Higher education in Japan on scholarship.

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The standard of higher education in Japan is currently gaining recognition worldwide. Students from various countries are heading to Japan for higher studies. Social security, high quality of life, and excellent academic standards have made Japan one of the top choices for Bangladeshi students.

The Japanese government offers various types of scholarships for international students to pursue higher education. One of the most prominent among them is the MEXT Scholarship. There is no application or admission fee for this scholarship. In fact, recipients of the scholarship enjoy numerous benefits, including a monthly stipend and airfare. Students from Bangladesh and other countries are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Applications for the MEXT Scholarship 2026 are now open. According to a notice published on April 30 on the Ministry of Education’s website, 30 students will be initially selected for the research level (Master’s and PhD), 25 for undergraduate level, 15 for the College of Technology program, and 5 for Specialized Training Colleges. The selected candidates will have to participate in written and oral examinations held at the Japanese Embassy.

Fields of Study under the MEXT Scholarship:

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Earth Science

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • System and Control Engineering

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

  • Information and Communication Engineering

  • Industrial Engineering and Economics

  • Materials Science and Engineering

  • Chemical Science and Engineering

  • Mathematics and Computing Science

  • Life Science and Technology

Benefits of the Scholarship:

  • Monthly Allowance: A fixed monthly stipend to cover living expenses

  • Airfare: Round-trip airfare between your home country and Japan

  • Full Tuition Coverage: All tuition fees are covered by the scholarship

  • No Application or Admission Fees

  • Support Services: Assistance with settling in, academic guidance, and access to university facilities

  • Language Training: Japanese language courses (if needed) before the academic program begins

  • Here is the English translation of the listed benefits:

    • No tuition or admission fees are required for scholarship recipients;

    • No application fee is needed to apply;

    • Airfare for travel to and from Japan will be provided.

    • IELTS or TOEFL scores are not required. However, applicants must provide proof that their university education and examinations were conducted in English.

    • A monthly stipend of 117,000 yen will be provided. Students selected to study or conduct research in specially designated regions will receive an additional 2,000 or 3,000 yen per month.

    • The amount of the stipend may vary each fiscal year depending on the Japanese government’s budget. If a recipient is absent from the university or preparatory institution for an extended period, the scholarship will be suspended during that time.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be a citizen of Bangladesh

  • For Master’s and PhD programs: Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1989

  • For Undergraduate programs: Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 2001

  • For Training College programs: Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 2001

  • Must have at least 5 years of teaching experience at a primary or secondary school

  • Must be currently employed at a primary or secondary school

  • Must have an interest in Japanese culture

  • Must have a willingness to return to the home country after completing the program

  • English language proficiency will be a priority in candidate selection

  • Applicants must submit all relevant documents, including certificates, transcripts, passport or national ID, IELTS/TOEFL score sheet (if available), teaching certification, experience letters, and other necessary documents

  • Applicants may apply for only one program; applying to multiple programs is not allowed

  • Failure to submit all required documents (certificates, mark sheets) to the ministry on time may lead to disqualification

Educational Qualifications for Application:

  • Master’s and Doctoral (First Phase): Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree

  • Doctoral (Second Phase): Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree along with at least two years of involvement in research or affiliation with a university

  • Doctoral Programs in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Sciences, and Certain Pharmaceutical Fields: Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree along with at least two years of research experience at a university or research institution

  • Undergraduate and Specialized Training Group: Applicants must have passed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent examination (Students expecting to pass by March 2026 may also apply; such applicants must submit their 11th-grade results)

  • College of Technology: Applicants must have passed 11th grade

Application Deadline and Submission Details:

  • Application Deadline: May 12, 2025, by 5:00 PM (BST)

  • After submitting the online application and reviewing the detailed instructions via the provided link, applicants must submit a hard copy of the application along with attested copies of all required documents, including:

    • Academic certificates and transcripts

    • Passport or National ID

    • Police clearance certificate

    • IELTS/TOEFL score sheet (if available)

    • Any other necessary documents

  • The hard copy must be submitted to the designated drop box at Counter No. 9, located at the reception area beside Gate No. 2 of the Secretariat.

  • Hard copy submissions will be accepted until 3:30 PM on the deadline day.

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