SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDYING IN JAPAN

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:

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.

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

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).

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.

University-specific scholarships

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.

Important note about scholarships

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;
• Your home country's scholarships. 

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.

Support from Duc Anh EduConnect 

Duc Anh EduConnect offers comprehensive support throughout the entire study abroad journey. Our experienced team assists students with course and university selection, admission and scholarship applications, student visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, airport pick-up, and ongoing support while studying overseas.

Please CONTACT US for FREE consultation and application.