Tohoku Gakuin University Guide for International Students: Programs, Campus Life & Admissions

If you’re exploring Japan for undergraduate or graduate study, Tohoku Gakuin University (TGU) in Sendai is a practical, friendly, and value-conscious option. It’s a private university with three compact campuses in a livable mid-sized city, offering 10 faculties (from Engineering and Informatics to Letters and International Studies), more than a hundred student clubs, and a growing set of international programs. Below is a deep dive into TGU’s profile, strengths, student life, exchange options, and career outcomes—with official sources linked throughout so you can fact-check quickly and plan with confidence.

Quick-Facts Table

Type	Private university Source
Total Students	11,528 total = 11,395 undergraduate + 133 graduate (as of May 1, 2024) Source  |  11,255 total (English page, as of 2023) Source
Campuses	Tsuchitoi (main), Itsutsubashi — both in Sendai. (Izumi facilities are used for athletics & some extracurriculars.) Source  |  Campus list (EN) incl. Izumi Source
Faculties/Schools	Letters; Economics; Business Administration; Law; Engineering; Regional Studies; Informatics; Human Sciences; International Studies; Liberal Arts; plus Graduate Schools & Center for Liberal Arts Education. Source
Tuition Fees (First-Year, UG)	Letters / Economics / Business / Law: ¥1,309,500 Engineering: ¥1,727,500 Liberal Arts / Regional Studies / Human Sciences / International Studies: ¥1,443,500 Informatics: ¥1,513,500 Detailed tuition (AY2025)
Gender Ratio	Aggregate (university-wide) not officially published in English. Faculty-level male/female breakdowns are available in Japanese IR pages. Reference (JP)
Intl-Student %	Consolidated percentage not published; inbound/exchange counts and outbound study-abroad data are provided on the Japanese IR pages. Reference (JP)
Students per Staff	≈37:1 using 11,528 students / 308 full-time faculty (as of May 1, 2024). Students & Faculty (JP)  |  36:1 using 11,255 / 310 (2023 EN). At a Glance (EN)

Campus Maps

Tsuchitoi Campus (Main Campus, Sendai)

Address: 1-3-1 Tsuchitoi, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8511, Japan

Itsutsubashi Campus (Sendai)

Address: 3-1 Shimizukoji, Wakabayashi Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 984-8588, Japan

Izumi Campus (Sendai)

Address: 2-1-1 Tenjinzawa, Izumi Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 981-3193, Japan

Mission, History & Founding Story

Tohoku Gakuin University traces its roots to 1886. It began as a school founded with support from the German Reformed Church (now part of the Reformed Church in the United States), and it has maintained a humanistic, service-oriented ethos ever since. Today, TGU is a comprehensive private university located in Sendai—the regional hub of the Tohoku area—where it serves both the local community and a growing international cohort of students. The university summarizes its educational approach in a clear three-part philosophy that emphasizes cultivating the whole person, balancing specialized knowledge with liberal learning, and encouraging students to contribute to society with practical, ethical leadership. History · “Three-part plan”

From its early days, TGU trained students to engage with the wider world—academically, professionally, and culturally. The university expanded steadily through the twentieth century, adding new faculties and graduate programs in response to Japan’s modernization. Its campuses in central Sendai (Tsuchitoi and Itsutsubashi) and the suburban Izumi area give students a choice of urban convenience and greener surroundings, with easy access between sites. At a Glance

Today, TGU comprises 10 faculties (Letters; Economics; Business Administration; Law; Engineering; Liberal Arts; Regional Studies; Informatics; Human Sciences; and International Studies) and multiple graduate divisions. Its academic staff includes 310 full-time faculty members, supporting a student body of 11,255 (as of May 1, 2023). The emphasis on small-group seminars and applied learning remains a hallmark across disciplines—from humanities and social sciences to engineering and data science. Staff data · Enrollment data

Recently, TGU has reinforced its international gateway through “pre-arrival” admissions for international students, designed to streamline applications from outside Japan starting with the 2025 intake. This is part of a broader effort to lower practical barriers while maintaining academic rigor and support. University news (2024/08/21)

Key Strengths & Unique Features

Flagship Engineering & Informatics: Hands-on, Career-Focused

TGU’s Faculty of Engineering Và Faculty of Informatics stand out for applied, industry-aware training—especially valuable for international students aiming for technology roles in Japan. Engineering covers Mechanical & Intelligent Systems, Electrical & Electronic, Civil & Environmental, and Information Technology, while Informatics includes a Data Science department that emphasizes statistics, programming, and problem-solving for the digital economy. Faculties

Engineering (Faculty of Engineering)

Programs integrate lab work with problem-based projects and capstones. The curriculum cultivates fundamentals (mechanics, circuits, materials, embedded systems) alongside modern tools and safety. Graduates are prepared for manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, mobility, and public-sector roles. Overview

Informatics & Data Science (Faculty of Informatics)

The Department of Data Science blends statistical modeling, programming, and domain applications, with faculty covering machine learning, information systems, and data-driven policy/business use-cases. Check the English pages for course areas and faculty expertise. Department page · Faculty profiles

Cutting-Edge Robotics, Made Practical

For students drawn to robotics and mechatronics, TGU’s Robot Development Engineering (RDE) group showcases project-based research—from balancing robots to mobile platforms—linking control theory with real hardware. The lab’s English site offers a window into facilities, projects, and contact details. RDE (English)

Global-Ready Liberal Arts Across 10 Faculties

Beyond STEM, TGU’s breadth—Letters, Economics, Business Administration, Law, Liberal Arts, Regional Studies, Human Sciences, International Studies—means you can combine language, culture, policy, and social inquiry with skills that transfer globally (writing, analysis, teamwork). The Center for Liberal Arts Education strengthens academic foundations for all undergraduates. At a Glance

Value for Money: Clear Tuition, Predictable Costs

Compared with big-city private universities, TGU’s first-year totals are competitive: roughly ¥1.31–1.73 million depending on faculty, with transparent line-items (admission, tuition, registration, etc.). Budget-conscious international students also benefit from Sendai’s lower living costs than Tokyo. Tuition & Fees · City living information

A Mission That Balances Character, Knowledge, and Service

TGU’s educational principles—codified in its three-part plan—encourage students to grow intellectually and ethically, then apply what they learn in communities and workplaces. That orientation shows up in seminar pedagogy, volunteering, and a strong club culture woven into campus life. “Three-part plan” · Clubs & activities

Student Life for Internationals

Clubs & Circles that Welcome Overseas Students

TGU lists 140+ cultural and athletic organizations—from English Speaking Society and film to basketball, kendo, and mountaineering. International students routinely join these groups to practice Japanese and make friends across faculties. Extra-curriculars

Support Offices (Visa, Housing, Counseling)

The International Affairs Office coordinates admissions and exchange and can direct you to visa, residence, and academic support. Sendai City also maintains English-language pages and a comprehensive “LIFE IN SENDAI” guide for foreign residents covering procedures, healthcare, disaster readiness, and daily living resources. City living information · LIFE IN SENDAI (PDF)

Language-Exchange & Buddy-Style Opportunities

On campus, exchange programs include Japanese language classes for international students; in the city, initiatives like the Sendai International Students Program create chances to volunteer and connect locally. These activities are excellent complements to TGU clubs for extra language practice. Exchange programs · City program overview

Partner Institutions & Exchange Options (Outbound Focus)

TGU students can study abroad through faculty-level or university-level agreements. While details vary by program, the university highlights options in engineering research exchanges, Japan studies, economics with English-medium seminars, and more. Always check language prerequisites (e.g., JLPT) and credit requirements. Special programs (overview)

Local Climate & Lifestyle

Weather. Sendai’s climate is temperate by Tohoku standards. Using recent-year observations (2024–2025) from Sendai/Sendai Airport, typical daily temperatures range roughly from winter lows around −2 °C to 0 °C and highs around 4–6 °C in January, up to summer lows around 21–23 °C and highs around 28–30 °C in August. For planning, browse month-by-month charts here: 2024 Sendai (WeatherSpark) · 2025 Sendai Airport (WeatherSpark) · long-term climate resources at JMA.

City & living. Sendai (population ~1 million) is the political and economic center of the broader Tohoku region and is well known as the “City of Trees.” Compared with Tokyo or Osaka, housing and daily costs are more affordable. Transport is convenient (subway, JR lines, buses), and the city promotes English-language services and disaster-preparedness resources for residents. City Profile · Information for Foreign Exchange Students · LIFE IN SENDAI (PDF)

International Student Statistics

TGU’s English institutional data currently emphasize total enrollment and academic staff. While a by-country breakdown is not published in English at the time of writing, the International Exchange section and program pamphlets outline active exchange opportunities and language prerequisites. We will update this section as official percentages by region or country are released. Exchange programs · Enrollment

Career & Graduate Prospects

TGU’s Career Placement office maintains faculty-by-faculty employment dashboards showing the distribution of job outcomes across industry categories such as manufacturing, services, finance/insurance, real estate, public sector/civil service, and teaching. These pages, along with job posting portals and guidance on Japan’s recruitment calendar, help students plan internships and full-time roles early. If you intend to work in Japan after graduation, start résumé prep and interview practice well before your final year and consider JLPT targets aligned to your field. Employment Data by Industry