7 Best Public Universities in Taiwan

Education is considered a necessity, and an internationally recognized degree is seen as a prerequisite for a successful professional life. Many students go abroad for higher education to improve their future employment chances. However, choosing an institution that is both globally recognized and comprehensive in its course offerings may be challenging.

Taiwan is an ideal study abroad destination as it is a leader in quality education, safe, and culturally inclusive. The employability rate of students graduating from Taiwan institutes is 95.1%, and there are rewarding career opportunities. Taiwan has a high academic profile. All around Asia and the rest of the globe, its universities are considered some of the finest.

Four institutions from Taiwan made it into the top 100 of the 2023 QS World University Rankings. On investment in research and development, Taiwan was rated 14th in the world in 2021. Apart from this, the public universities available here are less costly than private institutes. This can be highly beneficial for students with financial challenges.

In this article, we have outlined seven of the top public universities in Taiwan in detail.

Top Public Universities in Taiwan

Taiwan houses some of the most established institutes in the world with an outstanding reputation in the world. The best of its public universities are discussed as follows.

1. National Taiwan University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Chemistry, Engineering, Oncology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology

The National Taiwan University (NTU) is the nation’s oldest and most renowned public educational institution that routinely scores high in regional and international rankings. In QS Rankings 2023, it is placed at 69th spot worldwide. The institution is AACSB accredited.

Established in 1928 under Japan’s colonial rule, it has contributed much to Taiwan’s educational and economic development since its inception. NTU has produced several high-profile leaders and influential figures in the world, including presidents, CEOs, and Nobel laureates.

Many different academic fields are represented at NTU, arts, humanities, physical sciences, engineering, health, and business sciences are some of them. International students can avail of advanced degrees from this academic facility, although it has extensive admission procedures. It also offers a variety of Scholarship opportunities depending on the area of study.

2. National Tsing Hua University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Chemical Engineering and Nanoscience

Next Taiwanese public university is the National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) known for its brilliance in research and three Nobel Laureates. These prizes were won in the fields of Physics and Nuclear Science. Owing to these, the research and development of new technologies is a priority at NTHU.

Graduates from this school are widely sought after by IT companies because of the university’s outstanding facilities for research in these areas. The research yield is high, and the researchers are engaged in a diverse set of projects. The research conducted at NTHU has earned worldwide respect and made significant advances in several disciplines.

NTHU’s illustrious past dates back to the early  20th century. Over the last 60 years, this academic institute has expanded and offers more than 140 bachelor’s degrees in many fields. These are as diverse as the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, computer science, and the humanities.

3. National Cheng Kung University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Biotechnology, Sustainable Science and Technology, and Civil Engineering

Tainan’s National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is known for its worldwide commitment, thorough study approaches, and utilitarian culture. The major campuses are linked together effectively. NCKU is generally regarded as the premier institution in Taiwan, garnering its support from the Ministry of Education’s ‘Aim for the Top Institution Project’ on various occasions.

The QS World University Rankings 2023 placed it at #4 in Taiwan, while the QS Asia University Rankings 2023 placed it in the top 50. National Cheng Kung University is a world-class institution known for producing competent, well-rounded, and employable professionals. The areas of study it specializes in are engineering, computer sciences, design, and medicine.

4. National Central University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Physical Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Another great public institution in Taiwan is the National Central University (NCU) known for its cross-disciplinary study. The institution is home to many specialized research facilities, including the Institute of Communications Engineering and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research. Many influential people in government, industry, and academia are among NCU’s distinguished alumni.

Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, TSMC founder and former chairman Morris Chang, and chemistry Nobel laureates David Lee and Yuan T. Lee are all NCU alumnae. The faculty of NCU is among the best in the world with faculty members being experts in their disciplines.

The facilities of NCU are among the most advanced in the country. The institution has state-of-the-art facilities for learning. Coursework is offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels in several academic fields, from the physical sciences to social and humanities studies.

5. National Sun Yat-sen University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Liberal Arts, Management, Engineering, and Marine Science

Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-biggest city, is the site of NSYSU, founded in 1980. It has since developed into one of the top multidisciplinary universities in Taiwan. In terms of education, research, and globalization, it has become the highest standard. Due to having AACSB accreditation, it has garnered global acclaim.

The school’s curriculum is fully rounded, including liberal arts, management, social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, and marine science. All students, whether they are undergraduates or graduates, can benefit from the efforts of the expert professors here.

6. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Biology, Engineering, and Technology

Another public university is the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) which is new yet has gained acknowledgment from institutions and ranking authorities worldwide. In 2021, the two best institutions in Taiwan, National Yang-Ming University (NYMU) and National Chiao Tung University (NCTU) merged to establish this University.

Due to this, there is now a university with exceptional resources in biomedical research, engineering, and technology. The university has made it a priority to create innovative technology and approaches to 21st-century problems. These cover aging populations and chronic medical conditions.

There are several foreign collaborations and exchange programs at the institution. Many of the courses available to foreign students at NYCU are taught in English, which is highly convenient. The scholarships they offer also cover tuition fees and help with monetary challenges. The Institute of Cellular and Systems Biology is one of the top-tier research facilities located there.

7. National Chung Hsing University

• Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
• Top-Rated Programs: Agriculture, Liberal Arts, and Medicine

Lastly, we want to recommend a public institute that places a strong emphasis on education and has created academic degree opportunities for international students. The National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) is ranked among the top 700 universities worldwide and is mostly concerned with agricultural and life science subjects.

Graduates from this school are in popular demand since they represent one of the best institutions in Taiwan. NCHU is devoted to environmental sustainability. Several programs are already in place at the institution to lessen its negative effects on the environment and advance its ecological objectives. For foreign students, it offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Law, Politics, Agriculture, Liberal Arts, and Medicine fields.

FAQs: Studying in Taiwan’s Public Universities

Can International Students Enroll in Public Universities in Taiwan?

Yes, Foreign students are permitted to apply to Taiwan’s public universities. Taiwan is open to students from all over the world and provides several opportunities, courses, and scholarships for them to study there. Taiwan’s public universities have a stellar reputation for academics. They have challenging coursework and a faculty of international experts.

Foreign students who want to enroll in a public university in Taiwan must fulfill the criteria. A high school certificate or its equivalent, a passport, a student visa, and certification that the student is proficient in English are documents that universities ask of prospective students.

Public universities in Taiwan have a strong emphasis on internationalization. Many of their students and instructors come from other countries. As a result, students may interact with and get knowledge from experts from all around the globe. Many international firms value degrees from Taiwanese public universities.

Studying abroad is considered a major step towards a successful career by many students. However, zoning in on the best public universities for advanced degrees can be a challenge. Taiwan offers several public institutes in an adverse range of subject areas.

We hope this article on the best public universities in Taiwan helps you decide which institute is the best for you effectively. Don’t forget to explore the range of program options available for international students in Taiwan on our Study in Taiwan and Available Programs for International Programs pages!