2024 MEXT Scholarship

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Embassy of Japan in Jordan

This FAQ is intended to help your understanding for applying for the MEXT Scholarship programs.
In order to know further details and official regulations, please always refer the Applications
Guidelines carefully.

1. About MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship

The Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) of Japan
offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities/
colleges under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program. For more details,
please refer to the Application Guidelines for each scholarship.

2. What are the kinds of MEXT scholarships?

There are 2 kinds of MEXT scholarships available for Jordanian citizens:
A. SCHOLARSHIP FOR POSTGRADUATES/RESEARCH (MASTER/PHD)
B. SCHOLARSHIP FOR UNDERGRADUATES (BACHELOR DEGREE)

3. Can the MEXT Research Scholarship lead to a degree?

Applicants can choose to apply for either (a) a non‐degree Research term (b) a Master’s
degree (c) a PhD or (d) a professional degree

4. What fields of study are acceptable for the MEXT Research Scholarship?
Research Students Program: Please read the Application Guidelines for Research
Students. Applicants should apply for the field of study they majored in at university or
its related field. Fields of study must be subjects which applicants will be able to study and
research in graduate courses at Japanese universities.

A student who majors in medicine, dentistry or welfare science will not be allowed to
engage in clinical training such as medical care and operative surgery until he/she obtains
relative license from the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare under applicable Japanese
laws.

5. What are the stages of competition for the MEXT scholarship programs?
o Submission of Applications: Submission of paper applications and all required
documents. Applications sent by email will not be accepted.
o Exams Stage: All received applications are carefully screened and later all the
students who have correctly provided all the required documents and passed the
initial screening are invited to take exams that are composed by MEXT. The Exams
will be held at the Japanese Embassy in Jordan.
o Interview Stage: Applicants who get the best results in the exams are invited for
an interview with the screening committee. The candidates selected by the
committee should provide Health Certificates and all other documents (if there are
such, please check guidelines on each application form).
o Final screening in Tokyo: Successful applicants’ (who pass the initial screening
by the Embassy) documents are sent to MEXT ministry in Japan for the final
screening. The final decision from MEXT is received within half a year after the
competition.
6. How do I know if I reached the exams stage or later the interview stage or if I am
selected?
Only selected applicants will receive emails informing them of the time and date of the
exams/ interview and of their selection decision. If you don’t receive an email by the
August 1stthis means unfortunately you were not selected.

7. Is it a full scholarship?
Yes it is. MEXT scholarship covers allowance, education fees, and traveling expenses to
Japan. Some extra expenses are required to be paid by the applicant (Please read the
guideline documents for details).

8. Is the completion is high? Are there seats designated for each country?
A. Undergraduate Students Program: Applicants from different countries compete
over around 100 seats that are designated for the Undergraduate Program. There
are no seats designated to Jordanian students specifically, only applicants who get
the highest scores in the exams and interviews are qualified to compete with
students from all other countries.

These qualified students will be eligible to compete with other international

students, based on the screening held in Tokyo the students will be notified by the
final decision. This may take time longer than post graduate program. The decision
from Tokyo based on the competition criteria is final regardless of the Embassy at
Jordan decision.

B. Research Students Program: There is a designated number of scholarships for the

Research Program available specifically for the Jordanian applicants. Applicants
who get the highest scores in exams and later in the interviews and are selected by
the screening panel will be chosen for the program.

9. Where can I find examples of previous years MEXT exams?

Examples of MEXT exams from previous years can be found in the website Study in Japan
https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarship/application/examination/

10. If I get accepted in the program, when will I be studying in Japan?

The academic year at a Japanese university normally begins in April and ends the
following March. Some classes are run year-round, but classes are usually divided into
semesters, lasting through the first semester (April - September) or the second semester
(October - March). Students normally enroll in April, but some universities permit
students to enter at a different time, such as in October.

There are usually three long vacations at Japanese institutions of higher education during
the academic year: the summer break (late July - late August), winter break (late
December - early January) and spring break (late February - early April).
11. I’m under-graduate student, and I expect to graduate and get my degree soon. Can I
apply for the MEXT scholarship?
A. Undergraduate Students Program: You can apply to the Undergraduate
Program; however you will start from the beginning if you get the scholarship (if
you have started studying in another university it may not count, but it is something
to be negotiated with the university after passing all the screening stages). For
further details, check Guidelines (APPLICATION GUIDELINES- JAPANESE
GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP (UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENTS))

If you are in your final school year and unable to get your Tawjihi degree (or
equivalent) by the deadline for the application, we ask that you submit the school
degree that you obtained for your current grade.( ‫)كشف عالمات‬

B. Research Students Program: You can apply, as long as you are going to graduate
and get the degree before you start studying in Japan. For further details, check
Guidelines (APPLICATION GUIDELINES- JAPANESE GOVERNMENT
(MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP (RESEARCH STUDENTS))

12. Can I apply for a master degree and a Ph.D. as well?

Applicants who get accepted in the MEXT scholarship program to study masters can apply
to continue their education in Japan to pursue a Ph.D. degree (rules and conditions apply;
applicants need to apply while staying in Japan during their master’s study years).

13. Do I need to be able to speak and write in Japanese language when I apply to the
MEXT scholarship?
You don’t need to upon applying. However, if you are able to speak/write in Japanese
language that would be a plus. In any case, applicants must show their willingness to learn
Japanese once they get accepted in the program and once they arrive to Japan. Applicants
who reach the exams stage will be asked to take Japanese language exam, getting a good
result would be a plus, while leaving all the answer sheet blank would not be considered
as a preferable attitude.

14. Do I need to be fluent in English language when applying for the scholarship?
Applicants must be fluent in English or in Japanese.

15. If I get the scholarship, do I need to study in Japanese language?

A. Undergraduate Students Program: All classes will be given in the Japanese
language (except where a grantee is directly placed at a university which requires
no Japanese language ability). Applicants should know how to read and write in
Japanese langauge. In addition, in principle, applicants must be willing to carry
out their academic studies in Japan in Japanese.

Applicants for undergraduate students who do not write/ read Japanese can apply
to the global program where there is no need to learn Japanese. Limited Japanese
universities are teaching undergraduate studies in English; please visit this link for
global program for more details: https://tgu.mext.go.jp/en/studyabroad/index.html
 B. Research Students Program: Applicants are not necessarily required to study in
Japanese language; they can chose universities that offer courses in English
language. Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese. Applicants must be
interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their understanding of Japan after
arriving in Japan. Applicants must also have the ability to do research and adapt to
living in Japan.

16. Can results of TOEFL, IELTS or other English language exam certificates recognized
internationally be provided to prove applicant’s English language level?
English language exam composed by MEXT is obligatory for applicants who reach the
exams stage of screening.

TOFEL, IELTS or other English language exam scores are supplementary documents; you
can include score certificate sheets in the application documents. Check the guidelines for
further details.

After passing the interview stage, applicants are required to contact the universities they
wish to study in (for more details please read the guidelines document), some universities
might require English language exams as TOEFL, IELTS..etc.

17. In what language should I fill the application documents in?

Please fill the applications in Japanese or English Language.

18. Should the documents translated into English language be validated by the notary?
In the cases that you can’t provide the original documents in English, you can provide the
original in Arabic, along with translated documents in English. No need for the
translated documents to be validation from a notary.

19. Do all research scholarship recipients take the intensive Japanese language course
upon arrival in Japan?
Your university in Japan will decide whether or not you need to take the Japanese language
course before beginning your studies.

20. Should I fill all papers of application by hand writing or by computer typing?
Type or write neatly in block letters.

21. What are the examinations that applicants will take at the Embassy if they reach the
exams stage?
A. Undergraduate Students Program: English language exam, Japanese language
exam, other exams depending on the applicant chosen field of study (Please read
the Application Guidelines for details)
B. Research Students Program: English language exam and Japanese language
exam.
22. When and where do MEXT exams and interviews take place?
They will take place at the Embassy of Japan in Jordan. Regarding the time of the MEXT
exams and interviews, all the applicants are informed by phone or e-mail personally, thus
please provide CORRECT contact information in the application (Please read the answer
to question number 6 in this sheet).

23. Should an applicant submit Health Certificate together with all the documents?
You can submit the Health Certificate after the initial screening and exams. Those who
pass these stages must submit the Health Certificate by June 21st,2023 when all the
documents are to be sent to Tokyo for the final screening

24. Regarding to the Health Certificate tests, will its fees be reimbursed and is it enough
to request it from a general doctor?!
Health Certificate can be obtainable from any officially practicing Jordanian Doctor/Lab.
Fees are not reimbursed.

25. Who is eligible to apply?

Please refer to the Application Guidelines.

26. Can I study online or in another country other than Japan through the MEXT
scholarship?
No, all applicants are required to study in Japan if they get accepted in the MEXT
scholarship program.

27. Can I submit my application documents online?

Only paper applications delivered to the Embassy within the application period will be
accepted. Applications can be delivered by hand or by a post mail company.

28. I live abroad. Can I apply for the MEXT Scholarship?

You can submit the application documents from abroad by sending you papers by (DHL
or Aramex or any other shipping company) to the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, to be
delivered before the deadline. Address: https://www.jordan.emb-
japan.go.jp/itpr_en/About_us.html . However, if selected for the exam, then he/she must
attend the exam in the Embassy on the designated days.

29. I can’t attend exams at the Embassy; can I reschedule it?

All applicants who reach the exam stage and don’t attend it are considered to have
withdrawn.

30. I am non-Jordanian residing in Jordan. Can I apply for the MEXT scholarship?
For non-Jordanian nationals residing in Jordan or out of Jordan, we recommend that you
reach out to the Japanese Embassy in the country of your citizenship and to check their
website.

Those with a nationality other than Jordanian should contact the Embassy of Japan in
their home country: https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/mofaserv.html
31. Can I submit only copies not original documents for the requested document for the
scholarship?
Please check the APPLICATION DOCUMENTS section in the APLLICATION
GUIDLIENS document. Please submit the number of copies/original document required.

32. Do I have to stamp all copies of the required documents?

Copies are not required to be stamped if the original documents are submitted.

33. For Research Studies, how can I choose which university to apply to in Japan?
Ask your professors if they can suggest universities to apply to in Japan. If your professor
or past professors are not able to assist you in deciding where to go, you may search the
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) website (www.jasso.go.jp /
https://www.jasso.go.jp/en/index.html ) where they have a search engine of all the
universities in Japan. The search engine can help you find a university which offers the
program of study you wish to pursue.

34. Where can I find information about universities/professors in Japan?

You can begin by searching or browsing the Research Map of Japan
(https://researchmap.jp/public/about/operations ) which lists researchers in Japan by
name, field, university, and location. You can also look at the Program for Leading
Graduate Schools (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-hakasekatei/index.html ). For some
certain aspects you may contact JJAS members (Jordan Japan Academic Society, JJAS).

35. Do I need to have admission acceptance in the three universities which I will select for
the first stage?
Only the students who have passed the initial screening, exam, and interview stages should
contact Universities in Japan (details will follow by emails to be sent to applicants). So you
are just required to fill the form, and no need to contact the Universities in Japan at the
application stage (Please carefully select the universities based on what is suitable for you).
After passing the interview stage, applicants need to get at least one acceptance in one of
the 3 universities they have listed in their application form.

36. When should I submit the Placement Preference form and university acceptance
(Provisional Acceptance)?
1- You need to submit the Placement Preference form upon submitting the applications
documents, as is stated in the Guidelines.

2- Then: Those who have passed the interview stage will start contacting the universities
to get accepted. Reflecting the result of the acceptance, you will update and submit
the Placement Preference form again with provisional acceptance letters from
universities
It should be submitted twice for the students who pass the interview stage.
37. [Research Students only] The Application asks for a copy of my senior thesis; however
I did not write a senior thesis. What should I do?
We are aware that many college students do not write a senior thesis. In that case, we
recommend you to write “Present Field of Study” as detailed as possible (in the “Field of
Study and Research Plan” document).
Moreover, we also recommend you to include a copy of a major paper or project you have
completed that relates to your intended field of study in Japan, as a supplementary
document.

38. [Research Students only] How detailed should I make my Field of Study and Research
Program Plan?
We recommend you to make the Research Program Plan as detailed and concrete as
possible. While we understand research focuses may change, you should give us a specific
account of your intended research topic, methodology, and how your research fits into
current research being done in the field. You must also tell us why this research must be
done at a Japanese university.

Ideally the Research Plan should contain the following:

(a) The content, purpose and methodology of the research
(b) The road map of the research project
(c) The benefit the research project will bring to your home country
Ideally (a) and (b) should be described in detail based on discussions with a
professor/scholar in the field.

39. [Research Students only] Do I have to provide both recommendation letters from
workplace (from present employer) and university (from academic advisor or
university president/dean)?
 Recommendation letters from university must be submitted.
 Recommendation letters from workplace should be submitted only if applicable

40. I am applying for a PhD degree. I am unable to get recommendation letter from the
university where I studied my master’s in. Is it ok to get a recommendation letter
from the university where I got my Bachler’s degree?
We ask to get the educational recommendation letters from the latest university that you
have attended.

41. Can I bring my family with me to Japan in I get accepted into the MEXT program?
Yes, Research Scholarship recipients may bring their families with them at their own cost
if they get the visa to Japan.

Kindly note that any special allowance for family members will not be provided by MEXT.
Most universities will be unable to provide or arrange housing for families, so you will
need to find housing that is suitable for your family. If you decide to bring your family, we
strongly encourage you to have your family join you a month or so after your own arrival
so you can have housing and other arrangements settled by the time they arrive.
42. Can I have my application materials returned to me?
Unfortunately, NO. Once application materials have been submitted, they cannot be
returned. We encourage you to make copies of all your application materials.

43. How many copies of the application materials do I need to submit?

Please check the APPLICATION GUIDELINES for more information and how many
originals vs. copies we require of each document. Successful applicants will be contacted
to submit additional documents.

44. I have already recommendation letters from my university doctors, can I submit
them as sufficient or I must fill your recommendation letter template?
As it says on the recommendation form, any format of recommendations letter will be
accepted, while all recommendation letters must be sealed and unopened upon
submission. Please read the instructions on the recommendation form carefully.

45. I have graduated years ago. I am unable to get a recommendation letter from my
university president/dean or the academic adviser. Is it ok to get a recommendation
letter from a faculty member, Assistant/Associate Professor, or the Assistant Dean?
YES it’s acceptable.

46. How can I be qualified for the direct placement?

Direct placement means that you skip the “Preparatory Education” period in Japan. The
“Preparatory Education” period is for Japanese Language and other subjects. Applicants
who have sufficient Japanese Language ability may choose to enroll directly in
universities without the “Preparatory Education”. Please read the guidelines carefully for
full instructions.

47. I have dual citizenship, Jordanian and other country (other than Japan), can I
apply?
Yes, applicants needs to apply with the Jordanian passport.

48. I finish my studying abroad. Do I need to get a certificate of equivalency from the
Jordanian Ministry of Education/ Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research-Jordan?
No need for equivalency, only accreditation from the Ministry is needed.

49. I have a temporary Jordanian passport. Can I apply?

Anyone who holds the Jordanian Passport can apply to the MEXT scholarship as long as
the nationality is Jordanian.

 NOTE: IF YOU HAVE APPLIED BEFORE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP, WE

STRONGELY ADVICE THAT YOU IMPORVE YOUR WHOLE APPLICATION
WHEN YOU APPLY AGAIN, INCULDING AN IMPROVED OR NEW RESREASCH
PLAN