MEXT Scholarship in Bangladesh: How Many Students Get It Each Year?

Every year, a limited but growing number of Bangladeshi students win Japan’s prestigious MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship, one of the most generous fully funded study programs in the world.

📊 Latest Numbers

According to recent data (2020–2024), about 120–164 Bangladeshi students receive MEXT scholarships each year.
Breakdown by year:

• 2020: ~120
• 2021: ~140
• 2022: ~163
• 2023: ~164
• 2024: ~136

Historically (1955–2013), over 3,000 Bangladeshi research students, 49 undergraduates, and 96 technical college students have studied in Japan under this scheme.

🏛️ Two Application Routes

1. Embassy Recommendation:

   • Conducted through the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka.
   • Covers undergraduate, research (master’s/PhD), college of technology, and specialized training programs.
   • Highly competitive — roughly a few dozen are selected each year.

2. University Recommendation:

   • Applicants are nominated directly by Japanese universities.
   • More common for master’s and PhD students.
   • Around 100+ Bangladeshi graduate students are chosen annually through this path.

🎯 Key Takeaway

• Undergraduate: very few seats (less than 10 per year).
• Graduate (Research, Master’s, PhD): 100–150 per year combined.
• Total: roughly 100–170 Bangladeshi MEXT scholars annually.