Study abroad·East & Southeast Asia· 8 min read

English-Taught Degree Programs in Taiwan

How to find fully English-taught (EMI) bachelor's and master's degrees in Taiwan, whether you still need Mandarin, and the English proof programs expect.

Last updated 12 July 2026

Key facts

Instruction: Fully English-taught (EMI) bachelor's and master's degrees are available and expanding
Policy context: Part of a national bilingual education push (widely referred to as "Bilingual 2030")
Find programmes: The official Study in Taiwan portal (FICHET) plus individual university sites
English proof: Usually IELTS or TOEFL (sometimes the Duolingo English Test, or a waiver for prior English-medium study) — set per programme
Mandarin: Not usually required for EMI admission; helpful for daily life, and many universities offer Mandarin classes
Fees, deadlines & programme lists: Change yearly — verify on Study in Taiwan and each university's official site

English-Medium Instruction in Taiwan: The Big Picture

Taiwan has been expanding English-Medium Instruction (EMI) — degrees taught fully in English — as part of a national bilingual education push often referred to as "Bilingual 2030." As a result, more bachelor's and master's programmes are offered entirely in English, particularly in engineering, science, business and some social sciences.

This makes Taiwan a realistic option for international students who do not yet speak Mandarin but want a Taiwan degree. The catch is that "English-taught" is defined programme by programme, so you need to verify that a specific degree is genuinely fully in English for your intake.

Where to Find Fully English-Taught Degrees

The most reliable way to find EMI degrees is the official Study in Taiwan portal run by FICHET, which lets you search programmes and filter for English-taught / international options, alongside each university's own international-admissions pages.

When you find a promising degree, open the university's programme page and confirm the language of instruction, because some "international" programmes mix English and Mandarin courses. Check the current programme list, entry requirements and deadlines on the official sources rather than third-party summaries, which can be out of date.

Bachelor's vs Master's: What's Available in English

Historically, master's programmes have offered a wider range of fully English-taught options in Taiwan, especially in STEM and business fields where international cohorts are common. English-taught bachelor's degrees are growing, often via international bachelor programmes or dedicated EMI colleges, but they remain less numerous than master's.

Because the mix differs by university and expands each year, do not assume your subject is available in English at undergraduate level without checking. Search current offerings on the official portal and confirm on the university's page for the specific degree and intake you want.

Do You Still Need Mandarin?

For an EMI degree, coursework is in English, so Mandarin is usually not required for admission. Day-to-day life, however, is easier with some basic Mandarin — for housing, transport, part-time work and administration — and many universities offer Mandarin classes for international students.

If you later want to study or work in Chinese, or a programme has some Chinese-language components, you may eventually need a Chinese proficiency certificate (in Taiwan, the TOCFL). For pure EMI admission, though, treat Mandarin as helpful rather than mandatory, and confirm each programme's exact language requirement.

English-Proficiency Proof EMI Programs Expect

EMI programmes normally require proof of English proficiency. The most commonly accepted evidence is IELTS or TOEFL; some programmes also accept the Duolingo English Test, and many will waive the test if your prior education was in English (an English-medium waiver).

The minimum score and the accepted tests are set per programme, so a score that satisfies one degree may fall short for another. Check the exact English requirement — accepted tests, minimum score and any waiver conditions — on the programme's official admissions page before you apply.

How to Apply and Verify Details

Applications for EMI degrees usually go through the university's international-admissions system, with documents such as transcripts, an English proficiency result, and a statement of purpose. Deadlines, fees and required documents vary by university and intake.

Use the official Study in Taiwan portal and each university's site to confirm programme availability, requirements and timelines, and pair your application with any scholarship deadlines (such as the MOE Taiwan Scholarship) that apply. Because these details change each year, verify everything on the official sources before applying — and be wary of any agent promising guaranteed admission.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do a full degree in English in Taiwan?

Yes. A growing number of bachelor's and master's degrees are fully English-taught (EMI), especially in STEM and business. Use the official Study in Taiwan portal and each university's site to find them, and confirm the language of instruction for the specific programme and intake.

Do I need Mandarin for an English-taught degree in Taiwan?

Not usually for admission — EMI coursework is in English. Basic Mandarin does help with daily life, and many universities offer Mandarin classes. Confirm each programme's exact language requirement, as some "international" programmes include Chinese-language components.

What English score do EMI programmes in Taiwan need?

Each programme sets its own requirement, usually via IELTS or TOEFL (sometimes the Duolingo English Test), and many waive the test for prior English-medium study. Check the accepted tests, minimum score and any waiver conditions on the programme's official admissions page.

Are English-taught bachelor's or master's degrees more common?

Master's programmes have historically offered more fully English-taught options in Taiwan, though English-taught bachelor's degrees are expanding. Availability differs by university and grows each year — check current offerings on the official portal for your subject.

Where can I find official English-taught programme lists?

Use the FICHET-run Study in Taiwan portal together with individual universities' international-admissions pages. Programme lists, deadlines and fees change yearly, so verify the current details on these official sources before applying.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Study in Taiwan (FICHET official portal); Ministry of Education, Taiwan (R.O.C.) — official English site; TOCFL — Official Chinese proficiency test site (for Mandarin, if needed).

Last verified: 12 July 2026.