Dual Doctoral Degree Program — Jointly Nurturing Global Talent with Tohoku University, Japan

Double the resources · Dual degrees · Unlimited possibilities

The College of Nutrition has officially signed a Dual Doctoral Degree Agreement with the prestigious Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University, Japan.

Tohoku University Highlights

• The third oldest Imperial University in Japan and a national, research-intensive comprehensive university.
• In 2024, selected by Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) as the sole institution funded under the “International Research Excellence University” initiative.
• Ranked No. 1 in Japan for five consecutive years (2021–2025).

Program Highlights

• Complete two years of coursework and research at TMU.
• Spend one year at Tohoku University for specialized research training.
• Undergo a joint doctoral dissertation defense and earn doctoral degrees from both universities.

This program shall be implemented in accordance with the cooperation agreement jointly executed by the College of Nutrition, Taipei Medical University, and the Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University on September 30, 2024.

Degree Conferred

Upon completion of the dual Ph.D. degree program and fulfillment of all program requirements, students will be awarded doctoral degrees by both institutions (two separate degree certificates):

1. Doctor of Philosophy (Agricultural Science), Tohoku University
2. Doctor of Philosophy, Taipei Medical University

Study Duration

• The total period: shall comply with the Ph.D. program duration regulations of Taipei Medical University
• Students are required to study at Tohoku University for at least one academic year (with the possibility of an extension for up to one additional academic year).

Language

• Courses: primarily in English 
• Dissertation: written in English
  * Dissertation Abstracts:
  • Tohoku University: English & Japanese
  • Taipei Medical University: English & Chinese

Requirements

• complete a total of 30 credits (including coursework and research/dissertation credits)
• Coursework: 18 credits (at least 6 credits must be completed at Tohoku University, with courses taught in English.)
• Up to 12 credits may be transferred from Taipei Medical University.
• Research/Dissertation: 12 credits
• adopt: joint supervision by both institutions, a single dissertation, and one joint oral defense

Tuition & Fees

• required to pay admission, examination, and tuition fees to the home institution (Taipei Medical University)
• Tuition fees: waived at the host institution (Tohoku University)
• responsible for their own expenses (including travel, local living expenses, insurance, visa, passport, and other related costs)

Application Timeline: must be submitted at least two months prior to the start of the program

Eligibility

• Must hold a master’s degree from the College of Nutrition.
• Must pass TMU’s internal selection and Tohoku University’s review.

Quota  (* The number of exchanged students must be maintained equally by both institutions.)

• At any given time, Tohoku University may host a maximum of 4 students.

Application Documents (written in English):

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Study & Research Proposal
• 2 Recommendation Letters
• Course List (including course titles, course descriptions, and credits)
• English Proficiency Certificate (e.g. TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS)
• Academic Transcript (English)
• Graduation Certificate of Master Degree
• English abstracts of master's degree thesis
• List of Publications (if applicable)
• Supervisor Consent Form
• Application Document Checklist

More Information: Please Visit the School of Nutrition and Health Sciences

Reference link (Tohoku University): [link]