I n t e r n a t i o n a l G ra d u a t e P ro g ra m fo r A d va n c e d S c i e n c e

2020

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
IGPAS
International Graduate Program for Advanced Science

Tohoku University was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest Universities of Japan. The School of
Science began its history with the foundation of the University, and the Graduate School of Science started
later in 1953. The Graduate School of Science is composed of six departments including Mathematics,
Physics, Astronomy, Geophysics, Chemistry, and Earth Science. These departments cover the full spectrum of
basic natural science. A number of research laboratories, including those on earthquake, planetary science,
giant molecule research, belong to the School of Science. In addition, it has close relationship with some
highly advanced research institutes at Tohoku University, such as Institute for Materials Research and Research
Center for Neutrino Science. According to the QS World University Rankings 2018, Materials Sciences at
Tohoku University is ranked 2nd in Japan and 23rd in the world, and the field of Physics and Astronomy at
Tohoku University ranks 4th in Japan and 35th in the world.

Tohoku University adopted an "Open-door" policy and was quick to invite students from foreign
countries. One student from India and another from China enrolled as early as 1911. Moreover, Tohoku
University was the first national university to admit women. The enrollment of international students has
steadily increased, and now the University is internationally known as an institution providing extensive
opportunities for the best and brightest students from around the world. Another policy of the University is
“Research-first,” which in our interpretation means performing high-level research at the University provides
the best education for the students.

The International Graduate Program for Advanced Science (IGPAS) was initiated in October 2004 as one of
the first International Priority Graduate Programs supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and
Technology (MEXT). The lecture courses are taught in English, and the students are not required to learn
Japanese language, although they are encouraged to learn it for their daily life. Scholarship opportunities are
available for those who meet our qualifications and academic standards. From its establishment in 2004 to
September 2018, IGPAS has conferred 133 master’s degrees and 98 doctoral degrees to students from 25
countries and regions.

Deepika Guru
Student Voice
2017 IGPAS Student in Physics from India

I came to Japan in April, 2012, as a MEXT scholarship student for my

undergraduate studies. After completing the intensive Japanese Language Course, I
was accepted at Tohoku University, Faculty of Science. Little did I know at the time, I
would grow deeply attached to the university and the city it is located in. The
international community at Tohoku University is tightly knit and diverse; discussions
about cultural backgrounds, campus life, research, entertainment, etc. dominate
dinner tables; there’s no way you would feel left out.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I wanted to enter Graduate School
of Science, and IGPAS presented me with this great opportunity of pursuing my
studies without any interruption. Tohoku University offers multiple scholarship programs to students who are
struggling financially. As an IGPAS student, I was accepted to one such program, called MD Leading Program, an
industry-academic based collaboration, designed to prepare students analyze problems by studying not just one
but two specific areas of interest while also providing monetary bonus. There’re many similar programs associated
with different departments that are interdisciplinary in their motives and allow exploiting the full potential of
Tohoku University’s abundant research and teaching staff. My PhD research theme is based on “Belle II: A search
for new physics”; an experiment currently commissioned at SuperKEK accelerator. I’m very excited to participate in
the first super B-Factory experiment to probe new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.
Being a graduate school student can be tough at times, and it is important to maintain work-life balance.
Sendai is a small city with a rich history and culture; its people are down-to-earth and come together many times a
year to celebrate festivals and engage in cultural exchange. If you like to party hard on a Friday night but also
recharge yourself over the weekend in a hot spring surrounded by breathtaking scenery, then Sendai is the place
for you.

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 2020
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM
FOR ADVANCED SCIENCE

1.PROGRAM DETAILS
IGPAS is a five-year graduate program
combining a two-year master’s program and a
three-year doctoral program. Admission for the Master's
Program Doctoral
three-year doctoral program is also available.
(2 years) Program 3 years
Each student is affiliated with one of six (3 years)
departments: Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy,
Geophysics, Chemistry, and Earth Science. 5 years

Each department determines its own

Doctoral
curriculum and course requirements, and the
Program
availability of classes varies depending on the (3 years)
semester and/or departments. Students may
consult their supervisor about their research
plan each semester before registration.

Master’s Program
The master’s program consists of a series of lectures, seminars and thesis research. To complete the
program and to be awarded a Master of Science degree, students must fulfill the following requirements
under the supervision of an academic advisor: (i) two years of enrollment, (ii) completion of 30 or more
academic credits, including at least two credits from interdisciplinary study courses and 16 credits from
seminars and research. In addition, it is required to (iii) submit a master’s thesis in English and (iv) pass the
review and final examination. In regards to (i), however, students who receive approval from their supervisor
and department may complete the program in less than the stipulated period of time.

(i) 2 years [4 semesters]

(ii) (iii) (iv)

30 credits + Master’s Thesis + Pass the review = Master of
Including 14 credits (Lecture) &
16 credits (Seminar & Research) in English & the final exam Science
Least 2 lecture credits from Interdisciplinary Study Courses

Doctoral Program
The doctoral program focuses more on research than the master’s program does. To complete the
program and to be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Science) degree, students must fulfill the following
requirements under the supervision of an academic advisor: (i) three years of enrollment, (ii) completion of 20
or more academic credits, including 16 credits from seminars and research. In addition, it is required to (iii)
submit a doctoral thesis in English, and (iv) pass the review and final examination. In regards to (i), however,
students who receive approval from their supervisor and department may complete the program in less than
the stipulated period of time.
(i) 3 years [6 semesters]

(ii) (iii) (iv) Doctor of

20 credits
Including 4 credits (Lecture) & + Doctoral Thesis + Pass the review = Philosophy
& the final exam
16 credits (Seminar & Research) in English
(Science)
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IGPAS
International Graduate Program for Advanced Science

2.2. ELIGIBILITY
ELIGIBILITY FOR
FOR IGPAS
IGPAS
Applicants
Applicants for IGPAS
for IGPAS mustmust
satisfy ONEONE
satisfy of following
of the the following conditions.
conditions.
However,
However, thosethose
who who are applying
are applying with the
with using condition ( ii ) or( ii( iii
condition ) )ormay
( iii )be
arerequired
required
to to take
take a preliminary
a preliminary
screening.
screening, Plese contact
depending thesituation,
on their IGPAS Admissons office
and so, they beforecontact
should makingthe applicantion.
IGPAS Admissions Office before
the application.
Master’s Program
Master’s Program
( i ) Those who (will) have graduated from a university[1] by September 30, 2017.
( ii ) Those
( i ) Those whowho (will)(will)
havehave completed
graduated froma atotal of 15 [1]years
university of school education
by September 30, 2020.[2] by September 30, 2017 and
( ii ) Those have
who been recognized
(will) have beenbyconferred
the Graduate School
a degree of Science
equivalent to aasbachelor
having (or will have
degree uponbeen) obtained
completion of the
a
necessary
three-year creditsatwith
program excellentor
a university, grades.
those who (will) have completed 15 years of school education by
(iii) Those who
September will reach
30, 2020 and 22 years
have beenofrecognized
age by September 30, 2017School
by the Graduate and have been recognized
of Science, by the
Tohoku University
Graduate
as having Schoolthe
obtained of necessary
Science, through an individual
credits with excellent qualification
grades. examination, to have a scholastic
(iii) Those ability
whoequivalent
will reach or22superior
years of to those
age who have 30,
by September graduated
2020 andfrom a university.
have been recognized by the
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University through an individual qualification examination to have
Doctoral Program
a scholastic ability equivalent or superior to those who have graduated from a university.
( i ) Those who (will) have earned a master’s degree by September 30, 2017.
Doctoral Program
( ii ) Those who (will) have engaged in research activities for at least 2 years at an educational or research
( i ) Those institution
who (will)after
havetheir graduation
earned from
a master’s a university
degree and have
by September
[1]
30,been
2020.recognized by the Graduate School
( ii ) Those of who
Science
(will) have engaged in research activities for at least two scholastic
on the basis of their research performance to have a years at anability equivalent
educational or superior
or research
to those who have earned a master’s degree.
institution after their graduation from a university and have been recognized by the Graduate School
[1]

(iii)Science,
of Those who will University
Tohoku reach 24 years of basis
on the age byof September 30,performance
their research 2017 and have been arecognized
to have by the
scholastic ability
Graduate
equivalent School oftoScience
or superior through
those who havean individual
earned qualification
a master’s degree.examination to have a scholastic ability
(iii) Those equivalent
who willor superior
reach to those
24 years who
of age by have earned30,
September a master’s
2020 anddegree.
have been recognized by the
Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University through an individual qualification examination to have
a scholastic ability equivalent or superior to those who have earned a master’s degree.

Footnotes

[1] The term ”graduated from a university” means a total of 16 years of educational programs, which
Footnote
consists of 12 years of school education and a 4-year undergraduate (bachelor) program.
[1] The e.g.
termEducational
”graduatedprograms in Japan: means a total of 16 years of educational programs, which
from a university”
consists of Elementary
12 years of(primary) school ----------------------
school education 6 years
and a four-year undergraduate (bachelor) program.
Junior high (secondary)
e.g. Educational programs in Japan: school ------------------- 3 years
Senior high
Elementary (higher
(primary) secondary)
school school ----------
---------------------- 3 years
6 years
University
Junior (undergraduate)
high (secondary) ------------------------
school ------------------- 4 years12---------------
3 years years
Senior high (higher secondary) school ---------- 3 years total 16 years
[2] TheUniversity
term “completed a total of 15 years of school education” means
(undergraduate) ------------------------ 4 years --------------- completion of a 3-year
undergraduate (bachelor) program, or finishing the 3rd year of an undergraduate program, in
addition to 12 years of school education.

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 2020
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM
FOR ADVANCED SCIENCE

3.FEES AND EXPENSES

The fees as of 2019 are shown in the right table. Application 30,000 JPY
Students may apply for admission and/or tuition fee waivers, but Admission 282,000 JPY

the competition for the waivers are very high. 267,900 JPY
Tuition
(535,800 JPY per year)
Overall living expenses in Sendai, including an apartment rent,
utilities, food, transportation, and so forth, may range from 80,000 to 150,000 JPY per month depending on
conditions. For visa application, incoming students may need to have a financial support or enough savings to
bear expenses incurred during their stay in Japan.

4.FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship：8 students
Master’s Program: 6 students for 2 years* / Doctoral Program: 2 students for 3 years
IGPAS is one of the educational programs selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology (MEXT or Monbukagakusho) to be assigned priority positions for Japanese government
scholarship, or MEXT scholarship, under the category of University Recommendation. MEXT grants financial
support for qualified students during the stipulated period as shown below (as of 2019).
( a ) Exemption from application, admission and tuition fees
( b) Round-trip airfare MEXT Scholarship Advantages
-come over to Japan for admission Application (a) Application fee
-return back to home country after completion of the
program (only if the terms and conditions are met)** Come over to Japan (b) Airfare
( c ) Monthly stipend of:
146,000 JPY as a master’s student Admission (a) Admission fee
147,000 JPY as a doctoral student
(including Sendai regional allowance of 2,000 JPY) Master’s program* Doctoral program
(2 years) (3 years)
(a) Tuition fee
Applicants for MEXT scholarship must satisfy ALL of the (c) Monthly stipends
following conditions in addition to the eligibility requirements
for IGPAS. see 2.ELIGIBILITY FOR IGPAS Back home (b) Airfare**
( i ) Those who will newly come over to Japan from a
foreign country for IGPAS admission.
( ii ) Those who were born on or after April 2, 1985.
(iii) Those who intend to complete the program within the stipulated period from admission.
(iv) Those who satisfy the application requirements designated by MEXT.
The application guidelines for the MEXT scholarship by University Recommendation will not be available until the end of
December 2019. In the meantime, please refer to 3.Qualifications and Conditions (1)-(9) of the latest application
guideline for the MEXT Scholarship by Embassy Recommendation for 2020.
http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/boshu/1415352.htm
( v ) Those whose GPA (grade point average) is higher than the criterion designated by MEXT.
(vi) Those whose English language proficiency is higher than the criterion designated by MEXT.

[Notes]
● The MEXT scholarship may be terminated if the GPA (grade point average) of the recipient falls below a
certain level.
● The IGPAS MEXT scholarship students are not allowed to change schools from the Graduate School of
Science, Tohoku University.
● We expect that the IGPAS MEXT scholarship students who continue on to the Doctoral Program will be
able to receive financial support equivalent to the MEXT scholarship in the Doctoral Program.*
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IGPAS
International Graduate Program for Advanced Science

5.APPLICATION AND SELECTION

Application
Step 1: Find a potential supervisor among the faculty members in the field of your interest.
Applications will not be accepted without the consent of a faculty member as a prospective
supervisor. The supervisor must be a professor, an associate professor, or a lecturer (senior assistant
professor) who is affiliated with or has eligibility to accept students of the Graduate School of
Science, Tohoku University. To search for faculty members, refer to the following websites:
- Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/english/
- Academic Research Staff at Tohoku University
http://db.tohoku.ac.jp/whois/TunvTopE.html
*The website contains information on all faculty members of Tohoku University. Make sure to
select “Graduate School of Science” in the “Affiliation” section when searching by keywords.

Step 2: Contact the faculty members directly via email to obtain their consent.
When contacting the faculty members, be sure to:
- gather information on faculty members and their field of research in advance by checking out
their publications, research papers, and personal websites.
- include “IGPAS 2020” in the subject line of your email.
- provide your academic background, interest, and goal in detail.

Step 3: Register online via IGPAS Pre-Application Form.

http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/english/igpas/pre_application2020.html
*Online Pre-Application Form opens from October 15 to November 15, 2019.

Step 4: Prepare the required documents for the application. see 6. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Step 5: Send your application to the IGPAS Admissions Office.

All documents should be enclosed together, sent via airmail, and received by the IGPAS Admissions
Office by November 29, 2019 JST.
*The IGPAS Admissions Office will email you to inform the arrival of the documents along with your
application number.

Selection
Applications will be forwarded to the examining
October 15‒November 15 Online Pre-Application
committee of each department. The examiner will
inform you of the method and schedule for the November 1–29 Application

examination via email by the middle of January 2020. January Screening/Examination

The examination will be in the form of a written
February 6 Notification of Results
examination and an interview.
For those who have applied for a MEXT scholarship by March 31 Confirmation of Intention to Enroll
and passed IGPAS entrance examination, the IGPAS
June‒September Preparation for Coming to Japan
Committee will select and recommend the designated
number of candidates to MEXT. The results of End of September Arrival in Japan
admission to IGPAS and the nomination for MEXT October 1 Fall Semester Begins
scholarships will be announced on February 6, 2020 *Dates are subject to change.

on the website.

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 2020
INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE PROGRAM
FOR ADVANCED SCIENCE

6.APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Download the forms marked with " " from the IGPAS website.
Each document should be written in English.
Attach an English translation of the documents if written in a language other than English.
Do not staple the documents; just place them in the listed order.
Submitted materials will not be returned.
Making any false statement(s) on the application may result in cancellation of acceptance even after the
enrollment.

1 ◆ Form 1: Application for Admission

2 ◆ Form 2: Statement of Reason for Applying for the Program
3 ◆ Form 3: Research Proposal
4 ◆ Form 4: Summary of Past Research
◆ Form 5: Two Recommendation Letters
5
Form 5 and its attached letter should be sealed in an envelope by each reference.
◆ Form 6: Official Recommendation Letter
6 This letter must contain the official seal of an academic/research institution with which you are currently
affiliated or in which you have last been enrolled.
Official academic transcript(s)
7 From undergraduate and graduate programs if applicable; If each transcript does not show the definition
of its grading scale, attach any material (appendix, web information, etc.) that can substitute.
Certificate(s) of (expected) graduation
8
From undergraduate and graduate programs if applicable (due graduation date must be stated)
Document(s) to prove academic ability issued/written within the last five years
(NOT more than three materials)
e.g. bachelor and/or master thesis in full with an English abstract, research papers published in journals
9 ®
or conference proceedings, papers submitted in coursework related to the field of research, GRE
*1
Test score report , and/or equivalent materials.
(Electronic file attached to email acceptable.)
Document(s) to prove English ability: ONE from 1) & 2), if unavailable, choose TWO from i ) - iii)
® ®
1) Score report of TOEFL iBT Test, TOEFL PBT Test,*1 or IELTS
2) Certificate to prove that the medium of instruction is/was English
10 ® ®
i ) Score report of English tests other than TOEFL iBT Test, TOEFL PBT Test, or IELTS*2
ii) Thesis/research paper in English (can be the same document for the item 9)
iii) Letter of English proficiency from an English instructor who is affiliated with your university
11 Curriculum vitae
Photocopy of passport
12 If unavailable, a document proving your citizenship is required.
e.g. Photocopy of citizenship card, birth certificate, or census register
Email Correspondence with your prospective supervisor
13
A latest correspondence indicating to have you study under him/ her.
14 ◆ Application checklist (Need to be self-checked and enclose it along with other documents)
Notes
Supporting materials (ONLY if you would like to present any: NOT more than three materials)
e.g. certificate(s) of honor, president/dean’s list, and/or scholarship
®
*1 The institution codes®
(or DI code) of the Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University are 7115 for GRE TEST
and 0373 for TOEFL Test. The official test score reports sent directly from the testing center is acceptable.
® ®
*2 Tests conducted at your university, organized locally, TOEFL ITP Test, and TOEIC Test fall into this category.

⇒ Send to: IGPAS Admissions Office (Postal Address is on the back page)

TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, TOEFL PBT, TOEFL ITP, TOEIC, and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

6
SAPGI
e c n e i c S d e c n av d A r of m ar g or P e t a u d ar G l a n o i t a n r e t n I

0202

KEY DATES
Online Pre-Application Period
October 15–November 15, 2019

Application Period
November 1–November 29, 2019 Sapporo

1,200km

SEA of JAPAN 800km

Notification of Results 400km

Sendai
February 6, 2020
Sendai
Kyoto Tokyo
TOHOKU Sendai Airport
First Day of Fall Semester 2020 Fukuoka Osaka UNIVERSITY

October 1, 2020 PACIFIC OCEAN Sendai Airport

Transit

JR Tohoku-Shinkansen
*Dates are subject to change.
Keisei Sky Liner
Ueno

CONTACT INFORMATION Tokyo

Narita Express
Narita Airport
Keikyu Line

IGPAS Admissions Office

Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
Haneda Airport
6-3 Aramaki-Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578 JAPAN
Tel: +81-22-795-5829
E-mail: direct@mail.sci.tohoku.ac.jp
http://www.sci.tohoku.ac.jp/english/igpas/

September 2019