Taiwan is a popular destination for international students. The country promotes a liberal democracy committed to human rights, gender equality and freedom of the press.
Taiwan’s bustling cities, along with its breathtaking tropical forests, green and marble mountains, hidden gorges and enormous sea cliffs can also make it seem like a paradise for students.
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The best universities in Taiwan are successful across a range of academic fields, including engineering, management and medicine.
Many of the country’s universities make it into the top 500 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018, and even more feature in subject rankings for strength in engineering, technology, social sciences, management, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, and arts and humanities.
The capital city Taipei has a lot to offer culturally too. Its temples are not only used for prayer but also for cultural festivals and art house events.
Highlights of Taiwanese cuisine include steamed dumplings, shrimp rolls and a shaved ice dessert, all accompanied by fresh juices and local teas and beers. International students can get the full culinary experience at the regular night markets.
Some of Taiwan’s best educational institutions are the National Taiwan University, the National Tsing Hua University and the National Cheng Kung University. Read about some of the best universities below.
Top 4 universities in Taiwan
1. National Taiwan University
Set up in 1928, the National Taiwan University is one of the country’s most prestigious institutions. The main campus is situated in Taiwan’s capital city Taipei.
The wide ranging programmes cover liberal arts, science, social sciences, medicine, engineering, agriculture, management, public health, law, computer science and education. Many of these courses are available to study in English, although Chinese languages are widely spoken on campus.
Outstanding alumni include the Nobel laureate in chemistry Yuan T. Lee, computer scientist Andrew Yao and several heads of state in China and Taiwan, including Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.
2. National Tsing Hua University
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is situated in Hsinchu, which is known as a high-tech city for science and industrial innovation.
The liberal arts programme allows international students to take courses in medical science, mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, Chinese, foreign languages and literature.
NTHU’s main and often ground breaking research is in science and applied science, with a focus on collaborations with industry. The most distinguished alumni include three Noble Prize winners, one Wolf Prize laureate and 16 members of the prestigious national research academy.
The university engages in joint research with big companies such as Delta Electronics, Mediatek and Novatek Microelectronics Corporation, as well as with medical institutions such as the Chang Gung Medical Memorial Hospital, China Medical University and Mackay Memorial Hospital.
The 100-hectare campus abounds with stretches of green land, lakes and trees.
=3. National Chiao Tung University
Founded in 1896, National Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu is primarily an engineering and management research institution. The university has the biggest engineering and computer science departments in Taiwan.
It works closely with high-tech companies in the Hsinchu Science Park – Taiwan’s Sillicon Valley – priding itself with having produced more than half of the CEOs of high-tech companies in Hsinchu.
Among its best research centres are the Nanoelectronic and Infotronic Systems, Centre for Bioinformatics Research, the Brain Research Centre, and the Disaster Prevention and Water Environment Research Centre.
The campus mixes nature, contemporary architecture and art, all designed with respect for feng shui principles.
Student experience in Taiwan
Taking part in an exchange programme to the University of Taiwan
National Yang-Ming University has one of the best staff:student ratios in the world
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) is one of the best young universities in the world
Taiwan is one of the best-value countries to study in
=3. National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)
Founded in 1974, the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology is located in Taiwan’s capital city Taipei.
Its degrees are taught across seven colleges: the college of engineering, the college of electrical engineering and computer science, the school of management, the college of design, the college of liberal arts and social sciences, the college of applied sciences, and the college of intellectual property studies.
The school offers English-taught postgraduate programmes in engineering, architecture, industrial and commercial design, business administration, education and applied foreign languages.
The international student body includes large Indonesian and Vietnamese communities.
Top universities in Taiwan 2018
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2018 results
Read more: Best universities in the world
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