How to Apply for the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship as a Pharmacy Student

Are you a pharmacy student dreaming of studying in Japan?

The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship offers an incredible opportunity to pursue higher education in Japan with full financial support 💵 💪.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the application process for the 2025 MEXT Scholarship, specifically tailored for pharmacy students.

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What is the MEXT Scholarship?

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship is a prestigious program funded by the Japanese government.

It supports international students who wish to study at Japanese universities in various fields, including pharmacy, medicine, and pharmaceutical sciences.

The scholarship covers:
✅ Full tuition fees
✅ Monthly stipend (approx. ¥117,000-148,000, depending on the program)
✅ Round-trip airfare to Japan
✅ Accommodation assistance

So it doesn't matter if you can fund yourself or not, as this is a full-time scholarship.
If after you get this you just need your traveling bag and maybe little food stuffs to travel to japan as everything would be taken care of. 🫶

Who is Eligible For the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship ?

To apply for the MEXT Scholarship as a pharmacy student, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Nationality:

   ✅ Applicants must be from a country with diplomatic relations with Japan.

2. Age Limit:

   ✅ Undergraduate: Applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old.
   ✅ Research/Graduate Students: Under 35 years old (as of April 1, 2025)

3. Academic Background:

   ✅ For undergraduate pharmacy programs, applicants must have completed 12 years (i.e. primary to secondary or collage school) of schooling.
   ✅ For master’s/PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in pharmacy or a related field is required.

4. Language Proficiency:

   ✅ While prior knowledge of Japanese is not mandatory, applicants should be willing to learn the language, as some classes will be in Japanese.
   
   ✅ Some graduate programs may accept English-taught courses (so check university requirements)

5. Health:

   ✅ Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.

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How to Apply for the 2025 & 2026 MEXT Scholarship

Step 1: Choose Your Program

Pharmacy students can apply under these MEXT categories:

• Undergraduate Students (for Bachelor’s in Pharmacy)
• Research Students (for Master’s/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences)
• Japanese Studies Students (if combining pharmacy with Japanese language/culture)

Step 2: Application Process

♦️ Option 1: Embassy Recommendation (Recommended for Most Applicants)

1. Contact the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in your country for application forms.
   
   
2. Submit Required Documents:
   ✅ Application form
   ✅ Academic transcripts
   ✅ Recommendation letter from your university
   ✅ Study/research plan (for graduate students)
   ✅ Certificate of language proficiency (Japanese/English)
   ✅ Passport copy
   
   
3. Written Exam & Interview:
   ✅ Undergraduates: Exams in Math, Chemistry, Biology, and English/Japanese.
   ✅ Graduates: Interview based on research proposal (this can include, research you did on you project defense, while in school)

♦️ Option 2: University Recommendation

Yes!... Some Japanese universities recommend students directly.

Check if your desired university (e.g., University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University) offers this route.

Step 2: Selection & Placement

✅ Shortlisted candidates will be notified and must confirm their acceptance.​

📌 Important Key Notes

🔑 Application Deadline:

✔️ Embassy Recommendation: Applications usually opens between April-May of every year (varies by country).
✔️University Recommendation: Deadlines depend on the university (so check the university websites).

🔑 Arrival in Japan:

✔️Applicants must be able to arrive in Japan by the designated period, usually between two weeks before the course starts and the starting date of the course.​

🔑 Scholarship Duration :

✔️ Standard Duration: 5 years, **example: from April 2025 to March 2030.
✔️Extended Duration: 7 years for programs in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or a six-year pharmacy course.

🔑 Visa Requirement :

✔️Applicants must obtain a "Student" visa prior to arrival.​

📖Note: MEXT Scholarship Timeline

📎 April – May 2025: Applications open via Japanese embassies
📎June – July 2025: Exams & interviews
📎October 2025 – January 2025: Final selection and university placement
📎April 2026: Arrival in Japan

📌pro tips - Same as Next year

🌐 Where to Learn More Visit the official MEXT

scholarship site for more and to know country-specific embassy : 👉 https://studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/