Quick Information
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application Link | Apply via the official page |
| Official Source | https://admissions.tohoku.ac.jp/en/ |
Why Tohoku University stands out
Tohoku University is a national research university in Sendai, in northern Japan, with ten undergraduate departments and eighteen graduate schools. It is known for engineering, science, medicine and agriculture, and for a research culture that welcomes international students. From April 2027 it runs Gateway College, a new English-taught undergraduate programme in which students explore different fields before choosing a specialisation in their third year.
What you can study
Students can study engineering, science, medicine, agriculture, economics, law, education and the humanities at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. English-taught routes include Gateway College for undergraduates and a range of graduate programmes taught in English, including the Future Global Leadership programmes in engineering and science. Japanese-taught programmes admit privately financed international students through a dedicated entrance examination.
International admissions
International applicants apply through the Tohoku University Admissions Center, which explains the routes for undergraduate and graduate study, including Gateway College and the privately financed international student examination. Graduate applicants usually need to contact a prospective supervisor. See the official admissions site for the current guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gateway College?
Gateway College is Tohoku’s English-taught undergraduate programme, starting in April 2027. Students choose a Humanities and Social Sciences track or a STEM track, study across disciplines, and pick a specialisation from the third year. Entry requires recognised school qualifications and English test scores such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 – check the official application guide.
How much is tuition for international students?
For 2026 entry the published tuition was JPY 535,800 a year, plus a one-time admission fee of JPY 282,000. Tohoku has announced a higher tuition rate for international students from 2027 entry, so check the official admissions site for the current figure before you budget. MEXT scholarship students do not pay tuition.
When are the application deadlines?
Deadlines differ by programme and by entry point – Gateway College, for example, has separate spring and fall application windows. Check the application guide for your programme on the official admissions site.
What visa do international students need?
International students need a student visa to study in Japan, which requires a Certificate of Eligibility. Start the process early, as the certificate can take time to issue – check the official pages for the steps.