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Study in Taiwan

Higher Education Structure in Taiwan

Study In Taiwan

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More than 1.1 million students are currently enrolled in various higher education institutions in Taiwan, which is approximately 5% of the total population. Most of the international students in Taiwan are from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. As of 2022, there are 126 Universities in Taiwan.

Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is an island country located off the East Coast of the Chinese Mainland. It has a highly urban population densely distributed through its relatively small area; almost 24 million people call Taiwan home. Taipei is the capital of the country, with the Greater Taipei Metropolitan Area containing almost one third of the population of the island. Taiwan is an extremely prosperous country with a highly developed economy, which relies on cutting edge disciplines like biotechnology, semiconductor manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Despite its small area, it is also a tourist hub of growing importance, with visitors paying attention to the diverse landscapes that can be seen across the island.

The Perks of Studying in Taiwan

Taiwan is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #30 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the Wisevoter Safety Rankings.
  • The country is ranked #13 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #15 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Taiwan

There are three main types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Taiwan:

1. Junior Colleges: They offer two year Foundation and Vocational degrees to high school graduates. These degrees either act as a bridge between school and undergraduate courses, or can be used in conjunction with work experience to apply for Master’s degree programs. 

2. Universities: They offer conventional Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and Postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) programs. There are both public and private Universities in Taiwan, Public Universities are among the highest ranked in the country, including the National Taiwan University, due to their higher budgets and longer history. 

3. Institutes and Universities of Science and Technology: They were established by the Taiwan University Act, to train students in introductory and high level professional skills. They correspond to vocational institutions in other countries, and form a parallel stream alongside Universities, focusing on different fields of engineering and technology.

Associate Degree Programs

They are run by both Junior Colleges and Universities of Science and Technology. Associate Degrees are foundational, and seek to train inexperienced students in the basics of a topic, after which the student can transfer the credits gained to a Bachelor’s program or join the labor market at a level above which he/she would have been eligible for with only a High School degree.

Undergraduate Programs

There are two kinds of Undergraduate Programs in Taiwanese Universities. The majority of Bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete. However, students who already hold an Associate’s degree in a related discipline may apply for a two year’s Bachelor’s program, with direct entry to the third year of courses. The fourth year of the undergraduate degree is usually spent on an intensive academic or research project.

Postgraduate Programs

The Postgraduate Master’s program is the shortest in Taiwan, and can be completed in three or four semesters. In order to earn a Master’s degree, students must complete a detailed Master’s thesis; those who wish to enroll for Doctoral studies in the future usually work on a research intensive dissertation. 

Doctoral Programs

The average duration of a Doctoral Program in a Taiwanese University is 4 years. Students spend a year completing required courses and training in research techniques. After passing a qualifying examination, they must start their original research under the guidance of a senior Faculty member. Once the guide is confident that they have completed an impressive body of work, they can write their PhD dissertation and defend it in front of a panel fo examiners.

Disciplines Available in Taiwan

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Taiwan (which are taught in English) are-

Public HealthElectrical Engineering and Computer ScienceLife Science
Bio-resources and AgricultureMedicineDentistry
Life SciencesLawLiberal Arts
Semiconductor PhysicsPhilosophyChinese Language and Literature
Urban EngineeringArchitecturePharmaceutical Science

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Taiwan

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Taiwan.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Taipei46
Taoyuan16
Chiayi8
Tainan17
Hsinchu8

Average Monthly Expenses in Taiwan for International Students

Tuition fees at Public Universities in Taiwan are lower than in Europe, even though the average rankings of the HEIs are similar to those in the West. Undergraduate tuition fees range from 50,460 TWD to 79,120 TWD per semester, which is in line with that in many other Asian countries. Master’s tuition fees are similar, with Global health being significantly more expensive.

Even though Taiwan is a highly developed country, the cost of living is fairly low. For example, University dorm housing ranges in cost from 7,900 to 46,800 NTD per semester, ensuring that there are many options to fit every budget. Students must also budget approximately 5,000 NTD per semester towards Health Insurance, for a total of 65,400 to 156,000 NTD per semester towards rent, food, transportation, insurance, and recreation.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Taiwan.

Applicants for a long term Taiwanese Student Visa must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • Filled up online visa application form, with the signature of the student.
  • A formal visa request letter signed by the student, with specifics of the program to which he/she has been accepted and the duration.
  • A detailed Study Plan.
  • Two recent passport size photographs.
  • A Letter of Admission to a University in Taiwan.
  • The Taiwanese student visa application fee.
  • Copies of certificates of the most recent educational degree or diploma obtained.
  • A recent Health Certificate verified by the authorities.
  • Financial Stability Details: Copy of three months of either the candidate’s or a parent’s bank statement.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The fee for a multiple entry Taiwanese student visa is 4,400 New Taiwan Dollars. An additional 50% amount is payable for rush processing, if the applicant requires the visa urgently. If the student does not expect to travel out of Taiwan during the degree program, he/she can apply for a single entry resident visa (NT$ 2,200).

Two photographs must be submitted by each candidate as part of the Taiwanese student visa application process. Their dimensions must be 35 mm by 45 mm. At least 60% of the area of the photograph must be occupied by the face of the candidate.

Students may be denied entry to Taiwan at two levels. If there is any false or missing information in the visa application, it may be rejected. In addition, the Bureau of Immigration may conduct additional checks and deny the student entry if there are any suspicious details on his/her record. In both these cases, the student must apply for the Taiwanese student visa again, after paying the application fee.

According to the Employment Services Act passed by the Government of Taiwan, international students are allowed to work part time to help fund their University studies. They can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and full time during the summer and winter vacations. Before a student can take up part time or full time employment, he/she must apply to the Workforce Development Agency of the Taiwanese Ministry of Labor, via the University. After a work permit is issued, they can start their period of employment, taking care not to compromise on their studies in any way.

Seven Taiwanese Universities are ranked in the top 500 in the world according to the latest QS rankings. Of these, the top ranked HEI (National Taiwan University) is ranked in the top 100, at #69.

Many of the top ranked Universities in Taiwan have strong Clinical Medicine Departments. For example, National Taiwan University is both the highest ranked HEI in the country, and the HEI with the best Medical Faculty. Taipei Medical University is the most renowned dedicated Medicine School in Taiwan.

Most Universities in Taiwan, including all the highest ranked ones, have several programs at every level (undergraduate and postgraduate) taught in English. Therefore, it is not necessary for international students to know fluent Chinese before traveling to Taiwan for higher studies. However, they should learn it during their stay so that they can make the most of the University culture and travel opportunities within the country.

The flagship funding option for international students in Taiwan is the Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship Program. It is awarded based on outstanding academic performance at high school or undergraduate level. It provides a complete tuition fee waiver, in addition to a living allowance and stipend. It covers the entire duration of an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

Students who complete their undergraduate studies in Taiwanese Universities normally work one year within a company, as part of a probationary internship. International students who score at least 70% in their undergraduate studies in Taiwan are allowed to apply via their college for one year internships, especially if they also have an extracurricular or technology award. This is a bridge to working full time in Taiwan in the long term.

Several criteria are taken into account by the Ministry of Labor, including the academic record of the international student in Taiwan, the level of the job and expected salary, the proficiency of the candidate in Chinese, and overall Government quotas for foreign workers in the country.