Tohoku University in Sendai Japan is one of the internationally acclaimed national universities in the country known for its standards in research and education. The university has been consistently ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education Japan University rankings. The university easily ranks among the top universities in the world thanks to its diverse student body exhibiting a variety of language and cultural backgrounds.
Being one of the best universities in Asia makes Tohoku University one of the most competitive to get into. This is why it helps to understand an institution’s admission process before sending in your applications. Not only would you stay ahead of the competition, but you would also be able to prepare yourself to face each stage of the process confidently. In this article, we look at the admission process applicants to Tohoku University generally go through. Read along until the end for some tips that might help you with a better chance of securing your seat at this prestigious institution.
Admissions Process at Tohoku University
In this section, we break down the general admission process at the university as detailed on their official website. Regardless of whether you are applying to a graduate or undergraduate program, taught in English or Japanese, you would benefit from the following information as an international student.
Step 1. Confirm that You Meet the Application Requirements
The first and most obvious step of applying to a university is figuring out if you meet the eligibility criteria required to follow a program of your choice. Across the 10 undergraduate schools, 19 graduate schools, research institutes, and the university hospital, Tohoku University offers a wide range of study options for international students with programs that are taught entirely in English.
On the university’s web page for degree courses offered to international students, you could pick a program that interests you and ensure that you meet all the academic, language, and legal requirements. Generally, almost all programs require international students to have completed 11 to 12 years of education at the time of enrolment into Tohoku University. Students applying for Japanese-taught programs are required to take the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) in either June or November of the year before they plan to enroll.
Step 2. Fill Out the Application Online
Applications to the university have to go through the online application system (TAO). Applicants are also required to pay an examination fee of JPY 5,000 which is roughly $35 excluding transfer/ handling fees. Payment is expected to be made via a credit card. The university accepts standardized examination scores from a national standardized examination like GCE A-Levels, IB, or EJU. In addition, applicants for English-taught programs (if not exempted under special conditions) are required to submit official test scores from an accepted English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL.
At the time of application be sure to include all the required documents prompted by the online application system. You will be required to submit a statement of purpose, a graduate certificate sample, and a letter on English proficiency. The formats for each of these can be viewed on the “How to Apply?” page.
Step 3. Check your Success with the First Screening
In the first screening stage, the university authorities assess the basics of your application. Documents submitted along with the application are taken into account for the outcome of the first screening stage. At this stage, your previous academic transcripts issued by your school and scores from academic qualification exams or national standardized exams for college entrance like the EJU and ACT are assessed. The success of the first screening also depends on whether your statement of reasons for applying is legitimate and well-written and submitted on time with your scores from the English language proficiency test.
Step 4. Prepare for the Online 2nd Screening Examination
The second screening stage involves an examination that assesses applicants across three tests that take place in one or two days. For Japanese-taught programs, applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the Japanese language since they would be taking the same classes as domestic students. To ensure they are proficient, students are expected to take the “Privately Financed International Students Entrance Examination” for admission which would be conducted in the Japanese language.
The 2nd stage screening examination includes three tests; AMC for applicants to Advanced Molecular Chemistry, IMAC-U for International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students, and AMB for Applied Marine Biology students. The AMC analyzes written and oral competency across basic physics, chemistry, mathematics, and essays. The second test, IMAC-U, is a written and oral examination that will put your basic academic skills in physics and mathematics to the test. The final AMB test includes written and oral questions in the field of marine biology.
Step 5. Enroll Once Admitted
After having successfully passed through the application process of the university, the university announces the examination numbers of the successful applicants. At this stage, it is rest assured that you’ve reserved a seat at this prestigious school, however, make sure you complete the admission procedures within the given time, or else you’ll lose your opportunity to enroll.
Tips to Get Into Tohoku University
Here are some actionable steps to help you with submitting a better application.
Tip 1. Take the Right Language Tests if Needed
For programs conducted in English, the university expects international students to submit recognized certification of English language proficiency. Some students, however, might not be required to do so. Therefore, it is a good idea to make sure that it’s a requirement, before preparing for your language tests.
On the other hand, for programs taught in Japanese, students have to take the “Privately Financed International Students Entrance Examination” which is the only accepted proof of Japanese language proficiency.
Tip 2. Submit Applications Before the Deadline
The application window at Tohoku University is very narrow and often changes from faculty to faculty. It’s generally good practice to work on your application in the earlier part of the period to ensure that you don’t encounter any system issues at the time of submission.
Tip 3. Try to Apply for Scholarships
Besides the obvious benefits of having your studies funded by a scholarship, a scholarship serves as proof that you might have demonstrated excellent academic skills previously. When applying to a world-recognized university such as Tohoku University, excellent academic performance is a plus point.
Tohoku University is one of the best universities in Asia and both domestic and international students compete to reserve their seats at the institution. There’s much that helps distinguish a strong application from a last-minute incomplete one.
We hope that the above admission tips for getting into Tohoku University help you submit a valid and strong application. You can check out the Study in Japan and peruse the Available Programs in Japan to learn more about studying in Japan.
