Tohoku University (Sendai) Guide for International Students: Programs, Costs (¥), Admissions

Thinking about studying in Japan but want a campus that blends world‑class research with an easygoing, livable city? Meet Tohoku University in Sendai. As a national research powerhouse—ranked #1 in Japan by Times Higher Education in 2025—the university is known for its “Research First,” “Open Door,” and “Practice‑Oriented” ethos, plus a welcoming history as the first in Japan to admit women (1913). You’ll find cutting‑edge labs (materials science, disaster science, biobank/precision medicine), generous exchange options, and a green city with four seasons, comfortable commutes, and student‑friendly costs. This guide gives you the quick facts, strengths, campus life, exchange pathways, climate, costs (¥), and career outcomes you’ll want to see before shortlisting Tohoku University.

Quick Facts: Tohoku University at a Glance

Type	National (Public) University — Designated National University
Total Students	17,816 (as of May 1, 2024) Facts & Figures
Campuses	Aobayama (main), Kawauchi, Seiryo, Katahira — all in Sendai. Interactive map: Campus Map / Map & Directions
Faculties / Schools	Arts & Letters; Education; Law; Economics & Management; Science; Medicine; Dentistry; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Engineering; Agriculture. Source
수업료	Entrance (admission) fee: ¥282,000; Annual tuition: ¥535,800 (typical national standard for undergrad/grad). FGL undergrad fees: FGL Fees / Example (Dentistry grad): Graduate Fees (AY2025)
Gender Ratio	28% female : 72% male THE Profile
International-Student %	Approx. 12% (THE key stats); official headcount 1,746 international students (May 1, 2024). THE / Facts & Figures
Students per Staff	12.3 students per staff (THE). Source

Note: International‑student percentages differ by source and definition. Tohoku’s official statistics report 2,147 international students enrolled on May 1, 2024 (incl. non‑degree categories), and 1,746 as of May 1, 2024 (degree-focused Facts & Figures). See the Global Learning Center’s statistics and Fact Book for breakdowns: GLC Statistics / Fact Book 2024 (PDF).

Campus Maps

Aobayama Campus (Main)

Address: 6-3, Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Kawauchi Campus

Address: 41 Kawauchi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8576, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Seiryo Campus

Address: 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Katahira Campus

Address: 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan

Open in Google Maps (reviews & directions)

Mission, History & Founding Story

Founded in 1907 as Japan’s third Imperial University, Tohoku University set itself apart early with three guiding principles that still shape its identity today: “Research First,” “Open Door,” and “Practice‑Oriented Research and Education.” The first emphasizes deep inquiry and discovery as the driver of teaching; the second focuses on inclusion and accessibility; and the third insists that research translate into real‑world benefit. These values—picked up by generations of students and scholars—help explain Tohoku’s reputation for innovation and community impact. History / Mission

The university became a trailblazer for gender equity in 1913 when it accepted Japan’s first female university students—chemists Chika Kuroda and Ume Tange, and mathematician Raku Makita—cementing its “Open Door” promise in the country’s higher‑education landscape. It was also among the first to welcome international students. That legacy continues in campus initiatives and commemorations that highlight the role of women and global learners at Tohoku University. 110th Anniversary: First Female Students / About Tohoku University

Tohoku’s “Research First” spirit is embedded in a network of research institutes and strong graduate schools—ranging from materials and fluid sciences to disaster science, aging, and cancer. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the university launched large‑scale initiatives in disaster science and medical data infrastructure that both supported regional recovery and boosted global scholarship. Examples include the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), the APRU Multi‑Hazards Program, and the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo) with its cohort studies and biobank (overview).

Today, Tohoku University is consistently ranked among the top institutions in Japan and Asia, taking the #1 spot in the 2025 THE Japan University Rankings, and was selected in 2024 as Japan’s first “University for International Research Excellence.” Ranking News / UIRE explainer (PMC)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Materials Science Leadership – AIMR, IMR & the Aobayama Science Hub

Tohoku is synonymous with materials science. The Institute for Materials Research (IMR) is a national joint‑use hub spanning energy, electronic, and structural materials—plus a gateway for international collaboration via GIMRT and advanced facilities like the High Field Laboratory for Superconducting Materials. The Aobayama New Campus enhances this ecosystem, adding an industry‑academia “science park” and proximity to next‑gen instruments like the 3 GeV synchrotron NanoTerasu. Aobayama New Campus / Science Park Press PDF

Disaster Science & Community Resilience

Born from the region’s recovery after 2011, IRIDeS integrates natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and social sciences to reduce risk and improve preparedness worldwide. Through the APRU Multi‑Hazards platform hosted by Tohoku, students join global workshops, summer schools, and research on hazard assessment, evacuation planning, early warning, and community resilience.

Flagship Faculties & Research Powerhouses

Engineering

Engineering connects to the Research Institute of Electrical Communication (RIEC) for frontier work in electronics, communications, and brain‑inspired computing. The English‑taught IMAC‑U track under the FGL program lets undergraduates study mechanical and aerospace engineering in English from day one.

Science & Materials

With IMR at its core and AIMR‑affiliated initiatives on campus, the university ranks strongly in physical sciences and engineering. Students access advanced platforms and collaborations that feed into clean energy, quantum devices, and new functional materials (IMR Research Areas; THE profile).

Medicine & Life Sciences

Tohoku Medical Megabank (ToMMo) runs multi‑generational cohort studies and a major biobank—an uncommon training ground for precision medicine and public‑health research. See ToMMo’s cohort/biobank overview here.

Globally Connected & Exchange‑Friendly

Tohoku belongs to elite networks such as APRU 그리고 RENKEI. The Global Learning Center offers exchange programs—JYPE (science/engineering/agriculture), IPLA (liberal arts), DEEP (direct enrollment in Japanese), and COLABS (research)—with transparent timelines and recent acceptance rates. Start here: Exchange Programs.

Student Life for International Students

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

Tohoku’s Student Friendship Association oversees dozens of sports and cultural clubs—from Aikido and cycling to English Speaking Society, orchestra, and tea ceremony. It’s a friendly way to meet Japanese and international peers beyond class. Clubs & Circles

Dedicated Support (Visa, Housing, Health & Counseling)

Practical help is available through the International Support Office (“TU Support”) for housing and daily‑life procedures, while the Center for Counseling and Disability Services and the Student Health Care Center support your mental and physical well‑being. Exchange program pages consolidate links to dorms (University House Aobayama, Sanjo, International House) and insurance information. Exchange & Support / Counseling & Disability Services

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options

Tohoku’s global reach shows in its networks and structured mobility options. Through JYPE (Science/Engineering/Agriculture), IPLA (Humanities/Social Sciences), DEEP (direct enrollment in Japanese), and COLABS (research‑oriented), students from partner universities can study for one or two semesters with tuition waived (JASSO scholarships available). Exchange Programs / APRU Member / Consortia (incl. RENKEI)

Local Climate & Lifestyle (Sendai)

Sendai, nicknamed the “City of Trees,” is a green, medium‑sized city (≈1 million people) about 90 minutes by bullet train from Tokyo. The climate brings four seasons with relatively mild summers and snowy—but not extreme—winters compared to northern Japan. The city center clusters cafes, bookstores, music venues, and shopping streets, while Aobayama and Kawauchi campuses offer forested hillsides and castle‑park vistas. JNTO: Sendai City / Official Sendai Travel

Students consistently highlight safety, a compact commute, and costs lower than Tokyo/Yokohama for daily life and housing. University pages aimed at international students in health sciences, for example, note Sendai’s livable scale and affordability for student budgets. Living in Sendai (Dentistry)

International Student Statistics

As of May 1, 2024, Tohoku University counted 2,147 international students across degree and non‑degree categories, with the following regional distribution (Fact Book 2024): Asia 83.1%; Europe 8.8%; North America 2.2%; South & Central America 1.9%; Middle East 1.3%; Africa 2.6%; Oceania 0.2%. For data tools and trend charts, see GLC Statistics 및 Fact Book 2024.

Region	Share of Intl. Students
Asia	83.1%
Europe	8.8%
North America	2.2%
South & Central America	1.9%
Middle East	1.3%
Africa	2.6%
Oceania	0.2%

Career & Graduate Prospects

Career support is centralized through the Career Support Office (CSO), which offers advising, employer sessions, and resources tailored to Japanese recruitment cycles. For international students who graduated or completed programs in 2022, the employment rate (share of job seekers who were employed) was 68.8% according to CSO data. Typical destinations include manufacturing, automotive, electronics/IT, energy, finance, health care, and public sector roles. Career Paths (CSO) / CSO (English)

In the 2025 THE Japan rankings, Tohoku scored strongly on student engagement and outcomes—including employer reputation—reflecting its practice‑oriented curriculum and industry partnerships. If you intend to seek work in Japan after graduation, the university provides guidance on visa status changes and job‑hunting timelines. Ranking News / School of Engineering employment examples: Engineering Career Info

Costs & Funding Snapshot (¥)

Item	Typical Amount	Reference
Application (FGL undergrad)	¥5,000	FGL Fees
Entrance (admission) fee	¥282,000	FGL / Graduate Example
Annual tuition (typical)	¥535,800	Graduate Fees (AY2025)
Financial aid options	Tuition reduction/exemption; scholarships (incl. JASSO for exchange)	Financial Aid / Exchange & JASSO

Tip: Exchange students in JYPE/IPLA/COLABS/DEEP are tuition‑waived but should budget for monthly living costs and mandatory insurances. The exchange office advises showing funds of roughly ¥80,000/month for visa purposes. Exchange Programs

Why Tohoku University Stands Out

If you want a top‑tier research university without the overwhelm of a megacity, Tohoku University is a sweet spot: #1 in Japan (THE 2025), strong global rankings in engineering and physical sciences, and a teaching culture rooted in research and real‑world outcomes. The Aobayama campus is evolving into a science city—home to industry‑academia hubs and next‑gen instruments—while Sendai remains safe, green, and student‑friendly. Add in well‑structured exchange programs and solid career support, and you have a compelling place to launch a degree—or a year abroad—that actually fits your life. THE Profile