National Chung Hsing University
國立中興大學
Central Taiwan's big national research university, with roots in a 1919 agriculture and forestry academy.
- Students
- 16,156
- International
- 9%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- NT$91,382
- From · 2025-26
- Founded
- 1919
About NCHU
National Chung Hsing University traces its history to 1919, when an Advanced Academy of Agronomy and Forestry was founded in Taipei under Japanese rule. The school moved to Taichung in 1943, became the Taiwan Provincial College of Agriculture after the war, merged with colleges of science, engineering, law and business in 1961, and became a national university under its current name in 1971. NCHU describes itself as the oldest and third-largest comprehensive national research university in Taiwan.
Its identity is still rooted in agriculture and the life sciences. NCHU highlights research strengths in agricultural molecular biotechnology, gene transfer in plants and animals, agricultural production and veterinary medicine, and it runs experimental forests and farms across central Taiwan. Around those strengths sit colleges of engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, science, management, law and politics, liberal arts, life sciences and medicine, all on one campus in the south of Taichung.
Most undergraduate teaching is in Chinese, and international applicants need at least TOCFL A2 for Chinese-taught programmes. The main English-taught bachelor's option is the International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness. NCHU suits students who want a large national university with low fees, a strong agricultural and life-science base, and a quieter, cheaper city than Taipei.
誠樸精勤
“Honesty, Simplicity, Advancement, Diligence” — university motto
Why students choose NCHU
Fees for international undergraduates are about NT$91,000 to NT$108,000 a year (2025-26 rates), well below most private universities in Taiwan.
The NCHU International Student Scholarship can waive tuition in part or in full and add NT$6,000 a month for bachelor's students.
The International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness is taught in English, backed by NCHU's long agricultural research tradition.
The university runs experimental forests in New Taipei, Nantou, Taichung and Tainan, and experimental farms in Taichung, which are used for teaching and fieldwork.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (international degree students)
Selectivity
NCHU does not publish an admit rate for international applicants. The Ministry of Education quota for international bachelor's students in 2026-27 was 100 places across all departments.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school diploma for bachelor's programmes; applicants must be foreign nationals without overseas Chinese student status and meet Taiwan's Ministry of Education rules |
|---|---|
| Chinese proficiency (Chinese-taught programmes) | TOCFL level A2 or above, or an equivalent recognised certificate; departments may set higher levels |
| Finances | Bank statement issued within three months showing at least USD 4,000, or proof of full scholarship |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 61 For English-taught programmes and programmes with enough English courses to graduate: CEFR B1, e.g. TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL ITP 500, IELTS 5.0 or TOEIC 670. Departments may set higher requirements. Not required for applicants from English-speaking countries or English-medium schools. |
Deadlines
- Fall 2026 admission (past) Non-binding Passed20 March 2026 (past)
Online system open 15 January 2026; results and scholarship decisions 31 May 2026.
- Fall 2027 admission (standard annual window) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months20 March 2027
NCHU's standing timetable for fall entry: applications from 15 January to 20 March, results by 31 May, classes start in September. Bachelor's programmes admit in fall only.
NCHU publishes a recurring timetable: fall applications run from 15 January to 20 March, with results on 31 May. The 2027-28 guidelines were not yet published when checked on 29 September 2026, so confirm the exact dates on the Office of International Affairs site. The Spring 2027 round (master's and PhD only) closed on 30 September 2026.
How to apply
Apply online through NCHU's international admission system, choosing up to two departments. Upload your diploma and transcripts, a Chinese or English certificate, a one-page study plan, a 300 to 500 word autobiography or CV and proof of finances; two referees submit recommendation letters online. Tick 'Apply for NCHU Scholarship' in the form to be considered for a scholarship at the same time.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school education with official transcripts showing your grade point average.
- Language ability that matches the programme: TOCFL A2 or above for Chinese-taught degrees, CEFR B1 English for English-taught ones.
- A focused study plan and autobiography explaining why you chose the department.
- Two recommendation letters from referees who know your work.
Tips for applying to NCHU
- 1 Check the medium of instruction for each department in NCHU's programmes and language list before choosing your two options.
- 2 Apply for the NCHU scholarship in the same form: it can cover part or all of tuition plus NT$6,000 a month for bachelor's students, but it cannot be combined with a Taiwan government scholarship.
- 3 Note that bachelor's programmes only admit in the fall; the spring round is for master's and PhD applicants.
- 4 Ask your referees early, since the system emails them a link and your application is incomplete until their letters arrive.
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 · figures in TWD
The NCHU International Student Scholarship for new bachelor's, master's and PhD students offers a partial tuition waiver (down to the regular student fee) or a full waiver, plus a monthly stipend of NT$6,000 for bachelor's and master's students, awarded for one year and renewable on merit. It cannot be held alongside a Taiwan government scholarship, and students still pay insurance, housing and internet fees.
- Partial or full tuition waiver plus NT$6,000 per month
- NCHU International Student Scholarship (bachelor's)
- About USD 2,000 per six months
- NCHU estimate: living expenses
- USD 400-500 per six months (off-campus USD 1,200-1,500)
- NCHU estimate: on-campus accommodation
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (fall from September, spring from February)
International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness (IBPA)
NCHU's English-taught bachelor's degree, charged at the Agriculture and Natural Resources fee rate.
Veterinary Medicine
NCHU highlights veterinary medicine and animal medical research as global research strengths.
Plant Pathology, Entomology and Horticulture
Core departments of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, NCHU's founding discipline.
Bachelor Program of Biotechnology
Builds on NCHU's work in agricultural molecular biotechnology and gene transfer in plants and animals.
Food Science and Biotechnology
One of NCHU's agricultural science departments; UCSF neurologist and National Academy of Sciences member Ying-Hui Fu studied food science here.
Research
- NCHU's research centres include the Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, the Nano Center, the Environmental Restoration and Disaster Reduction Research Center and the Research Center for Translational Medicine.
- The Central Taiwan Instrument Center and the Central Taiwan Periodical Journal Center, subsidised by Taiwan's science ministry, are on campus.
- NCHU supports firms in the nearby Central Taiwan Science Park in green engineering and precision machinery.
Schools & faculties
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Science
- College of Engineering
- College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Management
- College of Law and Politics
- College of Medicine
Student life
NCHU's Taichung campus is compact and green, built around Chung Hsing Lake with tree-lined walkways and an experimental farm nearby. International students have their own male and female dormitory on the Taichung campus, and on-campus rooms are allocated by lottery each year. The international community is supported by an International Student Club, a Buddy Program and a Muslim Students Association, and there is a prayer room in the Yuping Building. Students have even published their own maps of the best restaurants around campus for newcomers.
- Chung Hsing Lake, with its fountains, swans and ducks, is the centre of campus.
- International Student Club, Buddy Program and International Pioneer Club support new students.
- A Muslim Students Association and a prayer room with ablution facilities in the Yuping Building.
- Experimental forests in New Taipei, Nantou, Taichung and Tainan, and experimental farms in Taichung, are used for teaching and fieldwork.
Housing. NCHU has an international student dormitory for men and women on the Taichung campus, plus dorms on the Nantou campus; places are allocated by lottery, and NCHU estimates USD 400-500 per six months on campus versus USD 1,200-1,500 off campus.
Location
NCHU's main campus is in Taichung's South District, at 145 Xingda Road, close to the city centre and within reach of the Central Taiwan Science Park, whose companies NCHU works with. Taichung is the main city of central Taiwan and cheaper than Taipei; NCHU estimates living expenses of about USD 2,000 per six months, with on-campus housing at USD 400-500 per six months.
Nearest airport: Taichung International Airport (RMQ); Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) for most long-haul flights
Notable alumni
- CJ Cho Jung-taiPremier of Taiwan since 2024 and former DPP chair; Bachelor of Laws from NCHU (1984)
- PF Perng Fai-nanGovernor of Taiwan's central bank (1998-2018); economics degree from NCHU's College of Law and Business (now National Taipei University)
- YS Yang Shuang-ziNovelist whose Taiwan Travelogue won the 2024 US National Book Award for Translated Literature; studied Chinese literature at NCHU
- YT Yuma TaruAtayal weaver and dyer recognised as a Living National Treasure; graduated in Chinese literature (1987)
- YF Ying-Hui FuUCSF neurologist and geneticist, member of the US National Academy of Sciences; food science degree (1980)
- CM Chen Ming-jerStrategy scholar at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business; BS in business management (1976)
- KN Kang Ning-hsiangEarly leader of the Tangwai democracy movement and a founding member of the DPP; studied public administration
Frequently asked questions
Does National Chung Hsing University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Yes, one: the International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness (IBPA). Most other undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese and require at least TOCFL A2.
When is the NCHU application deadline for international students?
NCHU's fall intake timetable runs from 15 January to 20 March, with results on 31 May. For Fall 2027 that means applying by around 20 March 2027; check the Office of International Affairs site for the confirmed guidelines.
How much is tuition at NCHU for international students?
At 2025-26 rates, undergraduates pay NT$45,691 to NT$53,914 per semester depending on the college, or about NT$91,000 to NT$108,000 a year.
Does NCHU offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The NCHU International Student Scholarship offers a partial or full tuition waiver plus NT$6,000 a month for bachelor's students, for one year and renewable on merit; you apply in the same online form.
What English score do I need for NCHU?
For English-taught programmes the minimum is CEFR B1, such as TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 5.0 or TOEIC 670, unless the department sets a higher level.
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.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- NCHU Office of International Affairs: Degree application procedure
- NCHU: Application Guidelines for International Students, 115 Academic Year (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027) (PDF)
- NCHU: Departmental programs and language of instruction, 115 Academic Year (PDF)
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