MEXT Scholarship 2023-24

Japan, a country known for its multicultural environment and high-end technology, is one of the top study destinations for a majority of international students, owing to the fantastic Japanese education system, world-class infrastructure, affordable and quality education, and enormous job opportunities provided to the students. One such motivator for students to study in Japan is the availability of scores of scholarships across disciplines. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the Government of India offers Indian students an array of scholarships for pursuing undergraduate, graduate and doctorate courses across various Universities in Japan. Through this blog, we will provide you with an insight into salient features of the famous MEXT Scholarship 2023, which is also known as Monbukagakusho!

Level of Study	Undergraduate / Masters / PhD / Training
Institutions	Japanese Universities
Courses Offered	All sorts of studies are available at all Japanese universities, ranging from social science to engineering, medicine to health, arts and humanities, and so on. There are no restrictions on academic fields.
Program Period	Undergraduate: 4-5 Years, Masters: 2-3 Years, PhD: 3-4 Years

Types of MEXT Scholarship

The MEXT scholarship program broadly covers 7 areas, at different levels of study. To understand it in detail, listed below are the types of this scholarship program that the applicants can choose from: 

• Research Students: The students who are at their graduate level can apply for the MEXT scholarship. It includes courses in Research, Master and PhD levels. 

• Undergraduate Students: The students who have completed their higher secondary school and are currently at the undergraduate level and leading to a bachelor’s degree.

• College of Technology Studies: This type of MEXT Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are leading towards an associate degree (diploma).

• Specialized Training College Students: The students at the undergraduate level who want to pursue a certificate course can opt for this type of MEXT Scholarship. 

• Japanese Studies Students: Same as specialized training college students, the students leading to certificate courses are included in this program. 

• Young Leaders’ Program Students: This is for those students who want to pursue postgraduation degree courses across disciplines. 

• Teacher Training Students: Another type of MEXT Scholarship, it is open to undergraduate-level students who are leading to certificate courses.

Must Read: NSERC Scholarships

MEXT Scholarship: Fields of Study

In the table given below, we have provided you with some of the most prominent areas of studies that are covered under different types of MEXT Scholarship 2023: 

Types of MEXT Scholarship	Areas of Study
Research Students	Humanities Social Science Mathematical Science Chemistry, Biology, and Biotechnology Environmental Science Engineering Information Technology
Undergraduate Students	Social Sciences and Humanities Natural Science
College of Technology Students	Mechanical Engineering Civil Engineering Marine Engineering Architecture
Specialized Training College Students	Technology Nutrition Education Fashion Economics
Japanese Studies Students	Japanese Language And Culture
Young Leaders’ Program Student	Public Administration Local Governance Law Business Administration
Teacher Training Students	Education

MEXT Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the MEXT Scholarship, the applicants need to satisfy certain prerequisites. Given below are the level-wise eligibility criteria:

Research Students

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• For pursuing a master’s or research degree, the candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and should have secured a minimum of 65% marks.
• For admission to a PhD degree program, the applicant must have a master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 65% score.
• For research students or master’s degree in the Japanese Language, the candidate should have passed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Japanese language from a recognized university OR should hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject and obtained an N2 certificate of Japanese language proficiency test.
• To apply for the MEXT Scholarship for a PhD degree in the Japanese language, the students must have completed their master’s degree in the language itself.

Undergraduate, College of Technology, and Specialized Training College Students

For applying to the MEXT Scholarship for undergraduate students, College of Technology Studies, and Specialized training College students, the applicants must have completed education equivalent to high school, that is, 10+2 level of secondary education.

Japanese Government Scholarships

• For Japanese Studies, candidates who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at a university are eligible to apply.
• For Young Leaders Program Students, the candidate must be a government official or a university graduate with 3-4 years of prior work experience.
• Those who want to apply for the Teachers Training Students MEXT Scholarship should have worked as a teacher in primary/secondary school for at least five years.

Also Read: Here is a list of GRE Scholarships!

How to Apply for MEXT Scholarship?

To apply for the MEXT scholarship 2023, please follow the steps outlined below:

• From this page, you may locate the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country.
• Visit the webpage of your country’s Japanese embassy. The MEXT scholarship may be found on the Education / Scholarship page.
• Fill out the MEXT scholarship application form after downloading it.
• Submit the necessary documents (see list below) to the Japanese Embassy in your country.
• The Japanese Embassy will administer a written examination. Here is a sample written test with answers.
• Following that, the applicants will be interviewed.
• Successful candidates will be notified through email via the embassy website.

Must Read: MBBS in Japan

Grant Amount

As discussed, MEXT offers scholarships at various levels of education, the value of each being different. It is important to note that all the grants cover both the tuition fee and round-trip airfare. Tabulated below are the grants which are disbursed under the respective type of MEXT Scholarship:

Scholarship Types	Stipend
Research Students	144,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 89,000)
Undergraduate Students	117,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 73,000)
College of Technology Studies	117,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 73,000)
Specialized Training College Students	117,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 73,000)
Japanese Studies Students	117,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 73,000)
Young Leaders Program Students	242,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 1,42,000)
Teacher Training Students	143,000 Yen per month (approximately INR 80,000)

Application Timeline

Here is the application timeline along with important dates to apply for the MEXT scholarship in 2023:

Sl. No.	Type	Level	No. of Scholarships	Application Period	Remarks
1	Research Student	Research studies (possible to continue to Master’s/Ph.D course)	To be announced	27 April-15 May 2023	Applications closed for 2024*
2	Undergraduate Students	Undergraduate level leading to bachelor’s Degree	12	27 April-29 May 2023	Applications closed for 2024*
3	College of Technology Students	Undergraduate level leading to Associate Degree (Diploma)	12	27 April-29 May 2023	Applications closed for 2024*
4	Specialized Training College Students	Undergraduate level leading to Certificate	12	27 April-29 May 2023	Applications closed for 2024*
5	Japanese Studies Students	Undergraduate level leading to Certificate	About 12	Dec-Jan	Applications open for 2023
6	Young Leaders’ Program Students	Masters Degree course	A few	Oct-Dec	Applications closed for 2023
7	Teacher Training Students	Undergraduate level leading to Certificate	About 9	Dec-Jan	Applications closed for 2023

Must Read: Top 4 Japan Scholarships for Indian Students You Never Knew Existed!

Documents Required

The application process may get long or rejected if you do not have the recommended documents ready. We have listed below all the documents you will need so that you can prepare them beforehand:

• Application Form
• Placement Preference Form
• Field of Study and Research Program Plan
• Academic Transcripts for each academic year of the University attended. (If you transferred universities, you might need to submit your pre-transfer transcript or the transcript from your study in the abroad university.)
• Certification of Graduation or degree (a copy attested by an official.)
• Recommendation from the president/dean / academic advisor at the recent university. 
• Medical Certificate
• Abstracts of Graduation thesis or published articles (if available)
• Certificates of Language Proficiency (English and Japanese)
• Recommendation letter from the present employer (if employed)
• Photographs or Audio recordings of the applicant’s work. ( For Fine arts, music programs and other similar courses)

Be sure to check once with the Japanese Embassy or a Consulate as they may have some additional requirements. 

Selection Process

The following are the eligibility requirements for this scholarship:

• First, the student’s application will be evaluated by the appropriate authorities.
• The relevant authorities will evaluate their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
• The best student will be chosen.
• By June 2023, the shortlisted candidate list will be available on the website.
• The written exam and personal interview will take place in July 2023.

Must Read: JASSO Scholarships in Japan for International Students

Conclusion

In essence, the MEXT Scholarship offers a gateway to academic excellence and international understanding. It provides eager students with the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in Japan while also positively impacting the globe. So take advantage of the opportunity, immerse yourself in the vibrant Japanese culture, and embark on a life-changing educational journey that will shape your future and broaden your perspectives.

MEXT scholars have access to world-class education, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a global network of specialists in their field. They also get to experience Japan’s unique blend of tradition and innovation, forming enduring connections and memories.

Relevant Reads:

Japan Student Visa	Tips to Help You Find and Win Scholarships
Cost of Living in Japan: A Guide	MBA in Japan
Japan Student Visa Rejection	Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students

FAQs

Thus, the MEXT scholarship 2023 is a golden opportunity for those who want to pursue higher education in the East Asian nation! If you are planning to attain overseas education that too from one of the best education systems in the world but are not sure about the process then reach out to us at Leverage Edu where the experts will assist you in completing the scholarship-related formalities. You can also sign up for a 30-minute free career counselling session with our experts and get the answers to all your questions!