General requirements for application review:

• Age from 18 to 35
• Graduated from high school or higher (high school transcripts with an average score of 6.0 or above across the high school years, and a high school diploma or temporary high school graduation certificate)
• Good health for studying and working
• Students must have a clean background, with no criminal record or prior offenses
• No relatives staying illegally in Taiwan

Foreign language proficiency:

• English or Chinese, depending on the study program and school in Taiwan. If you do not yet have the required language ability, the center will provide training.

1. Similar, diverse, and rich culture

Taiwanese culture is unique and fascinating. It is influenced by many different cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, and Western cultures. Therefore, Taiwan attracts international students who enjoy experiencing the country’s distinctive culture. In addition, Taiwanese culture shares many similarities with Vietnamese culture in terms of beliefs, religion, customs, traditions, clothing, cuisine, and more. As a result, international students can more easily adapt to life and study during their years in Taiwan.

2. Top-quality education

According to reports by global education ranking organizations, Taiwan’s education system ranks 17th in the world and 4th in Asia (after Japan, South Korea, and China) among the 50 selected countries. The Taiwanese government has been creating favorable conditions for international students to integrate, aiming to attract 320,000 international students by 2030. Taiwan is also one of the countries with the highest university graduation rates in the world. It is considered one of the most developed education systems in Asia, with an education model built based on the American system. This helps international students integrate and absorb knowledge more easily when studying in Taiwan.

3. Many scholarships

Universities in Taiwan always offer attractive scholarship policies such as 100%, 50%, or 30% tuition waivers, dormitory support for the first academic year or first semester, depending on each school. This helps reduce the initial financial burden for international students. Moreover, students with strong academic performance can continue to be considered for scholarships in the following semesters. What is even more notable is that these scholarships are not too difficult to obtain; most students in work-study programs and some other study programs can receive scholarship support as long as they meet the basic requirements above. With this major advantage, Taiwan easily attracts a large number of international students.

4. Low study abroad costs

The cost of studying in Taiwan is considered low compared with the quality of education you receive and compared with many other countries in the same region. Total study abroad costs in Taiwan include tuition, living expenses, insurance fees, application processing fees, document translation fees, and airfare. This is a very economical study abroad cost and suitable for families with limited financial resources.

4.1 Tuition costs

Tuition is one of the most important expenses when studying abroad. Depending on the school and major, tuition fees will vary. However, in general, tuition in Taiwan is quite affordable compared with many other countries. In most cases, international students receive a 100% or 50% tuition scholarship for the first semester or first academic year. In later semesters, tuition is usually around NT$49,000 to NT$55,000, equivalent to about VND 35 million to VND 42 million per semester.

In addition to tuition, students also need to pay other expenses such as dormitory fees, food costs, insurance fees, and living expenses.

4.2 Living expenses in Taiwan

Living expenses in Taiwan are quite affordable compared with many other countries. On average, students spend around USD 500-700 per month on food, transportation, utilities, internet, and other needs. If living in a dormitory, students pay around USD 100 per month. If renting outside, the cost is higher, around USD 200-300 per month. At many schools, international students receive free dormitory accommodation for the first semester; in later semesters, dormitory fees are around NT$12,000 per semester, equivalent to more than VND 9 million per semester.

5. Job opportunities after graduation

After graduating in Taiwan, international students can stay and work in Taiwan. Taiwan has a developed economy and a diverse job market, so it is not difficult to find a good job there after graduation. Returning to Vietnam and working for foreign companies in Vietnam is also a good option. Job opportunities become easier when you have knowledge, skills, foreign language ability, and an international degree after studying abroad.

When learning about studying in Taiwan, you should not overlook the different program types so you can find the study abroad pathway that best suits you. Each program has different advantages, disadvantages, and eligibility requirements. The main programs include work-study, 1+4, self-funded, international special program, and language program.

1. 1+4 Program (University Preparatory Program)

Special transition program

• No foreign language certificate required
• 1 year of Chinese study
• 4 years of official university study
• Clear pathway

2. Regular University Program

In-depth and systematic training

• International degree
• Diverse fields of study
• Modern environment
• Language requirements: TOCFL 2, IELTS 5.5, or TOEIC 600 and above

3. Work-Study Program

Language requirement: TOCFL 1

• Training: Theory & practice in parallel.
• Opportunity: Paid work at companies, hospitals, restaurants, and more.

4. Language Program

A golden stepping stone to university

• Program: Language study – pathway to Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctoral programs.
• Duration: 2 years (intensive Chinese improvement).
• Requirement: TOCFL 1 certificate.

The Taiwan work-study program is exactly what its name suggests. You will study at university while also doing paid internships at organizations introduced by the school over four years. The school creates conditions for you to work, but in return, the academic side may not be emphasized as much.

Features of the work-study program:

• Majors are limited and only open according to the school’s assigned enrollment quotas
• Students are not allowed to transfer schools or change majors.
• The program is taught entirely in Chinese
• Paid internships at enterprises partnered with the school, with salaries up to NT$22,000 per month
• Allowed to work part-time 20 hours per week, with wages of NT$120-150 per hour

Intakes: September and February every year.

Program level: University.

Majors: Enrollment depends on each intake’s quota announced by the school. The most common majors in the work-study program include Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism, Food Technology, Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Duration: 8 semesters (4 years), including:

• Year 1: Advanced Chinese + foundational major courses
• Year 2: Paid internship at an enterprise
• Year 3: Advanced major courses
• Year 4: Paid internship at an enterprise + graduation thesis

Reference tuition: NT$45,000-50,000 per semester (depending on the major).

Dormitory fee: NT$12,000-15,000 per semester.

Advantages of the Taiwan work-study program

Simple requirements: You only need to be 18-30 years old, have graduated from high school or higher, and obtain an A1 certificate to apply for a visa.

In the first year, students can work part-time 20 hours per week with wages of about NT$120-150 per hour, equivalent to around VND 80,000-120,000 per hour.

From the second year, students intern at organizations partnered with the school, receiving a monthly salary of about NT$22,470, equivalent to nearly VND 22 million.

Many schools offer 100% or 50% scholarships depending on the semester and the student’s academic performance; some schools also provide 100% dormitory scholarships by semester.

Schools will create conditions for international students to start working soon after arriving in Taiwan, usually from the second month.

After graduation, international students receive a degree and have the opportunity to stay and work in Taiwan if they wish, with the possibility of long-term residency in Taiwan after 5-7 years.

Disadvantages of the work-study program

Studying 100% in Chinese

The study workload can be quite demanding because students must learn theory while also practicing at enterprises, requiring significant time and effort.

Students are not allowed to transfer schools or change majors.

The work-study program is suitable for students who have just graduated from high school and those who want to study while working to earn additional income, gain internship experience during their studies, and obtain an international degree after graduation. In particular, students may study at universities that offer 100% or 50% tuition scholarships and dormitory support, depending on the school and semester.

Taiwan 1+4 study abroad program

This program is organized by the Taiwanese government. Instead of studying Chinese in Vietnam until reaching the required level before departure, the 1+4 program allows you to study in Taiwan right away. Specifically, after arriving in Taiwan, you will study Chinese for one year and then study at university for four years. The degree you receive has the same value as a regular university degree. Your university study period may be shortened to 1+3 years or 1+3.5 years if you complete all required credits in your program. After one year of Chinese study, you must submit a TOCFL A2 certificate; in other words, you are allowed to defer the certificate for one year. If you do not obtain TOCFL A2 after the first year, you must return home.

Features of the 1+4 program 

The 1+4 program, also known as the university preparatory program, helps international students without a foreign language certificate still study in Taiwan (study Chinese for one year, then after passing A2, move on to the regular university program – obtaining TOCFL A2 is mandatory).

Intakes: February and September every year.

Program level: University.

Requirements for the 1+4 program

• Graduated from high school or higher, aged from 18 to under 22
• Overall transcript average from 6.0
• Good health, no infectious diseases, and no legal violations

Advantages of the 1+4 program

• No certificate required when applying for departure; students can study in Taiwan right away
• Students study the language for one year, improving their foreign language ability before entering university
• Scholarship support is available, usually free tuition for the first year.
• No interview required for the departure application.

Disadvantages of the Taiwan 1+4 program

• The study duration may be longer
• If you do not obtain a TOCFL A2 Chinese certificate after one year, you must return home

The Taiwan international special program is quite similar to the work-study program. The eligibility requirements are the same, but there are several differences:

• Your foreign language ability needs to be better than for the work-study program because you will study your major from the first year.
• An interview for the departure application is conducted at the Taipei Office.
• From the second year, the school will help arrange a job for you, but you are not required to do that job as in the work-study program. Therefore, you can freely choose the work you prefer and work part-time outside according to the regulations for international students, which allow 20 hours per week.

Advantages of the international special program

• Easy entry requirements
• You only need to complete enough credits to graduate. You are given opportunities to work full-time to cover tuition and living expenses, and upon graduation you still receive a regular university degree.
• You are free to do the work you prefer and are not required to work at a job introduced by the school.

Disadvantages of the international special program

• The interview at the Taipei Office is quite strict, similar to the self-funded university study program, so your Chinese level must meet the requirement.
• It is not as common as the work-study program, so there are not many options for international students.

This study abroad program is suitable for those who have returned from Taiwan, those over 24 years old, or those who simply want a more comfortable and flexible study abroad option. It is also suitable for students who want to shorten their study period because they already have a university degree in Vietnam.

Features of the self-funded program:

• No major restrictions; students are free to choose the school and city where they want to study
• Students have the right to transfer schools or change majors if they wish
• Many programs are taught in English
• Allowed to work part-time 20 hours per week, with wages of NT$120-150 per hour

Intakes: September and February every year.

Program level: Undergraduate and postgraduate.

Majors: All majors.

Duration:

• Undergraduate: 8 semesters (4 years)
• Postgraduate: 4 semesters (2 years)
• Reference tuition: NT$45,000-65,000 per semester (depending on the major).
• Dormitory fee: NT$12,000-15,000 per semester.

Requirements for the self-funded program

• Male and female students aged 18 to 30
• Graduated from high school or higher
• Good health and no legal violations
• Foreign language certificate: TOCFL A2 or above for undergraduate programs, TOCFL B1 or above for master’s programs

Advantages of the self-funded program

• Freedom to choose your major, part-time job, field, and study location in Taiwan
• Some schools accept applicants who previously worked in Taiwan and returned home
• Applicants aged 25 to 30 may be accepted

Disadvantages of the self-funded program

• Scholarships for self-funded programs are harder to obtain and less common, with smaller reductions.
• Tuition is higher than in other study abroad programs because students must pay their own tuition, so the overall study abroad cost is also higher.
• The departure application interview at the Taipei Office is quite strict, so thorough preparation is needed before the interview.

Features of the language program: Students who register for a language course longer than 6 months are allowed to work part-time from the 6th month onward, with wages depending on their Chinese proficiency.

Intakes: Quarterly (every 3 months).

Training program: Traditional Chinese at all levels.

• Duration: 3 months to 1 year.
• Reference tuition: NT$40,000 per course (3 months).

1. The center will advise each student on choosing a suitable major and school
2. Students complete their application documents (high school diploma or diploma of the highest completed education level)
3. High school transcript (average score 6.0); passport, birth certificate, health certificate, 4×6 photos, financial proof documents, language certificate
4. Chinese or English as required
5. Study Chinese at the center according to the program level you register for and your ability
6. The Taiwanese school reviews the application and announces the result
7. Receive the admission letter and related documents
8. Apply for a Taiwan student visa and wait for the visa result
9. Complete departure procedures in Vietnam
10. Complete entry procedures in Taiwan

Taiwan study abroad costs include 2 packages:

1. Basic package:

• Completing study abroad application documents
• Notarized translation
• Authentication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gold stamp
• Invitation letter
• Visa
• Airfare

2. Combo package:

• Chinese language study
• Chinese test fee
• Completing study abroad application documents
• Notarized translation
• Authentication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gold stamp
• School selection consultation
• Admission letter
• Health check
• Financial proof (original savings book with funds maintained until the visa is issued)
• Photocopying and arranging documents for Taiwan visa submission
• Submitting the visa for the student
• Visa fee
• International express document delivery
• Airfare (not exceeding VND 5 million)