Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions

2024/4/16

Table of Contents:

General Information

● How do I know about the scholarship offer?
The scholarships are open every year in April. Announcements are done on the Embassy’s website and Twitter (X) page.

● Does the Government of Japan have any bias when it comes to one’s field choice of study?
No, it does not.

● What does it mean when you ask for certified copies of various documents?
Certified copies mean photocopies that have been signed, dated and stamped afresh (certified/attested) by one’s previous schools. This is because we DO NOT accept one’s original documents.

● If one carried out their previous studies abroad, how do they get their papers certified?
The Embassy of Japan’s Scholarships Desk DOES NOT accept scanned copies of any documents. Prospective candidates should liaise with their previous schools and ask for certification of the papers.

● Can one email the application papers?
No. All applications are to be sent to the Embassy of Japan in Somalia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

● Which hospitals should one go to for the medical check-up?
You can go to any health facility.

● Can one apply for the Research Student Scholarship if they fall short of just one requirement?
No. All requirements should be met for one to qualify for the Research Student Scholarship. This includes the age and degree ranking as stipulated.

● Is it important to know the Japanese language before you are awarded the scholarship?
No it is not. This is because when you get to Japan for your studies, your course work covers the language course, which will be done in the first few months.
Learning the Japanese language will also be important in your communication in the foreign country.

● Are the studies in Japan conducted in Japanese language only?
Depending on the university one attends, studies are conducted in both the Japanese and English language.

● Can one choose what exams they can sit for?
No. The applicant must sit for an English and Japanese exam. This information is always included in the Application Guidelines document.

● Can one be exempted from sitting for the English paper if s/he has previously done the English Proficiency tests like TOEFL?
No. Every candidate who is shortlisted for the exams has to sit for the set English paper.

● How will I know that I have been shortlisted?
You will be contacted through either the phone number or email address you have listed in your application forms. It should be noted that ONLY shortlisted candidates are contacted.

● I do not know the Japanese language. How can I sit for its exam?
The Japanese language exam should not be of any worry. It is not compulsory for one to know the language. The other exams are what a candidate should focus more on.

● How do I prepare for the exams?
One can get past papers and answer sheets for their revision, from the Study in Japan website.

● Can I come back home (Somalia) for holidays?
Yes, you can, provided that you finance the expenses on your own. The Government of Japan ONLY caters for the air ticket when you travel to Japan to begin your studies and when you travel back home, after you complete your studies. Travel arrangements in between are catered for by the student.

● How do I get in touch with the Embassy on the Scholarships?
Any inquiries on the scholarships are addressed to the Scholarships Desk, Japan Information and Culture Centre (JICC), which is located within the Embassy’s premises. Contact details are:

Postgraduate (Research) Students

● What does Research Student mean?
Research Student is the general term used for the courses that involve research (Research-non degree student, Masters student and PhD student)
It should be noted that Research non-degree student stands for a candidate who wants to go carry out their project in Japan. This category is not available to Somali prospective students.

● Some courses in Somalia do not have the degree ranking. What should an interested applicant do?
For such cases we look at your grades on the academic transcripts provided.

● When filling in the Research Application form, how do I fill in a professor’s name and I do not know him/her?
The section that requires you to fill in the professor’s details is left blank during the application stage. This stage comes after you’ve successfully passed through all the selection processes. However, you are advised to begin your own research on the universities and professors.

● What documents need certification?
  1. Undergraduate/masters’ transcripts copies
  2. Undergraduate/masters’ graduation certificate copies
● What is the difference between an Abstract and a Proposal, with regard to the Research Scholarships?
An Abstract is a brief summary of what your course work/project was in your previous level of education or a summary of what you are presenting as your proposal.
A Proposal is a detailed document that shows your plan for your intended study in Japan.

● Can one apply for the scholarships if they have not yet graduated?
Unfortunately, it is not possible. However, consideration is given to those prospective candidates who graduate in June and get their graduation certificate in July. This is because the scholarship process ends in August. Thus by then ALL documents, including the graduation certificate, have to have been delivered to complete one’s application. If you cannot obtain your physical graduation certificate, an official certified letter of completion can be submitted in its place during early stages of the application process.

● What courses are on offer for those applying for Research scholarships?
All fields of study are offered under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. However, the field of study a candidate applies for should be the same or related to that which the candidate studied at Undergraduate/Masters’ level.

● How do I get admission for the Masters or Doctoral course in a Japanese university?
Applicants are required to submit proposals, on their intended research plan, together with their application forms. This plan is what an applicant uses in searching and contacting a university and a professor.

● Is it possible for an applicant to get a scholarship to proceed to PhD after their Masters’ course work?
Yes it is possible. It all depends on your academic performance.

● Can one postpone their admission date from April to October, or vice-versa?
It is not advisable to do so. This is because your professor would already have your study plan (time-table) worked out for you. However, if the reason is justifiable, changes might be made. You must have informed your professor on any changes.  Always be in touch with your professor.

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