Graduate School of Science
Tohoku University
Department of Geophysics

Admission

Updated: 11 June,2025

The Department of Geophysics conducts research and provides education based on physics to better understand natural phenomena on Earth and other planets. International activities are common in various geophysical fields. Therefore, the department aims to nurture individuals who can work in Japan and abroad.

The international prospective students who wish to study at Department of Geophysics, Graduate School of Science, can choose either IGPAS (International Graduate Program for Advanced Science) program or General Graduate Program.

The IGPAS program is a 5-years graduate program consisting of 2-year master's program and 3-year doctoral program, and is conducted in English language. Applicants may apply either for the master's program or doctoral program depending on their eligibility. Applicants are evaluated by the admission committee in the Geophysics Department in January and the lectures begin in October. Scholarship opportunities are available for those who meet our qualifications and academic standards.

Process and timeline (already closed)
15 October - 15 November, 2024: Application period
December 2024 - January 2025: Screening & Examination
23 January 2025: Notification of results
1 October 2025: Date of admission

The General Graduate Program also consists of 2-years master's program and 3-years doctoral program, and is conducted not only in English but also in Japanese. We recommend that applicants should have an ability to understand lectures in Japanese. Applicants may apply either for the master's program or doctoral program depending on their eligibility. To be admitted as the general program student, applicants are evaluated by "Special qualification for international students" of the Department of Geophysics. The applicant must be consulted with the faculty members of the Department of Geophysics about specific requirements for the admission well beforehand. The course begins in April or October, depending on the time of the qualification.

Process and timeline

For geophysical applicants to the IGPAS program for the Master's and Doctor's programs and the Special Selection for International Students for the Master's program, the GRE subject test score in either Mathematics or Physics is mandatory to be submitted as application documents. The scores must be from tests taken within two years prior to the examination date.

For more information, visit "Admission" page of the Graduate School of Science and Faculty of Science.

After admission, you may apply for some of the financial support programs and scholarships.

The following pages would be also useful for the international applicants.

• IGPAS (International Graduate Program for Advanced Science)
• DiRECT (Division for International Research and Educational Cooperation, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University)
• GP-EES (The International Joint Graduate Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences)
• SyDE (WISE Program for Sustainability in the Dynamic Earth)
• TUAGS (Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School)
• Global Learning Center, Tohoku University