Master's Degrees in Taiwan

Study in Taiwan

Taiwan is an appealing destination for international students, due to the country’s academic resources, rich cultural environment and future job prospects. Taiwan has favourable living conditions and lower tuition rates compared to western countries. Universities have been actively recruiting exceptionally talented international students and they continue to increase number of degree courses taught in English. Another important aspect is that government of Taiwan offers numerous scholarships including for international students.

Over the last years, numerous students from Taiwan have been winners of prestigious honours and product design awards for innovative research in the technology field.

Education System

There are over 100 higher education institutions in Taiwan. All schools, including higher education institutions focus on Technological and Vocational Education (TVE), which involves matching the industries’ workforce demand and student abilities in a way that leads and highly contributes to Taiwan’s economic development and prosperity. Study period for university education is 4 years, between 1-4 years for Master’s degree and from 2 to 7 years for PhD studies.

General Application Requirements

Only foreign students who meet the eligibility terms required by Taiwan Ministry of Education can apply for an undergraduate or graduate degree programme.

Check and read carefully eligibility conditions here: http://law.moj.gov.tw/Eng/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?PCode=H0110001

Here is a list of necessary documents for university application:

·         -Photocopies of original diplomas or exam certificates (translated in Chinese or English, if it’s the case)

·         -Application form

·         -Financial statement of self-sufficiency

·         -Statement of purpose

·         -Letter of recommendation

·         -Application fee

·        - Any other documents, as required by individual universities

Study Options

Taiwan’s most popular university subject areas are engineering and technology, social sciences and management, with eight Taiwanese universities appearing in the world’s top 400 for each. Students are especially attracted to these disciplines due to Taiwan’s exceptional tradition in business and technology, being a leading supplier of computer chips, smartphones and GPS devices.

There are other universities ranked for natural sciences, life sciences and medicine, and for arts and humanities, but one of the biggest attractions for international students is to learn Mandarin Chinese.

Language of instruction

Language of instruction used in universities in Taiwan is Chinese, the country’s official language. International students can follow undergraduate and graduate studies that are taught in English. They can choose between programmes that are 50% or 100% in English. Computer science and information engineering, health science, business administration, law, global politics and economics are a few examples of degree programmes that are offered in English in over 40 universities.

Taiwan Visa

A Student Visa allows students to stay in Taiwan and study Mandarin for up to 180 days as long as they remain a full-time student at an approved school. Students who decide to stay longer than 180 days, can apply for a resident visa only after having had student visa for 4 months.

The following documents are required for international students

1.            Application form
2.          Two colour passport size photos
3.          Passport and 1 photocopy of the passport
4.          Original and 1 photocopy of health certificate
5.          Original and 1 photocopy of admission permit or record of enrolment, registration and                transcripts
6.          Highest education diploma and transcripts
7.          Original and 1 photocopy of proof of financial support

International students with an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) who have resided in Taiwan for six months must enrol in the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme at a local administrative office.

For more information, please check the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan:

http://www.boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=6139&ctNode=778&mp=2

Living in Taiwan

• Number of international students has reached over 5,000 in the last years.
• Tuition fee ranges from 2400 to 4700 EUR a year for undergraduates and from 2400 to 6000 EUR for graduates, depending on the programme.
• The rent for 1 room apartment could go between 180-300 EUR per month.
• Utilities cost about 70 EUR per month.
• An average student would pay around 300 EUR for food per month.
• International students are allowed to work only after completing two semesters and having great academic record and, if they can prove financial inability to support themselves.
• Not to miss: Kinmen Island - frontline between Taiwan and China, an absorbing blend of former battlefields and well-preserved imperial Chinese monuments.
• Worth visiting is Taipei 101, at 509m, East Asia’s tallest building, located in Taipei, providing outstanding views of the surrounding area.
• One of the most attractive places in Taiwan is old town Lugang, with traditional architecture, beautiful temples, tasty snack food and shops stocked with the work of the island’s most talented craftsmen.

About Taiwan

Taiwan, also known as Republic of China, was founded in 1912, becoming the first democratic republic in Asia. With an area of 36,000 square kilometres, land of Taiwan lies off the South-Eastern coast of mainland Asia, across the Taiwan Strait from China - an island on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean. Neighbouring countries are Japan in the North and the Philippines in the South. The capital is Taipei, one of the largest cities in the country.

Portuguese sailors who first saw the island called it “Ilha Formosa”, which means the beautiful island.

The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, but since many Taiwanese people are of southern Fujianese descent, Minnan is also widely spoken. English is the main foreign language taught in schools, thus it is spoken and understood.

Total population of Taiwan counts 23 million people, whose religion belong mainly to Buddhist or Taoist beliefs. During the country’s long history, Taiwan was populated by indigenous tribes, Dutch, Spanish, Japanese, and Han Chinese population, creating a varied culture and developing different local customs and traditions. Because the longest domination was under the Japanese rule, from 1895 to 1945, Taiwan today presents a unique culture, combining Chinese and Japanese elements.

The Republic of China is a sovereign state, with a government divided into five administrative departments: the cabinet, the legislative, the judicial and the examination (civil service). The president is elected by popular vote for a maximum 2 terms comprised of 4 years, on the same voting ticket as the vice-president.

Taiwan today is often described as economically prosperous and politically vibrant. The 21st-largest economy in the world, its high-tech industry plays an important role in the global economy. The country offers an excellent environment for learning Chinese and over the last decades it has continuously improved the standards of higher education, targeting students’ creativity.

Taiwan is known for its towering mountains and numerous mountains peaks that rise over 3,000 meters. The country is the home of Northeast Asia's tallest mountain, Yu Mountain (Yushan), which is nearly 4,000 meters in height, and has nine national parks.