Tohoku University
Sendai, Japan • Founded 1907 • World Rank #252
Overview
Established in 1907, the Tohoku University (Tohoku Daigaku) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Sendai (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Miyagi.
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Tohoku University is a large-sized coeducational Japanese higher education institution. Tohoku University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 116-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this Japanese higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Tohoku University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Tohoku University's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.
Academic Details
Below: the academic-side numbers and recognition that shape Tohoku University's reputation. Recognition and accreditation are distinct — recognition is government-level, accreditation programme-specific.
Academic Structures
Tohoku University's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.
Unit 28 items
- Accounting School
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Arts and Letters
- Faculty of Economics
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science
- Graduate School of Arts and Letters
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
- Graduate School of Dentistry
- Graduate School of Economics and Management
- Graduate School of Education
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies
- Graduate School of Information Sciences
- Graduate School of International Cultural Studies
- Graduate School of Law
- Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Graduate School of Medicine
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Graduate School of Science
- Law School
- School of Dentistry
- School of Engineering
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- School of Public Policy
Degrees
Some Programmes are taught in English; Also Double Degree programmes (Master) with: Ecole Centrale Group, France; INSA de Lyon, France; KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Other 48 programs
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Agriculture
- Applied Chemistry
- Applied Physics
- Architecture
- Arts and Humanities
- Asian Studies
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Food Science
- Health Sciences
- History
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Studies
- Japanese
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Pedagogy
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Robotics
- Technology
- Telecommunications Engineering
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
Cyclotron and Radioisotope (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Gene Research (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Higher Education Research (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Information Synergy (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Interdisciplinary Research (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
International Student (Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Japanese
Low Temperature Science (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
New Industry Creation Hatchery (Centre) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Northeast Asian Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Interdisciplinary
Agriculture (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agriculture
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Environmental Management
- Natural Resources
Common Career Paths
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agronomist
- Farm Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts and Letters (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
- Development Studies
- History of Societies
- Linguistics
- Social Sciences
Dentistry (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Stomatology
Common Career Paths
- Dentist
- Oral Surgeon
- Dental Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (Faculty) 18 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Applied Chemistry
- Applied Physics
- Architecture
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biomedical Engineering
- Building Technologies
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Earth Sciences
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Geology
- Materials Engineering
- Measurement and Precision Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- International Law
- Law
- Political Sciences
- Public Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmaceutical Sciences (Faculty) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Studies
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Mathematics
- Mineralogy
- Petroleum and Gas Engineering
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Educational Informatics (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education and Research Divisions
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Environmental Studies (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemistry
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Officer
- Climate Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Information Sciences (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Information Sciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
International Cultural Studies (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Communication Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Economics
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
Life Sciences (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Neurosciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Development, Ageing and Cancer (Institute) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Genetics
- Medicine
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Physiology
Electrical Communication Research (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Fluid Science (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mechanics
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Materials Research (Institute) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Multi-disciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Electronics and Automation
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering
Programs Offered
All active programmes at Tohoku University are listed by degree level. Cross-reference against the divisions section to identify which faculty owns each programme — that determines admissions handling.
Bachelor's Degree
10 programmes
Tohoku University delivers 10 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.
Faculty of Arts and Letters Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus Japanese
Faculty of Agriculture Agriculture 4 years On-campus Japanese
School of Engineering General Engineering 4 years On-campus Japanese
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy 4 years On-campus Japanese
School of Dentistry Dentistry 6 years On-campus Japanese
School of Medicine Medicine 6 years On-campus Japanese
Faculty of Science Natural Sciences 4 years On-campus Japanese
Faculty of Economics Economics 4 years On-campus Japanese
School of Law Law 4 years On-campus Japanese
Faculty of Education Education & Teaching 4 years On-campus Japanese
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
14 programmes
Tohoku University's 14 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
Graduate School of Science Natural Sciences 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Environmental Studies Environmental Sciences 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Life Sciences Religious Studies 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Information Sciences Information Systems & Technology 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of International Cultural Studies Politics & International Relations 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Agricultural Science Agriculture 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Engineering General Engineering 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Dentistry Dentistry 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Economics and Management Business & Management 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Law Law 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Education Education & Teaching 2 years On-campus Japanese
Graduate School of Arts and Letters Humanities & Cultural Studies 2 years On-campus Japanese
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
3 programmes
Tohoku University delivers 3 programmes at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.
Accounting School Accounting 2 years On-campus Japanese
School of Public Policy Public Policy 2 years On-campus Japanese
Law School Law 3 years On-campus Japanese
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
1 programme
Tohoku University delivers 1 programme at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.
Graduate School of Medicine Medicine 4 years On-campus Japanese
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Tohoku University
The standard application path for Tohoku University, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.
- 1 Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Tohoku University offers 28 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Tohoku University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Tohoku University's online portal at www.tohoku.ac.jp. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (22) 717 7800. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tohoku University
Quick reference for Tohoku University: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
How old is Tohoku University?
The institution opened in 1907 (approximately 119 years ago).
What city is Tohoku University in?
Tohoku University operates from Sendai, Japan.
Is Tohoku University a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is Tohoku University's student body?
Tohoku University serves approximately 15,000-19,999 students.
How is Tohoku University ranked?
It ranks #252 globally and #3 in Japan.
How is Tohoku University organised academically?
Tohoku University has 28 academic units.
Who recognises Tohoku University?
Tohoku University is accredited by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
How do I find Tohoku University online?
Tohoku University's official website is www.tohoku.ac.jp.
Members of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
Joint research grants among Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) members create funded collaborations that often extend to graduate-student opportunities. The network listed below collaborates regularly with Tohoku University.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Universities geographically close to Tohoku University are listed below — useful if commute, campus visits, or regional culture factor into your shortlist. Many students compare nearby options before committing to a final choice.
Where Else to Study Law
Accreditation portability differs for Law programmes across Japan. Professional accreditation (where applicable) matters more than institutional accreditation for regulated career paths.
Universities Often Compared with Tohoku University
Endowment and financial peer comparison signals institutional resources and scholarship depth. Universities comparable to Tohoku University in this dimension often offer similar aid packages.
