National Chung Cheng University
國立中正大學
A research-oriented national university in Chiayi with a scholarship that waives tuition for admitted international students.
- Students
- 9,183
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 14.8:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- NT$96,508
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1989
About CCU
National Chung Cheng University (CCU) was officially founded on 1 July 1989 in Minxiong, Chiayi County, and named after Chiang Kai-shek. Wikipedia describes it as the first public university established after Taiwan's economic boom of the 1980s, planned in 1986 as a strongly research-oriented university for the Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan areas.
Its 2026/27 prospectus for international students lists degree programmes across seven colleges: Humanities, Science, Law, Engineering, Social Sciences, Management and Education, plus a Bachelor Program in Interdisciplinary Studies. The prospectus marks which programmes are taught in Chinese and which in English. Most bachelor's programmes are Chinese-taught and require Chinese at CEFR A2. The clearest English-taught bachelor's route is the International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering, a four-year, 128-credit programme with 27 places and an English requirement of CEFR B2.
Every admitted new international student is automatically considered for the CCU International Student Scholarship, which covers tuition, miscellaneous fees and on-campus accommodation, with a limited number of NT$5,000 monthly stipends. CCU suits students who are comfortable studying in Chinese or who want the English-taught engineering degree, and who prefer a quieter county setting to Taipei.
To innovate with earnestness; be virtuous with altruism
University motto
Why students choose CCU
Admitted new international students automatically receive the CCU International Student Scholarship, covering tuition, miscellaneous fees and on-campus accommodation, unless they already hold another full scholarship.
The International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering is taught entirely in English, needs no interview or written exam, and has 27 places for a September start.
Seven colleges cover humanities, science, law, engineering, social sciences, management and education, with degree programmes open to international students at bachelor's, master's and PhD level.
International degree students with an ARC and student ID can apply for a work permit and may work up to 20 hours a week outside vacations.
Admissions
International degree students, fall 2026 and spring 2027 intakes (latest published prospectus)
Selectivity
CCU publishes no acceptance rate. Applications are reviewed by a university committee; extra written tests or interviews depend on each department or programme.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma (bachelor's programmes) | Diploma and full transcript with authorised seal, verified by a Taiwan embassy or representative office if admitted; translations required if not in Chinese or English |
|---|---|
| English-taught programmes | English proficiency at CEFR B1 or above (B2 for the International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering); nationals of English-speaking countries and applicants with previous English-taught degrees are exempt |
| Chinese-taught programmes | Chinese proficiency at CEFR A2 or above, unless the department sets a higher level |
| English language | CEFR B1 or above for full English-taught programmes; the Mechanical Engineering international bachelor's programme requires CEFR B2. The prospectus does not give TOEFL or IELTS score equivalents. |
Deadlines
- Fall semester (September entry), previous cycle Non-binding Passed15 March 2026
Online applications opened 15 January 2026; results 30 April 2026. Dates for IBP-ME, ELMD, EESL and INTENSE programmes are announced individually. 2027 fall dates were not yet published.
- Spring semester (February 2027 entry) Non-binding Passed30 September 2026
Applications opened 15 August 2026; admission results are due 25 November 2026.
The spring 2027 dates come from the 2026 Fall and 2027 Spring prospectus. The fall dates are from the same document for the September 2026 intake, so treat them as the previous cycle for September 2027 entry.
How to apply
Apply online through the university's international student application system. Upload a highest-degree diploma, full transcript, language proficiency proof, bank statement or financial declaration, and any extra documents the department requires. Each applicant can choose up to 3 departments or institutes, and late, emailed or paper submissions are not accepted.
What admissions looks for
- A complete online application with every required document uploaded before the deadline.
- Language proficiency matching the programme: English at CEFR B1 or B2 for English-taught programmes, or Chinese at CEFR A2 for Chinese-taught ones.
- Proof of financial means, such as a bank statement (USD 3,000 minimum for the Mechanical Engineering international bachelor's).
- Any extra department requirements, which can include written tests or interviews.
Tips for applying to CCU
- 1 Check the programme table in the prospectus before choosing: it marks which programmes are taught in Chinese, which in English, and which offer only some English courses.
- 2 You can apply to at most 3 departments and cannot change your choices after submitting, so decide carefully.
- 3 Apply for the International Student Scholarship at the time of application; admitted new students receive it automatically unless they hold another full scholarship.
- 4 Have your diploma and transcript stamped with the school's seal and, if you are admitted, verified by the Taiwan embassy or representative office in your country.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in TWD
The CCU International Student Scholarship waives tuition, miscellaneous fees and on-campus accommodation fees, with an additional NT$5,000 monthly Outstanding Performance stipend for a limited quota. Admitted new international students receive it automatically unless they hold another full scholarship. The prospectus also lists the Taiwan Scholarship, the Ministry of Education New Southbound and Africa Talent Cultivation Scholarships, an Overseas Research Scholarship for PhD students and a Mechanical Engineering international bachelor's scholarship.
- NT$48,254 to NT$55,290 depending on college
- Per-semester tuition and miscellaneous fees (2026/27)
- NT$5,000 a month, limited quota
- Outstanding Performance stipend
- Up to 20 hours a week outside vacations with a work permit
- Part-time work
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters, with September (fall) and February (spring) intakes
International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering
English-taught four-year programme of 128 credits, 27 places, September start, no interview or written exam.
Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering
One of the College of Engineering departments open to international students, alongside Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
International Master's Program in Global Finance
An international master's programme in the College of Management.
Seismology (M.S. and Ph.D.)
Graduate programmes in the College of Science tied to the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Department of Law and Department of Financial and Economic Law
The College of Law's two departments listed in the international admissions prospectus.
Research
- The university's stated aim, dating from its planning in 1986, is to be a strongly research-oriented university serving the Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan region, according to Wikipedia.
- The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers M.S. and Ph.D. programmes in Seismology.
Schools & faculties
- College of Humanities
- College of Science
- College of Law
- College of Engineering
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Management
- College of Education
- Bachelor Program in Interdisciplinary Studies
Student life
CCU's Minxiong campus is in Chiayi County in southern Taiwan. International degree students can work off and on campus, up to 20 hours a week during term time, after receiving a work permit. The Office of International Affairs supports incoming students with visa, ARC, insurance, housing and work-permit guidance and runs buddy and experience-sharing programmes. Wikipedia notes the campus as a filming location for the drama Meteor Garden. The scholarship for new international students includes an on-campus accommodation fee waiver.
- Office of International Affairs pages cover housing, visa and ARC, insurance, work permits and course information.
- A buddy programme (2023 TCUS Inter-Collegiate Buddy Program) is listed among student activities.
- Campus was a filming location for the Taiwanese television drama Meteor Garden, per Wikipedia.
- Undergraduate and graduate dormitories are handled by the Office of Student Life and Activities.
Housing. The International Student Scholarship waives the on-campus accommodation fee; the Office of Student Life and Activities handles undergraduate and graduate dormitory questions.
Location
The university is at 168 University Road, Section 1, in Minxiong Township, Chiayi County, in southern-central Taiwan. It was created in 1986 planning to serve the Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan areas, according to Wikipedia.
Nearest airport: Chiayi Airport (CYI)
Notable alumni
- HC Helen ChangMagistrate of Chiayi County from 2009 (per Wikipedia); master's degree in strategic and international affairs from CCU
- LH Lu Hung-chihSocial activist and former leader of the Social Democratic Party (2021-2024); political science graduate, 2021
- PT Pets TsengTaiwanese singer and actress; business administration graduate
- YH Yu HaoPolitical scientist and Legislative Yuan member; bachelor's in labor relations from CCU
Frequently asked questions
Does National Chung Cheng University have English-taught undergraduate programmes?
Yes, the International Bachelor Degree Program in Mechanical Engineering is taught in English and requires CEFR B2 English. Most other bachelor's programmes are Chinese-taught and need CEFR A2 Chinese.
How much is tuition at National Chung Cheng University for international students?
The 2026/27 prospectus lists NT$48,254 to NT$55,290 per semester for tuition and miscellaneous fees depending on college, which is NT$96,508 to NT$110,580 per year. Admitted new international students are automatically awarded the CCU International Student Scholarship, which waives tuition, unless they hold another full scholarship.
When are the application deadlines for National Chung Cheng University?
For the spring semester (February 2027 entry), the deadline is 30 September 2026. For the fall semester, applications ran 15 January to 15 March in the 2026 cycle; 2027 dates were not yet published.
Can international students work while studying at CCU?
Yes. Degree students with a student ARC and student ID can apply for a work permit and may work up to 20 hours a week, except during summer and winter vacations.
How many departments can I apply to at CCU?
Up to 3 departments or institutes, and you cannot change your choices after submitting. If you receive two or more offers you can enrol in only one.
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.
- CCU Office of International Affairs: 2026 Fall & 2027 Spring Admission Prospectus for International Students (PDF)
- CCU Office of International Affairs: International Students
- CCU: About CCU (emblem, motto, anthem)
- CCU: Academic units
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
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