Summary

Tohoku University offers science and engineering students the opportunity to study at one of Japan’s oldest universities, world famous as a leader in innovative research. You will become an active participant in laboratory teams carrying out contemporary research in a wide range of fields. If you participate in the Junior Year Program in English (JYPE), you will conduct an individual research project, submit your results in English, and take regular course work in English. The School of Engineering, the largest branch of the university, emphasizes research through laboratory work and seminars. You can also study in research laboratories in such fields as biochemistry, geology, aerospace engineering, and materials science. Founded as a feudal town and graced with historic gardens and temples, Sendai today is the cultural and commercial center of the northeast region of Japan. It is a city of one million renowned for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle.

Students attend classes with host country and international students.

Duration

Go to Current Participants to see current or past calendars.

Spring semester: early April to early August
Academic year: late July/early August to late July/early August

Academic Focus

Science, engineering, and Japanese language and culture courses taught in English. Students participate in research groups focusing on current topics related to their field of studies. The program also offers courses on Japanese language, culture, and society aimed at promotion of understanding of Japan’s language and social customs.

Use the following resources to learn about EAP courses:

• Subject Area Chart to find general areas of study.
• MyEAP Course Catalog to search for courses previously taken by UC students.
  Additional courses may be available at host institutions or program locations and not all courses may still be offered. Since courses in new programs have not yet been taken for credit, they may not appear in the MyEAP Course Catalog.
• Host institution online catalogs or course listings:
  • Tohoku JYPE

Space is limited in the Tohoku spring option. Carefully review your goals and the objectives of the program to ensure an appropriate and successful academic fit.

Language of Instruction

English

Language Study

Year students may take an optional pre-program six-week Japanese intensive language program (ILP) held in Tokyo that begins in early August. Japanese language study is strongly encouraged each term.

Internships, Research, and Independent Study

Internships and special study for academic credit may be possible in this program. Arrangements are generally made at the Study Center after arrival at the host institution. Predeparture preparation may be required.

Units

You are required to take a full-time course of study while abroad.

ILP: 12 UC quarter units (may be reduced to 3 units on the variable unit option)
Term: 21 UC quarter units per semester (18 if student attends the ILP)

Housing

EAP students stay at the International House, an off-campus dormitory for foreign students.

On-site Support

EAP students are supported by UC’s network of EAP offices at every UC campus and partnerships with EAP host universities throughout the world. UC faculty and local staff abroad help students integrate into the culture of their host country and provide assistance with academics, housing, safety, and other issues.

See the EAP Student's Guide (PDF) for program-specific details about host institutions, program structure, and courses; academic culture and conduct; internships, research, & independent study; units, exams, and grades; orientation; housing; and information about the intensive language program (if applicable).

Host Institutions

• Tohoku University, Sendai

Tohoku University, Sendai

Tohoku University, an elite national university, was ranked by Asia Week as number one among Asia’s multidisciplinary institutions of higher learning. Founded as Tohoku Imperial University in 1907, Tohoku is one of Japan’s oldest and largest national universities. It prides itself on being a pioneer; not only was it one of the first Japanese schools to admit women, it was also the first to open a Western-style research institute. Tohoku’s early emphasis on research and development has helped Japan to become the world leader in electronics.

Tohoku University has five campuses in Sendai scattered in four of the Tohoku region prefectures. Students attend the campus that offers their academic curriculum and major. The university is organized into 10 undergraduate and 16 graduate schools, supplemented by numerous research institutes and laboratories. It enrolls about 11,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. The Aobayama campus is the home of science and engineering faculties while administration and various research centers are on the Katahira campus. The Kawauchi campus includes arts and letters, economics, law, education, international cultural studies, the university library, the recreational building, and other faculties and facilities, including the International Center for Japanese Language Study. The campuses’ five libraries have a combined total of 3.6 million volumes and 72,000 periodicals.

Visit the Tohoku University website

Estimated Cost

The cost of study on EAP can be close to the cost of studying on campus and is typically far less than the cost of non-UC study abroad programs. You can also take your UC financial aid abroad! If you do not currently receive UC financial aid, you may qualify for aid while on EAP. Each year, EAP students receive $1.3 million in study abroad grants and scholarships.

The estimated total cost for options in this program are listed below. Future costs will vary due to currency fluctuation, etc. All estimated totals include:

• UC fees
• program-specific fees
• room and board
• mandatory insurance
• incidentals
• transportation
• books
• on-site orientation
• predeparture expenses
• intensive language program expenses where applicable

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Requirements

• Class level: sophomore (spring only), junior, senior, graduate
• Language prerequisite: Prior study of Japanese is helpful but not required
• GPA: 3.0 cumulative GPA at the time of application and maintained through the end of the last term prior to departure. No exceptions.
• Other: Engineering major or related field

In addition to program-specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Serious academic goals and a clear plan for integrating EAP studies into the student’s UC degree program
• Social and cross-cultural sensitivity; maturity; ability to adapt successfully to a different environment and a new education system; ability to assess and exhibit appropriate behavior in a variety of situations
• Willingness to abide by program regulations
• Endorsement by the Campus EAP Selection Committee and completion of all campus-specific requirements (an interview may be required)

These are minimum program requirements only and do not guarantee selection. The Campus EAP Office determines selection. The final admission decision is made by the host institution.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines and information on the application process are available through your Campus EAP Office.

In addition to your campus deadlines, there are deadlines by which the Campus EAP Office must submit the completed applications and accompanying materials to the Universitywide Office of EAP (UOEAP). For participation in the Program, it is critical that both campus deadlines and UOEAP deadlines are met. If the application is incomplete and not accompanied by the required materials noted, it will be returned to the Campus EAP Office.

Supplemental predeparture materials will be required for many programs, including, but are not limited to, host institution applications, visa and housing applications, medical clearances, etc.

Visit your Campus EAP Office for more information:

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Los Angeles
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz