Taiwan is a free and modern society with a higher education system that provides international students with opportunities to study a wide variety of subjects. Given these qualities, Taiwan attracts students from around the world.
Each year, international students choose Taiwan as their study destination. In the 2025–2026 academic year, Taiwan hosted 140,417 international students. Universities offer a variety of programs and degrees, but availability, language of instruction, and tuition vary by institution and field of study.
Tuition varies by university and program, so compare the official fee pages carefully. Several of the lower-cost programs listed below have tuition starting below TWD 50,000 per semester, while some specialized programs cost more.
In this article, we have listed several affordable Taiwanese universities you can consider for your studies.
Affordable Schools in Taiwan for International Students
1. National Cheng Kung University
The National Cheng Kung University, or NCKU, is a university in Tainan. It was established as Tainan Technical College in 1931.
NCKU offers programs across multiple academic areas. Prospective students should use the current international admissions prospectus and Registrar Division announcements when comparing costs.
2. National Taipei University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from TWD 45,691/semester (Undergraduate) | graduate programs: from TWD 21,000/semester base fee plus TWD 2,980 per credit
Famously known as NTPU, the National Taipei University has a main campus in Sanxia, New Taipei City, and a Taipei campus in Zhongshan District.
NTPU offers undergraduate and graduate programs across several colleges. Its official international-student page provides current application information and links to tuition details.
For international students, undergraduate tuition starts from TWD 45,691 per semester. Graduate students pay a semester base fee starting from TWD 21,000 plus TWD 2,980 per credit. Additional first-year fees may apply.
3. National Chung Hsing University
Founded in 1919, the National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) is a research-oriented university in Taichung, Taiwan. It evolved from the Taiwan Academy of Agronomy and Forestry and continues to offer programs across a broad range of fields.
For international students, the university’s official fee page lists semester totals starting from TWD 45,691 for undergraduate programs and TWD 46,206 for Master’s and Ph.D. programs. Additional mandatory fees may apply.
4. Tzu Chi University
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: from TWD 46,831/semester (Undergraduate) | from TWD 41,224/semester (Master’s) | TWD 43,782/semester (Ph.D.)
Tzu Chi University is a university in Hualien. It was founded as Tzu Chi Medical College in 1994 and became Tzu Chi University in 2000. In August 2024, it merged with Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology.
Following the merger, Tzu Chi University offers programs across areas including medicine, nursing, technology, humanities, and management.
5. Kaohsiung Medical University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from USD 1,560 per semester (Undergraduate) | from USD 1,600 per semester (Master’s) | from USD 1,600 per semester (Ph.D.)
Kaohsiung Medical University, or KMU, is a private medical university in Kaohsiung’s Sanmin District.
Founded in 1954 as Kaohsiung Medical College, KMU became a university in 1999.
KMU offers undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs for international students. Tuition varies significantly by program.
6. National Taiwan University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: vary by college, degree, year of study, and student status; check the official fee page for current per-semester rates.
The National Taiwan University, or NTU, is a public research university in Taiwan. Its alumni include President Lai Ching-te. NTU is ranked #=63 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
NTU was founded in 1928 as Taihoku Imperial University and was reorganized as National Taiwan University in November 1945.
NTU offers a broad range of programs through its colleges, schools, and other academic units. Tuition varies by college, degree, year of study, and student status, so prospective students should consult the official fee page for current per-semester amounts.
FAQs: Studying in Taiwan
What are the Requirements for Studying in Taiwan?
Application requirements vary by university and program. Degree applicants generally need proof of their previous academic qualification and official transcripts, and universities may request additional documents such as language-proficiency certificates, a curriculum vitae, a study plan, recommendation letters, or a portfolio. Check the admissions page for your chosen program.
Can you study in English at Taiwanese Universities?
Yes, you can study in English at Taiwanese universities. The availability of English-taught courses and full degree programs varies by university and program. Review the current program list and language-of-instruction details for your chosen institution. Learning Mandarin is also useful for everyday life in Taiwan.
Affordability is one of the key considerations for international students selecting higher education institutions. Taiwan offers several universities with lower-cost programs, although tuition varies by institution, degree level, and field of study.
We hope this article on affordable universities in Taiwan was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Study in Taiwan and Available Programs for International Students!
