Taiwan is an island in East Asia with a large, export-oriented economy. For international students, tuition and living costs vary by university, program, and city, so the most reliable approach is to compare current university fee schedules and build a budget around your own course and housing choices.
This article breaks down the costs of studying and living there as an international student, helping you make the most of your budget!
Costs of Studying in Taiwan
Academic Costs / Tuition Fees
Tuition in Taiwan varies by university, degree level, field of study, campus, program, and student category. Universities generally publish fees per semester rather than as a single national annual average. At the institutions below, current tuition for standard undergraduate programs for international students generally ranges from about NT$46,000 to NT$79,000 per semester, although medicine, dentistry, dual-degree programs, and other specialized programs can cost substantially more. Graduate fees vary more widely and may include separate per-credit charges.
While universities in Taiwan offer programs in both English and Chinese, the language of instruction does not generally determine whether tuition is charged. By comparison, many public universities in Germany do not charge general tuition for bachelor’s and many master’s programs, but students still pay semester contributions, and tuition exceptions apply in some states and programs. Students in Taiwan can reduce their expenses through scholarships and tuition waivers, which are discussed later in this article.
| INSTITUTION | CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE TUITION PER SEMESTER | CURRENT POSTGRADUATE TUITION PER SEMESTER |
|---|
| National Taiwan University | NT$50,460–NT$79,120 | NT$51,280–NT$78,340 for most programs; selected specialized programs charge NT$80,000–NT$150,000 |
| National Tsing Hua University | NT$46,100–NT$53,200 | Basic tuition of NT$26,300–NT$36,300, plus applicable per-credit fees; NT$186,000 for the Dual Master Program for Global Operation Management |
| National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | NT$49,540–NT$60,220 for most programs; medicine and dentistry at the Yangming Campus cost substantially more | NT$34,095–NT$78,340, depending on the campus and program; GMBA has a separate fee structure |
| Asia University, Taiwan | Varies by college and program; consult the university’s current tuition schedule | Varies by college and program; consult the university’s current tuition schedule |
| National Yunlin University of Science and Technology | NT$46,082–NT$52,202 | NT$46,606–NT$53,877 for standard master’s and doctoral programs |
The figures above are published semester rates for international students and are not universal averages. Students should confirm the latest amount for their specific department before applying because additional credit, insurance, facility, accommodation, and administrative fees may apply.
Other Academic Costs
When considering studying abroad, students often focus on tuition fees, but it is equally important to account for additional academic costs.
These can include student insurance, computer and laboratory usage fees, language-learning fees, application fees, accommodation charges, health insurance, books, and supplies. According to the 2026 fall international admissions guide from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, the student insurance fee is NT$595 per semester and the computer and network communication fee is NT$385. A language-learning fee of NT$550 applies only to first-year students in four-year programs and students in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages. Students should also budget for stationery, textbooks, and any specialized equipment required by their program.
Costs of Living in Taiwan
1. Taipei
According to National Taiwan University’s dormitory schedule, most standard campus rooms cost between NT$7,900 and NT$13,460 per semester, generally with an additional NT$3,600 deposit. Guo Qing exchange-student rooms cost NT$19,900–NT$22,400 for five months. Off-campus rent, meals, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses are additional.
A student’s total semester budget can exceed NT$100,000 after tuition and living expenses are combined, but this is not a fixed official total. The final amount will depend heavily on the student’s program, room type, location, and spending habits.
2. Taichung
For a current university-based estimate, National Chung Hsing University lists on-campus accommodation at approximately US$400–US$500 for six months and off-campus housing at approximately US$1,200–US$1,500 for six months.
The university separately estimates textbooks and stationery at US$160–US$265 for six months and general living expenses at US$2,000 for six months. Annualizing the living-expense estimate gives approximately US$4,000 per year, but housing, insurance, textbooks, and other listed fees are separate and should not be treated as included in that amount.
3. Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung, located in southern Taiwan, offers several accommodation options for international students. National Sun Yat-Sen University currently lists exchange-student dormitory fees of NT$10,200–NT$11,100 per semester for a quad room and NT$18,700 per semester for a twin room. Dormitory availability is not guaranteed.
The university estimates monthly living costs, excluding housing, at NT$12,000–NT$15,500. This includes approximately NT$7,000–NT$9,000 for meals, NT$500–NT$1,500 for transportation, and NT$2,000–NT$3,000 for other expenses. It also estimates textbooks at approximately NT$5,000 per semester. Students should add their chosen housing cost to these figures when calculating a monthly budget.
Ways to Minimize Academic and Living Costs in Taiwan
Scholarships for International Students
Tuition is normally charged regardless of whether a program is taught in Chinese or English. However, multiple scholarships are available for international students, and some awards provide partial or full tuition waivers. For example, the Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship provides up to NT$40,000 toward tuition and miscellaneous expenses each semester, together with a monthly living allowance of NT$15,000 for undergraduate students or NT$20,000 for graduate students, subject to its eligibility and application rules. Institutional scholarship coverage, eligibility, renewal requirements, and application periods vary.
Scholarship names, benefits, deadlines, and eligibility rules can change between admission cycles. Applicants should therefore confirm the current conditions on the university’s official scholarship page before applying.
Part-time Work for International Students
International students in Taiwan may work part-time after obtaining a valid work permit through the Workforce Development Agency’s work-permit system. A student work permit may be valid for up to one year. Except during summer and winter vacations, students with permission to work may not work more than 20 hours per week. Other labor-law limits continue to apply during vacation periods.
Available jobs vary by the student’s qualifications, language ability, schedule, and local labor market. Students should not begin working until their permit has been approved and should ensure that the work complies with the conditions of the permit.
Having reviewed the academic and living costs of being an international student in Taiwan, you can now conduct a more accurate cost-benefit analysis. If you are considering higher education in Taiwan, compare the latest university fee schedules, scholarship rules, and accommodation options before making your decision.
We hope this article has provided the information you were looking for. If you are interested, check out our Study in Taiwan and Available Courses for International Students!
