Taiwan can be an exciting place to study if you want a university experience connected with East Asia, technology, business or Chinese-language learning. An English-taught degree can give you a manageable academic starting point while everyday life offers plenty of opportunities to learn Mandarin, explore unfamiliar food and build friendships outside your usual circle.
Begin with a clear distinction: studying for a degree in Taiwan and taking a Mandarin-language course are different routes. They can lead to different admissions processes, scholarships and immigration requirements. Within degree study, a department offering English classes is also not necessarily offering a degree that you can complete entirely in English.
How to find genuinely English-taught study
The national Study in Taiwan portal brings together institution, programme and scholarship information. Use it to discover options, then confirm the details on the university’s website. Check the compulsory modules, assessment language, final project and any placement requirements. A description such as “75% taught in English” needs a different level of language preparation from an entirely English-taught programme.
At master’s level, pay particular attention to supervision. Ask which research groups are accepting students, how students select a supervisor, and whether meetings, seminars and thesis preparation can all take place in English. An interesting laboratory or research topic may be a stronger reason to choose a university than its overall position in a ranking.
For a bachelor’s degree, look for a coherent four-year learning experience rather than a handful of attractive modules. Establish how general education requirements fit around your major and whether any required classes use Mandarin. Our guide to English-taught programmes gives you a practical set of questions to use.
Universities and locations to explore
Institution names you may encounter include National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Cheng Kung University, National Chengchi University and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Their course portfolios differ, so use the national directory to follow the subject that interests you.
Another important name is National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. It was formed in 2021 by the merger of National Yang-Ming University and National Chiao Tung University. Older guides that list the latter as an independent university can therefore lead you to outdated information. NYCU describes an approach connecting biomedical research with information and communications technology.
Taipei offers a large metropolitan setting, while Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung offer different university environments. Visit the actual campus on a map: a university may have more than one site, and the campus serving your department matters more for your daily life than the institution’s main postal address.
Tuition fees: compare the right figures
Tuition varies by university, subject and level. Some fee tables combine tuition and miscellaneous charges; others separate them or charge graduate credit fees. Read the heading of every figure carefully and establish whether it covers a semester or a year.
Build your budget in New Taiwan dollars before converting it into your home currency. A rough euro conversion can help you compare destinations, but exchange-rate movements and bank charges affect what you actually pay. Include insurance, residence charges, laboratory or material costs where applicable, and any deposit needed to accept the offer.
Do not assume that a university scholarship means everything is free. Ask whether the award pays the full tuition bill, which additional fees remain, when funding begins and how it is renewed. Our tuition-fee comparison guide can help turn different university price formats into a comparable annual budget.
Scholarships and application planning
The Taiwan Scholarship, university funding and other awards have distinct conditions. The Ministry of Education and Study in Taiwan are useful official starting points. Check the call that applies to your nationality and intended academic year. A scholarship application and a university application may need to be submitted separately.
Prepare school or degree certificates, transcripts and the language evidence requested by the department. Master’s programmes may also ask for recommendations, a research plan or a statement of purpose. Give referees time to produce a useful recommendation, and make your statement about the actual course rather than about studying abroad in general.
Universities set their own admission windows. Some programmes have both autumn and spring entry, while others admit once a year. Verify that your preferred course is open in the round you are using and that there is enough time after admission to organise your visa and accommodation.
Housing, language and the first few weeks
University accommodation can make arrival simpler, but check eligibility and room availability before relying on it. Find out whether bedding, utilities, internet and holiday stays are included. If you rent privately, compare the full cost, journey to campus and deposit terms.
Leave room in your first-month budget for a local SIM, transport, household items and temporary accommodation. A university’s estimate is a starting point rather than a promise: food choices, air-conditioning use, travel and room type all affect spending.
Even on an English-taught degree, regular Mandarin practice will enrich the experience. Joining a society or language exchange provides a reason to speak beyond the classroom. Keep the initial goal realistic: navigating your neighbourhood and taking part in daily conversations is already valuable progress.
Visa, residence and work
Use the Bureau of Consular Affairs guidance for full-time foreign students for the current resident-visa documents and process. Degree admission, a resident visa and the Alien Resident Certificate are separate stages. The official guidance currently requires resident-visa holders to apply for the certificate within 30 days from the next day after arrival. Follow the instructions that apply to your own entry route.
Do not assume admission gives unrestricted permission to work. Ask the university’s international office to explain the current work-permit route before taking a job or paid placement. Build a study budget that works without immediate earnings; language, hours and recruitment can all limit the jobs available.
Choose Taiwan for the programme and the experience you want to build. Compare several departments, speak with current students, and use our programme finder 和 奖学金目录 as part of a broader shortlist.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. Confirm programme language, fees and application requirements with the university for your chosen intake.