Kaohsiung Medical University
高雄醫學大學
Taiwan's first private medical school, a compact health-sciences university with its own hospitals in central Kaohsiung.
- Students
- 6,621
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 12.6:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- NT$94,000
- From · 2025-26 (latest published; 2026-27 fees not yet posted)
- Founded
- 1954
About KMU
Kaohsiung Medical University was founded in 1954 as Kaohsiung Medical College by the pharmacologist Tu Tsung-ming, who became its first dean, on land donated by former Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-chuan. It was the first private medical college in Taiwan. In its early years it was a centre for tropical medicine and snake-venom research; it added pharmacy and dentistry in 1957, nursing later, and became a university in 1999.
Today KMU has seven colleges (Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Sciences, Life Sciences, and Humanities and Social Sciences) plus a Center for General Education, all on one campus in Sanmin District. Its teaching hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, is next door, and the university also runs the new Gangshan Hospital and two municipal hospitals in Kaohsiung. In 1983 it established a post-baccalaureate medical programme for students who already held a bachelor's degree (Wikipedia).
International undergraduates are a small group: KMU set a quota of 63 bachelor's places plus 4 in Post-Baccalaureate Medicine for 2026, and bachelor's degrees are taught in Chinese. It suits students who already have some Mandarin and want a health-related degree, from dentistry and pharmacy to physical therapy, psychology or cosmetic science, in Taiwan's southern port city.
Why students choose KMU
Tuition is modest for a medical university: about NT$94,000-114,200 a year for most international bachelor's programmes, based on the published per-semester fees.
Clinical training takes place in KMU's own hospital system, led by Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital next to campus.
The School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine offers a four-year MD to international graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree, with two blocks taught in English.
There is no application fee for bachelor's programmes other than Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, and you can apply to up to three programmes.
Admissions
Fall 2027 intake (previous cycle's dates and rules shown; the 2027 guidelines were not yet published)
Selectivity
KMU does not publish an admission rate for international students. For 2026 it set a quota of 63 bachelor's places plus 4 in Post-Baccalaureate Medicine (the final quota is set by Taiwan's Ministry of Education), and some departments admitted no international students that year. Each department reviews applications, and some add written tests or interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | A senior high school diploma recognised by Taiwan's Ministry of Education, verified by an R.O.C. (Taiwan) representative office, with transcripts for every semester of junior and senior high school |
|---|---|
| Chinese (all bachelor's programmes) | At least TOCFL A2 (CEFR A2); some departments ask for more, e.g. TOCFL Level 4 (B2) for Pharmacy and Physical Therapy, TOCFL Level 5 (C1) for Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology |
| Post-Baccalaureate Medicine | A recognised bachelor's degree, at least 3 prerequisite science or maths courses with a GPA of B+, English at CEFR B2 (e.g. TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 5.5) and TOCFL A2 |
| Nationality | Foreign nationals who have never held R.O.C. nationality; applicants who held it, or dual nationals, must meet residence rules (eight years overseas for medicine and dentistry) |
| English language | Bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese, so Chinese is the main requirement. Some departments also set English minimums, e.g. CEFR B1 for Respiratory Therapy, Oral Hygiene and Pharmacy; TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 4.5 for Physical Therapy and Medical Laboratory Science; TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 5.5 for Post-Baccalaureate Medicine. |
Deadlines
- Fall intake, bachelor's programmes - PAST CYCLE (fall 2026), for reference Non-binding PassedMarch 16, 2026, 17:00 Taiwan time (closed)
Applications opened December 24, 2025; departmental review March 20 to April 20; results May 14, 2026; enrolment in September. Admitted students had to confirm enrolment by June 12, 2026.
Dates are from KMU's Application Guidelines for International Students, Academic Year 2026 (previous cycle). The guidelines for fall 2027 had not been published as of September 30, 2026; the 2026 guidelines were posted on November 26, 2025, so expect the 2027 round to open around late December 2026. The spring intake (open until October 12, 2026) is for graduate programmes only.
How to apply
Register on KMU's online application system (admission.kmu.edu.tw), choose up to three programmes and upload your documents before the deadline: a signed application form, diploma and transcripts verified by an R.O.C. representative office, a bank statement showing at least NT$120,000 (US$4,000), proof of nationality, a Chinese proficiency certificate, a study plan, two recommendation letters (submitted online by referees) and a photo. KMU says it does not use agents.
What admissions looks for
- Strong grades in the subjects each department names, usually two of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, with GPA minimums of up to A (4.0) for Dentistry and Pharmacy.
- Enough Chinese to study in Chinese: at least TOCFL A2, and more for some programmes.
- A clear study plan and two supportive recommendation letters.
- For Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, a science background with B+ in prerequisite courses, and ideally an MCAT score.
Tips for applying to KMU
- 1 Start document verification early: your diploma, transcripts and bank statement must be authenticated by a Taiwan representative office before you upload them.
- 2 Check each department's page in the guidelines, since Chinese and English minimums vary widely; Medical Laboratory Science asks for TOCFL Level 5.
- 3 Use your three choices: you can apply to up to three programmes on one application.
- 4 Applying for a KMU scholarship as an undergraduate? Only Type C (tuition, NT$70,000-80,000 a year) is open to bachelor's students, and you must apply at the same time as your admission application.
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 (latest published; 2026-27 fees not yet posted) · figures in TWD
Taiwan Scholarships from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are applied for through Taiwan's representative office in your country. KMU's own International Student Scholarship offers undergraduates Type C, NT$70,000-80,000 a year towards tuition, awarded on merit and reviewed each year; you cannot hold a KMU scholarship and a Taiwan government scholarship at the same time.
- None for bachelor's programmes; NT$5,000 (US$160) for Post-Baccalaureate Medicine
- Application fee
- NT$70,000-80,000 per year towards tuition
- KMU Scholarship Type C (undergraduates)
- About US$400 per semester
- On-campus dormitory (Dorm A)
- About US$170 per semester (after 6 months of private insurance at about US$160)
- National Health Insurance
- NT$120,000 (US$4,000) in a verified bank statement
- Minimum funds for application
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters: fall from August, spring from February; international bachelor's students start in September
Post-Baccalaureate Medicine (MD)
A four-year graduate-entry medical degree, started in 1983, with four international places in 2026 and two English-taught blocks.
Dentistry (DDS)
A six-year programme with a GPA minimum of A (4.0) and a possible manual dexterity test and interview.
Pharmacy (BS)
A five-year degree from one of KMU's founding disciplines, added in 1957; needs TOCFL Level 4.
Oral Hygiene (BS)
The one bachelor's programme described as partially English-taught, needing TOCFL A2 and English at CEFR B1.
Sports Medicine (BS)
A four-year Chinese-taught programme in the College of Medicine, needing a GPA of B (3.0) and TOCFL A2.
Fragrance and Cosmetic Science (BS)
An unusual four-year programme in the College of Pharmacy, open to applicants with TOCFL A2.
Research
- KMU was a centre for tropical medicine and snake-venom protein research in its early years.
- University research centres cover precision environmental medicine, regenerative medicine and cell therapy, new drug development, cancer and AI in biomedicine.
- KMU's College of Medicine has rejoined the VSLO programme and resumed bilateral clinical elective exchanges with Harvard Medical School (May 2026).
Schools & faculties
- College of Medicine
- College of Dental Medicine
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Nursing
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Center for General Education
Student life
KMU is a compact city campus in Sanmin District, with its teaching hospital beside the classroom buildings and sports grounds between the tower blocks. International students are a small community supported by the Office of Global Affairs and a student-run International Student Association, which KMU calls a second home in Kaohsiung. The university runs Mandarin courses for international students, career workshops on working in Taiwan, and seasonal activities. International students may work up to 20 hours a week with a work permit.
- The KMU International Student Association organises activities for international students.
- Work and life Mandarin courses at basic and advanced levels for international students.
- A gender-neutral housing zone is available on request.
- Career guidance and job-search workshops for international students who want to stay and work in Taiwan.
Housing. On-campus dormitory places (Dorm A) cost about US$400 a semester; off-campus rooms cost at least US$150-230 a month, according to KMU.
Location
Kaohsiung is a large port city in southern Taiwan. KMU's campus is at 100 Shiquan 1st Road in Sanmin District, close to the city centre, and KMU describes the city as having all the attractions of city life. Living costs are lower than in Taipei: KMU estimates US$270-500 a month for living expenses.
Nearest airport: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)
Notable alumni
- CP Chang Po-yaFormer Minister of Health (1990-1997) and President of the Control Yuan (2014-2020); Doctor of Medicine
- SC Shih Chung-liangMinister of Health and Welfare; Doctor of Medicine
- SM Shen Meng-ruPresident of National Cheng Kung University; Doctor of Medicine
- LK Liao Kuo-tungFormer member of the Legislative Yuan (2002-2024); Doctor of Medicine
- CY Chen Yung-hsingFormer member of the Legislative Yuan (1996-1999); Doctor of Medicine (1975)
- HC Huang Chao-shunFormer member of the Legislative Yuan; pharmacy degree (2006)
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study medicine at Kaohsiung Medical University?
Only through the School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, a four-year MD for applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree; it had four international places in 2026 and is taught mainly in Chinese.
Are KMU bachelor's degrees taught in English?
No. Bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese and need at least TOCFL A2; Oral Hygiene is partially English-taught.
How much is tuition at KMU for international students?
Based on published per-semester fees, about NT$94,000-114,200 a year for most bachelor's programmes, NT$266,000 for Dentistry and NT$286,200 for Post-Baccalaureate Medicine.
When is the KMU application deadline?
For fall 2026 the undergraduate window ran from December 24, 2025 to March 16, 2026. The fall 2027 guidelines had not been published by September 30, 2026.
Does KMU offer scholarships to international undergraduates?
Yes: the KMU Scholarship Type C gives NT$70,000-80,000 a year towards tuition, and you can also apply for Taiwan government scholarships, but not both at once.
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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