Study Overseas - An Australian Government Initiative

Study Overseas - An Australian Government Initiative

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Taiwan

The small island of Taiwan contains a rich and diverse cultural heritage as well as a wide array of customs and practises. Taiwanese maintain numerous customs and traditions throughout their daily life; they are also very accommodating of western practises and are often keen to explore western cultures.

Planning your studies in Taiwan

Links to Taiwanese Government websites

Taiwan embassy and consulates in Australia
Cultural Division Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia
53 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600
Tel (612) 6120 1021/6120 1022
Fax (612) 6273 4560
website: www.cultural.teco.org.au
Email: info@cultural.teco.org.au

Australian embassy and consulates in Taiwan
Australian Commerce and Industry Office
President Int'l Tower,
27-28F, 9-11 Song Gao Rd.,
Taipei 11073, Taiwan
Ph: 886 2 8725-4100
Fax: 886 2 8789-9599
Website: www.australia.org.tw

Australian Education International
President Int'l Tower,
27F, 9-11 Song Gao Rd.,
Taipei 11073, Taiwan
Ph: 886 2 8725-4150
Fax: 886 2 8789-9566
Website: www.aec.org.tw

Tertiary studies in Taiwan

In Taiwan, higher education is offered at junior colleges, colleges, universities, and graduate programs. As a result of reforms to the education system, the number of tertiary institutions has grown considerably over the past ten years, with particular growth in private, graduate, and vocational institutions.

General information on being a student in Taiwan can be found at NKMU.

Please view exclusive video footage of interviews with Australian students living and studying in Taiwan.

A Taiwan Ministry of Education website focusing on information related to all aspects of studying in Taiwan.

Fees and funding

Individual Institutions should be contacted directly regarding tuition costs

Scholarships

A number of scholarship programs are available to foreign students wishing to study in Taiwan. Specific government department scholarship initiatives include:

Ministry of Education Scholarship National Science Council Scholarship Ministry of Economic Affairs Scholarship Mandarin Language Enrichment Scholarship

*The application period for Government scholarships usually runs from February 1 to March 31 each year.

A number of individual institutions also offer a range of scholarships and financial aid options for international students. Students should regularly visit the university website or contact the university’s international office for further information.

Further government scholarship information is available through the Ministry of Education

General Scholarship information: at Information for foreigners

Studying in English

A number of Taiwanese Higher Education institutions are in the process of expanding the availability of English-taught programs at their campuses. Whilst undergraduate subjects in English are becoming increasingly more common, attention tends to be more towards post-graduate curriculum with a number of prominent universities promoting full English MBA and EMBA programs.

Students should contact the university directly for further information on English-taught programs.

Universities with English-taught Masters and PhD programs include:
National PingTung University of Science and Technology National Taiwan Ocean University
National Chengchi University
National Taiwan University

For a comprehensive list of Taiwanese Universities, Colleges and Junior Colleges, please visit the Ministry of Education

For a comprehensive list of Taiwanese Technical Colleges, please visit this section of the Ministry of Education

Links to Taiwanese Government websites

Taiwan embassy and consulates in Australia

Cultural Division Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia
53 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600
Tel (612) 6120 1021/6120 1022
Fax (612) 6273 4560
www.cultural.teco.org.au
Email: info@cultural.teco.org.au 

Australian embassy and consulates in Taiwan

Australian Commerce and Industry Office
President Int'l Tower, 27-28F, 9-11 Song Gao Rd.,
Taipei 11073, Taiwan
Ph: 886 2 8725-4100
Fax: 886 2 8789-9599
Website: www.australia.org.tw 

Australian Education International
President Int'l Tower, 27F,
9-11 Song Gao Rd., Taipei 11073, Taiwan
Ph: 886 2 8725-4150
Fax: 886 2 8789-9566
Website: www.aec.org.tw 

Other contacts and links

Newspapers:

Telecommunications:

Living in Taiwan

Costs and Budgeting

The cost of living in Taiwan’s capital Taipei is generally higher than other Taiwanese cities; however the majority of study and employment opportunities are also based in Taipei. Smaller cities such as Hualien and Taichung are also foreign student friendly and can offer students a more in-depth cultural experience as well as being more cost effective. Accommodation costs may be reduced in regional areas.

For further information on individual university living cost guidelines, visit:

Visa and entry

Once a formal letter of admission has been received from the perspective host institution, the student may then apply for a visa through:

Cultural Division Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia
53 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600
Tel (612) 6120 1021/6120 1022
Fax (612) 6273 4560
Email: info@cultural.teco.org.au 

Further information regarding Visa and entry can be found at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia website.

Application form

Information for Foreigners website

Managing and accessing money – banking

Foreign students can open bank accounts with their passports and Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) cards. Individuals who want to open an account without an ARC card need to get a universal identification number at the local police office.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure.

Major credit cards are accepted and traveller’s cheques may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and most international tourist hotels.

Most telecom and utility bills (water, gas, internet, and electricity) can be paid via ATM transfer or at banks, post offices, and convenience stores such as 7-11, Family Mart, Niko Mart and HI-Life.

Accommodation

Most on-campus housing will be dormitory-style. Depending on the campus, dorm rooms may house up to six people with shared facilities.

Further information on accommodation can be found at; English: www.tealit.com
Chinese: www.591.com.tw 

Health care and insurance

International students residing in Taiwan for more than four months and with an ARC card are eligible for health coverage under the National Health Insurance (NHI) Scheme. ARC holders are required to enrol in the scheme through to the local administrative office.

The NHI scheme provides the public with comprehensive medical care in all parts of Taiwan. Coverage includes clinic and hospital payments extending to physician diagnosis, examination, laboratory testing, surgical-operations, prescriptions, medicines, materials, treatments, nursing care, rehabilitation and hospital stays.

Students undertaking health care through the NHI scheme are usually required to pay a small registration fee each time they receive treatment.

Bureau of National Health Insurance website

Conditions regarding Working in country

Foreign students wishing to work in Taiwan are required to hold a valid work permit. With the exception of summer and winter vacations, students with a work permit may work for up to 16 hours per week while the work permit is valid. The maximum duration of a work permit for foreign students is six months.

Students can apply individually for work permits or institutions can apply at the Council of Labour Affairs or the Bureau of Employment and Vocational Training.

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