Taiwan
1 Master’s Degree Program: National Tsing Hua University Award in Political Economy
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodSeptember StartGrant Length12 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
Awards are available to pursue a full-time Master’s degree program in Political Economy at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU). The program is taught in English.
NTHU is one of Taiwan’s most prestigious comprehensive research universities, and is widely known as an incubator for future leaders, with prominent alumni including Nobel laureates. NTHU is located in Hsinchu, a vibrant high-tech hub known as the “Silicon Valley of Taiwan” in northern Taiwan, just 30 minutes by high-speed rail from the capital Taipei.
The MA program in the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science (TSE) at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) is a master’s degree program fully taught in English. TSE prepares talented students for leadership positions in international organizations, government, business and civil society institutions. The MA program also helps students to be better prepared for Ph.D. training and an academic career later on.
The mission of TSE is to equip students with extensive knowledge of the dynamics of political economy in Asia and the key trends underlying global political economy and its transformation. The program trains students to analyze political and economic issues in their cultural and social contexts and from a variety of perspectives. The curriculum also helps students understand global issues such as the making of the global order, the rise and fall of hegemony, globalization and inequality, multilateralism and global governance, financial crisis and structural imbalance, as well as climate change. The program focuses especially on how these global factors impact national policy settings in Asian countries.
The MA program in TSE draws on different theoretical approaches to political economy, including positive, comparative, and international political economy, development, international and institutional economics, economic history, cultural anthropology, and historical sociology. Courses are taught by internationally renowned scholars in the field and experts with experience in policy making in different parts of Asia. An extensive selection of optional courses is also available, drawing on expertise on the NTHU campus and across the University System of Taiwan (UST). Students will benefit from guest lectures by distinguished speakers, including leading scholars in the field, outstanding public intellectuals, business leaders, and policymakers.
The MA program in TSE is quite different from other English MA programs in Taiwan in that 70% of TSE faculty members (both full-time and part-time) are foreign scholars with expertise in Asian political economy and global affairs. They will share their observations and insightful views. Hence, TSE students will learn more about Asian politics and economics not only from Taiwanese scholars but also from scholars from many countries in the world.
The award is co-sponsored by the National Tsing Hua University.
Grant Length
Grant Period
The grant is 12 months.
Grants must begin in September 2025, prior to the FSE Welcome Reception (usually the Friday after Labor Day).
The Grant is initially awarded for 12 months, and renewal for the second year is dependent upon the grantee’s academic success with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale.
Orientation
The post-arrival orientation will be held usually the Friday after Labor Day.
Candidate Profile
Candidate must have received a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment and intend to pursue a two-year master's degree. Strong academic credentials in the area of specialization are expected. A good capacity for studying and living in a cross-cultural setting is necessary. Candidates must specify to which program they are applying.
Grantees cannot be accompanied by dependents.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
With a thriving economy, buoyed by rapid technological advancement, a healthcare revolution, and a vibrant media landscape, Taiwan boasts top global universities and academic departments equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Taiwan features a foreigner-friendly environment with increasing in-bound travel and immigration, thriving international trade, and democratic institutions and freedoms. While Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language, Taiwan citizens are capable in basic English. Taiwan places emphasis on education, with an adult literacy rate over 98%.
There are three types of higher education institutions in Taiwan: private and public universities, junior colleges, and technical institutes. There are about 1.3 million students of higher education attending more than 160 institutions. Taiwan seeks to bolster the quality of instructors in the coming years. Through these efforts, Taiwan believes a comprehensive curriculum will be truly beneficial for students entering the job market.
Taiwan’s health care system is often measured against the world’s best. With its comprehensive medical facilities, convenient clinical visits, quality medical system, friendly service attitude and state-of-the-art-equipment, medical costs are very competitive in comparison with other advanced countries. Taiwan has become a leading choice for overseas medical treatments. Our U.S. grantees are offered Taiwan National Health Insurance during their grant periods after receiving the Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). Also, they are exempted from Taiwan visa application fee (US$160) - it also applies to their dependents, and Taiwan Income Tax on the Fulbright stipend. In addition, there are airport pick-up and drop-off services provided.
Taiwan is considered to be a safe country and has high quality of life with great food, comfortable accommodations, extremely convenient transportation (there are metro systems in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei, and Taichung), fast internet, and beautiful scenery. The cost of living in Taiwan is relatively low and is a great place to learn Chinese. The weather is nice most of the time throughout the year. Winters are not too cold and summers have lots of sunshine.
The academic year runs from mid-September to late June. The first semester is from September to January; the second semester is from late January or early February to late June (depending on the lunar calendar).
Please visit Taiwan’s Government Portal to learn more about Taiwan, including history, politics/diplomacy, economy, science/technology, and education/culture. Also, for our former U.S. grantees’ reflections (including research, teaching, and reflection of their living in Taiwan), please refer to the Reflection and Research website.
Eligibility
9 Months
- Candidates currently residing in Taiwan (or those who will be living there during the 2024-2025 academic year) will not be considered.
- A candidate who has lived outside the United States for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the date of application will be ineligible.
- Individuals with dual U.S.-Taiwan citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible.
- Applicants with completed doctorates at the time of the start of the award are not eligible.
- All Fulbright U.S. Student award recipients to Taiwan are required to travel to Taiwan on a J-type visa for academic and cultural exchange programs. Please note that individuals with dual U.S.-Taiwanese citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible to meet these document requirements. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine whether they have dual citizenship and how it effects their eligibility prior to submitting their application for a Fulbright award.
- Fulbright U.S. Student award recipients who were born in China must have obtained U.S. citizenship for at least 4 years and provide additional documentary evidence to certify that they have resided in the U.S. for a duration of 4 years and above. Meanwhile, they also need to provide the documents sufficient to prove the loss of mainland China citizenship when applying for a visa at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the U.S. The Fulbright Program cannot guarantee that they will be granted a J-type visa by the TECO and an Alien Resident Certificate by National Immigration Agency after arriving in Taiwan. All applicants must meet Taiwan’s entry requirements for applications of Taiwan visas. Please directly contact the TECO to get details on the visa application.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required
A working knowledge of Mandarin or Taiwanese is useful, but not required. Mandarin study in Taiwan is highly encouraged.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start
No letter of affiliation is required upon application. Candidates must be accepted by both the Fulbright Commission in Taiwan and the university program.
APPLICANTS MUST ALSO BE ACCEPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY. A separate application to the university is required. Applicants not only have to apply to the Fulbright award, but also MUST be accepted by the university. Please look up and respect the program application deadline for the university program. Students are encouraged to contact the university about the program requirements and their candidacy. The online application portal, application period, and application fee for the university program, you may also refer to this page for details.
Once a Fulbright Finalist gains admission to the master’s degree program, a copy of the admission letter must be provided to the Commission.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
The grant provides recipients with full tuition support at National Tsing Hua University, housing in a student dormitory, round trip airfare, a monthly living allowance, and national health insurance as long as the candidate maintains satisfactory academic standards. Tuition waiver for the number of credits required for graduation are granted to graduate students. Students may enroll for additional credits, but they will be responsible for the added tuition and fees. Please visit the Fulbright Taiwan website for more financial information.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Total Monthly Stipend: NT$25,000
- Base Stipend: NT$18,000 per month
- Living Allowance: NT$7,000 per month
Note:
- Currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuation (usually between NT$27 and NT$32 to the US dollar).
- Funds are paid in NTD to a local Taiwan bank account.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Excess baggage fees
- Settling in allowance
Settling-in allowance and baggage allowance of NT$36,000, upon arrival.
Note:
- The actual payment amount is based on the above-mentioned Taiwan dollar.
- Currency exchange rates are subject to fluctuation (usually between NT$27 and NT$32 to the US dollar).
- The funds will be paid in NTD cash upon arrival. It is paid to help meet some immediate expenses and cover the costs of extra baggage brought to and taken from Taiwan.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Diversity Coordinator on Post/Commission staff
- Health insurance (in addition to ASPE)
- Housing placement
- Mid-year seminar
- Transportation pass
Note:
- A direct round trip economy-class air ticket will be provided for the grantee.
- After receiving the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) in Taiwan, the premium for our grantees is paid each month by Fulbright Taiwan directly to Taiwan’s Bureau of National Health Insurance during the effective period of their grant.
- Exemption from Taiwan visa application fee (US$160).
- Exemption from Taiwan income tax on the Fulbright stipend.
- Orientation
- Thanksgiving Dinner
- Mid-year Conference
- Farewell Reception
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Currency: The New Taiwan dollar is the official currency of Taiwan. The currency code is TWD and this is commonly abbreviated as NT$ or NTD$. Cash payment is common in Taiwan though many shops also accept credit cards, Easy Card and iPass. Checks are not normally used in Taiwan for payment of everyday expenses. Most banks offer foreign currency exchange and bank services in NT dollars. Foreigners wtith an Alien Resident Certificate can open a Taiwanese bank account. The minimum monthly wage is NT$26,400 (US$880) and the average regular monthly income is NT$43,570 (US$1,458) in 2022. The minimum cost of living per month is NT$22,536 (US$751) in 2022. The cost of living is low – as it is really affordable for foreigner to live, travel, and study.
Transportation: There are currently five MRT systems in Taiwan: Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taoyuan, New Taipei and Taichung. Urban train system is inexpensive and efficient - you can get to one side of the city from the other for NT$60 (US$2). Bus fares cost even cheaper for NT$15-25 (US$0.5-0.8). During daytime, the starting amount for a cab in Taipei is NT$70 (US$2.3), and NT$20 (US$0.7) is about a 1-kilometer ride. An Easy Card or iPass can be purchased at all MRT stations and convenience stores. They not only can get through all the public transportation around Taiwan, but also can be used as a payment card in many stores. The Easy Card and iPass cost NT$100 (US$3.3). After you got the card, you can top up as many amounts as you want via machines in the MRT station or the convenience stores.
Rent: Housing standards in Taiwan are generally quite acceptable, but apartments are usually smaller than you might be used to, especially in big cities like Taipei. Rent varies considerably depending on location, sharing arrangements, and quality of apartment. The majority of our international students in Taipei and Taichung pay between NT$8,000 (US$267) and $16,000 (US$533) per month. Elsewhere, rent is cheaper. Apartments usually come unfurnished, but sometimes the landlord or the previous occupants leave basic furnishings. Air conditioning is common, but central heating is very rare as there is little need for it.
Tuition: Public School is free in Taiwan from Grade 1 to Grade 12 (as it is compulsory for all children to attend school for 12 years). The annual cost for international schools is between US$20,000 and US$35,000. The cost for undergraduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$2,500 and also the cost for the graduate degree each year is between US$1,800 and US$5,000.
Phone and Internet: Some of the largest mobile providers in Taiwan are Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone, and T Star. Their websites have detailed price plans and the full list of services available to customers. A mobile phone contract will give expats a much more permanent solution to communications in Taiwan, with more services and talk time with monthly bills. Most apartment rentals include cable and internet service.
Food: Taiwan is world-known for its great varieties of cuisine, and the cost is quite affordable. You can easily find local rice, noodle, soup, or dumplings dish for between NT$40 (US$1.6) and NT$100 (US$3.6). A Big Mac, fries, and soda set from McDonald’s costs about NT$180 (US$6). Dinner for two in a good restaurant will cost about NT$1,000 (US$33.3). Supermarkets sell local and imported products at average prices. Finding vegetarian food is not very difficult. The cost on food and drinks is about NT$400-500 (US$13.3-16.7) per day.
Entertainment: Movie tickets cost about NT$250-330 (US$8.7-$11) base on which city you are living. The cost for the Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), or the National Palace Museum are NT$30 (US$1), NT$50 (US$1.7), and NT$350 (US$11.7) admission respectively. Taiwan has many great hiking trails and most of them are free for charge. If you have an Easycard or credit card, you can rent a Ubike in all major cities of Taiwan. The process is very easy and the rate is affordable.
Cost of Medical Care: Grantees are insured by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program. The health system in Taiwan is extremely advanced, convenient, and affordable. Clinics are readily accessible. Every visit costs about US$6-US$16 (co-pay) and this covers all the bills including medication.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
The Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (Fulbright Taiwan) will book the grantees in a hotel for the first four nights close to the office and provide appropriate real estate listing and provide the rental housing-related information. The grantees are offered a one-time-only settling-in allowance and a stipend.
The host institution will offer the U.S. Master’s grantees a student dormitory at their university. The Master’s students will be arranged to live in a two-person dorm room.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Additional Online Resources
Learn Chinese in Taiwan: https://ogme.edu.tw/Home/tw
List of Universities and Colleges in Taiwan: https://english.moe.gov.tw/cp-21-14441-4EC5E-1.html