Taiwan is one of Asia’s most underrated study destinations, offering world-class universities, generous government scholarships, affordable living, and a uniquely welcoming environment for international students.
The MOFA Taiwan Scholarship is Taiwan’s flagship program for international students — and it is one of the most accessible government scholarships in Asia, with clear eligibility criteria and a straightforward application process.
This guide covers every major pathway to studying in Taiwan for free in 2026.
Why Study in Taiwan?
World-class universities. National Taiwan University (NTU) ranks in the world’s top 80. National Tsing Hua University (NTHU), National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) all rank in the world’s top 300.
Technology excellence. Taiwan is the world’s semiconductor capital — home to TSMC, MediaTek, and ASUS. Engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, and computer science programs have direct industry connections that are globally unmatched.
Affordable living. Taipei is affordable by Asian standards — monthly costs of $600–$900 USD comfortably cover student life. Outside Taipei, costs drop significantly.
English-medium programs. Taiwanese universities offer hundreds of English-taught Master’s and PhD programs specifically designed for international students.
Safe and welcoming. Taiwan consistently ranks among Asia’s safest countries — with a warm, internationally oriented culture and a large international student community.
Top Scholarships to Study in Taiwan for Free 2026
1. MOFA Taiwan Scholarship 🇹🇼
The MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Taiwan Scholarship is Taiwan’s flagship government scholarship for international students, one of the most accessible and generous in Asia.
What’s Covered:
- Monthly stipend NTD 15,000 (~$470 USD) for undergraduate students
- Monthly stipend NTD 20,000 (~$625 USD) for Master’s students
- Monthly stipend NTD 25,000 (~$780 USD) for PhD students
- Up to NTD 40,000 (~$1,250 USD) tuition subsidy per semester
- Chinese language training (if needed)
Eligibility:
- Citizens of countries with formal or substantive relations with Taiwan — check MOFA website for eligible countries
- Pakistan ✅, India ✅, Indonesia ✅, Nigeria ✅, Kenya ✅, and many others
- Strong academic record — typically top 30% of graduating class
- Under 40 years old for most programs
- No specific IELTS minimum for all programs — check individual university requirements
How to Apply: Apply through the Taiwan representative office (de facto embassy) in your country. Each country’s Taiwan office manages the MOFA scholarship application locally.
Deadline: Typically March–April 2027
2. MOE Taiwan Scholarship 🇹🇼
The MOE (Ministry of Education) Taiwan Scholarship is administered by the Taiwan Ministry of Education, specifically for students from countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
What’s Covered:
- Monthly stipend NTD 15,000–25,000 (~$470–$780 USD) depending on level
- Tuition subsidy
Eligibility:
- Citizens of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies
- Strong academic record
- Check mofa.gov.tw for current eligible countries
Note: MOE and MOFA scholarships target different country groups — check both for your country’s eligibility.
3. NTU (National Taiwan University) Scholarships 🇹🇼
National Taiwan University (NTU) — Taiwan’s most prestigious university, ranked top 80 globally, offers institutional scholarships for outstanding international students.
Student Scholarship:
- Monthly stipend NTD 10,000–15,000 (~$315–$470 USD)
- Partial tuition reduction
NTU Presidential Award:
- Full scholarship for top international applicants
- Highly competitive
Strongest Programs at NTU: Computer science, electrical engineering, life sciences, medicine, economics, social sciences, and humanities.
Deadline: February–March 2027
4. NTHU (National Tsing Hua University) Scholarships 🇹🇼
NTHU — one of Taiwan’s top STEM universities, strong in engineering, sciences, and technology, offers significant scholarships for international graduate students.
Student Scholarship:
- Monthly stipend NTD 10,000–20,000 (~$315–$625 USD)
- Available for Master’s and PhD
NTHU-MOFA Combined Award: Top NTHU applicants are simultaneously nominated for MOFA scholarship — maximizing total funding.
Deadline: February–March 2027
5. NCKU (National Cheng Kung University) Scholarships 🇹🇼
NCKU in Tainan — particularly strong in engineering, architecture, and sciences, offers scholarships for international students with lower competition than Taipei universities.
Student Fellowship:
- Monthly stipend NTD 8,000–15,000 (~$250–$470 USD)
- Tuition reduction
Deadline: March–April 2027
6. Taiwan ICDF Scholarship 🇹🇼
The International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) administers Taiwan’s development-focused international scholarship, for students from developing countries who will return and contribute to development.
What’s Covered:
- Full tuition at Taiwanese university
- Monthly stipend NTD 15,000–25,000
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
- Living allowance
Eligibility:
- Citizens of ICDF partner developing countries
- Strong academic record
- Development sector background preferred
- Must return home after scholarship
How to Apply: Apply at icdf.org.tw — separate from MOFA and MOE applications
Deadline: March–April 2027
Taiwanese University Tuition
| University | Annual Tuition (International) |
|---|---|
| NTU | NTD 50,000–100,000 (~$1,560–$3,125) |
| NTHU | NTD 45,000–90,000 (~$1,400–$2,800) |
| NCKU | NTD 40,000–80,000 (~$1,250–$2,500) |
| NCTU | NTD 45,000–90,000 (~$1,400–$2,800) |
Taiwan tuition is significantly lower than Singapore, Japan, or South Korea.
Living Costs in Taiwan
| City | Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Taipei | $600–$900 |
| Hsinchu | $500–$750 |
| Tainan | $450–$700 |
| Taichung | $500–$750 |
MOFA/MOE stipend comfortably covers living costs in most Taiwanese cities.
IELTS Requirements
| Scholarship/University | Min IELTS |
|---|---|
| MOFA Scholarship | Varies by program |
| NTU | 6.0–6.5 |
| NTHU | 6.0 |
| NCKU | 5.5–6.0 |
| ICDF | 6.0 |
📖 Use our Free IELTS Practice Tests
Free Tools for Your Taiwan Scholarship Application
- 📄 Free SOP Generator
- 💌 Free Motivation Letter Generator
- 📑 Free CV Builder
- 📋 Free MOI Certificate Generator
- 📜 Free Reference Letter Generator
- 🔬 Free Research Proposal Generator
FAQ — Study in Taiwan Free 2026
Q: Can international students from Pakistan study in Taiwan?
Yes — Pakistan is on the MOFA eligible countries list. Apply through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Islamabad.
Q: Is MOFA Taiwan Scholarship fully funded?
MOFA provides monthly stipend (NTD 20,000–25,000) + tuition subsidy (up to NTD 40,000/semester). Combined with low Taiwanese tuition, most costs are covered.
Q: What is the best university in Taiwan for engineering?
NTHU and NCTU (now merged into National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University — NYCU) for electronics and semiconductor engineering. NCKU for civil and mechanical engineering.
Q: Do I need Chinese language skills?
Not for English-medium programs. Many Taiwanese universities offer full English-medium Master’s and PhD programs. Chinese is helpful for daily life.
Q: How competitive is the MOFA scholarship?
Moderate competition — less competitive than DAAD or Erasmus. Country quotas mean you compete primarily against applicants from your own country.