Your handy guide to study in Taiwan

About Taiwan

Located on Asia’s southeast coast, the nation of Taiwan has many stunning mountains and a tropical climate with both wet and dry seasons. When the Portuguese sailed to Asia in the 16th century, they made their first discovery. They called Taiwan Ilha Formosa, which translates to ‘the lovely island.’ Prior to its separation from the mainland in 1949, Taiwan was a part of the Republic of China. Taiwan rose to prominence as one of Asia’s economic ‘Tigers’ around the year 2000. Its economic structure changed from being labor intensive to high-tech. The United States and Japan are now its second and third-largest trading partners, respectively, after China. Let’s learn more about study in Taiwan.

Why study in Taiwan?

Living in Taiwan is quite simple for international students. International students get a warm welcome in this country because of its rich history and diverse culture.

‘Mother nature’ is one of the reasons why students prefer to study in Taiwan. While some regions are famous for their stunning mountains, which are perfect for hiking excursions, other regions are famous for their forests, sand beaches, lagoons, and architectural heritage.

The affordable tuition at Taiwanese universities and colleges is another major draw for students pursuing higher education. Due to new government policies, it is possible to enroll in high-quality study programs in Taiwan for a lower cost.

It is also encouraging to learn that Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has introduced higher education programs that are simple to apply for and offer opportunities for international students to study in Taiwan. International students can also apply for scholarships in the nation.

In addition to having affordable tuition, the nation is also inexpensive. Living expenses are quite reasonable, and because it’s in Asia, you can travel on a budget, depending on your lifestyle. 

Taiwan’s higher education

The Taipei area is home to many of Taiwan’s top universities. Taipei or the surrounding area is home to the National Taiwan University, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei Medical University, and National Taiwan Normal University.

Top universities are present across the nation, not just in Taipei. Hsinchu City has excellent institutions for science and technology. National Tsing Hua University and National Chiao Tung University, two universities in this city, are among the top 200 universities in the world.

Higher education institutions in Taiwan

There are numerous universities and colleges in Taiwan. You can choose if you decide to pursue your studies there. Taiwan currently has roughly 163 universities, colleges, and junior colleges.

Colleges and universities

The government funds public schools, and some commercial or religious organizations fund private schools.

Youthful colleges

Depending on the entry requirement, these institutions are available as junior colleges with two or five years of study. According to Article 29 of the Junior College Law, both grant associate degrees.

• Junior college for five years- Accept junior high school graduates
• Junior college for two years- Accept graduates of senior secondary schools with a focus on skills.

How to study in Taiwan

The course you choose will determine how long your studies will last. Here is a general timeline for studying in Taiwan.

• Bachelor’s degree- 2 years
• Master’s degree- 1-4 years
• Doctorate degree-2-7 years

Leading universities in Taiwan

According to the QS World University Rankings for 2021, the following are Taiwan’s top 10 universities-

• National Taiwan University- 66
• National Tsing hua University-168
• National Cheng Kung University-234
• National Chiao Tung University-240
• National Taiwan University of Science and Technology-267
• National Yang-Ming University- 298
• National Taiwan Normal University-331
• Taipei Medical University-387
• National Sun-Yat-Sen University-416
• National Central University-465

Opportunities for post-study in Taiwan

You can apply for a work visa or a student visa extension to extend your stay in the country. You can apply for a work visa on the Taiwanese government website under the section titled ‘Resident visa for white-collar workers,’ and you can also extend your current student visa there. Just ensure you receive a work permit from the organization you intend to work for or a letter of acceptance from the university.

Application procedure for study in Taiwan

• Select a program and a school.
• Submit your application and all necessary supporting documentation before the deadline.
• When you get the acceptance letter, start the visa application process right away.
• You can begin planning your trip to Taiwan once your visa application has been granted.

Language requirements

Students from abroad whose mother tongue is not English will need to provide proof of their English language proficiency. A minimum TOEFL score of 500 and an IELTS score of 5.5 are necessary. You must get in touch with the universities under consideration and inquire about their requirements. You must also meet a minimum proficiency standard in English and a second foreign language in order to enroll in the Master’s degree programs in Taiwan.

Visa requirements

You must fulfill the following qualifications to apply for an international student visa in order to enroll full time in a Ph.D., Master’s, Bachelor’s, or Diploma/Certificate program-

• Two color photos (passport size).
• Original and a photocopy of the health certificate, both of which must be valid for at least six months. 
• Original and a photocopy of the admission permit for enrollment and registration.
• Diploma from the highest level of education, original and copy.
• Evidence of financial assistance.

After the review, you will get all the original documentation back.

Course fees

Taiwan’s higher education system has gained a lot of popularity and acclaim. Tuition costs in Taiwan are very affordable. This might be the reason why Taiwan is a sought-after study destination.

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

Key takeaways

• Taiwan became prominent as one of Asia’s economic ‘Tigers’ in the year 2000. The nation’s economic structure changed from being labor intensive to being high tech. Now, the United States and Japan are its second and third-largest trading partners, respectively, after China.
• The affordable tuition at Taiwanese universities and colleges is another major benefit for students pursuing higher education. New government policies make it possible for you to enroll in high-quality study programs in Taiwan for a lower cost.
• You can apply for a work or student visa extension to stay in the country. You can apply for a work visa by logging in to the Taiwanese government website under the section titled ‘Resident visa for white-collar workers.’ There is also an option to extend your current student visa.

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FAQs

Q1. Is learning English enough to stay and study in Taiwan?

Ans- Taiwan has a small population of English speakers. Taipei, the nation’s capital, is home to most English speakers. Learning the local language to travel and live in various parts of the country may benefit you.

Q2. Is Taiwan friendly to people of different nationalities?

Ans- Taiwanese people are famous for being hospitable and friendly to visitors. On the street, strangers are likely to say hello to visitors.

Q3. What are the most common job opportunities in Taiwan?

Ans- Taiwan has job opportunities in teaching and academics, IT, finance and banking, sales, and other fields.