They should possess active teaching experience of five years in a secondary, primary, or teacher training college in their home countries. 
MEXT UG scholarshipStudents should be a minimum of 17 and less than 25 years of age. They should have finished school education of 12 years or done courses in an institution equivalent to high school.
Japanese studies studentsThe age limit is 18-30 years, while applicants should have enrolled as undergraduates in schools or faculties majoring in Japanese culture or language in an institution outside the country when they visit Japan. They have to be enrolled in their home institution when they return to their home nations. 
College of Technology studentsApplicants have to be 17-25 years old while having finished their school education (at least 11 years starting from primary school).
Young Leaders Program (YLP) studentsThey should be less than 40 years of age while being college/university graduates with work experience or public administrators who can play vital roles in several countries and Asia. 

MEXT Scholarship Documents Required

Here are the documents required for the MEXT scholarship: 

  • Application form
  • Direct placement preference form 
  • Recommendation letter from the principal/class teacher of the last-attended institution 
  • Graduation certificate of university/school
  • Academic transcripts (all school/university years)
  • Certificate of enrollment
  • Medical certificate
  • Certificate of the university enrollment qualification test
  • Language proficiency certificate 

MEXT Scholarship Benefits

Here are the level-wise benefits offered by the MEXT scholarship. 

Undergraduate

 

117,000 yen (₹67,000 approx) each month as allowance. Coverage for matriculation, entrance examination, and tuition fees at universities along with traveling expenses to and from Japan.
Research studentsThe allowance is 143,000 yen (₹81,000 approx) each month for those getting preparatory education, and other non-regular students will get 144,000 yen (₹82,000 approx) per month.
Regular students in doctoral programs will receive 145,000 yen (₹83,000 approx) each month. Transportation costs to and from are also covered.
College of Technology students- 117,000 yen (₹66,000 approx) per month, along with 2-3,000 yen each month for those studying/researching in specially designated zones. Education costs will be covered like above, along with transportation to and from Japan. 
Specialized Training College studentsThey will receive the same benefits as College of Technology students i.e. 117,000 yen (₹66,000 approx) per month. 
Japanese Studies studentsThey will receive 117,000 yen (₹66,000 approx) each month, along with exemptions on tuition fees and similar benefits. 
YLP (Young Leaders Program)Students will receive round-trip airfare and exemptions on tuition fees along with 242,000 yen ( ₹1.38 lakh approx) each month. 
Teachers Training studentsThey will get 143,000 yen (₹81,000 approx) each month, along with tuition fee exemptions and round-trip airfare.

MEXT Scholarship - How to Apply

These are the two common ways of applying: 

  • Recommendation of the Embassy- Applications are directly submitted via consular offices/embassies outside Japan. Scholarship holders are recruited and then screed by the consulate general/embassy. 
  • Recommendation of the University- Some universities choose and recommend research students for the scholarship directly. 

These are the salient features and details of the MEXT scholarship. It is a useful option for those looking to pursue their higher education in this beautiful country.

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Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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