Best universities in Taiwan 2025

Explore the top universities in Taiwan using data from Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings

September 14 2020
Taiwan University hospital building

Taiwan is a popular destination for international students. It promotes a liberal democracy committed to human rights, gender equality and freedom of the press.

Taiwan’s bustling cities, along with its breathtaking tropical forests, green and marble mountains, hidden gorges and enormous sea cliffs can also make it seem like a paradise for students.


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The best universities in Taiwan are successful across a range of academic fields, including engineering, management and medicine.

Many of the region’s universities rank in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, and even more feature in subject rankings for strength in engineering, technology, social sciences, management, natural sciences, life sciences, medicine, and the arts and humanities.

The capital city of Taipei has a lot to offer culturally, too. Its temples are used not only for prayer but also to host cultural festivals and art-house events.

Highlights of Taiwanese cuisine include steamed dumplings, shrimp rolls and a shaved ice dessert, all accompanied by fresh juices and local teas and beers. International students can get the full culinary experience at the regular night markets.

Some of Taiwan’s best educational institutions are the National Taiwan University, the National Tsing Hua University and Taipei Medical University. Read about some of the best universities below.

Top 3 universities in Taiwan

1. National Taiwan University

Set up in 1928, the National Taiwan University is one of the most prestigious institutions on the island. The main campus is situated in Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei.

The university’s wide-ranging programmes cover liberal arts, science, social sciences, medicine, engineering, agriculture, management, public health, law, computer science and education. Many of these courses are available to study in English, although Chinese languages are widely spoken on campus.

Outstanding alumni include the Nobel laureate in chemistry Yuan T. Lee, computer scientist Andrew Yao and several major regional political figures, including Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen.

2. Taipei Medical University

Taipei Medical University has been providing healthcare education for 60 years.

The university has six affiliated hospitals – the Taipei Medical University, Shuang Ho and Hsin Kuo Min hospitals, Wan Fang Medical Center, Taipei Cancer Center and Taipei Neuroscience Institute.

Many of its courses are taught in English. The university is well known for its medical elective programmes, which attract students from all over the world, including Japan, Europe and the United States. Visiting students are able to work with researchers and clinical professionals to reinforce their learning in different contexts.

The university is located in the heart of Taipei, not far from the city’s many shops and restaurants. Public transport in the city is well organised, and close to Taipei are many famous hiking trails.

3. National Tsing Hua University

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is situated in Hsinchu, which is known as a high-tech city for science and industrial innovation.

The liberal arts programme allows international students to take courses in medical science, mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, Chinese, foreign languages and literature.

The university’s primary and often ground-breaking research is in science and applied science, with a focus on collaborations with industry. The most distinguished alumni include three Noble Prize winners, one Wolf Prize laureate and 16 members of the prestigious national research academy.

The university engages in joint research with big companies such as Delta Electronics, Mediatek and Novatek Microelectronics, as well as with medical institutions such as the Chang Gung Medical Memorial Hospital, China Medical University and Mackay Memorial Hospital.

The 136-hectare campus abounds with stretches of lawns, lakes and trees.

 


Student experience in Taiwan

Taking part in an exchange programme to the University of Taiwan 
National Yang-Ming University has one of the best staff:student ratios in the world 
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech) is one of the best young universities in the world


Top universities in Taiwan 2021

Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2021 results

 World University Rank 2021  Taiwan Rank 2021 University  City 
 97  1 National Taiwan University  Taipei 
 301–350  2 Taipei Medical University  Taipei 
 351–400  3 National Tsing Hua University  Hsinchu 
 401–500  =4 China Medical University, Taiwan  Taichung 
 401–500  =4 National Yang-Ming University  Taipei 
 501–600  =6 National Cheng Kung University (NCKU)  Tainan 
 501–600  =6 National Chiao Tung University  Hsinchu 
 501–600  =6 National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech)  Taipei 
 601–800  9 National Taiwan Normal University  Taipei 
 801–1000  =10 Asia University, Taiwan  Taichung 
 801–1000  =10 Chang Gung University  Taoyuan 
 801–1000  =10 Fu Jen Catholic University  New Taipei 
 801–1000  =10 Kaohsiung Medical University  Kaohsiung 
 801–1000  =10 National Central University  Jhongli 
 801–1000  =10 National Chengchi University  Taipei 
 801–1000  =10 National Dong Hwa University  Hualien 
 801–1000  =10 National Sun Yat-Sen University  Kaohsiung 
 801–1000  =10 National Taipei University of Technology  Taipei 
 1001+  =19 Chaoyang University of Technology  Taichung 
 1001+  =19 Chung Yuan Christian University  Chung Li 
 1001+  =19 Feng Chia University  Taichung 
 1001+  =19 I-Shou University  Kaohsiung 
 1001+  =19 Ming Chuan University  Taipei 
 1001+  =19 National Changhua University of Education  Changhua 
 1001+  =19 National Chiayi University  Chiayi 
 1001+  =19 National Chi Nan University  Nantou 
 1001+  =19 National Chin-Yi University of Technology  Taichung 
 1001+  =19 National Chung Cheng University  Min-Hsing 
 1001+  =19 National Chung Hsing University  Taichung 
 1001+  =19 National Ilan University  Yilan 
 1001+  =19 National University of Kaohsiung  Kaohsiung 
 1001+  =19 National Taipei University  New Taipei 
 1001+  =19 National Taiwan Ocean University  Keelung 
 1001+  =19 National Yunlin University of Science and Technology  Yunlin 
 1001+  =19 Tamkang University  New Taipei 
 1001+  =19 Tunghai University  Taichung 
 1001+  =19 Tzu Chi University  Hualien 
 1001+  =19 Yuan Ze University  Taoyuan City 

Read more: Best universities in the world

 

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