What is the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship?
What is the Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship?
This is a scholarship offered by the “Monbukagasho” or the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). There are a few different types of MEXT scholarship and among them, Embassy Recommendation is intended for individuals living overseas who wish to study at Sophia University.
Generally, MEXT students of Embassy Recommendation will enter the university as research students. In order to become regular degree students of MA or PhD courses, MEXT students need to apply and pass the entrance examinations of their desired graduate school during the period as research students. The designated period as research students is two years for those who enter the university from Spring semester (from April to March of the year after the next), and 1.5 year for those who enter the university from Autumn semester (from September to March of the year after the next).
Application procedure for the MEXT scholarship (Embassy Recommendation)
Through the Japanese Embassies and Consulate Generals overseas, applications are accepted and the screening is conducted. From February to March, the recruitment of students wishing to come to Japan in April or October of the following year is conducted. The preliminary screening (documentary examination, written examination, and interview) is done at the Japanese Embassies and Consulate Generals overseas. After the preliminary screening, in consultation with the MEXT’s selection committee and the university, the recipients are determined.
Research students recommended by the embassy, but whose Japanese ability is insufficient, take a 6-month Japanese training course at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. After that, the student joins the graduate school of Sophia University as a research student and takes the entrance examination of the school in order to enroll in the degree program.
Schedule
| February-March | Recruited by Japanese Embassies or Consulate Generals abroad |
| May-July | Preliminary screening (documentary examination, written examination, and interview) |
| August | Procedures for Letter of Acceptance *Please see “Application for the Letter of Acceptance”. |
| October | Second screening (consultation with the MEXT and the university) |
| February (coming year) | Notification of acceptance |
| April or October | Arrival in Japan |
Preliminary Screening (Japanese Embassies / Consulate Generals)
To apply for MEXT Scholarship (Embassy Recommendation), applicants must first pass the preliminary screening conducted by the local Japanese Embassy / Consulate General. For further information, please refer to the MEXT’s website (link below).
Guidelines for Monbukagakusho Scholarship applicants 2025
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/1415352_00005.htm