Japan Osaka University MEXT Scholarship for Bachelors, Masters, and PhD Programs

Osaka University accepts Japanese Government (MEXT) scholarship students, defined as international students who have received a scholarship from the Japanese government (MEXT) at both graduate and undergraduate level. The university supports MEXT scholarship students through two application routes: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation.

For undergraduate level, the Embassy Recommendation route involves recruitment and initial screening by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General, followed by Japanese language lessons at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture at Osaka University for a year; those who pass the entrance exam can enroll in an undergraduate course. For University Recommendation at undergraduate level, applicants must first pass an Osaka University undergraduate programme listed by Osaka University and be chosen as MEXT Student candidates.

For graduate level, successful applicants usually enroll in Osaka University as research students to engage in research work for 6–12 months; if they pass the entrance examination, they proceed to a master’s course or doctoral course. Under Embassy Recommendation for graduate study, some recipients receive an Intensive Japanese Language Course for the first six months and are then assigned as research students, before moving to a regular (degree) programme if they pass the entrance examination.

For the Embassy Recommendation route at graduate level, scholarship recipients are recruited and initially screened by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General, and university-related steps include requesting a Letter of Acceptance through the Admissions Assistance Desk (AAD) application support system. For University Recommendation for graduate study, Osaka University recommends candidates to MEXT based on institutional agreements or joint research exchange, and scholarship recipients arrive in Japan in October only.

• International students who have received a scholarship from the Japanese government (MEXT) for both graduate and undergraduate level.
• For undergraduate University Recommendation: applicants must pass one of the undergraduate programmes listed by Osaka University and be chosen as MEXT Student candidates; no recommendation is made before passing the entrance examination.
• For undergraduate Embassy Recommendation: scholarship recipients must take Japanese language lessons at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture at Osaka University for a year and those who pass the entrance exam are eligible to enroll in an undergraduate course at Osaka University.
• For graduate Embassy Recommendation: scholarship recipients receiving Japanese language skill support receive an Intensive Japanese Language Course for the first six months, then are assigned to a graduate school as research students; those who pass the entrance examination go on to a regular (degree) programme of a master’s course or doctoral course.
• For graduate University Recommendation: Osaka University recommends students to MEXT from universities with which Osaka University has university-to-university or school-to-school agreements, and from research institutes with which Osaka University promotes exchange through joint research projects.

• Japanese language lessons at the Center for Japanese Language and Culture at Osaka University for a year (under undergraduate Embassy Recommendation pathway).
• Intensive Japanese Language Course at the International Student Center for the first six months (under graduate Embassy Recommendation pathway where Japanese language skill needs brushing up).
• Enrollment at Osaka University as research students to engage in research work for 6–12 months (graduate pathway).
• If entrance examinations are passed, progression to an undergraduate course (undergraduate) or to a master’s course or doctoral course (graduate).
• Arrival in Japan as described by the pathway: April (undergraduate Embassy Recommendation), April or October (graduate Embassy Recommendation), and October only (graduate University Recommendation).

1. If applying for the MEXT scholarship route that requires Osaka University documentation for the Letter of Acceptance: apply through the Admissions Assistance Desk (AAD) application support system (AAD System) after you pass the first screening by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General.
2. Use the AAD System to upload all necessary documents in PDF format; ensure documents are legible and complete.
3. After submission of the AAD application form, wait for the confirmation email from the AAD System stating that your application has been sent to AAD; note that the application is not complete until you receive this confirmation email.
4. After receiving AAD application results, complete additional procedures to obtain a Letter of Acceptance from the prospective supervisor, including an interview and screening by the prospective supervisor.
5. For undergraduate University Recommendation: apply to and pass one of the listed undergraduate programmes and then be chosen as a MEXT Student candidate; no recommendation is made before passing the entrance examination.
6. For Embassy Recommendation routes, follow the embassy/consulate process timelines indicated (application, first screening, second screening, and notification), and then complete the Osaka University-related steps described for your level.

• Application Form
• Field of Study and Research Plan (uploaded electronically via the AAD System as the same as the Field of Study and Research Plan submitted to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate General)
• Academic transcript for all academic years of the university attended
• Certificate of graduation (completion) / certificate of degree from your home university
• Recommendation letter from the president/dean or the academic advisor at the current or last university attended
• Medical certificate
• Abstracts of theses (Only if you wish)
• Certificate of language proficiency (Only if you have acquired one)
• Letter of recommendation from present employer (Only if submitted to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General)
• Photograph(s) showing applicant’s own works of art or a digitally recorded media of musical performance (Only if submitted to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General)
• Copy of a Passing Certificate of the First Screening issued by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General