Important Information Links

Ncku Academic Calendar：https://web.ncku.edu.tw/p/412-1000-6149.php?Lang=en
For more information for international students, please visit the Office of International Affairs website.(opens in a new window)
 

Academic Year System: NCKU’s academic year 115 corresponds to AY2026–2027 (calculated by adding 1911 to the Western year).

Semester Terms: Semester 1 is Fall; Semester 2 is Spring.

Course Selection Tips:

• You may take courses from other departments, school years, or academic levels, unless restricted.
• Restrictions may include course tags (e.g., COURSERA, which is reserved for local students) or specific notes such as prerequisites or limited eligibility based on program/module.
• Use the "Courses Taught in English" filter to find English-taught courses.
   

Exchange students may enroll in a credit-bearing Chinese language course (2 hours per week) based on their placement test results.

Chinese for International Degree Students(free for students)

Students may also choose to join optional seasonal Chinese language programs offered by the NCKU Language Center (15 hours per week, with additional fees).
 

The NCKU Office of International Affairs will update the guidebook each academic year.

Guidebooks for Exchange Students
 

1.Living costs
Estimated total for one semester (approx. 18 weeks): €1,700–€2,300, including: 
Accommodation: €500–€1,400　／　Food: ~€1,050　／　Other expenses: ~€150

2.Housing
Exchange students can apply for on-campus housing in one of three dormitories. For details, see the Accommodation section in the Pre-Arrival Guidebook for Exchange Students.

3.Health Insurance
Private Overseas Insurance: Exchange students are required to purchase private overseas insurance in their home country, covering health and accident for the entire exchange period.
NCKU Student Group Insurance: All students are required to enroll in NCKU’s student group insurance upon registration, which covers only severe accidents. The cost is approximately NT$250 per semester.
 

1.Academic workload
At NCKU, 1 credit = 1 lecture hour/week, totaling at least 18 hours per semester.

2.Transcript of records (ToR)
Digital ToRs will be sent to the partner university coordinator approximately 4–6 weeks after the semester ends.
ToRs will not be sent directly to students.
 

1. Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) — Official Website

The HSR is the fastest way to travel between major cities on Taiwan’s west coast. Travel time from Taoyuan International Airport (Taoyuan HSR Station) to Tainan HSR Station is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Note: When traveling by HSR, please pay attention to your connecting transportation. You can transfer to Taiwan Railways (TRA), buses, taxis, or Uber, which is available in Taiwan.

2. Taiwan Railways (TRA) — Official Website

TRA trains stop at many more stations than the HSR. They reach towns and rural areas across Taiwan and are highly recommended if you want to explore the country.
NCKU is only a 5–10 minute walk from the Tainan TRA Station, making it very convenient.

3. Metro Systems (Taipei / New Taipei / Taoyuan / Taichung / Kaohsiung)

The metro is similar to a subway or underground system. It is very convenient for transportation within the city and is ideal for short-distance travel.
However, Taiwan’s metro systems are currently available only in: Taipei、New Taipei、Taoyuan、Taichung、Kaohsiung.
Please pay attention to transfer information if you are connecting between the Metro, HSR, and TRA.

4. Buses / Taxis

For foreigners, buses and taxis may be a bit challenging to use, especially without basic Chinese skills. However, if you know some elementary Chinese, you can try using them.

5. U-BIKE (Public Bicycle System) — Official Website

You can rent U-Bikes using your student ID card, EasyCard, or iPASS. 

Bicycles are very convenient for short-distance travel, but please be very careful—Taiwan’s traffic can be busy.