FAQ

Students from partner institutions of Tohoku University / School of Engineering and from invited universities are eligible to apply for TESP. Invitation emails will be sent to the international or outbound offices of these universities; therefore, please contact the relevant office at your university for details regarding the nomination process.Students from universities that are not partner or invited institutions may also apply. However, priority will be given to applicants from partner universities.Each course has its own academic eligibility requirements. Please refer to the course-specific eligibility criteria for details.

If you are unable to access the application form, please contact us at tesp-admin@grp.tohoku.ac.jp.

The participation fee must be paid by credit card. Payment instructions will be provided to accepted participants. The deadline for payment is May 20. 

Please note that participation fees are non-refundable under any circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.

The program fee of JPY 90,000 covers tuition, lectures, laboratory materials, as well as social activities and field trips, lunch voucher for weekdays. It does not include accommodation, meals, travel, or personal expenses.

For budgeting, we recommend preparing approximately:

• Accommodation: Ref.  https://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/en/pre-arrival-e/find-a-place-e/hotels-e/

  • Shared dormitory: from around JPY 40,000

  • Hotel: around JPY 150,000

• Meals: about JPY 2,000 per day

• Local transportation: approx. JPY 500 per day 

No, participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation during the TESP period. For information on affordable accommodation options and hotels, the TU Support website may be helpful. https://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/en/pre-arrival-e/find-a-place-e/hotels-e/

Participants typically commute to the university by subway during the program. The one-way fare from the city center is about 250 yen, and the ride takes approximately 15 minutes. If you prefer walking, you can also enjoy a pleasant 1-hour walk from the downtown to the campus.

Depending on your nationality, you may need to obtain a visa to stay in Japan temporarily and attend the short program at Tohoku University. Please check Japan’s visa requirements for your country well in advance. We can provide supporting documents to assist with your visa application. It is strongly recommended that you start your visa application early to allow enough time for processing and approval.

Please see:https://sup.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/en/pre-arrival-e/access-e/

By Air:

The most convenient option for international travelers is to fly into Sendai Airport (SDJ). From the airport, you can take an airport bus or train directly to the city center.

By Train:

Sendai is well-connected by rail. From Tokyo, you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station, which takes approximately 1.5–2 hours, depending on the train type. You can easily transfer from Haneda or Narita Airport to Tokyo Station by train or bus before boarding the Shinkansen.

By Bus:

Long-distance highway buses offer a more affordable travel option from major cities in Japan to Sendai. These buses are comfortable and provide a scenic journey for budget-conscious travelers.

No, Tohoku University does not provide airport or train station pick-up services.

Yes. Participants who successfully complete the short program will receive an official certificate from Tohoku University. This certificate confirms your participation and academic achievement and is typically equivalent to 4 ECTS credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System.

No. Attendance is required for all classes and scheduled activities throughout the program. Participants who miss classes or activities may not qualify to receive a certificate of completion. Full participation ensures you gain the most from the program.

Yes. As some sessions include laboratory work and presentations, bringing your own laptop is highly recommended.

No. Please dress comfortably throughout the program.

Yes. The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers a scholarship of 80,000 JPY for eligible participants in this program. Details about eligibility and the application process are available on our website.

Scholarship recipients will receive the payment in cash during the program period.