Are you an international student looking to study at one of Japan’s top universities? Look no further than Osaka University! The university offers various scholarships for international students, including the Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship, which is awarded to outstanding students who wish to pursue their studies in Japan. Scholarships are available for all international students for Bachelors, Masters and PhD programs at the university.
There are two tracks of application for MEXT Scholarship, Embassy Recommendation Track and University Recommended Track. For Embassy Recommendation Track applicants have to apply through Japanese Embassy in there country while through the University Recommended Track, applicants have to apply to the university then university will recommend suitable candidate to MEXT.
Scholarship Details:
| Country | Japan |
| University | Osaka University |
| Programs Offered | Undergraduates, Graduates |
| Eligibility | All Countries |
| Financial Benefits | Fully funded |
Application Tracks
There are two application tracks through which applicants can apply for the scholarships,
- Embassy Track
- University Track
Osaka University MEXT Scholarship
Osaka University offers scholarships for international students in both undergraduate an graduate programs. Students can apply for Osaka University MEXT Scholarship through Embassy Track and University Track.
Students looking for scholarships in Japan should also apply for Yokohama National University Scholarships For International Students
Undergraduate Level
Osaka University also accepts international students who have received a MEXT scholarship at the undergraduate level. These students typically apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate general in their home country, and the application process runs from February to March. The preliminary screening takes place in May and July, and successful applicants can expect to receive notification of acceptance in October.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate from a country which has diplomatic ties with Japan is eligible for the scholarship.
- Applicants must have finished high school to be able to apply for undergraduate program.
- Must have a brilliant academic record.
- Applicant have gained Letter of Acceptance from the university in any undergraduate program.
- International applicants have to take Japanese language Course at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture at Osaka University for a year.
Embassy Recommendation
International students from a country which has diplomatic relations with Japan can apply for MEXT Scholarship at Osaka University through Embassy recommendations. Applicants who are selected through Embassy recommendations are required to gain Letter of Acceptance from the University.
Application Timeline:
| February to March | Recruited by Japanese Embassies or Consulate Generals abroad |
| May to July | Preliminary screening (documentary examination, written examination, and interview) |
| October | Second screening (consultation with the MEXT and the university) |
| February of the coming year | Notification of acceptance |
| April | Arrival in Japan |
University Recommendation
The Undergraduate MEXT scholarship is a Japanese Government Scholarship that is awarded to international students who wish to study at an undergraduate level in Japan. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses for the duration of the student’s studies. Osaka University recommend application for MEXT scholarship through University Application Track. Applicants first need admission for any undergraduate programs then they can be considered for MEXT scholarship.
Graduate Level
At the graduate level, Osaka University accepts international students who have received a MEXT scholarship through a university recommendation. These students typically enroll as research students and work on research activities for six months to a year before taking the entrance examination for a master’s or doctor’s program. There are two application routes, Embassy Track and University Track.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the MEXT Scholarship at the graduate level, applicants must meet certain criteria, including:
- Being a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan
- Being born on or after April 2, 1985
- Having a strong academic record and being in good health
- Having a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for master’s program applicants, or a master’s degree or equivalent for doctoral program applicants
- Having a good command of Japanese language, as well as basic knowledge of the Japanese culture and customs.
Embassy Track
Japanese Embassies and Consulate Generals overseas will accept applications and screen candidates for the MEXT Scholarship for graduate programs. The recruitment is conducted from February to March for students who wish to come to Japan in April or October of the following year. The preliminary screening (documentary examination, written examination, and interview) will be conducted at the Japanese Embassies and Consulate Generals overseas. After the preliminary screening, the recipients will be determined in consultation with the MEXT’s selection committee and the university.
Research students who are recommended by the embassy, but whose Japanese ability is insufficient, will take a 6-month Intensive Japanese Language Course at the International Student Center. After that, the student will join the graduate school as a research student, take the entrance examination of the school, and then enroll in the school.
Application Timeline:
- 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
- October ~ : Second screening (consultation with the MEXT and the university)
- February of the coming year: Notification of acceptance
- April or October: Arrival in Japan
Are you international student outside of Japan looking to study for free in Japan? Then you should also see Hokkaido University Scholarship.
University Track
Osaka University accepts some international students for the MEXT Scholarship who are recommended by foreign universities with which Osaka University has a student exchange agreement or a joint research program. Osaka University recommends these candidates to the MEXT selection committee, and the scholarship winners are announced around June, and in October students begin their studies.
Osaka University will announce the recruitment process through each faculty in December and January of the year before admission. The required documents include an application form, research plan, language proficiency certification (such as TOEFL or TOEIC scores), graduation certificate (or expected graduation certificate), academic records from the applicant’s previous university, and a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current university addressed to the President of Osaka University.
Application Timeline
- December ~ January: Recruited by university (documentary screening and interview)
- June: After deliberations at the MEXT, recipients are determined
- October: Arrival in Japan
Documents Required
To apply for scholarship at Osaka University applicants generally need following documents,
- Application Form
- Attested Copies of Transcripts
- Field of Study and Research Plan
- Certification of graduation or degree certificate of the university
- Letter of Recommendation
- All the copies of documents submitted to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General.
- Abstracts of theses (only if submitted to the diplomatic mission)
- Certificate of language proficiency
- Letter of Acceptance
