• tohoku-u

    Tohoku University
    Sendai, Japan

    Since its founding in 1907, Tohoku University has groomed generations of leaders by a “Research First” tradition, an “Open Doors” policy and working in the spirit of “Practice-oriented Research and Education.” It is not only known as the first university in Japan to admit female students in 1913, but also one of the first to welcome international students. Currently, more than 10 percent of our approximately 18,000 are international, spread across 10 faculties, 15 graduate schools and six research institutes.

    Our research achievements and social contributions led to us being one of the first three institutions to be conferred the status of a Designated National University by the Japanese government in June 2017, and in 2021, for the second year in a row, ranked Number One on Times Higher Education’s annual list of Japanese universities.

    Over the past decade since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, Tohoku University has been contributed to the recovery and reconstruction of Japan’s devastated Northeast region. Believing that we can, and should, do more to address resilience and sustainability on a global scale, we have introduced a Green Goals Initiative, which is a commitment to further develop green technology, contribute to recovery and resilience, towards the creation of a green future society.

    Website: http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/english/

    VSE Season 1, 2022-23: Courses offered by Tohoku University

    Important – Read Before Applying

    Before applying, please make sure you understand the following enrolment restrictions set by the course offering university:

    Each student can apply and enroll in ONE academic course offered by Tohoku University at VSE Season 1, 2022-23 only. If you have submitted two applications to Tohoku University courses, the VSE Central Office will withdraw the SECOND application without prior notice. If you wish to change your course selection after making the first application, please make a request by emailing [email protected].


    Application Deadline

    Students must submit an application to the VSE Central Office before:
    Aug 19, 2022 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)


    Course Information

    Course information posted on this page are provided by the course offering university and may be changed or updated anytime without prior notice.

    Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherKAMIHITO TAKEUCHI
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 3, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJan 30, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeMon 0850-1020
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThis Program will teach international students how to work in Japanese companies through the experience of the Human Resources General Manager.

    Japanese students are also welcome. Students can understand the mechanism of hiring Japanese companies.

    This is a practical career design and internship preparation program for international students before starting a career or internship at the selected companies that operate in Japan.

    This program will be designed with careful study and analysis of the working environment focused on the company in Japan. Working in concert with the actual internship program (Career education practice for international students) the goal of this program is not only to master international students' practical working skills but also to create a mutual understanding between the students and companies.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.
    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherCHIAKI SUEMATSU
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 6, 2022
    Last Day of ClassFeb 2, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeThu 1030-1200
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to Japanese corporate culture with the history of changes in employment practices. The classes will cover the Japanese Style Management, Bubble Economy, and the Lost 20 Years. How did Japanese companies develop their management style? Why were Japanese manufacturers regarded as the strongest? What caused the Bubble Economy? Why did they have to give up the practices once thought to be essential? While answering these questions, the course will emphasize the role of employment practices to illustrate the Japanese culture. Two main objectives of the course are to possess the knowledge of Japanese employment practices and to understand the rationales for changes in the practices for the past 20 years.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.
    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherKIKUE YAMAMOTO
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 3, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJan 30, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeMon 1440-1610
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThe purpose of this course is for students to learn an overview of Japanese communication behaviors using a comparative approach with other cultures.

    Through the peer teaching discussion in the beginning of each class, they will learn about the other cultures of their peers as well as Japanese values, and their own culture.

    It is taught in English and some Japanese.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.
    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherMINO TAKAHASHI
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 4, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJan 31, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeTue 1300-1430
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThe aim of this course is to apply the knowledge about human rights to analyze various topics, to argue and to write about human rights issues from personal perspectives, and to develop a plan to take action for human rights in reality.

    We will try to create a classroom environment, where students study with each other and each of our views is heard and taken into consideration. Your active participation in the classroom is expected.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.
    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherYUKI WATABE
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 4, 2022
    Last Day of ClassJan 31, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeTue 1620-1750
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThis course aims to explore the issues of universities and students in the process of globalization by examining the case of Japan. The course is designed to encourage students to develop constructive views on the issues and draw comparisons between educational practices of university systems and attitudes and behaviors of university students in Japan and their home country.

    The three learning objectives of this course are:
    1. Understand the issues tied to globalization and how these issues may impact universities and their students in Japan, your home country, and other countries
    2. Learn about the perspectives held by those living and working outside your home country and of the impact their views have on higher education
    3. Conduct group projects and present major findings to the class

    To achieve those learning objectives, different types of learning activities will be employed, including lectures, guest speakers, discussions, and interviews.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.
    Number of Credits2
    Offering DepartmentInstitute for Excellence in Higher Education
    Course TeacherYUKIKO SHIMMI
    Language of InstructionEnglish
    First Day of ClassOct 6, 2022
    Last Day of ClassFeb 2, 2023
    Course ComponentLecture/Discussion/Group Work
    Mode of TeachingSynchronous
    Meeting TimeThu 1440-1610
    Time ZoneUTC+9
    Course DescriptionThis course is held in cooperation with the SENDAI Young Entrepreneurs Group (SENDAI YEG), an organization of young entrepreneurs from local companies in Sendai. This course is an international collaborative course; international students and domestic students collaboratively learn through a group project. Students will visit a local company in Sendai, conduct research, and present solutions for a problem of the company. This class aims to be beneficial not only for students and local companies, but also the Sendai community through discussions and group work by international and domestic students that use their diverse perspectives. Through this course, students will be able to have a better understanding of business in Sendai, and to develop employability by enhancing professional competencies such as communication and problem-solving skills. Domestic students can improve their English language skills and cross-cultural competency. International students can gain an understanding of Japanese business culture and Sendai's local companies.

    The language used in this course will be primarily plain English, supplemented by Japanese.
    Course OutlineTBA
    Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
    Points to Note for StudentsFive spaces are allocated to VSE students at this course. If there are more applicants than the spaces available, Tohoku University will select five students for enrolment after reviewing the applications.


    Before Making an Application

    Make sure you have thoroughly read the information on this page and the Academics page before making an application. If you have a question, email us at [email protected] or contact the VSE Coordinators at your home university or course offering university,