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Tohoku University

Ranked
Sendai, Japan
120th in World University Rankings 2025
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About

Basic information and contact details for Tohoku University

institution

For more than a century, Tohoku University has been consistently ranked amongst the top academic institutions in Japan. Its research achievements and contributions, coupled with its wide network of collaborative partners, led to it being one of the first institutions to be conferred the status of a Designated National University by the Japanese government in June 2017.

A trailblazer since its founding in 1907, the university was also the first to accept both women and graduates from technical schools, departing from the norms of other imperial universities at the turn of the 20th century.

Since then, Tohoku University has continued to attract talented researchers who have put their findings towards improving quality of life around the world. Among the inventions that were born at Tohoku University are the split-anode magnetron used in microwave ovens, the steel-wire recorder and the Yagi-Uda antenna.

More recently, in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Tohoku University pioneered research in next-generation medicine and disaster science, giving local and global communities the necessary tools and knowledge to fight illnesses and be better prepared for natural disasters.

Tohoku University’s four main campuses are spread across the cosmopolitan city of Sendai, the cultural, political and economic centre of Japan’s north east (Tohoku) region. Located some 300 kilometers - and a short 90-minute bullet train ride – from Tokyo, Sendai is a city of fascinating contradictions.

Home to a million people, Sendai is a big, sophisticated metropolis with museums and music halls, trendy shops and cafes, with a home team in every major professional sport. But it also has a small-city charm, easy friendliness, four distinct seasons and magnificent nature.

It’s a great place to live and an inspiring place to study. Come join us!

 

Faculties / Schools

 

Scholarships  

  • Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
  • University Recommendation (October entries only)
  • President Fellowship 2018
  • Monbukagakusho Honors Schlarship

 

Admissions

 

Campus Life

University House Aobayama is Tohoku University's 9th student dormitory and also its most ambitious and multicultural. Located at the new extension of Aobayama Campus, the new complex features 94 units of eight bedrooms each - enough for 752 students. There are also four rooms for residents with disabilities.

 

Double Degree Programs

Tohoku University offers three university-level Double Master’s Degree Programs with partner institutions:

Most of Tohoku University's graduate schools also have departmental-level Double Master’s/Doctoral Degree Programs with their partner institutions.

 

International Joint Graduate Programs 

Exchange Programs

 

Summer Programs

Students from partner universities were at Tohoku University for a fortnight of language classes, and workshops on Japanese history, law, economy and traditional arts.

About 30 undergraduate students from partner universities took part in TSSP 2019, getting an overview of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses offered here.

 

Research Institutions

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Rankings

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Impact Rankings

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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at Tohoku University

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
28 F : 72 M (1)
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International student percentage
12% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
11.8 (1)
student
Student total
17409 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2024

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Subjects Taught at Tohoku University

See below for a range of subjects taught at Tohoku University

Life Sciences101–125th

  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Sport Science
  • Veterinary Science
  • Biological Sciences

Arts and Humanities251–300th

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design
  • Architecture

Clinical and Health126–150th

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Other Health

Computer Science126–150th

  • Computer Science

Engineering59th

  • General Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Social Sciences251–300th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Geography
  • Communication and Media Studies

Physical Sciences101–125th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

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