Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
FGL English and academic requirements
From Tohoku's Future Global Leadership programme page:
| Requirement | FGL undergraduate courses |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 or above |
| TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition) | 79 or above |
| Score date | Test dated October 2023 or later (as stated on the page) |
| Courses | Advanced Molecular Chemistry, International Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Applied Marine Biology |
| Academic tests | Maths, physics, chemistry or biology via A Levels, IB, ACT, AP, EJU or national exams |
Waiver for English-medium schooling
Applicants who attended middle or high schools teaching mainly in English for four years or longer in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ireland or some Caribbean islands can present a letter from the principal or guidance counsellor instead of a score. Schooling in India, Pakistan or Nigeria is not on that list, so those applicants need IELTS or TOEFL.
Duolingo and PTE are not listed. Students need 12 years of education in a non-Japanese system.
Free test: are you at Tohoku University's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Fees and timeline
FGL admits in October, with applications in January. The page lists an application fee of JPY 5,000, an entrance fee of JPY 282,000 and tuition of JPY 267,900 per semester. Up to eight applicants across the three courses can be recommended for the MEXT scholarship, and FGL students get a dormitory place for the first two years.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Tohoku programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Tohoku University publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Tohoku University need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for the English-taught FGL undergraduate courses.
What TOEFL does Tohoku FGL accept?+
TOEFL iBT 79, including the Home Edition.
Can I skip IELTS for Tohoku FGL?+
Only with four or more years at English-medium schools in listed countries such as the US, UK, Australia or Singapore.
How much is Tohoku FGL tuition?+
JPY 267,900 per semester, plus a JPY 282,000 entrance fee.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Tokyo IELTS requirement
- Hokkaido University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Japan
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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