MEXT SCHOLARSHIP - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2022/4/26
1. Who can apply for the Japanese Government Scholarship?
The scholarship program is open to all nationalities of countries that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines will only process applications for Filipino citizens.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Nationality
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
2. How do I know if my age is still qualified for the program?
In principle, applicants qualify for the program if they are still within the age limit by April 2, 2023.
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
3. What are the courses supported by the scholarship program?
Please refer to the FIELDS OF STUDY section on page 1 of the Application Guidelines for details on the supported courses.
For the College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, further details are also found in the Majors and Related Key Terms for Fields of Study document.
Reference: Majors And Related Key Terms for Fields of Study
[College of Technology | Specialized Training]
4. I have an undergraduate degree but still within the age qualification, am I still eligible to apply to the Undergraduate, College of Technology or Specialized Training Programs?
Yes, applicants may apply to the program of interest even if they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. However, the applicant can only apply for one category.
References:
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background [Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Non-Eligibility [Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
5. I am an incoming grade 12 this school year and the possible graduation is in March 2023. Am I eligible to apply?
Those who will be able to finish 12 years of schooling on or before March 2023 can apply. In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2023 and April 7, 2023.
** Aspiring applicants for the Undergraduate or Specialized Training categories who will graduate after March 2023 are advised to apply in the next application process, i.e. 2024 program.
References:
6. Is there an application fee?
None, the application is free of charge.
7. I do not know how to speak Japanese. Can I still apply for the scholarship?
Although Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories, it will be an advantage if the applicant has a background or a little knowledge of the language upon application. However, Japanese language proficiency is a requirement in applying for the Japanese Studies category.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Japanese Language section
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 2; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
8. For Undergraduate Category applications, is there a list of universities accepting direct placement?
The Embassy is unable to provide a list of universities in Japan accepting direct placement for MEXT. We highly recommend for applicants to apply for the scholarship with the intention of taking the preparatory education course
9. For Research Category applications, can we already contact universities and/or professors who are aligned to our research interest?
Please do not contact universities and/or professors until the Embassy explicitly gives instructions for such.
Reference: Research Category Application Guidelines, THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION (page 5) and REQUEST OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF A PLACEMENT FORM (pages 7-8)
10. To whom shall we ask for the recommendation letters? Is there a format for it?
Details on recommendation letters are found in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section of the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
11. Do we need to take an English proficiency test as the forms have fields requesting for English proficiency scores?
In lieu of an English proficiency test, applicants may submit a certificate of English as medium of instruction from their school. This will be accepted as a certificate of language proficiency, listed in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
12. Do I still need to prepare the number of copies required for each document even if not all documents are original?
Yes, the applicant must follow the number of copies for each document stated in the guidelines. For example, if the list asks for 1 original and 1 copy and the applicant is unable to give the original, 2 copies (1 certified true copy and 1 photocopy) must be submitted.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
13. Is there a written exam? What subjects are covered in the exam? How can we best prepare for the exam?
A written exam is included, and the subjects are listed in the Application Guidelines. To prepare for it, you may refer to exams that were administered in previous years.
References:
The scholarship program is open to all nationalities of countries that has diplomatic relations with Japan. An applicant who has Japanese nationality at the time of application is not eligible. However, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines will only process applications for Filipino citizens.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Nationality
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
2. How do I know if my age is still qualified for the program?
In principle, applicants qualify for the program if they are still within the age limit by April 2, 2023.
- For Undergraduate – born on or after April 2, 1998
- For College of Technology – born on or after April 2, 1998
- For Specialized Training – born on or after April 2, 1998
- For Research – born on or after April 2, 1988
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 1; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 2]
3. What are the courses supported by the scholarship program?
Please refer to the FIELDS OF STUDY section on page 1 of the Application Guidelines for details on the supported courses.
For the College of Technology and Specialized Training categories, further details are also found in the Majors and Related Key Terms for Fields of Study document.
Reference: Majors And Related Key Terms for Fields of Study
[College of Technology | Specialized Training]
4. I have an undergraduate degree but still within the age qualification, am I still eligible to apply to the Undergraduate, College of Technology or Specialized Training Programs?
Yes, applicants may apply to the program of interest even if they have already obtained an undergraduate degree. However, the applicant can only apply for one category.
References:
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background [Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Non-Eligibility [Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
5. I am an incoming grade 12 this school year and the possible graduation is in March 2023. Am I eligible to apply?
Those who will be able to finish 12 years of schooling on or before March 2023 can apply. In principle, applicants must be able to arrive in Japan between April 1, 2023 and April 7, 2023.
** Aspiring applicants for the Undergraduate or Specialized Training categories who will graduate after March 2023 are advised to apply in the next application process, i.e. 2024 program.
References:
- Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Academic Background
[Undergraduate: page 3; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3] - Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Arrival in Japan
[Undergraduate: page 4; Specialized Training: page 3; College of Technology: page 3]
6. Is there an application fee?
None, the application is free of charge.
7. I do not know how to speak Japanese. Can I still apply for the scholarship?
Although Japanese language proficiency is not a pre-requisite in the scholarship selection process for most categories, it will be an advantage if the applicant has a background or a little knowledge of the language upon application. However, Japanese language proficiency is a requirement in applying for the Japanese Studies category.
Reference: Application Guidelines, QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS – Japanese Language section
[Undergraduate: page 3; Research: page 2; Specialized Training: page 2; College of Technology: page 3]
8. For Undergraduate Category applications, is there a list of universities accepting direct placement?
The Embassy is unable to provide a list of universities in Japan accepting direct placement for MEXT. We highly recommend for applicants to apply for the scholarship with the intention of taking the preparatory education course
9. For Research Category applications, can we already contact universities and/or professors who are aligned to our research interest?
Please do not contact universities and/or professors until the Embassy explicitly gives instructions for such.
Reference: Research Category Application Guidelines, THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION (page 5) and REQUEST OF PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF A PLACEMENT FORM (pages 7-8)
10. To whom shall we ask for the recommendation letters? Is there a format for it?
Details on recommendation letters are found in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section of the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
11. Do we need to take an English proficiency test as the forms have fields requesting for English proficiency scores?
In lieu of an English proficiency test, applicants may submit a certificate of English as medium of instruction from their school. This will be accepted as a certificate of language proficiency, listed in the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the guidelines.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
12. Do I still need to prepare the number of copies required for each document even if not all documents are original?
Yes, the applicant must follow the number of copies for each document stated in the guidelines. For example, if the list asks for 1 original and 1 copy and the applicant is unable to give the original, 2 copies (1 certified true copy and 1 photocopy) must be submitted.
Reference: Application Guidelines, APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
[Undergraduate: pages 7-8; Research: page 6-7; Specialized Training: page 6-7; College of Technology: page 6-7]
13. Is there a written exam? What subjects are covered in the exam? How can we best prepare for the exam?
A written exam is included, and the subjects are listed in the Application Guidelines. To prepare for it, you may refer to exams that were administered in previous years.
References:
- Application Guidelines
- SELECTION section [Undergraduate: pages 6-7; Specialized Training: page 5-6; College of Technology: page 5-6]
- FIRST SCREENING section [Research: page 7]
- Past Examination Questions