Studying in Taiwan gets a lot more affordable with the NKUST International Student Scholarship. You apply to National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, and if selected, you can receive tuition waivers and a monthly stipend. NKUST issues the admission and scholarship letters you need to apply for a Taiwan Resident Visa, so you have clear visa support documents for your case.
Located in southern Taiwan’s tech and maritime hub, NKUST blends engineering strength with real industry links. Programs are offered in English and Chinese, and the scholarship welcomes applicants from all countries for the 2026/2027 academic year.
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If you want strong academics, modern labs, and lower living costs compared to many Western destinations, this is a smart route. Funding is competitive, but international students are encouraged to apply.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
NKUST is one of Taiwan’s leading applied science and technology universities, formed by merging three strong institutions. That means broader faculties, deeper labs, and a bigger network of partner companies. The International Student Scholarship is designed to attract talented students into Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs across engineering, management, design, electrical and information, maritime, and more.
What makes it compelling is a mix of tuition waivers and potential monthly stipends, especially for research-based degrees. Awards are merit-based and can be renewed if you meet academic and conduct standards. You also get access to Taiwan’s safe environment, excellent public transport, and part-time work options once you secure the required work permit.
What the Scholarship Covers
Funding is tiered and based on your academic profile, department recommendation, and available budget. Awards typically include some combination of the items below. Exact entitlements are confirmed in your offer.
Funding Component
What You Can Expect
Notes
Tuition Waiver or Reduction
Partial to full tuition fee waiver
Coverage level depends on award tier and study level
Monthly Stipend
Stipend available for top candidates, more common at Master’s/PhD
Amount and duration set by NKUST and the department
Duration
Typically one academic year initially
Renewable for subsequent years if you meet renewal criteria
On-Campus Housing Access
Priority access to dorms at student rates
Accommodation fees are usually not covered by the scholarship
Visa Support Documents
Admission and scholarship letters to support your Resident Visa
You submit your own visa application at a Taiwan mission
Expenses Not Typically Covered
Insurance, dorm fees, living costs, books, visa and ARC fees
Who can apply: Applicants of all nationalities who meet Taiwan’s Ministry of Education definition of an international student.
Study levels:Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs.
Fields of study: Any degree program open to international admissions at NKUST, including engineering, electrical and information, management, finance, ocean engineering, maritime, design, languages, and more.
Program language: English-taught and Chinese-taught programs are available. Language proof is required according to the program’s medium of instruction.
New students: The scholarship primarily targets newly admitted international students. Current students may have separate internal scholarships.
Requirements
Specific requirements vary by department and degree level, but you should prepare the following core items:
Completed online application for international admission, indicating you want to be considered for the International Student Scholarship.
Valid passport information page.
Highest diploma/degree certificate and official transcripts for all post-secondary study. Senior high school documents for Bachelor’s applicants.
Language proficiency:
For English-taught programs: IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent, or documented proof of prior degree taught in English if accepted by the department.
For Chinese-taught programs: TOCFL or other accepted Chinese proficiency. Departmental minimums apply.
Two recommendation letters from professors or employers, signed and preferably on letterhead.
Study plan or statement of purpose; a research proposal for research-heavy Master’s/PhD tracks.
Curriculum vitae detailing education, experience, publications, and awards.
Portfolio for design, architecture, or art-related fields, if required by the department.
Financial statement or bank certificate may be requested for visa purposes.
Additional items such as interviews, writing samples, or department tests where applicable.
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Important: You must satisfy NKUST’s international student eligibility under Taiwan MOE regulations. Applicants using ROC nationality status or applying through the overseas compatriot route follow different rules and are not eligible for this scholarship track. You generally cannot hold overlapping full scholarships from the Taiwan Government and NKUST for the same period.
Create an account: Register on the NKUST international admissions system. Follow the prompts to complete your profile and select your desired program. If you cannot find the portal link on the homepage, navigate via the OIA menu to Admissions for the current cycle.
Tick the scholarship option: Within the application, indicate that you want to be considered for the NKUST International Student Scholarship 2026/2027.
Upload documents: Submit all required items in PDF or image format. Ensure file names and sizes meet the portal’s requirements.
Pay any application fee: Some departments or intakes require a nonrefundable application fee. Keep your receipt.
Track status: Log in regularly to check for missing items, interview invitations, or review updates. Respond promptly to any requests.
Receive results: If admitted and awarded a scholarship, your offer letter will specify the award tier, coverage, and renewal rules.
Apply for your visa: Use your admission and scholarship letters to apply for a Resident Visa for studies at a Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). After arrival, convert to an ARC within the required timeframe.
Enroll and register: Arrive before orientation, complete health and registration checks, and finalize dorm or housing arrangements.
The NKUST International Student Scholarship runs with the university’s admissions cycles for the 2026/2027 academic year (typically Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 intakes). Visit the official website for the current deadline and intake-specific dates via the NKUST OIA page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the NKUST International Student Scholarship fully funded?
A: Awards are merit-based and come in tiers. Many recipients receive a tuition waiver or reduction, and top candidates, especially at Master’s and PhD level, may also receive a monthly stipend. Coverage and amounts are confirmed in your official award letter.
Q: Do I need IELTS or a Chinese test score?
A: For English-taught programs, IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent is typically required unless the department accepts proof that your previous degree was taught in English. For Chinese-taught programs, a recognized Chinese proficiency certificate such as TOCFL is usually required. Minimum scores vary by department.
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Q: Can I work part-time in Taiwan while studying?
A: Yes, international students can work part-time after obtaining a Work Permit from Taiwan authorities. During semesters, limits generally apply to weekly hours. Plan to balance work with your academic commitments.
Q: Can I bring my spouse or children to Taiwan?
A: After you obtain your ARC, eligible family members may apply for dependent visas through TECO. Approval is case-by-case and not guaranteed. Budget carefully, as dependants are not covered by the scholarship.
Q: Is this open to applicants from Africa, Asia, or South America?
A: Yes. The NKUST International Student Scholarship welcomes all nationalities who meet Taiwan’s MOE definition of an international student.
Q: Do I need to pay for the visa myself?
A: Yes. NKUST provides admission and scholarship documents for your application, but you are responsible for visa fees, ARC fees, and related costs unless your award letter explicitly states otherwise.
A: Renewals depend on your academic performance, credit completion, research progress where applicable, and conduct. The university provides exact GPA or ranking criteria in the award or department guidelines.
Why Choose Taiwan and NKUST for 2026/2027
Taiwan offers high-quality higher education with comparatively lower tuition and living costs. NKUST adds strong ties to southern Taiwan’s industries, especially in maritime, manufacturing, semiconductors, logistics, and design. Teaching quality is high, labs are modern, and you can find English-taught options across many disciplines.
Living in Kaohsiung gives you warm weather, an efficient metro, and a lower cost base than capital cities in most countries. Add scholarship support on top, and your total cost of study can be very competitive.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Tailor your statement: Connect your past achievements, NKUST’s labs or professors, and your future goals. Show fit and motivation.
Secure strong referees: Choose recommenders who know your work in depth and can comment on your potential for research or leadership.
Show language readiness: Meet or exceed the program’s language criteria early. Include test appointments if scores are pending.
Highlight research output: For Master’s/PhD, list publications, conference talks, prototypes, or code repositories. Attach abstracts where allowed.
Apply early: Funding is limited and competitive. Early, complete applications are reviewed more smoothly.
Keep documents clean: Use searchable PDFs, standard naming, and clear scans. Follow file size limits to avoid upload failures.
Plan finances: Even with a tuition waiver, you need funds for visa, ARC, dorm, meals, and insurance. Prepare a basic budget.
Ready to move? Shortlist your NKUST program and submit your application through the international admissions portal. For the NKUST International Student Scholarship 2026/2027, start at the NKUST OIA website and follow the Admissions and Scholarship pages. Seats and funding are competitive, so act now while the cycle is open.
