Tohoku University Fully Funded Scholarship in Japan

The Tohoku University Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships in Japan, offering outstanding opportunities for international students seeking to pursue graduate studies.

This renowned university provides the chance to continue higher education in a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines, making it a preferred destination for students from around the world.

Quick Overview of the Tohoku University Scholarship

• Country: Japan, Sendai City
• University: Tohoku University
• Scholarship Provider: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT)
• Study Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D.

About Tohoku University

Tohoku University, founded as the third Imperial University in Japan, hosts over 17,000 students, including 2,000 international students.
It ranks seventh among Japanese universities and is recognized for its research excellence in science and technology.
The university has five campuses in Sendai, along with advanced laboratories and libraries housing more than 4 million books.
It collaborates with over 200 academic institutions worldwide on research projects.
Tohoku University is highly ranked in physics, chemistry, and engineering, with three Nobel Prize laureates among its faculty and alumni. The university allocates an annual research budget exceeding 100 billion yen.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition coverage
• Monthly stipend: ¥145,000 for Master's and Ph.D. students
• Round-trip airfare
• Comprehensive health insurance
• University housing support
• Visa application cost coverage

Programs Covered by the Scholarship

Bachelor’s Degree

• Duration: 4 years
• Students begin with a preparatory year to study Japanese language and foundational subjects before advancing to their chosen major.
• Courses are available in Japanese and English for most programs.

Master’s Degree

• Duration: 2 years
• Focus on advanced research under expert supervision.
• Students spend most of their time in laboratories and research projects, along with specialized lectures.

Doctoral Degree

• Duration: 3 years
• Requires conducting innovative research contributing to knowledge in the chosen field.
• Ph.D. students receive comprehensive academic support and opportunities to publish research in prestigious journals.

Available Fields of Study

• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Agriculture
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Arts and Letters
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of International Cultural Studies

Eligibility Criteria

• Age limit: Must be under 35 years old.
• Minimum GPA:
  • 3.0/4.0 for Master’s degree applicants
  • 3.5/4.0 for Ph.D. applicants
• Language proficiency:
  • JLPT N2 for Japanese-taught programs
  • IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 for English-taught programs
• Two academic recommendation letters

Required Documents

• Completed application form (in English)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Research proposal
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Language proficiency certificates
• Valid passport copy
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Academic recommendation letters

All non-English or non-Japanese documents must be officially translated and certified by the Japanese embassy.

Selection Criteria

• Academic record and GPA
• Quality of the research proposal
• Language proficiency level
• Strength of recommendation letters
• Previous research experience
• Performance in the interview

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the Tohoku University Scholarship more than once in the same year?
No, applicants can only apply once per admission cycle but may reapply in the following year if not accepted.

What are the chances of getting accepted?
Tohoku University accepts around 200 international students per year from over 2,000 applicants, making the selection highly competitive.

Can I change my major after receiving the scholarship?
No, changes are only allowed in exceptional cases and require scholarship committee approval.

How do I contact a potential academic supervisor?
You can find faculty members on the university website and email them your CV and research proposal.

Is work experience required for this scholarship?
No, but having research or academic experience significantly enhances your application.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary depending on the study program:

• Bachelor’s programs: Usually between October and November.
• Graduate programs: Usually between December and January.

For the most accurate deadlines, visit Tohoku University’s official website.