Admissions·East & Southeast Asia· 8 min read

National Central University (NCU) Taiwan Admission Guide for International Students

How to apply to National Central University (NCU) in Taoyuan, Taiwan — its earth, space and engineering strengths, English-taught programs and entry requirements.

Last updated 13 July 2026

Key facts

Known for: Earth, space & atmospheric science, electrical engineering (Zhongli, Taoyuan)
Location: Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
Type: Public national research university (University System of Taiwan)
Distinctive: Earth, atmospheric and space sciences; EECS including AI
Teaching language: Mandarin plus selected English-taught programs
Apply via: NCU Office of International Affairs — verify deadlines officially
Tuition & scholarships: Vary by program — verify on the official site

NCU: earth sciences and space research in Taoyuan

National Central University (NCU) is a public research university in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, in northern Taiwan. It is particularly recognised for the earth and space sciences.

NCU is well known for its earth sciences, space and atmospheric science and geophysics, together with strong electrical and computer engineering, and it hosts notable remote-sensing and space research. This guide is an overview for international applicants; confirm current programmes and requirements on the official NCU pages.

Fields NCU is known for, and English-taught options

NCU's distinctive strengths lie in the earth sciences, space science and atmospheric science, and geophysics, alongside electrical engineering, computer science, management and the liberal arts.

Many graduate programmes and a growing number of undergraduate courses are taught in English for international students, while others are in Chinese (a level of Mandarin may be required). Check the medium of instruction and requirements for your target programme on the official NCU pages.

Who can apply and eligibility

Admission as an international student follows the Taiwan Ministry of Education's international-student rules together with each program's academic requirements. Whether you qualify depends on nationality/residency history and your previous qualifications.

Eligibility is defined officially and can be updated between cycles. Confirm the current criteria on the NCU OIA admissions page and the Ministry of Education's Study in Taiwan pages before assuming you are eligible.

How to apply

International degree applicants apply online through the NCU Office of International Affairs. You will typically upload academic transcripts, a diploma or proof of graduation, a language certificate, a study plan and financial documents, and you can usually apply for scholarships in the same process.

Intakes (fall is the main one, with some spring options), deadlines and the exact document checklist are set officially and change each year — verify them on the OIA admissions page before you begin.

Language and entry requirements

English-taught programs generally require an English test such as IELTS or TOEFL; Mandarin-taught programs generally require a TOCFL result. Some graduate or management programs may also ask for a test such as the GRE or GMAT, or additional academic materials.

Minimum scores and any exemptions are decided per program and can change. Treat no figure as fixed — confirm the current requirement on the official program page and verify before applying.

Fees, scholarships and funding

Tuition and fees at NCU vary by college and degree level. NCU, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Taiwan ICDF operate scholarships and tuition waivers that international students may apply for, with eligibility and amounts set officially.

Because these figures are volatile, we do not quote fixed fees or stipends here. Check the current amounts on the NCU OIA site and the official scholarship pages and verify before budgeting. No service can guarantee you funding.

Apply directly and avoid agent scams

NCU's Office of International Affairs states on its official admissions page that it does not grant any authority to any third parties to conduct international student recruitment. Apply directly through the official Office of International Affairs and use only official portals and email addresses. This keeps your application and your money safe.

No agent, consultant or website can guarantee you admission, a scholarship or a visa for a fee — treat any such offer as a scam and confirm every step on the official OIA site.

Frequently asked questions

What is NCU known for?

NCU has eight colleges and is well known for its earth, atmospheric and space sciences and for electrical engineering and computer science, including AI. It also covers science, engineering, management, liberal arts, Hakka studies and health sciences — check current programs on the official OIA site.

Are there English-taught programs at NCU?

Yes, NCU offers a selection of English-taught programs, more of them at graduate level. Program availability and teaching language are set per program, so confirm the current list on the NCU Office of International Affairs site.

What are the language and test requirements?

English-taught programs generally require IELTS or TOEFL; Mandarin-taught programs generally require the TOCFL. Some graduate or management programs may ask for the GRE or GMAT. Minimums are set per program — verify the current requirement officially.

How do I apply to NCU as an international student?

Apply online through NCU's Office of International Affairs with transcripts, a diploma, a language certificate, a study plan and financial documents. Intakes, deadlines and the document list are official and change yearly — verify them on the OIA admissions page.

Can an agent guarantee my admission to NCU?

No. NCU's Office of International Affairs states on its official admissions page that it does not grant any authority to any third parties to conduct international student recruitment, so apply directly through the official Office of International Affairs. No agent can guarantee admission, a scholarship or a visa in exchange for a fee — treat any such promise as a scam.

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: NCU Office of International Affairs — Admissions; Study in Taiwan (Ministry of Education, Taiwan); Study in Taiwan portal.

Last verified: 13 July 2026.