NTU's overseas students can be divided into the following categories based on their admission channel:
1. Overseas degree students
(1) International degree students
Pursuant to the Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan, each university shall independently recruit foreign students studying for a degree. Unlike other exchange or visiting students whose main purpose is cultural exchange, learning about East Asian culture, and language learning, international students are under greater academic pressure due to differences in language, culture, and educational background. Hence, they need teachers, colleges, departments, and administrative units to work together in teaching and counseling. The Office of Academic Affairs provides an overseas students grade warning list every academic year to effectively understand problems and dilemmas they face in their studies. With consideration to their special background, NTU provides them with different care measures than local students, such as: scholarship application, rules on credits,Chinese counseling regulations, counseling in English, one-to-one student volunteer services, second advisor system, priority for dormitories, and Chinese language courses, but most rules are the same as local students
2. Dual Degree Students
Only for students of foreign universities that have signed a “dual degree program agreement” with NTU and international students who are recommended by their home universities to study dual degree programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees.
3. Overseas Chinese students/Students from Hong Kong and Macau
In accordance with the provisions of the Regulations Regarding Study and Counseling Assistance for Overseas Chinese Students in Taiwan and the Act Governing Residents from Hong Kong and Macau Studying in Taiwan, there are only two application channels for overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, and Macau students who are pursuing a degree, namely the independent recruitment departments of each university and the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students. In general, overseas Chinese students and students from Hong Kong and Macau have better language skills and higher adaptability to Taiwan than other foreign students. However, NTU has also opened free Chinese courses in recent years for overseas Chinese students to improve their Chinese skills. Members of overseas Chinese student clubs and Mainland China student clubs develop close relationships, helping each other adapt to life as new students. The Office of Academic Affairs provides overseas students with grade warning notices each academic year to effectively solve their problems and difficulties with coursework.
4. Students from Mainland China
In accordance with the provisions of the Regulations Governing Students from Mainland China Pursuing Higher Education in Taiwan, students from Mainland China pursuing a degree shall apply through the University Entrance Committee for Mainland Chinese Students. Mainland Chinese students are primarily graduate students, accounting for at least 90% of the applications. The language skills and levels of adaptability of Mainland Chinese students are the same as local students. The Office of Academic Affairs also provides overseas students with grade warning notices each academic year to effectively solve students’ problems and difficulties with coursework.
Website / https://admissions.ntu.edu.tw/apply/
Non-Degree Students
1.Exchange students
Exchange students refer to the students who have the recommendation of NTU’s overseas sister schools and the permission of NTU to study at the University in accordance with the exchange student program agreement that NTU signed with the sister schools. Exchange students may register to study at NTU departments, institutes, and degree programs on a per semester basis for up to two semesters in principle. Students will receive course transcripts, but will not be granted degrees once their study period ends. In accordance with exchange student program agreements, NTU shall waive the tuition and miscellaneous fees of exchange students. Visit the Office of International Affairs website to check the list of schools that have exchange student program agreements with NTU.
2. Visiting students
Visiting students are either recommended by overseas schools or registered on their own, and are approved to study at NTU at their own expense. Visiting students study in a related department or institute for one semester or academic year, and the term should not exceed one academic year in principle. Once the term ends, NTU will issue an academic transcript or certificate of study, but will not award a degree.
Information on channels for recruiting overseas students provided by the Office of International Affairs is summarized in the table below:
3. Visiting Research Students
Visiting research students refer to the students who actively apply to study at NTU during semesters or winter/summer vacations, or students who have the permission of NTU to study at the University by having the recommendation of overseas universities or the invitation of professors of NTU. Visiting research students shall pay for their expenses out-of-pocket. Visiting research students will study under the instructions of the host professors at relevant departments, institutes, degree programs, or other units for internship or thesis writing purposes. The students may not take official courses at NTU. Visiting research students shall not stay at NTU for more than 6 months in principle. NTU may issue completion certificates to the students in accordance with the needs of the hosting department or the home university of the students. However, NTU will not grant degrees to visiting graduate students.
Website / https://admissions.ntu.edu.tw/apply/non-degree-programs/
Plus Academy Short-term Program Student
NTU also offers NTU Plus Academy, such as Spring+ and Summer+, as well as Tailor-made Programs for an entire academic year, to international students who intend to study at NTU for a short period of time at their own expense. NTU faculty members are recruited to join the advisor team for research programs, which recruit and advise international students in related research fields, and design 5–8 week research projects. The Office of International Affairs will provide faculty members with corresponding subsidies for guidance fees and consumables.
Chinese Language Division (CLD), Language Center
The Chinese Language Division (CLD) offers Chinese language courses at various proficiency levels, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced. There are four terms per year, each consisting of 15 hours of instruction per week for 12 weeks (the winter term is 10 weeks only). Classes are kept small, with 5–8 students per class. In addition to regular courses, CLD also provides customized programs, such as study tours and one-on-one instruction. Classes are conducted primarily in Chinese to create a fully immersive language-learning environment. Throughout the program, students can participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, including orientation sessions, campus tours, cultural experiences, special lectures, and off-campus field trips during the spring and fall terms.
Website / https://cld.lang.ntu.edu.tw/
International Chinese Language Program (ICLP)
The International Chinese Language Program (ICLP) is Taiwan's premier institution for teaching modern and classical Chinese to international students. Operating in a fully Chinese-speaking environment, ICLP offers intensive Chinese language courses of 20 hours per week that combine academic rigor with practical language application.
The program emphasizes speaking proficiency and classroom interaction, leveraging the advantages of small class sizes (1–4 students per class) and one-on-one instruction to help students make rapid progress. Course materials cover a wide range of subjects, including Chinese culture, current affairs, film, business, law, literature, classical Chinese, and translation. Both long-term and short-term customized programs are also available.
In 2020, ICLP launched the Chinese Gap Year Program, which integrates language learning with cultural and daily-life experiences. The program attracts outstanding recent high school graduates from around the world and provides them with an immersive and intensive Chinese-learning experience while fostering a deeper appreciation of Taiwan.
Website / https://iclp.ntu.edu.tw/