How to Study in Taiwan for International Students
As an international student, you should consider studying in Taiwan! The country is home to a number of highly respected universities and research institutions, and it has a deep cultural history and vibrant contemporary culture to explore. Additionally, Taiwan is known for its welcoming and friendly people, and the cost of living is generally lower than in other developed countries, making it an affordable study abroad destination.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Taiwan currently has 132 universities, from which 45 universities are a part of the public sector and 87 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Taiwan you should definitely check out are National Taiwan University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and National Cheng Kung University.
Being able to study in Taiwan as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Taiwan, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Taiwan
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Taiwan, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 31,800 TWD to 149,800 TWD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 21,100 TWD and 300,000 TWD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Taiwan
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Taiwan, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
---|---|---|
National Chin-Yi University of Technology | 39,200 TWD - 41,800 TWD | 37,300 TWD - 40,500 TWD |
National Taiwan Sport University | 71,400 TWD | 72,000 TWD |
National Taipei University of Business | 58,900 TWD | 51,300 TWD - 75,600 TWD |
National Formosa University | 107,800 TWD | |
Tainan National University of the Arts | 64,000 TWD | 48,400 TWD - 50,200 TWD |
National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism | 46,000 TWD | 46,000 TWD |
University of Taipei | 89,300 TWD - 104,600 TWD | 88,200 TWD - 105,600 TWD |
Taipei National University of the Arts | 130,000 TWD | |
National Pingtung University of Science and Technology | 97,000 TWD - 128,700 TWD | 97,000 TWD - 128,700 TWD |
National Chiayi University | 33,600 TWD - 33,900 TWD | 40,700 TWD - 47,600 TWD |
National Dong Hwa University | 110,000 TWD | 50,000 TWD |
National Chi Nan University | 65,000 TWD - 65,500 TWD | 31,200 TWD |
National Taiwan University of Sport | 107,000 TWD | 106,000 TWD |
National Pingtung University | 90,900 TWD - 108,500 TWD | 93,900 TWD - 112,800 TWD |
National United University | 53,700 TWD - 59,700 TWD | 52,300 TWD - 60,300 TWD |
National Changhua University of Education | 89,400 TWD - 108,100 TWD | 95,500 TWD - 109,000 TWD |
National Taipei University | 91,400 TWD - 105,400 TWD | 42,000 TWD - 49,300 TWD |
National Yunlin University of Science and Technology | 92,200 TWD - 104,500 TWD | 93,300 TWD - 104,200 TWD |
National Ilan University | 77,200 TWD - 99,000 TWD | 74,600 TWD - 90,800 TWD |
National Taitung University | 94,200 TWD - 108,300 TWD | 93,800 TWD - 108,400 TWD |
National Kaohsiung Normal University | 91,400 TWD - 106,400 TWD | 52,800 TWD - 66,000 TWD |
National University of Tainan | 91,400 TWD - 106,400 TWD | 91,400 TWD - 106,400 TWD |
National Taipei University of Education | 75,400 TWD - 79,800 TWD | 75,400 TWD - 79,000 TWD |
National University of Kaohsiung | 92,000 TWD - 108,000 TWD | 88,800 TWD - 106,000 TWD |
National Taiwan Ocean University | 92,000 TWD - 106,000 TWD | 90,000 TWD - 106,000 TWD |
National Taipei University of Technology | 94,800 TWD - 109,700 TWD | 55,600 TWD - 64,600 TWD |
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology | 34,700 TWD - 35,700 TWD | 21,100 TWD - 36,900 TWD |
National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology | 31,800 TWD - 32,100 TWD | 22,300 TWD - 26,200 TWD |
National Chung Hsing University | 66,200 TWD - 66,700 TWD | 42,300 TWD - 50,700 TWD |
National Central University | 45,700 TWD - 53,200 TWD | 22,200 TWD - 26,700 TWD |
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | 69,900 TWD - 70,800 TWD | 80,600 TWD - 115,900 TWD |
National Chengchi University | 98,000 TWD - 114,000 TWD | 112,000 TWD - 186,000 TWD |
National Quemoy University | 92,200 TWD - 107,900 TWD | 94,600 TWD - 106,000 TWD |
National Taiwan University of Arts | 108,000 TWD | 24,400 TWD |
National Taiwan Normal University | 66,800 TWD - 67,400 TWD | 55,600 TWD - 66,700 TWD |
National Cheng Kung University | 90,200 TWD - 107,200 TWD | 68,400 TWD - 82,200 TWD |
National Taiwan University | 101,000 TWD - 124,200 TWD | 102,600 TWD - 300,000 TWD |
National Sun Yat-sen University | 99,000 TWD - 115,800 TWD | 107,600 TWD - 127,300 TWD |
National Tsing Hua University | 76,700 TWD - 80,000 TWD | 52,600 TWD - 72,600 TWD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Taiwan
Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
---|---|---|
Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science | 100,200 TWD - 116,900 TWD | 109,100 TWD - 116,900 TWD |
Tungnan University | 36,300 TWD - 38,000 TWD | 36,300 TWD - 38,000 TWD |
Nanya Institute of Technology | 44,900 TWD - 51,600 TWD | |
Ling Tung University | 81,100 TWD - 90,200 TWD | 81,100 TWD - 90,200 TWD |
Chang Jung Christian University | 38,000 TWD - 63,000 TWD | 38,000 TWD - 39,800 TWD |
Tatung University | 77,300 TWD - 80,800 TWD | 77,300 TWD - 80,800 TWD |
Da-Yeh University | 100,400 TWD - 121,700 TWD | 97,300 TWD - 111,300 TWD |
China University of Technology | 90,100 TWD - 103,400 TWD | 103,400 TWD |
Providence University | 37,300 TWD - 39,100 TWD | 37,300 TWD - 39,100 TWD |
Ming Chi University of Technology | 37,600 TWD | |
Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology | 86,000 TWD - 107,200 TWD | 86,000 TWD - 107,200 TWD |
CTBC Business School | 90,900 TWD | 90,900 TWD |
Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health | 91,000 TWD | 91,000 TWD |
Chung Chou University of Science and Technology | 132,300 TWD | 132,300 TWD |
Kainan University | 91,400 TWD - 108,800 TWD | 101,600 TWD |
Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology | 87,000 TWD - 108,000 TWD | 93,600 TWD - 108,000 TWD |
Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts | 44,000 TWD | 44,000 TWD |
Tatung Institute of Commerce and Technology | 98,000 TWD | 98,000 TWD |
Far East University | 89,700 TWD - 102,900 TWD | 175,000 TWD - 206,300 TWD |
Tajen University | 93,500 TWD - 103,800 TWD | 93,500 TWD - 103,800 TWD |
Yu Da University of Science and Technology | 90,100 TWD - 103,300 TWD | 90,100 TWD - 103,300 TWD |
Hungkuang University | 91,100 TWD - 112,700 TWD | 101,900 TWD - 112,700 TWD |
Tzu Chi University | 68,000 TWD - 78,600 TWD | 24,500 TWD - 74,700 TWD |
Kun Shan University | 74,000 TWD - 77,400 TWD | 74,000 TWD - 77,400 TWD |
Nanhua University | 94,200 TWD - 140,200 TWD | 96,300 TWD - 106,200 TWD |
MingDao University | 75,500 TWD - 79,600 TWD | 74,100 TWD - 77,500 TWD |
China University of Science and Technology | 90,000 TWD - 106,000 TWD | 104,000 TWD - 106,000 TWD |
Jinwen University of Science and Technology | 33,900 TWD | 33,900 TWD |
Yuanpei University of Medical Technology | 102,100 TWD - 108,100 TWD | 102,100 TWD - 109,700 TWD |
Fo Guang University | 89,100 TWD - 101,200 TWD | 89,100 TWD - 101,200 TWD |
Minghsin University of Science and Technology | 89,300 TWD - 102,500 TWD | 93,400 TWD - 107,200 TWD |
Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology | 73,400 TWD | 73,400 TWD |
Lunghwa University of Science and Technology | 83,800 TWD - 96,200 TWD | 77,700 TWD - 89,200 TWD |
Huafan University | 78,100 TWD | 74,700 TWD - 78,100 TWD |
Aletheia University | 90,400 TWD - 104,500 TWD | 90,800 TWD - 104,900 TWD |
Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages | 104,500 TWD - 105,900 TWD | 104,500 TWD - 105,900 TWD |
Shu-Te University | 76,200 TWD - 79,700 TWD | 76,200 TWD - 79,700 TWD |
Chang Gung University | 77,700 TWD - 93,800 TWD | 63,800 TWD - 96,100 TWD |
Asia University, Taiwan | 94,400 TWD - 114,400 TWD | 94,400 TWD - 114,400 TWD |
Chienkuo Technology University | 94,600 TWD - 108,500 TWD | 94,600 TWD - 108,500 TWD |
Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology | 99,500 TWD - 116,500 TWD | 99,500 TWD - 116,500 TWD |
Chung Hua University | 90,300 TWD - 103,800 TWD | 88,900 TWD - 103,800 TWD |
Cheng Shiu University | 95,200 TWD - 109,500 TWD | 95,200 TWD - 109,500 TWD |
Shih Chien University | 95,200 TWD - 149,800 TWD | 90,800 TWD - 143,200 TWD |
Chaoyang University of Technology | 121,400 TWD | 121,400 TWD |
Kaohsiung Medical University | 95,300 TWD - 115,300 TWD | 97,100 TWD |
I-Shou University | 96,000 TWD - 145,000 TWD | 96,000 TWD - 145,000 TWD |
Taipei Medical University | 106,900 TWD | |
Ming Chuan University | 94,900 TWD - 111,100 TWD | 93,400 TWD - 109,600 TWD |
China Medical University, Taiwan | 57,000 TWD | 48,400 TWD |
Tunghai University | 115,800 TWD - 135,100 TWD | 115,800 TWD - 135,100 TWD |
Feng Chia University | 47,100 TWD - 49,200 TWD | 47,100 TWD - 49,200 TWD |
Fu Jen Catholic University | 39,500 TWD - 41,300 TWD | 38,700 TWD - 40,500 TWD |
Chinese Culture University | 76,200 TWD - 79,700 TWD | 76,200 TWD - 79,700 TWD |
Tamkang University | 78,000 TWD - 81,600 TWD | 80,000 TWD - 83,700 TWD |
Soochow University, Taiwan | 96,800 TWD - 113,000 TWD | 96,800 TWD - 113,000 TWD |
Yuan Ze University | 78,000 TWD - 81,700 TWD | 85,900 TWD - 89,900 TWD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Taiwan, check out the Cheap Universities in Taiwan!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Taiwan for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Taiwan, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Taiwan, English and Chinese are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting TOCFL for Chinese.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Taiwan and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 4.0
- TOCFL: Level 3
- Bachelor's Chinese Language Requirements Page
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 4.0
- TOCFL: Level 3
- Master's Chinese Language Requirements Page
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
National Taichung University of Education
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Chang Jung Christian University
Bachelor’s degree
- CEFR: B1
- IELTS: No minimum score
- TOEFL: No minimum score
- TOCFL: Level 2
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
- Bachelor's Chinese Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- CEFR: B1
- IELTS: No minimum score
- TOEFL: No minimum score
- TOCFL: Level 2
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
- Master's Chinese Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Taiwan
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Taiwan have online applications available on their websites, like National Taiwan University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Taiwan.
National Taiwan University
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
National Cheng Kung University
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Taiwan differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Taiwan.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Taiwan
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in Taiwan. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to Taiwan as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Taiwan. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student’s Resident Visa.
To start your student visa application in Taiwan, you will need to present the following:
- Application form
- Two passport-style photographs
- The original passport and one copy
- Proof of financial means (original and photocopy)
- The original health insurance certificate and one copy
- Proof of acceptance into a study program or a record of enrollment (both the original and photocopies)
- The original diploma and transcripts for each year of your highest education, along with one photocopy of each
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Taiwan is NT$1,000.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Submit all the required documents at the level of an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas Mission
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Taiwan. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!