Tohoku University to Raise Tuition for International Students in FY2027 to 1.7 Times That of Domestic Students
News Summary
Tohoku University will raise tuition fees for international undergraduate students in fiscal year 2027. Currently, the annual tuition fee is ¥535,800(Approx. USD 3430.11 as of 30 Nov 2025), the same as for domestic students, but it will increase to approximately ¥900,000(Approx. USD 5761.66 as of 30 Nov 2025), a 1.7-fold increase, the Nikkei newspaper reported. This marks the first confirmed tuition hike at a national university since tuition for international students was deregulated in spring 2024. The university stated the increase aims to cover necessary costs for accepting students and to expand educational and support services for them.
International students have different needs than domestic students, such as pre-enrollment language education and housing arrangements. Consequently, in Europe and the US, it is not uncommon for universities to charge tuition fees two to three times higher than for domestic students, based on the principle of “beneficiary pays.”
Japan’s national universities have a standard tuition rate of 535,800 yen set by ministerial ordinance, with increases up to 1.2 times permitted. Considering the situation in Europe and America, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) revised this ordinance in spring 2024, removing the cap for international students.
Tohoku University aims to increase international student enrollment by enhancing its reception environment.
It aims to raise the proportion of international students in its undergraduate programs from just 2% in 2024 to 9% in 10 years and 20% in 25 years.
In November 2024, it was designated as the first “International Research University of Excellence” to receive support from a 10 trillion yen university fund, setting a goal to dramatically enhance its international profile.
Japanese universities have historically had low proportions of international students, contributing to their lackluster international standing.
According to the National Universities Association, the average international student ratio in national university undergraduate programs was approximately 2% in fiscal year 2022. This represents a significant gap compared to institutions like the University of Cambridge (25%) and Harvard University (12%).
Source: The Nikkei, 「東北大、留学生授業料上げ 27年度、国内学生の1.7倍に」 [“Tohoku University to raise tuition fees for international students — 1.7 times domestic students”] (November 30, 2025)
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About Tuition Increase
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Tohoku University: Application, Admission and Tuition Fee Information
The specific start date and details of the tuition increase amount are still unknown, but Hiroshima University has also decided on a tuition increase policy. (Based on The Yomiuri,「東北大が留学生学費を値上げ、２７年度から日本人の１・７倍に…広島大も検討」[Tohoku University to raise tuition fees for international students to 1.7 times those of Japanese students starting in fiscal year 2027; Hiroshima University also considering similar measures.](Nov 30, 2025) This trend will be seen at other universities in the future. It is hoped that the tuition hike will be accompanied by improvements in the support system for international students.