SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDYING IN JAPAN
Thứ Ba - 16/12/2025
One of the major attractions for Vietnamese students choosing to study in Japan is the wide availability of valuable scholarships. Below are five popular scholarship programs in Japan:
I. MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho)
The MEXT Scholarship is a fully funded Japanese Government scholarship awarded to outstanding students with strong academic ability and high motivation.
1. How to apply for the MEXT Scholarship
Applicants can apply for the MEXT Scholarship through recommendation by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in Vietnam (Embassy Recommendation), or recommendation by a Japanese university (University Recommendation).
For the Embassy Recommendation route, the preliminary screening and selection are coordinated by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in cooperation with local authorities. In Vietnam, announcements and initial screening are conducted by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) before applications are forwarded to the Japanese Embassy.
2. Application and Selection Process
Applicants may receive MEXT consideration via two pathways:
a. Embassy Recommendation
Around early April each year, MEXT scholarship information is publicly announced by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate, the Department of International Cooperation (MOET), and major Vietnamese newspapers. MOET also sends official notices to universities, research institutions, ministries, and agencies.
General selection process (subject to change annually):
- Scholarship announcement
- Preparation of application documents and recommendation letters
- Submission to MOET
- MOET screening and announcement of shortlisted candidates
- Submission of shortlisted candidates to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate
- Announcement of exam/interview schedules
- Written exams and/or interviews
- Embassy/Consulate submits recommended candidates to MEXT
- Announcement of final results and issuance of acceptance letters
- Preparation for departure
- Arrival in Japan and commencement of studies
b. University Recommendation
This route applies to:
- Applicants applying before arriving in Japan, and
- Self-funded international students currently studying in Japan.
Applicants should contact the International Student Office of their target university directly. While scholarship conditions and benefits are similar to the Embassy Recommendation, applications are reviewed directly by the university without MOET involvement.
3. Notification of Results
Final results are typically announced several months after the final exam or interview. Once applicants pass the final round, acceptance is almost guaranteed.
Note: MEXT is the most prestigious and competitive scholarship in Japan. Applicants are encouraged to actively follow updates on the official website of the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam.
II. Asian Students Foundation Scholarship ( Joho Scholarship)
The Joho Scholarship is awarded annually to Vietnamese students, covering tuition worth approximately 160 million VND per year. Students are also guaranteed part-time employment and job placement support after graduation.
1. Admission Information
- Number of slots: 50 students
- Target applicants: Students wishing to study Japanese or work in Japan
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Vietnamese citizens aged 18-28, high school graduates;
- No prior study, internship, or training experience in Japan;
- Commitment to work at least 1 year at Joho-affiliated nursing facilities in Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto;
- Japanese proficiency N4 or higher (or completion of 50 Minna no Nihongo lessons);
- Commitment to complete the program and follow school regulations.
3. Benefits
- Tuition support: 800,000 JPY/year (~160 million VND)
- Guaranteed part-time job: ~1,000 JPY/hour (~20 million VND/month, 28 hours/week)
- Additional benefits for students with N3 or higher
- Opportunity to enter universities, colleges, vocational schools, or continue working in Japan after graduation
III. Asean Full Scholarship
This scholarship supports Vietnamese students with tuition assistance and guaranteed part-time jobs, suitable for students with average financial backgrounds but strong determination.
1. Admission Information
- Number of slots: 50 students;
- Target applicants: Students seeking low-cost study opportunities in Japan.
2. Eligibility Requirements
- Vietnamese citizens aged 18-28, high school graduates;
- No prior study or training in Japan;
- Commitment to work at least 1 year as assigned by the scholarship provider;
- Japanese proficiency N5 or higher (or completion of 25 Minna no Nihongo lessons).
3. Benefits
- Tuition support for the first year at a Japanese language school.
- Guaranteed part-time job during the first year: 900-1,100 JPY/hour (~20 million VND/month).
IV. Aoyama Scholarship
Funded by Aoyama Medical Group, this scholarship supports students pursuing long-term careers in nursing in Japan.
1. Eligibility Requirements
- Female Vietnamese citizens aged 19-29;
- Japanese proficiency equivalent to N3;
- No prior study or training in Japan;
- Completion of a 3-month professional training course in Hanoi (fully funded);
- Commitment to work in nursing in Japan for at least 3-4 years.
2. Benefits
- 100% tuition and accommodation coverage during Japanese language study (1.5 years) and nursing vocational study (2-3 years);
- Guaranteed part-time work at Aoyama medical facilities;
- Employment after graduation with Japanese-standard salary and benefits.
3. Study Program
- Japanese language school: 1.5-2 years;
- Nursing vocational school: 2 years;
- Employment at Aoyama facilities: minimum 3 years.
Note: All tuition and housing costs are fully covered. Students earn 900-1,000 JPY/hour during part-time work.
V. University – Specific Sholarships
These scholarships are offered directly by Japanese universities, typically based on academic performance. Students must apply before arriving in Japan. Requirements, scholarship amounts, and deadlines vary by institution—applicants should consult the official website of each university for details.
VI. Important Note About Sholarships
Duc Anh EduConnect encourages all eligible students to apply for scholarships. We can support you throughout the scholarship application process with the following:
- Meeting students early to help build a study plan and roadmap to work towards scholarship eligibility in the future;
- Assessing your actual academic profile and suggesting suitable scholarships for you to apply for;
- Supporting you in completing your scholarship documents: reviewing and checking information, proofreading application forms, personal statements and other documents;
- Submitting scholarship applications directly on your behalf.
In practice, because Duc Anh EduConnect represents many high-ranking international universities and has a large number of strong applicants, we are known in Vietnam as one of the consultants that works very hard on scholarship applications and also one of the companies that secures many scholarships, including high-value awards, for students.
Scholarship opportunities are open to everyone. To maximise your chances, we strongly recommend that you contact us 2-3 years before you plan to study abroad, so we can preliminarily assess your overall profile and help you build the best possible preparation plan for scholarship applications. Please also read the general scholarship information below to better understand your options.
Understanding Different Types of Funding
Students should clearly distinguish between:
- Scholarship: A competitive award with limited places, usually based on academic merit and other criteria. You must compete with other applicants to receive it.
- Grant: A fixed amount of money that a university/faculty may offer once you enrol in a particular course or institution. It is often automatically applied and does not always require a separate application.
- Bursary / Financial aid: Financial support for students who have specific reasons or circumstances (for example, financial hardship). You may need to explain your situation in order to be considered.
Duc Anh EduConnect will support you in applying for all three types: Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries/Financial Aid.
Sources and Levels of Scholarships
Scholarships can come from various sources, with values ranging from 10-100% of tuition fees, or even full scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, health insurance, etc.:
- The destination country (for example: Australia – AAS; UK – Chevening; USA – Fulbright; New Zealand – Asia-related scholarships);
- The institution where you choose to study;
- Independent organisations or agencies;
- Independent individuals;
- The Vietnamese government;
- Vietnamese organisations and agencies.
How Scholarships are assessed
Except in cases where a profile is truly outstanding and the approximate scholarship level can be predicted, in reality no one can guarantee whether you will receive a scholarship or not. Scholarship decisions are always made by an official scholarship committee, based on key criteria such as:
- Academic strength and achievements: scholarships are usually awarded from the highest-achieving applicants downwards;
- Timing of application: early applications often have an advantage over late ones;
- Specific criteria: if the scholarship is specialised (for example, field-specific or targeted at certain groups), additional conditions will apply.
Scholarship Competitiveness – Academic Profile vs. Potential Scholarship Level
As a general reference, students can consider the following guideline when assessing which scholarship level they may be competitive for:
- 100% tuition scholarship: To apply competitively, you should typically have GPA: 95-100% + English: IELTS ≥ 7.0
- 50% tuition scholarship: GPA: ≥ 92% + English: IELTS ≥ 6.5
- 30% tuition scholarship: GPA: ≥ 85% + English: IELTS ≥ 6.5
- 10-20% tuition scholarship: GPA: ≥ 75% + English: IELTS ≥ 6.0
These are indicative ranges only. Each university and scholarship program may set its own criteria and cut-off levels.
Typical Documents for Scholarship Applications
- Academic transcripts of your most recent qualification
- Degree certificate of your highest completed level of study
- Passport (photo and signature page)
- English test results and/or standardised tests (PTE Academic / IELTS / TOEFL / SAT / GMAT / GRE, etc.)
- Evidence of academic achievements, research activities, awards, competitions and extracurricular activities (if any)
For Master’s and PhD scholarship applicants, you will usually also need:
- A detailed CV (résumé)
- One personal statement or statement of purpose
- Two reference letters (academic and/or professional)
Additional Notes
For students receiving partial scholarships (covering only part of the tuition fee or part of living costs), it is important to carefully calculate whether you have sufficient funds to cover the remaining tuition and living expenses.
In some countries, scholarship applications require a very comprehensive set of documents; in others, assessment may rely mainly on GPA and English results.
For tailored guidance and full assistance throughout your study-abroad journey, please contact us HERE:
Duc Anh EduConnect
Hotline: 09887 09698, 09630 49860
Email: duhoc@ducanh.edu.vn
Website: ducanhduhoc.vn/
Bài viết liên quan
Thông tin học bổng du học Úc năm học 2013 – 2014
Để tham gia phỏng vấn học bổng du hoc uc, các bạn học sinh có thể Đăng ký trực tuyến tại đây! Hoặc đăng ký trực tiếp với hotline: 0988709698…
Tư duy logic và giải quyết vấn đề có cần ở du học sinh?( Kỳ 2)
Đi du học liệu có cần tư duy logic và tư duy giải quyết vấn đề không? Ở các nước văn minh hiện đại như Anh, Úc, Mỹ, Canada, New Zealand… pháp luật chặt chẽ thì đâu có thể xảy ra chuyện gì. Tất cả đều được sắp đặt sẵn cho bạn. “Bay đi. Học. Bay về.” Trong kỳ 2 này, tôi chia sẻ một vài điều về nấu ăn và sống với người lạ.
Tư duy logic và giải quyết vấn đề có cần thiết ở một du học sinh? (Kỳ 1)
Nếu bạn hỏi một du học sinh “cậu thu được gì từ việc du học?”, câu trả lời chắc chắn sẽ là: sinh sống xa nhà khá giúp sinh viên trưởng thành và dạn dày thêm.
Đại học Flinders, trường “điểm” với chi phí “mềm” tại Nam Úc
Với lợi thế là một trường đại học trẻ (mới 47 năm tuổi), Flinders đặc biệt chú trọng đến các lĩnh vực đào tạo mới: Công nghệ thông tin, luật, y khoa… cùng với việc trang bị các thiết bị hiện đại phục vụ cho công tác đào tạo. Flinders có thế mạnh trong lĩnh vực đào tạo các ngành khoa học sức khỏe, y khoa và ứng dụng công nghệ thông tin trong y học tại bang Nam Úc nói riêng và nước Úc nói chung.
10 trường đại học tốt nhất Anh quốc năm 2014 (Kỳ 4)
Đại học Surrey tọa lạc ngay trung tâm thành phố Guildford. Đây là thành phố nhỏ, yên bình và an toàn, phù hợp cho việc học tập và chỉ cách London 40 phút đi tàu. Guildford cũng nằm gần kề hai sân bay quốc tế lớn nhất Anh Quốc là Heathrow và Gatwick, kết nối thuận lợi với hầu hết các thành phố lớn của Châu Âu và thế giới.
10 trường đại học tốt nhất Anh quốc năm 2014 (Kỳ 3)
University College London (UCL) được thành lập năm 1826, là một trong những trường đại học danh tiếng nhất của Vương quốc Anh có hơn 25.000 sinh viên, trong đó có 45% sinh viên quốc tế đến từ 155 nước trên thế giới. Khoảng 90% sinh viên UCL có việc làm hoặc học lên cao hơn trong vòng 6 tháng sau khi tốt nghiệp.