National Sun Yat-sen University
國立中山大學
Southern Taiwan's research university, on a hillside by Sizihwan Bay in Kaohsiung, with its own beach and strong marine sciences.
- Students
- 10,948
- 5,133 undergraduates
- International
- 7%
- of students
- Tuition
- NT$98,920
- From · 2025-26
- Founded
- 1980
About NSYSU
National Sun Yat-sen University was founded in Kaohsiung in 1980 to correct an imbalance in Taiwan's higher education: most of the established universities were in the north. It is named after Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, and celebrates its anniversary on his birthday, 12 November. The campus sits on the shore of Sizihwan Bay at the foot of Shoushan, overlooking Kaohsiung Harbor, and has its own stretch of coastline.
NSYSU has ten colleges: Liberal Arts, Science, Engineering, Management, Marine Sciences, Social Sciences, Si Wan College, Medicine, Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Research, and Banking and Finance. In 2024–25 it had 10,948 students (5,133 bachelor's, 3,978 master's, 978 in-service master's and 859 doctoral) and 791 international degree students. It is known for marine sciences, and its research strengths span materials science, engineering, management and social sciences.
Most bachelor's teaching is in Chinese, but the International Business Bachelor Program is taught in English, and the university is a Ministry of Education centre for bilingual education in southern Taiwan. NSYSU suits students who want a research university by the sea, close to the semiconductor industry growing around Kaohsiung, at Taiwanese public-university fees.
Why students choose NSYSU
The International Business Bachelor Program in the College of Management is taught in English and admits international students with TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.0.
International bachelor's tuition was NT$49,460–57,880 per semester in 2025/26 in most colleges (about NT$99,000–116,000 a year), and NT$62,080 per semester in Nursing.
The campus has its own coastline on Sizihwan Bay, and the College of Marine Sciences runs the Dongsha Atoll Research Station.
Two intakes a year: apply between 15 January and 15 March for fall entry, or 1 August to 30 September for spring.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (international degree students)
Selectivity
NSYSU does not publish an acceptance rate for international applicants. For fall 2026 and spring 2027 its international quota was 83 bachelor's, 238 master's and 105 doctoral places.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Official diploma and transcripts in Chinese or English; must meet Taiwan's Ministry of Education rules for international students |
|---|---|
| Proof of funds | At least US$4,000 or NT$120,000, issued within three months of applying |
| Language certificate | Set by each department: for example TOCFL level 4 or HSK 6 for Chinese-taught programmes, TOEFL iBT 79 / IELTS 6.0 for International Business |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 79 Figures shown are for the English-taught International Business Bachelor Program (also TOEIC 800, Duolingo 110 or TOEFL ITP 543). Other departments set their own levels. Applicants from listed English-speaking countries, or with an English-taught previous degree, are exempt. |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027 Non-binding Passed30 September 2026
Online application 1 August to 30 September 2026; review 1 October to 15 November; results before 10 December 2026; semester runs February to June.
- Fall 2027 Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months15 March 2027
Online application 15 January to 15 March; for fall 2026 admission results came before 5 June; semester starts mid-September.
The spring 2027 dates come from the official 2026–2027 Admission Application Guide. The fall window (15 January to 15 March) is from the OIA admission timeline and scholarship page; confirm exact 2027 dates when the 2027–2028 guide is published.
How to apply
Apply through NSYSU's online application system for international degree students and upload all documents: diploma, transcripts, proof of funds, passport, language certificates and any department materials (for International Business: a basic information form, English CV, English test certificate and supporting documents). You can apply to up to two programmes. Tick the scholarship option if you want the NSYSU scholarship.
What admissions looks for
- Academic records: official diploma and full transcripts.
- Language ability matching the programme's language of instruction.
- Department-specific materials; for International Business, language results, international experience and extracurricular achievements are listed on the basic information form.
- For some programmes, performance in a written test or phone or video interview.
Tips for applying to NSYSU
- 1 Check each programme's page in the admission guide: requirements and language levels differ widely between departments.
- 2 You may apply to two programmes, but each needs its own set of documents.
- 3 Undergraduate scholarship applicants need no extra documents; just tick the scholarship box when you apply.
- 4 Your proof of funds must be dated within three months of your application.
- 5 Arrange health insurance for your first six months, either from home (authenticated by a Taiwan office) or through NSYSU's plan (NT$3,000).
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 · figures in TWD
The NSYSU Scholarship for Outstanding International Students gives bachelor's students a monthly stipend of NT$6,000 for one year, renewable yearly with a semester GPA of at least 2.44 (it does not include a tuition waiver). You apply by ticking the scholarship option on the admission form. Taiwan Government Scholarships are applied for through Taiwan's overseas offices.
- NT$6,000 a month, 1 year, renewable
- NSYSU scholarship (bachelor's)
- NT$8,500–17,000 per semester
- Dormitory (twin or quad room)
- NT$4,956 per semester (after 6 months in Taiwan)
- National Health Insurance
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (fall September to January, spring February to June)
International Business Bachelor Program (IBBA)
English-taught BBA in the College of Management; requires TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.0.
Marine Sciences (Oceanography, Marine Biotechnology and Resources, Marine Environment and Engineering)
The university's signature field, with a seaside campus and the Dongsha Atoll Research Station.
Electrical Engineering and Photonics
Bachelor's to PhD programmes in a college linked to Kaohsiung's growing semiconductor corridor.
Program in Interdisciplinary Studies (Si Wan College)
A bachelor's that lets students design studies across disciplines.
Theater Arts and Music
BFA programmes in the College of Liberal Arts.
Research
- The College of Marine Sciences runs the Dongsha Atoll Research Station; NSYSU researchers have studied endangered sharptooth lemon sharks in the atoll's nursery grounds.
- NSYSU reports top-1% ESI rankings in fields including pharmacology, plant and animal science, computer science, chemistry, engineering, materials science, clinical medicine and mathematics.
- The College of Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Research and the School of Banking and Finance are among its newest colleges.
Schools & faculties
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science
- College of Engineering
- College of Management
- College of Marine Sciences
- College of Social Sciences
- Si Wan College
- College of Medicine
- College of Semiconductor and Advanced Technology Research
- School of Banking and Finance
Student life
NSYSU's campus climbs the slopes of Shoushan above Sizihwan Bay, with its own stretch of coastline and views over Kaohsiung Harbor. On-campus dormitories offer twin or quad rooms for NT$8,500–17,000 per semester, and the university lists off-campus rentals through a housing platform. The Chinese Language Center runs Mandarin classes, including free non-credit classes twice a week for degree students. In 2024–25 NSYSU hosted 791 international degree students and 411 exchange students.
- A seaside campus on Sizihwan Bay with its own coastline.
- 791 international degree students and 411 exchange students in 2024–25.
- The Chinese Language Center recorded 964 enrollments in Chinese courses in 2024–25.
- The anniversary is celebrated each year on 12 November, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's birthday.
Housing. On-campus dormitories with twin or quad rooms cost NT$8,500–17,000 per semester (NT$17,000–34,000 a year).
Location
Kaohsiung is southern Taiwan's main city and an international shipping hub. NSYSU sits at Sizihwan on the city's west edge, between Shoushan and the sea, overlooking the harbour. The region is growing fast around the Kaohsiung Semiconductor S Corridor, where TSMC has set up, and new cultural venues such as the Weiwuying arts centre and the Kaohsiung Music Center.
Nearest airport: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH)
Notable alumni
- CC Chen ChuMayor of Kaohsiung and President of the Control Yuan; Master of Public Affairs from NSYSU
- SJ Su Jia-chyuanPresident of the Legislative Yuan; Master of Public Affairs from NSYSU
- HT Huang Tien-muChairman of Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission; master's degree from NSYSU (1984)
- LC Lo Chih-chiangPolitician and former Presidential Office spokesperson; BBA in business management
- YL Yuei-An LiouSpace and remote sensing scientist; BS in electrical engineering (1987)
- DH David H. RoweMember of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; attended NSYSU while based in Taiwan
Frequently asked questions
Does NSYSU offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes, the International Business Bachelor Program in the College of Management is taught in English. Most other bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese and usually require TOCFL level 4 or HSK 6.
When is the NSYSU application deadline for international students?
For fall entry, online applications run from 15 January to 15 March, with results by early June (before 5 June in 2026). For spring 2027, applications closed on 30 September 2026.
How much is NSYSU tuition for international students?
At 2025/26 rates, bachelor's tuition is NT$49,460–57,880 per semester in most colleges (about NT$99,000–116,000 a year) and NT$62,080 per semester in Nursing. Dormitories cost NT$8,500–17,000 per semester.
Does NSYSU offer scholarships to international undergraduates?
Yes. The NSYSU Scholarship for Outstanding International Students pays bachelor's students NT$6,000 a month for a year, renewable with good grades; you apply on the admission form.
What English score do I need for NSYSU?
It depends on the programme. The International Business Bachelor Program asks for TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0, TOEIC 800 or Duolingo 110, unless you are exempt.
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.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to NSYSU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.