How to Study in Sendai for International Students
Sendai, one of the beautiful cities in Japan, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Sendai currently has 11 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 8 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Sendai you should definitely check out are Tohoku University, Tohoku Gakuin University, and Miyagi University of Education.
Being able to study in Sendai as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Sendai, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Sendai
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Sendai, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 535,800 Yen to 1,058,000 Yen, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 478,000 Yen and 980,000 Yen.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Sendai
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Sendai, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Miyagi University | 535,800 Yen | |
| Tohoku University | 535,800 Yen | 535,800 Yen - 804,000 Yen |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Sendai
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tohoku Fukushi University | 733,000 Yen | 478,000 Yen |
| Tohoku Institute of Technology | 680,000 Yen - 980,000 Yen | 680,000 Yen - 980,000 Yen |
| Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University | 760,000 Yen - 950,000 Yen | |
| Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University | 713,000 Yen - 1,004,000 Yen | |
| Tohoku Seikatsu Bunka University and Junior College | 590,000 Yen | |
| Tohoku Gakuin University | 760,000 Yen - 1,058,000 Yen | 617,000 Yen - 640,000 Yen |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Sendai, check out the Cheap Universities in Sendai!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Sendai for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Sendai, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Sendai, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Sendai may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Sendai are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Sendai and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Tohoku Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University
Bachelor’s degree
Tohoku University
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 79
- IELTS: 6.0
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- TOEFL: No minimum scores
- IELTS: No minimum scores
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Sendai
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Sendai have online applications available on their websites, like Tohoku University and Tohoku Gakuin University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Sendai.
Tohoku University
Tohoku Gakuin University
Miyagi University of Education
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Sendai differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Sendai.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Sendai
If you’re going to study in Sendai, you will need to apply for a student visa in Japan
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Japan. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student Visa .
To start your student visa application in Sendai, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Filled out visa application form from the embassy
- Recently taken photo
- Admission letter from the university
- Certificate of Eligibility
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Japan is 3000 JPY for Single Entry, 6000 JPY for Double or Multiple Entry.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Contact the Japanese embassy or consulate near you to confirm required documents.
- Prepare the required documents for your visa application
- Submit the documents to the Japanese embassy, consulate, or travel and visa processing agency.
- Submit additional documents and attend an interview upon the embassy or consulate's request.
- Once your application is approved, pay the application fee and collect your passport and visa.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Sendai. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!