Doctoral Program (English Course)

Tohoku University, located in Sendai, Japan, is a historic institution that has been a pioneer in many ways. Founded in 1907, it was the first university in Japan to admit female students in 1913, reflecting its commitment to equality and inclusivity. You can benefit from its strong research focus, diverse student body, and rich history, making it an attractive choice for international students.

The university offers 27 programs, providing opportunities for you to explore different fields and interests. Specifically, Tohoku University has a strong focus on engineering, business, and medicine, with many research areas and departments dedicated to these subjects. English is a key language used in many programs, allowing international students to integrate easily into academic life.

As a student at Tohoku University, you will be part of a community of around 17,591 students, including 1,732 international students from 90 countries and regions. Sendai, the city where the university is located, provides a unique blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern amenities. You can enjoy the city's festivals, try local cuisine, and take part in many student activities and clubs, making your time at Tohoku University a rich and memorable experience.

The Doctoral Program (English Course) is a three-year doctoral program at Tohoku University in Miyagi, Japan, delivered in English, with entry each October. As a general English-taught doctoral track, the program supports students pursuing independent research within their chosen engineering or scientific field, working with a faculty supervisor to define a research problem, carry out original investigation, and complete a dissertation. Doctoral study of this kind typically opens with a review of the existing research literature and advanced coursework, moving into sustained independent research, seminar presentations, and eventually publication and dissertation writing. Tohoku University describes its UREX-Tohoku Project, titled "The Journey Starts Here," as a plan to build a research ecosystem by supporting early and mid-career researchers and attracting researchers from other countries. The project is funded through the government's Universities for International Research Excellence initiative; the university states it was the first in Japan selected for the initiative and that it will receive 15.4 billion JPY, or roughly 100 million USD, in the current fiscal year, with about 10 billion JPY expected annually over the following 25 years. A doctoral program taught fully in English gives international researchers access to Tohoku University's laboratories and faculty without a Japanese language requirement, while still situating them within a research environment tied to the university's broader push to expand its research capacity. Graduates typically pursue academic careers, positions in national or corporate research laboratories, or specialist technical roles depending on their chosen field. The three-year length reflects a standard doctoral timeline in Japan, and pre-arrival admission procedures let some steps be completed before students relocate to Miyagi.