How to Study in Taiwan for Free

Looking to study abroad but don’t want to break the bank? Taiwan might just be the perfect destination for you! Known for its bustling night markets, scenic mountains, and friendly locals, Taiwan is rapidly becoming a popular destination among international students. And the best part? It’s possible to study in Taiwan for free!

As an international student, Taiwan offers a unique blend of culture and education that can help you broaden your horizons and gain valuable life experiences. Taiwan’s universities and colleges are renowned for their high-quality teaching and cutting-edge research, making them an excellent choice for students pursuing academic excellence.

But how exactly can you study in Taiwan for free? Taiwan combines relatively low living costs with generous scholarships that can cover tuition, housing, and even airfare for international students. Government schemes like the MOE Taiwan Scholarship, the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship, the Mandarin-focused Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, development-oriented awards such as the TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship, and research programs like the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP) make it realistic to study in Taiwan with little or no out-of-pocket cost. Real students such as Mnasnan Seamorntham, Anisa Putri Kurniawati, Thamaraikannan, Muskan Dhawan, and Linh Nhi have used these programs to complete fully funded bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees at universities across Taiwan, showing what is possible when you plan strategically.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to apply for scholarships and financial aid, as well as other tips and tricks to help you save money and make the most of your study abroad experience in Taiwan a reality. So if you’re ready to embark on an exciting educational journey, let’s get started!

Read More: Best Universities in Taiwan for International Students

How to Study in Taiwan for Free with Scholarships: A Practical Roadmap

Step 1: Learn about Taiwan’s Government, Mandarin, and University Scholarships

Your first job is to understand how Taiwan’s funding ecosystem works. The backbone for degree programs is the MOE Taiwan Scholarship, which pays tuition and academic fees up to NTD 40,000 per semester and gives a monthly living allowance of NTD 15,000 for undergraduates and NTD 20,000 for master’s and PhD students. This scholarship can support up to four years of undergraduate study, two years of a master’s, and four years of a doctorate, with a maximum of five years total funding per person, which is usually enough to finish a full degree in Taiwan almost completely for free if you choose your city and dorm options wisely.

The MOFA Taiwan Scholarship is even more generous for students from countries with diplomatic or special relations with Taiwan. It typically offers around NTD 30,000–33,000 per month for degree programs plus a one-way economy-class plane ticket to and from Taiwan, while some universities reduce tuition for its recipients. If you are eligible for MOFA funding, you can often cover not just tuition and dorm fees but most everyday living expenses in cities outside central Taipei.

For students from partner developing countries, the TaiwanICDF International Higher Education Scholarship offers one of the most comprehensive packages: it can pay full tuition, dormitory costs, textbooks, a one-way economy flight, and a monthly stipend (around NTD 15,000 for master’s and NTD 17,000 for PhD students). Many ICDF programs are in applied fields like agriculture, engineering, business, or public health that are directly linked to development back home, which is a plus when you explain your future plans in your application.

If your first goal is to master Mandarin and then move into a degree program, consider the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. It generally provides a monthly stipend of about NTD 25,000 for 2–12 months of intensive language study at approved language centers across Taiwan. Many students use Huayu funding to focus on Chinese for a year and then apply for an MOE, MOFA, or university scholarship for a degree program, entering with both stronger language and a clearer view of Taiwan.

On top of government schemes, major universities run their own awards for international students. For example, National Taiwan University (NTU) offers an NTU Scholarship for International Degree Students that waives tuition (up to NTD 65,000 per year) and adds a monthly stipend of NTD 8,000. NTU also administers government awards on campus, such as the MOE and MOFA scholarships, and runs specialized programs like the Taiwan-Europe Semiconductor Scholarship, which can pay up to NTD 40,000 per month for PhD students in chip-related fields. Many other institutions, including National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Chengchi University (NCCU), and National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), also combine government scholarships with their own fee reductions or top-up stipends for strong applicants.

Scholarship recipients’ stories show how powerful these combinations can be. Anisa Putri Kurniawati from Indonesia uses the MOE Taiwan Scholarship to fund her master’s in Industrial Management at NTUST; tuition is covered up to NTD 40,000 per semester, she receives NTD 20,000 monthly, and NTUST pays any remaining tuition above the MOE cap, leaving her effectively fully funded. Similarly, Thai student Mnasnan Seamorntham completed a fully funded bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at NTUST through the Taiwan Government (MOE) Scholarship, which covered tuition, miscellaneous fees, and a living allowance for all four years.

Step 2: Match Your Profile to Taiwan’s Strengths and Admission Routes

Taiwan is particularly strong in engineering, semiconductors, information technology, and business, but also in social sciences, international affairs, and cross-disciplinary innovation. The most competitive scholarships go to applicants who clearly fit these strengths. Thai scholar Mnasnan Seamorntham aligned her Taiwan Government (MOE) Scholarship application with Taiwan’s engineering reputation: she chose a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at NTUST, did four internships in Taiwanese tech companies, and ultimately became a valedictorian and later an engineer at ASML Taiwan before transferring to the Netherlands. Her path illustrates how picking a field that matches Taiwan’s priorities can make your application and future career much stronger.

Academic performance still matters, but scholarship recipients prove you don’t need to be perfect to win. Thamaraikannan from India, a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at NCHU, secured the MOE Taiwan Scholarship after graduating with first-class distinctions in both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and working as an assistant professor in India; he then prepared a detailed study plan and collected strong recommendation letters, which he credits as key to his success. At the bachelor’s level, Linh Nhi from Vietnam built her profile less on perfect test scores and more on meaningful leadership; she balanced a solid GPA (8.9–9.5) with impactful extracurriculars such as founding clubs and leading student council, helping her win a fully funded MOE Taiwan Scholarship to study Global Studies at the International College of Innovation at NCCU.

Most Taiwanese scholarships for degree programs are merit-based and heavily document-driven. For the MOE Taiwan Scholarship, applications are typically evaluated on your academic record, study plan, motivation letter, language ability, and recommendation letters; some TECO offices add an interview. Recipients like Anisa emphasize that what makes an application stand out is coherence: her bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering, her interest in sustainable warehousing and AI, and her master’s plan at NTUST all tell one consistent story, clearly explained in her study plan and motivation letter. When your degree choice, past experience, and future goals line up with how Taiwan sees its role in the world, scholarship committees can picture you as a good investment.

Your application route also matters. For MOE and Huayu Enrichment Scholarships, you usually apply through your local Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) during a fixed window—often between February 1 and March 31—while simultaneously applying to universities on your own. For the TaiwanICDF Scholarship, you apply both to ICDF online and to specific partner universities, typically between December and mid-March. TIGP programs under Academia Sinica have their own online admission systems and English proficiency requirements (for example, TOEFL iBT 79–80 or IELTS 5.5+ for many programs). Understanding early which portal and timeline you fall under will prevent last-minute confusion and missing deadlines.

Step 3: Meet the Language Requirements

One of Taiwan’s biggest advantages is that you don’t need fluent Mandarin to start. There are nearly 500 English-taught degree programs across the country, especially at the master’s and PhD levels. Programs taught in English usually ask for TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent scores, while Chinese-taught programs often require TOCFL Level 2–3 or above; MOE scholarship guidelines give priority to applicants who submit TOCFL even for English-taught programs.

Several scholarship recipients show how language can become a bonus rather than a barrier. Thamaraikannan follows a PhD program at NCHU taught entirely in English, allowing him to focus on research immediately, but he notes he would improve his Mandarin earlier if he could redo the process. Mnasnan entered NTUST’s English-taught Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s and became fluent in Chinese within about a year, which later helped her internships and work in Taiwan’s high-tech industry. Meanwhile, Muskan Dhawan from India had an even more direct language advantage: thanks to her Chinese diploma, her MOE scholarship interview was conducted in Chinese, and she believes this, along with recommendations from Taiwanese contacts, strengthened her application for an IMBA at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology.

Putting all of this together, “studying in Taiwan for free” is not magic: it is a combination of choosing the right scholarship, and matching your academic story to Taiwan’s strengths.. The journeys of Anisa, Mnasnan, Thamaraikannan, Muskan, and Linh Nhi show that if you plan early and align yourself with what Taiwan offers, a fully funded degree on this island is a very real goal and not just a dream.

Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in Taiwan

So, are you a recent high school graduate looking to pursue an undergraduate education in Taiwan for free? Luckily, some universities in Taiwan offer full tuition or fully funded scholarships for international students who want to pursue their undergraduate studies. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying in Taiwan, allowing you to focus on your studies without worrying about financial expenses.

One of the universities that offers these scholarships is the National Taiwan University. The university’s NTU Global Scholarship program awards foreign students with tuition, a monthly living allowance, and a round-trip airfare ticket. Another elite yet inexpensive university is the National Tsing Hua University, which offers the NTHU Scholarship Program for International Students. With these scholarships, you can obtain your undergraduate degree without worrying about any financial costs.

Here are some of the students who were able to study a bachelor’s degree in Taiwan for free!

• Linh Nhi (Nessa) from Vietnam earned the MOE Taiwan Scholarship at National Chengchi University (NCCU), covering full tuition, living stipend, and allowances to study a Bachelor’s in Global Studies at the International College of Innovation (ICI).
• Mnasnan Seamorntham from Thailand earned the MOE Taiwan Scholarship (Taiwan Government Scholarship) at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), fully funding her tuition and monthly stipend to study a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering.

Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in Taiwan

For prospective students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Taiwan, you’ll be surprised to know that there are numerous opportunities for fully funded scholarships. Like undergraduates, these universities also cover students’ cost of living, tuition fees, and a hefty monthly stipend to spend on academic and living needs.

While universities in Taiwan are not tuition-free, some of its top universities can offer full scholarships for Master’s students, such as National Taiwan University, National Cheng Kung University, and National Tsing Hua University, located in all prime locations in Taiwan.

Here are some of the students who were able to study a master’s degree in Taiwan for free!

• Anisa Putri Kurniawati from Indonesia earned the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) Scholarship at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), covering tuition and academic fees up to NT$40,000 per semester plus a monthly living stipend of NT$20,000 (with NTUST covering any tuition above the MOE cap) to study a Master’s in Industrial Management.
• Muskan Dhawan from India earned the Taiwan Ministry of Education Scholarship at National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, covering tuition fees of up to NT$40,000 per semester (with any excess waived by the university) and a monthly stipend to study an International Master’s in Business Administration (IMBA).
• Felix Pratama from Indonesia earned the TaiwanICDF Scholarship at National Chengchi University (NCCU), covering full tuition, round-trip airfare, housing, insurance, textbooks, and a monthly living allowance to pursue an International MBA (IMBA).
• Raphael Onuku from Nigeria earned the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) Taiwan Government Scholarship at Taipei Medical University, covering tuition and miscellaneous fees up to NT$40,000 per semester plus a monthly stipend of NT$20,000 to complete his MS degree in Taiwan before continuing on to a fully funded PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in the United States.

Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in Taiwan

Taiwan offers some of the best doctoral degrees in Asia. Most Taiwanese universities provide academic opportunities to pursue a Ph.D. at no cost. These universities offer fully-funded scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and research fees. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in advancing their academic and research careers while minimizing their financial burden.

The Taiwan Government Scholarship Program offers a full scholarship to international students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Taiwan. Similarly, the Tsing Hua University Scholarship and the National Cheng Kung University Scholarship are great options for international students. These scholarships will not only provide free education but will also let you gain valuable experiences in one of the top academic and research environments in Asia.

Here are some of the students who were able to study a PhD degree in Taiwan for free!

• Thamaraikannan from India earned the MOE Taiwan Scholarship at National Chung Hsing University, covering tuition fees up to NTD 40,000 per semester and a monthly stipend of NTD 20,000 to study a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
• Saed Mohamoud Muhumed earned the Taiwan ICDF Scholarship at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), a fully funded award covering round-trip airfare, tuition and credit fees, housing, insurance, textbooks, and a monthly allowance to pursue a PhD in Tropical Agriculture.

In conclusion, studying in Taiwan offers a plethora of opportunities for students seeking higher education, regardless of their financial situation. From undergraduate to Ph.D. programs, there are numerous options for fully-funded scholarships to affordable and cheap universities. By taking advantage of these opportunities, students can broaden their horizons, gain rewarding experience, and prepare themselves for successful careers. Don’t let finances hold you back from achieving your academic dreams – consider Taiwan as your top destination for higher education!

FAQs: Studying in Taiwan as an International Student

Taiwan offers a unique cultural experience, with diverse natural landscapes, delicious and affordable street food, and a friendly local community. These factors make Taiwan an excellent choice for foreign students looking to study abroad without breaking the bank.

Hopefully, this article will help in your search for the best options for studying in Taiwan. For more study options, visit the Study in Taiwan and Available Programs you can enroll in!