Do you wish to travel to Taiwan to acquire a degree? Are you searching for the top universities in Taiwan for any degree you choose? Well, because the World Scholarship Forum is constantly looking for ways to make your study abroad a amazing lifetime experience, we have compiled a list of the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023.
Aside from finding a thousand reasons why you should study in Taiwan, this article will also analyze all the requirements you need to study in Taiwan. In addition, this article will answer questions on how much it may cost to study in Taiwan alongside which of these great universities is best for masters and doctoral degrees.
Taiwan is a beautiful island with a population of 23.5 million people. The country has some of the best electronic and semi-conductor industries. Also, it has a strong manufacturing base and a classic education system. The best universities in Taiwan for international students provide opportunities to study different programs. This is because of its outstanding education system.
Also, universities in Taiwan recruit exceptionally talented international students and continue to increase the number of degree courses taught in English. The government of Taiwan also offers several scholarships for international students to pursue their degrees.
Table of contents
- Why study at the best universities in Taiwan for international students?
- What requirements do I need to apply to any of the top universities in Taiwan?
- How much will it cost me to study in a Taiwan University?
- Which universities in Taiwan offer Ph.D. degree programs?
- What universities in Taiwan offer MBA degrees?
- Which universities in Taiwan teach in English?
- List of the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023
- #1. National Taiwan University (NTU)
- #2. The National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
- #3. Taipei Medical University
- #4. China Medical University, Taiwan
- #5. National Chiao Tung University (NCTU)
- #6. The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)
- #7. National Yang-Ming University (NYMU)
- #8. The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)
- #9. National Taiwan Normal University
- #10. Asia University, Taiwan
- #11. Chang Gung University
- #12. Fu Jen Catholic University
- #13. Kaohsiung Medical University
- #14. National Central University (NCU)
- #15. The National Chengchi University
- List of the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023
- FAQs on the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Why study at the best universities in Taiwan for international students?
Taiwan is an appealing country to study for international students. This results from the country’s academic resources, rich cultural environment, and future job prospects. Taiwan has a good standard of living and affordable tuition rates compared to western countries.
Taiwan has so much more wealth than most countries in the Asia-Pacific. In 2016, the Wealth Report has that Taiwan’s average wealth level per adult was similar to that of Western Europe, at $172,847. In a population of about 23.52 million, 356,000 are millionaires in Taiwan.
Any student that wishes to study and work in technology should travel to Taiwan. In 2016, the Times Higher Education ranked three Taiwanese universities on its global list of top 150 institutions with the most employable graduates in technology.
The Taiwanese government provides many scholarships to encourage international students from other countries to learn Chinese and pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in Taiwan. You can search for any available scholarship in Taiwan using StudyInTaiwan.org.
Tuition fees at any university in Taiwan are quite affordable compared to other developed countries because of innovative government policies. Foreign students do not have to pay a separate tuition fee which is usually high, unlike many other international universities and colleges.
If you are not fluent in Chinese, Taiwan has several universities offering English programs. Tunghai University in Taiwan offers a special experience for English speakers. So, this university is an ideal place to study, learn, and study in English.
Most universities in Taiwan offer the country’s official language, Mandarin. If you wish to learn it, you’ll start by learning the traditional Chinese characters. Afterwards, you’ll them to reading, writing, and speaking.
What requirements do I need to apply to any of the top universities in Taiwan?
Before you apply to any of the best universities in Taiwan for international students, you must meet the eligibility terms required by the Taiwan Ministry of Education. Once you meet the terms, you can apply for an undergraduate or graduate degree program.
Here is a list of necessary documents for a university application in Taiwan:
- Photocopies of original diplomas or exam certificates (translated in Chinese or English)
- Application form
- Proof that you have sufficient funds for course fees and living costs
- Statement of purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Application fee
- Any other documents as required by individual universities
Check this out and apply: 15 International Scholarships in Taiwan
How much will it cost me to study in a Taiwan University?
Taiwan’s higher education system has become quite popular, and received great recognition. The tuition fees, however, are very reasonable.
| Study Level | Tuition Fee Per Year, in TWD | Tuition Fee Per Year, in USD |
| Bachelor’s Degree | NT$51,000 – NT$78,000 | $1,650 – $2,500 |
| Master’s Degree | NT$50,000 – NT$79,000 | $1,600 – $2,550 |
| Doctorate’s Degree | NT$ 142,000 | $4,560 |
Read also: Taiwan Government International Scholarship Programme – Apply Now.
Which universities in Taiwan offer Ph.D. degree programs?
For you to pursue a Ph.D. degree in any university in Taiwan, you must be fluent in the Chinese language. It would be a challenge if you’re an international student and you’re not fluent in Chinese. This is because you will need at least 2 years in intensive learning to be good enough in Chinese to do research.
Therefore, if you’re good in the Chinese language and you wish to pursue a Ph.D. in Taiwan, below are some of the top universities in Taiwan for you:
- National Central University
- Asia University
- National Tsing Hua University
- Tamkang University
- National Chung Cheng University
What universities in Taiwan offer MBA degrees?
Masters in Business Administration are degrees that are recognized internationally, and it helps business professionals to advance their expertise and career.
Similarly, international business schools’ MBA degrees may provide specific study tracks in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Health Care, Public Administration, Marketing or Project Management.
The best international universities in Taiwan that offer MBA degrees that will meet your needs include:
- National Taiwan University (NTU) – College of Management
- The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) – School of Management
- National Chengchi University (NCCU) – College of Commerce
- The National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
- National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) – College of Management
- National Taipei University (NTPU) – College of Business
- College of Management at Taipei Tech (NTUT)
- Feng Chia University – College of Business
- Fu Jen Catholic University – College of Management
- I-Shou University – College of Management
- Chang Gung University – School of Business
- National Central University – School of Management
- Asia University, Taiwan – College of Management
Read and apply: International Higher Education Scholarship Program in Taiwan (Fully Funded)
Which universities in Taiwan teach in English?
The language of instruction used in universities in Taiwan is Chinese, the country’s official language. You can follow undergraduate and graduate studies taught in English if you’re an international student.
You can choose between 50% or 100% programs in English. Examples of courses that are taught in English include Computer science and information engineering, health science, business administration, law, global politics, and economics.
Below is a list of universities in Taiwan that teach in English:
- Asian University
- Chang Gung University
- China Medical University
- Chinese Culture University
- Chung Hua University
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Dayeh University
- Chung Yuan Christian University
- National Chiao Tung University
- Fu Jen Catholic University
- I-Shou University
- National Chengchi University
- Kaohsiung Medical University
- National Cheng Kung University
- Ming Chuan University
- National Central University
List of the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023
We, the World Scholarship Forum, have compiled a list of the top universities in Taiwan that offer associate degrees, bachelor’s programs, masters and doctoral degrees for you.
The best public universities in Taiwan were selected based on the number of programs, our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial reviews.
Below is a list of the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023:
- National Taiwan University
- The National Tsing Hua University
- Taipei Medical University
- China Medical University, Taiwan
- National Chiao Tung University
- The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)
- National Yang-Ming University
- The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)
- National Taiwan Normal University
- Asia University, Taiwan
- Chang Gung University
- Fu Jen Catholic University
- Kaohsiung Medical University
- National Central University
- The National Chengchi University
#1. National Taiwan University (NTU)
NTU is a national university in Taipei City, Taiwan, founded in 1928. This school is the best public university in Taiwan and one of the world’s best universities.
NTU has an overall student population of around 32,000, comprising 17,000 undergraduates and 15,000 graduate students.
Currently, this university has 11 colleges, with 54 departments and 103 graduate institutes, 4 university-level research centres (population and gender studies, condensed matter sciences, biotechnology, and biodiversity)
Some of the courses at NTU include liberal arts, science, social sciences, medicine, engineering, agriculture, management, public health, law, computer science, and education.
Meanwhile, a student can offer most of these courses in English, even though Chinese is the major language on campus.
Finally, some of their notable alumni include the Nobel laureate in chemistry (Yuan T. Lee), computer scientist (Andrew Yao), and Taiwan’s President (Tsai Ing-wen).
Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10617
#2. The National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
National Tsing Hua University is a research university in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. In 1956, it was founded in Hsinchu City, a high-tech city for science and industrial innovation.
This institution, one of the best universities in Taiwan, offers science, technology, engineering, humanities, and social sciences programs. The university has 7colleges, 17 departments, and 22 independent graduate institutes.
NTHU does joint research with big companies like Delta Electronics, Mediatek, and Novatek Microelectronics. Also, they engage in research with medical institutions such as the Chang Gung Medical Memorial Hospital, China Medical University, and Mackay Memorial Hospital.
Address: No. 101號, Section 2, Guangfu Road, East District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan 300
#3. Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University was established as Taipei Medical College in 1960. In 2000, the name changed to Taipei Medical University.
At TMU, a student can take several courses in English. Taipei Medical University offers medical elective programs that attract thousands of international students.
TMU is affiliated with three hospitals: Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wan Fang Medical Center, and Shuang Ho Hospital.
Address: No. 250號, Wuxing Street, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
#4. China Medical University, Taiwan
This private university in Taichung, Taiwan, was founded in 1958. It enrols approximately 8,000 students each year.
However, this institution’s mission is to develop traditional Chinese medicine and promote its synthesis with Western medicine. CMU has 8 colleges that offer educational, research, and practical programs in Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacology, Health Care, Biopharmaceutical and Food Sciences, Public Health, and Humanities and Sciences.
Also, the healthcare system of CMHU has 4 Joint Commission International-accredited hospitals having over 5000 beds. In fact, this is the second-largest healthcare system in Taiwan.
Address: No. 91號, Xueshi Road, North District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404
#5. National Chiao Tung University (NCTU)
National Chiao Tung University is a public research university in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It was founded in 1896 as Nanyang Public School by an imperial edict of the Guangxu Emperor. NCTU is one of the top universities in Taiwan.
Similarly, it was the first Chinese university to begin an electrical engineering program and the first to offer a combined engineering and management course at a higher education level.
NCTU attracts doctorates from Berkeley, Harvard, and Cambridge.
Some of the notable of NCTU include Nobel Laureates Yuan T Lee (1986 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry) and Gao Xingjian (2000 Nobel Prize winner in Literature).
Address: No. 1001號, Daxue Road, East District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan 30010
#6. The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)
Taiwan Tech is a technological university founded in Taipei, Taiwan, on August 1, 1974.
NTUST has 14 departments and 24 graduate programs. These programs appear in 6 colleges: College of Engineering, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of Management, College of Design, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and College of Applied Sciences.
In 1979 and 1982, NTUST started offering master’s and doctoral programs to students that wished to advance their careers.
Address: No. 43號, Section 4, Keelung Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
#7. National Yang-Ming University (NYMU)
This research university in Shipai, Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan, was founded in 1974. It was formerly known as the National Yang-Ming College of Medicine.
The university campus offers students a library, dormitories, medical laboratories, and an activity and sports centre. This sports centre has a gymnasium, a hilltop stadium, a hillside stadium, a surface stadium, and a swimming pool.
Notable alumni of NYMU include Shu-Ti Chiou (a physician who holds major executive positions in international organizations), Hsu Chia-ching (a veteran member of the Taipei City council), and Shiu Ming-neng (a physician and a vice-minister of health and welfare).
Address: No. 155號, Section 2, Linong St, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 112
#8. The National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)
This university was established in 1931 as Tainan Technical College. NCKU offers an open learning environment which comprises classical Western and modern eastern landscapes. It ranks consistently as one of the top universities in Taiwan.
On the other hand, NCKU has nine colleges in engineering, management, liberal arts, sciences, medicine, social science, electrical engineering and computer science, planning and design, and bioscience and biotechnology.
You will find 43 undergraduate programs, 36 independent graduate institutes, and nine-degree programs inside these colleges. The colleges are based inside the main campus. The Kuei-Jen, An-Nan, and Dou-Liou campuses contain the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Tainan Hydraulics Laboratory and the NCKU Hospital Dou-Liou branch.
In conclusion, these features make the institution one of the best international universities in Taiwan for research.
Address: No. 1號, Dasyue Rd, East District, Tainan City, Taiwan 701
#9. National Taiwan Normal University
This university was first established in 1946 as an educator training institute. NTNU is a normal school operating out of three campuses in Taipei, Taiwan. It is the leading research institute in Taiwan for Education and Linguistics.
NTNU has 9 colleges: Education, Liberal Arts, Science, Arts, Technology and Engineering, Sports and Recreation, International Studies and Social Sciences, Music, and Management.
Address: No. 162號, Section 1, Heping East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
#10. Asia University, Taiwan
This higher institution in Wufeng District, Taichung, Republic of China (Taiwan), was established in 2001. Asian University, amongst the top universities in Taiwan, offers health and medical science, computer science and electrical engineering, creative design, management, humanities, and social sciences.
The university’s campus buildings are known for their green credentials and award-winning architecture. Asian University also owns the Asia Museum of Modern Art. This museum is a distinctive triangular structure designed by one of the university’s alumni (famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando).
Address: No. 500號, Liufeng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City, Taiwan 41354
#11. Chang Gung University
Chang Gung Medical College is a private university in Guishan District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, founded in April 1987.
CGU,, one of the best universities in Taiwan for international students, comprises three main colleges; the College of Medicine, the College of Management, and the College of Engineering. Each of these colleges houses several different departments.
Also, this school works closely with businesses and companies in Taiwan to enhance work-study programs. In the same vein, it has created a partnership with Arizona State University. This partnership has led to the establishment of the Chang Gung Bioinformatics Center, which aims to prevent, detect and treat diseases such as cancer.
Address: 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan Tao-Yuan, 33302, Taiwan
#12. Fu Jen Catholic University
This is a top private university in Xinzhuang, New Taipei City, Taiwan. In 1925, it was established in Beijing as Fu Jen Academy at the request of Pope Pius XI. In 1961, this school was re-established in Taiwan at the request of Pope John XXIII.
Fu Jen Catholic University has over 25,000 students, with 11 colleges. It offers philosophy, Italian, medicine, and Catholic studies courses. Fu Jen Catholic University has an international outlook with over 300 sister institutions worldwide.
Address: No. 510號, Zhongzheng Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 242
#13. Kaohsiung Medical University
The Kaohsiung Medical University is a private university founded in Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 1954. Surprisingly, KMU is the first private medical university in Taiwan.
This institution, one of Taiwan’s top universities, consists of seven colleges. Also, it is the only university that provides a post-baccalaureate medicine program in Taiwan.
KMU runs dual Ph.D. programs with Upsala University in Sweden, the University of Szeged in Hungary, and the University of California, Irvine.
Address: No. 100號, Shiquan 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 807
#14. National Central University (NCU)
National Central University was established in 1962. Initially, it was located in Miaoli, but later, it was moved to Zhongli in 1968 and developed into a renowned academic institution with comprehensive programs and outstanding faculty.
NCU has eight colleges; liberal arts, science, engineering, management, electrical engineering and computer science, earth sciences, Hakka Studies, and health science & technology.
National Central University researches environment and energy, complex systems and plasma sciences, optics and optoelectronics, and applied informatics. The school also has three libraries and many research centres.
Finally, it has international partnerships with about 180 institutions across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Australasia.
Address: No. 300, Zhongda Road, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan 320
#15. The National Chengchi University
National Chengchi University is a national research university and the earliest public service training facility in the Republic of China. First established in Nanjing in 1927, the university was relocated to Taipei in 1954.
The main campus of National Chengchi University is in Taipei. It also has two other branch campuses and three affiliated schools. The main campus won the first prize in the Taipei Urban Landscape Award for its planning.
This school has nine colleges, such as liberal arts, science, social sciences, law, business, foreign languages, communication, international affairs, and education.
Address: No. 64, Section 2, Zhinan Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116
FAQs on the best universities in Taiwan for international students in 2023
Yes. Many foreigners are studying for free at universities in Taiwan currently. There is currently free education for international students in Taiwan because Taiwanese universities are trying to boost their international images and thus want more international students.
For stays in Taiwan above six months, you’ll need a work visa and a work permit as part of the work visa application. Once you get this visa and have arrived in Taiwan, apply for an Alien Resident Certificate at the foreign affairs department of the local police office.
Yes, they will. However, you must renounce your former citizenship if you wish to become a naturalized Taiwanese citizen.
An ARC allows foreigners working and studying in Taiwan to stay up to three years without re-application.
If you’re an international student wishing to work in Taiwan (either on campus or off campus), you must apply for and obtain a work permit before starting any work. Failure to do this, you may be fined between NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.
As of 2015, there were about 47 public universities in Taiwan.
Conclusion
Taiwan has over 100 higher education institutions. All the institutions in Taiwan, including higher education institutions focus on Technological Education (TVE). These impact helps match the industries’ workforce demand and student abilities in a way that contributes to Taiwan’s economic development and prosperity.
The study period for university education in Taiwan is 4 years. If you wish to acquire a master’s degree in Taiwan, it’ll take you one to four years to complete. The duration for a Ph.D. degree in any of Taiwan’s universities is from two to seven years.
References
- Top Schools & Universities in Taiwan
- What You Need to Know About Studying Abroad in Taiwan
- Why Study in Taiwan?
