Chang Gung University
長庚大學
A private university founded by the Formosa Plastics Group to train staff for its Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals, now also strong in engineering.
- Students
- 7,100
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- NT$77,512
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1987
About CGU
Chang Gung University was founded in April 1987 as Chang Gung Medical College by Wang Yung-ching and Wang Yung-zai, the brothers who built the Formosa Plastics Group and had already set up Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in memory of their father, Wang Chang-gung. The aim was to ease Taiwan's shortage of medical professionals. Colleges of engineering and management were added, the school became Chang Gung College of Medicine and Technology in 1993, and it was renamed Chang Gung University in 1997.
Today CGU has colleges of Medicine, Engineering, Management and Intelligent Computing on a 37-hectare campus in Guishan, Taoyuan. It reports 7,100 students and 612 full-time faculty in 2026, a ratio of about 11.6 students per teacher, and its health programmes use the Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals for practical training.
For international undergraduates CGU is a small, selective option: the 2027-28 quota is just 10 bachelor's places across the university, and almost every bachelor's programme is taught in Chinese. The exception is Mechanical Engineering, which offers enough English-taught courses to graduate. It suits students who want health sciences or engineering closely tied to the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital system, and who can study in Chinese.
勤勞樸實
“Diligence, Perseverance, Frugality and Trustworthiness” — university motto
Why students choose CGU
Health science students train in the Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals; the Medical Biotechnology department says all its undergraduates get practical training there.
The School of Traditional Chinese Medicine is open to international applicants, offering an MD in Chinese medicine that also covers Western medicine courses.
The undergraduate Mechanical Engineering programme is English-medium and works on joint projects with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Formosa Plastics Group.
Two application rounds for Fall 2027 give international applicants two chances: 25 September to 17 November 2026, and 29 December 2026 to 20 February 2027.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (international students, 2027-28 academic year)
Selectivity
CGU does not publish an admit rate. Its international quota for 2027-28 is 10 undergraduate, 140 master's and 50 PhD places; departments screen applications and may add written tests or interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school diploma, authenticated by a Taiwan embassy or representative office; applicants must be foreign nationals without overseas compatriot status, and those who already completed a study programme in Taiwan as a foreign student cannot apply for a bachelor's programme |
|---|---|
| Chinese proficiency (Chinese-taught programmes) | TOCFL Band B (CEFR B1) or above; department-specific levels up to TOCFL Level 5 for Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation, subject to each department's requirements |
| Finances | Bank statements or remittance records showing enough for six months of living, based on USD 3,300 |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 61 For English-taught programmes (at undergraduate level, Mechanical Engineering): CEFR B1, e.g. TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL ITP 500, IELTS 5.0, TOEIC 600, GEPT High-Intermediate first stage or Linguaskill 145, taken within five years. Waived for applicants from English-speaking countries or English-taught schools, but anyone applying for CGU scholarships must submit a valid English score. |
Deadlines
- Fall 2027, first round Non-binding Next deadline · In 42 days17 November 2026
Applications 25 September to 17 November 2026; departmental review 7 December 2026 to 22 January 2027; results 15 February 2027; reply by 22 February 2027.
- Fall 2027, second round Non-binding In ~5 months20 February 2027
Applications 29 December 2026 to 20 February 2027; review 11 March to 29 April 2027; results 17 May 2027; reply by 24 May 2027.
Bachelor's programmes admit in the fall only; classes start in early September 2027. All dates are Taiwan time, from CGU's Application Guidelines for International Students 2027-2028.
How to apply
Apply online at recruit-intl.cgu.edu.tw, choosing up to two departments. Upload a photo, passport copy, authenticated diploma and transcripts, two recommendation letters, financial proof and language certificates, plus department materials such as a Chinese autobiography, CV or study plan. Pay the NT$1,600 (US$50) application fee and upload the receipt.
What admissions looks for
- A recognised high school record, authenticated by a Taiwan mission.
- Chinese ability matched to the department, from TOCFL Band B up to Level 5 for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- A clear autobiography, CV or study plan (in Chinese for most bachelor's programmes) showing why you chose the field.
- Supporting evidence such as awards, club activities and English certificates, which several departments invite as optional materials.
Tips for applying to CGU
- 1 Apply in the first round (by 17 November 2026): there are only 10 international bachelor's places for 2027-28.
- 2 Upload your TOCFL certificate as the original PDF from the TOCFL system; CGU warns not to merge, resave or edit it.
- 3 Submit an English score even if you are exempt, because it is required for CGU scholarships and grants.
- 4 If you want Western medicine, note that the MD open to international applicants is Traditional Chinese Medicine, which requires TOCFL Level 5.
- 5 Consider Mechanical Engineering if your Chinese is not yet strong: it is the undergraduate programme with English-medium teaching.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in TWD
International undergraduates who have completed at least one semester can win CGU merit scholarships of NT$10,000, NT$7,000 or NT$4,000, for three to six students per class cohort. Larger CGU stipends and tuition waivers are for master's and doctoral students. Undergraduates can apply for Taiwan government scholarships through a Taiwan mission in their home country.
- NT$4,000-10,000
- CGU scholarship for international undergraduates (from second semester)
- NT$8,000-14,200 per semester (18 weeks)
- Dormitory fee
- NT$1,600 (US$50)
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two 16-week semesters (fall from early September, spring from mid-February)
School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (MD)
Integrates Chinese and Western medicine, with Western medicine courses taught alongside CGU's School of Medicine; open to international applicants with TOCFL Level 5.
Nursing
CGU reports its nursing was ranked 30th in the world and first in Taiwan by ShanghaiRanking in 2019.
Mechanical Engineering (BS)
English-medium undergraduate programme covering robotics, semiconductors and smart manufacturing, with projects alongside Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Formosa Plastics Group.
Physical Therapy (BS)
Runs from entry-level BS through MS and PhD, with eleven research laboratories and a PhD/DPT dual-degree option.
Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science (BS)
Undergraduates train in the Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals, with a BS student-to-teacher ratio of about 11 to 1.
Research
- CGU's Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections is one of three featured research centres approved by the Ministry of Education, and the only private institution to receive an extra grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- CGU publishes the Biomedical Journal, successor to the Chang Gung Medical Journal.
- The university reports a NT$169 million grant from the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Sprout Project in 2019.
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Engineering
- College of Management
- College of Intelligent Computing
Student life
CGU's campus is compact: nine main buildings, including the First and Second Medical Science Buildings, the Engineering and Management Buildings, a library, a student activity centre and several dormitories, on a green hillside site in Guishan. Most first-years live in the Ming De freshman dorm in four-person suites, with restaurants and a convenience store on the ground floor, and freshmen have late-night internet limits. The Formosa Plastics Group Museum is on campus, and the university runs a school bus network.
- Ming De Building, the freshman dorm, has four-person suites and shops and restaurants downstairs.
- The Formosa Plastics Group Museum on campus tells the story of the university's founders.
- A student activity centre and a long list of student clubs and societies.
- CGU runs school buses, and its website links to Taoyuan Metro timetables for travel off campus.
Housing. CGU dormitories cost NT$8,000 to NT$14,200 per 18-week semester (NT$9,050 in the Ming De freshman dorm), in four- or two-person suites; winter and summer stays cost NT$350 a week.
Location
CGU is in Guishan District, Taoyuan City, in northern Taiwan between Taoyuan and Taipei. The university runs its own school buses and points students to the Taoyuan Metro for getting around, and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is the nearest international gateway.
Nearest airport: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Notable alumni
- JX Jing Xiang-hai (Lin Chih-kuang)Poet and psychiatrist who emerged from Taiwan's BBS poetry scene; graduated in medicine from CGU
- AL A-Bu (Liu Chun-hao)Poet, essayist and psychiatrist, winner of the United Daily News and China Times literary awards; MD from CGU
- CS Chen Shao-weiHead of cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; MD and PhD from CGU
- CH Chang Huan-chenFounder and CEO of the Landseed Medical group and vice-president of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee; master's in management from CGU (1999)
- CK Chen Kuan-jungPhysician and Taiwan Statebuilding Party politician who led the self-help association after the Kaohsiung gas explosions; graduated in medicine from CGU
- 7L 77 Laoda (Tseng Hsuan-yen)Former Chinese medicine doctor turned YouTuber; graduated from CGU's School of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Frequently asked questions
When is the Chang Gung University application deadline for international students?
For Fall 2027 the first round runs from 25 September to 17 November 2026 (results 15 February 2027) and the second round from 29 December 2026 to 20 February 2027 (results 17 May 2027).
Can international students study medicine at Chang Gung University?
The MD open to international applicants in the 2027-28 guidelines is Traditional Chinese Medicine, taught in Chinese and requiring TOCFL Level 5. Other health programmes such as Nursing, Physical Therapy and Medical Imaging are also open.
Does Chang Gung University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Mechanical Engineering offers enough English-taught courses to graduate. Other undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese and require at least TOCFL Band B.
How much is tuition at Chang Gung University?
Undergraduate tuition in the 2027-28 guidelines is NT$38,756 to NT$59,545 per semester, or about NT$77,500 to NT$119,100 a year, with final rates announced in mid-August.
How many international undergraduates does CGU admit?
The international undergraduate quota for 2027-28 is 10 places across the university.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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