Why Indian Students Should Consider Studying in Taiwan

Applying to universities around the world, students look all over Europe and America to get into the best culture and academics, but there’s a hidden gem in Asia where education is top-notch, living costs don’t burn a hole in your pocket, and opportunities are quietly growing. Many people remain unaware and miss out! It’s Taiwan—a destination that more and more Indian students are discovering. 

Let’s learn why Taiwan might just be the right study-abroad option for you, with real info on universities, courses, scholarships, and what life is like as an international student there. 

1. The Universities That Matter 

If you’re planning to study in Taiwan, these are names you’ll hear again and again:

• National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei—Taiwan’s number one. Think of it as their version of IIT Delhi + Delhi University rolled into one. NTU shines in Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, and Agriculture. They’ve got a wide range of English-taught programs, so you don’t have to worry about language for academics. 

• National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), Hsinchu – If Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Electrical Engineering excites you, this is your spot. Hsinchu is also home to Taiwan’s “Silicon Valley,” so internships and research tie-ups with tech companies are a real possibility. 

• National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Tainan—Known for Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Architecture. Their research labs are strong, and they’re very international-student friendly. 

• National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU)—This is the place if you’re into semiconductors, biomedical sciences, or AI. It’s relatively new (a merger of Yang Ming and Chiao Tung universities) but already a powerhouse. 

• National Chengchi University (NCCU), Taipei – Not a science nerd? NCCU is fantastic for International Relations, Media, Political Science, and Communication. 

• Asia University, Taichung—Offers English-taught programs in Business, Computer Science, and Health Sciences. A smaller but growing name. 
   

Even private universities like Feng Chia University (Taichung) are gaining traction for Engineering and Business studies. 

2. Do They Teach in English? 

Yes—and this is important. Many Taiwanese universities have dedicated English-taught programs. At NTU, you can take full courses in Engineering, Management, or Life Sciences without needing Mandarin. NCKU and Asia University also run full English tracks. 

That said, outside the classroom, you’ll hear Mandarin everywhere—in shops, buses, and dorm life. Picking up some basic Chinese will make life smoother (and give you an edge if you later want to work in Asia). Pro tip: Taiwan even has a Huayu Enrichment Scholarship that lets international students learn Mandarin. Worth checking out. 

3. How affordable is Taiwan? 

This is where Taiwan really beats the West. Tuition fees are way cheaper than in the US or the UK. To give you an idea:

• A Master’s program at NTU or NTHU can cost around NTD 80,000–120,000 per year (2–3.5 lakhs). 

• Compare that with 15–25 lakhs per year in the US, and you see why Indian students are looking East. 

On top of that, scholarships are generous:

• Taiwan Scholarship (Government)—Covers tuition and gives a monthly stipend for living expenses. 

• NTU International Scholarship—Tuition waiver plus a stipend (20,000–40,000 per month depending on level). 

• NCKU Scholarship – Covers fees and sometimes dorm costs. 

• Taipei Tech (NTUT) Scholarship – Coverage of full tuition fee with stipends  

With such opportunities, it’s easy to study without any financial burden or headache.

4. What Can You Study? 

Taiwan isn’t just about engineering. Here’s a quick map of fields Indian students often choose:

• STEM & Tech: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, Semiconductor Engineering (NYCU and NTHU are gold here). 

• Biotech & Health: Medicine, Public Health, Biomedical Engineering, etc.

• Business & Management: Undergrad in Business and Management, Masters degrees in Finance International MBA programmes, and even a Ph.D. in the domain   

• Humanities & Social Sciences: Asia-Pacific Studies, International Communication, and Political Science at NCCU. 

• Design & Architecture: NCKU has a strong design and architecture department, popular with creative students. 

So whether you’re an engineer, a future diplomat, or a budding entrepreneur, there’s a program that fits. 

5. Life in Taiwan as an Indian Student 

Alright, so what’s it like once you land there? 

• Safety: Taiwan is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Asia. For parents back in India, that’s a huge peace of mind. 

• Living costs: Taipei is the priciest city, but even then, you can live decently on INR 40,000–50,000 a month. Dormitories are cheaper, and smaller cities like Tainan or Taichung are far more affordable. 

• Food: Okay, this might be tricky. Taiwan is heaven for foodies, but if you’re a strict vegetarian, you’ll need to look harder (though Indian restaurants do exist in Taipei and Hsinchu). Otherwise, rice, noodles, and soy-based dishes are common. 

• Community: There’s a growing Indian student community in Taiwan. You can find groups in university communities and societies and engage around in WhatsApp and Facebook communities to find more Indian students. 

6. Career & Research Opportunities 

While the world rapidly catches on to every research opportunity, Taiwan quietly outshines:

• Biotech & AI: Universities like NTU and NYCU are pushing heavily into biotech and AI research. If you’re doing a master’s or PhD, research funding is generous. 

• Semiconductors & Tech: The world’s largest semiconductor company, TSMC, is located in Taiwan. Graduates from all fields can enjoy the offers from giants like this, but Engineering grads, in particular, find it easy to acquire internship opportunities in or around Hsinchu Science Park. 

• Global Mobility: Even if you don’t stay in Taiwan after graduation, a degree from NTU or NTHU carries weight across Asia and increasingly in Europe/US. Add Mandarin skills, and you suddenly become a hot profile for multinational companies. 

7. Few Points to Look Out For:

It’s not all roses, so let’s be honest:

• Language barrier: Academics may be in English, but Mandarin may be needed for administrative paperwork, notifications, or part-time positions. Be ready to learn at least enough Chinese to survive. 

• Food adjustment: Veggie students will have to adjust a bit. Carry masala from India—trust us, it helps. 

• Recognition: Always double-check if your program is recognized by Indian boards (especially for medicine). Most top programs are fine, but do your homework. 

Final Thoughts 

For Indian students, Taiwan is not the “obvious” study-abroad choice—but that’s exactly why it’s worth considering. You get world-class universities, affordable tuition, scholarships that actually cover your expenses, and the chance to live in one of Asia’s safest, most vibrant societies. 

If you’re into engineering, semiconductors, biotech, or international relations, Taiwan is a serious option. And even if you want to explore a different path than the crowd heading to Canada or Australia, studying in Taiwan could be the smartest decision you make.