Tohoku Medical & Pharmaceutical University | Admissions, Tuition, Scholarships, Student Life for International Students

Thinking about studying health sciences in Japan? Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University (TMPU) in Sendai blends a strong medical mission with hands-on training across medicine and pharmacy. Founded in 1939 and expanded to include a medical faculty in 2016, the university now runs two compact campuses, an affiliated teaching hospital, and a practical learning model designed for the Tohoku region’s real-world needs. Below you’ll find fast facts, what makes TMPU unique, and what international students can expect—from clubs and support services to climate and career prospects.

Quick Facts

Type	Private University
Total Students	≈ 2,522 (Pharmacy 1,904; Medicine 618) as of May 1, 2025 — Official figures
Campuses	Komatsushima (Main); Fukumuro — Komatsushima Map / Fukumuro Map
Faculties / Schools	Faculty of Medicine; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Graduate School of Medicine; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Liberal Arts / General Education Center — Overview (EN)
Tuition (First Year)	Medicine: ¥6,500,000; Pharmacy: ¥2,225,000 — Kei-Net
Gender Ratio	Approx. 43% male / 57% female (combined) — Source
Intl-Student %	n/a (not disclosed university-wide). Graduate Pharmacy has multiple international students (China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mongolia) — Graduate data (JP, 2024)
Students per Staff	≈ 7.2 : 1 (estimate using full-time faculty: Medicine 261 + Pharmacy 88; students ≈ 2,522) — Benesse (Med) / Benesse (Pharm) / Students (official)

Campus Maps

Komatsushima Campus (Aoba Ward, Sendai)

Address: 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8558, Japan

Fukumuro Campus (Miyagino Ward, Sendai)

Address: 1-15-1 Fukumuro, Miyagino Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 983-8536, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University (TMPU) traces its roots to the pre-war Tohoku School of Pharmacy (1939). Over decades as a specialized pharmacy university, it developed strong basic and clinical pharmaceutical science. In 2016, TMPU launched its Faculty of Medicine—an expansion intended to train physicians who can serve aging communities and strengthen regional healthcare across the Tohoku area, which was deeply affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. The mission is practical and local: nurture ethical professionals, advance evidence-based care, and anchor community-oriented medicine.

Today, TMPU operates two campuses: Komatsushima for early medical years and most pharmacy instruction, and Fukumuro for clinical-stage medicine. The affiliated University Hospital enables bedside learning and clinical exposure. Recent institutional materials also emphasize assurance of educational quality, including medical education accreditation (JACME) granted for the Faculty of Medicine. See: History (EN), Overview (EN)und University Overview 2024 (PDF).

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Community-Rooted Medical Education & Study-Funding

TMPU’s medical training is deliberately tied to regional healthcare. A signature element is its study-funding schemes that support selected medical students with substantial loans/grants in exchange for post-graduation service in specified hospitals in the Tohoku area. These programs help offset costs while strengthening the physician pipeline. For program outlines and current quotas, see the Medicine Scholarship page and the latest policy PDF (e.g., A-Track overview) here. For general scholarships (undergrad & grad), see the university’s Scholarship portal.

Integrated Medicine–Pharmacy Learning

With both a medical faculty and a large pharmacy faculty on neighboring campuses, TMPU can emphasize interprofessional learning—understanding patient care from diagnosis through pharmacotherapy. The Faculty of Medicine describes its “three systems” approach (generous scholarships, community-based medical education, and post-graduate career support), while the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences runs both a 6-year pharmacist track and a 4-year life/pharmaceutical sciences track connected to graduate research. See Medicine (EN) und Pharmaceutical Sciences (EN).

Flagship Schools & Teaching Hospitals

Faculty of Medicine

Pre-clinical years are based at Komatsushima; clinical years at Fukumuro, with training at the University Hospital. Students gain progressive exposure to clinical skills and community medicine pathways. See University Hospital (EN).

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

TMPU’s pharmacy education spans pharmacist training and life/pharmaceutical sciences leading into research. The Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences admits international applicants and offers research-oriented tracks. See Graduate Admissions (EN).

International Network & Research Pathways

TMPU lists international partners for academic and research exchange. While inbound English-medium undergraduate tracks at TMPU are limited, outbound options for TMPU students and cross-lab research collaborations are active. See International Network (EN).

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles

Student-run clubs include academic circles (e.g., IFMSA-TMPU, TCM), cultural clubs (choir, music, film, tea ceremony), and sports. These groups regularly welcome new members, including international students. See the club listings under Campus Life: Clubs & Circles (JP).

Dedicated Support Offices

TMPU provides advisory and counseling services, disability support coordination, and career support. Administrative support can guide students on documentation, part-time work rules, and housing tips. See Support Services (JP) und Campus Life (EN).

Language-Exchange & Buddy-Style Learning

While TMPU is not a large international campus, you’ll find organic peer support via clubs and seminars. The Liberal-Arts / General Education Center also hosts communication-focused courses and events that help you meet peers. See Center for Liberal Arts (EN).

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

TMPU maintains agreements with overseas universities and research institutes. If you’re already enrolled at TMPU (or plan to pursue graduate research), check the university’s partner list and ask your lab or faculty office about current exchange frameworks, eligibility, and language requirements. See International Network (EN). Funding options for study abroad (for TMPU students) are summarized here: Study-Abroad Scholarships (JP, PDF).

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Sendai, Miyagi)

Sendai has four seasons with relatively mild winters by Tohoku standards and warm, humid summers. Based on Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monthly tables for Sendai station (WMO 47590), recent years show winter mean minimums around −2 to 0 °C (Jan–Feb) and summer mean maximums around 27–30 °C (Jul–Aug). Rain peaks in early summer. See JMA’s English monthly tables: JMA Monthly Climate: Sendai (EN).

Lifestyle-wise, Sendai is known for greenery, coastal day-trips, and a cost of living generally lower than Tokyo. The city is large enough for amenities but compact enough to navigate quickly by subway or bus. University calendars highlight sports festivals, open-campus events, and research symposia through the year. See Campus Calendar (JP).

International Student Statistics

University-wide international student percentages are not publicly broken out on the English site. However, the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2024 data) shows ongoing enrollment of international students across year levels, mainly from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Mongolia, with graduates going on to roles in companies, hospitals, and research institutions. See official graduate report (JP): R6 Graduate Pharmacy Facts.

Career & Graduate Prospects

TMPU’s pharmacy graduates typically enter hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy chains, and the pharmaceutical industry; some continue to graduate studies. Kei-Net’s summary for recent cohorts shows high employment ratios for pharmacy (e.g., ~88% employed, ~4% further study for 2023–2024 outcomes). Career guidance is coordinated by faculty and the Career Support Center. See Kei-Net Employment Data und Career Support (JP).