📅 Last Updated: September 2026
NYCU International Student Scholarship 2027 — Stipend + Tuition Waiver
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) in Taiwan is offering one of Asia’s most competitive institutional scholarships for international students — covering monthly stipends up to NT$30,000 (~PKR 320,000) and full tuition waivers for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. The scholarship is open to students from all countries worldwide, including Pakistan, and does not require IELTS. For Pakistani and South Asian students looking to study at a globally ranked tech and engineering university for free, this is one of the strongest Taiwan-based options available in 2027. This guide covers both scholarship tracks, real funding figures, the requirements that other guides miss, and exactly how to apply.
| University | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) |
| Country | Taiwan |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD |
| Funding Type | Monthly Stipend + Tuition Waiver (variable) |
| Monthly Stipend | Up to NT$30,000 (~PKR 320,000/month) |
| Current Students Deadline (Spring 2027) | September 15, 2026 |
| New Students Deadline (Spring 2027) | November 13, 2026 |
| Open To | International Students from All Countries |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes |
| IELTS Required | No — English proficiency letter accepted |
| Official Application Portal | Apply Here |
About NYCU and This Scholarship
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University was formed in 2021 through the merger of two of Taiwan’s most prestigious institutions: National Yang-Ming University (a top medical and life sciences school) and National Chiao Tung University (one of Asia’s leading engineering and technology universities). The combined institution now ranks among Asia’s top 100 universities and is internationally recognized for excellence in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electrical engineering, computer science, biomedical research, and photonics.
The NYCU International Student Scholarship operates across two distinct tracks — one for newly admitted students applying alongside their admission, and one for current enrolled students renewing their award. Most guides online do not explain this clearly. Depending on your situation, the application deadlines, portals, and requirements differ significantly.
Compared to the Taiwan Scholarship (a government-funded program administered by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education), the NYCU scholarship is university-funded and more flexible — but the two cannot be held simultaneously. Students currently receiving a government-funded Taiwan Scholarship are not eligible to stack NYCU’s award on top of it.
Benefits and Funding
- Monthly Stipend: Up to NT$30,000/month for PhD students; up to NT$21,000/month for master’s students; NT$5,000–NT$15,000/month for undergraduates (verify exact tiers on official website)
- Tuition Waiver: Full waiver of tuition and credit fees, or fees charged at local student rates, depending on award type and department decision
- Elite PhD Track: Newly admitted PhD students with outstanding profiles may be recommended for NT$33,000/month + tuition waiver for 2 years (by departmental nomination, not direct application)
- Match-Funding for Graduates: Graduate awards are supplemented by co-funding from the research advisor, department, or college — this often increases the total monthly amount received
- Renewable: Scholarship can be renewed each semester subject to maintaining minimum GPA and completing required Mandarin courses
- Important Note: Stipends and tuition awards may be granted separately OR simultaneously. The exact package depends on annual budget, number of applicants, and departmental review. This is a variable, merit-reviewed award — not a fixed fully funded guarantee for every recipient.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a registered international (foreign) student — not a Taiwanese national or mainland Chinese citizen
- New students: Must not currently receive any Taiwan government-funded scholarship (Taiwan Scholarship, ICDF, TIGP, ESP, UST, NSNT, NYCU Elite PhD, or home-country government scholarship)
- Current students: Existing NYCU scholarship award period ending in February 2027, maintaining GPA of at least 3.5 for graduate students and 3.0 for undergraduate students
- Must NOT hold a working VISA/ARC
- English proficiency required — TOEFL, IELTS, or official English-medium instruction certificate from previous institution accepted. No minimum IELTS score is mandated for the scholarship itself
- Graduate students must have a research advisor willing to provide match-funding (compulsory for award activation)
- Scholarship recipients must enroll in Mandarin language courses unless they hold a TOCFL certificate (Level 2+) or equivalent exemption
- Pakistani students: Fully eligible. Pakistan is not on any restriction list. Pakistani applicants compete in the general international student pool.
Strong Candidates
- Engineering, CS, AI, or biomedical sciences applicants with strong academic records
- PhD applicants with publications or prior research experience
- Graduate students who have already identified a supervisor willing to co-fund
- Current NYCU scholarship holders nearing renewal whose GPA meets the threshold
- Pakistani students who can provide an English-medium instruction certificate from an HEC-recognized institution
Not the Right Fit If
- You are currently receiving a Taiwan government scholarship — the two cannot be combined
- You hold a working VISA or ARC in Taiwan
- You need a guaranteed fully funded package — this scholarship is variable and competitive
- You cannot meet the Mandarin course requirement or obtain an exemption certificate
- Your field of study is outside NYCU’s core academic strengths — check department availability first
A note for Pakistani applicants: NYCU’s engineering and computer science departments are highly competitive globally. Applicants from HEC-recognized Pakistani universities with strong transcripts and research output are competitive — particularly for master’s and PhD programs. Your English-medium degree certificate from a Pakistani university is generally accepted in place of IELTS.
Available Programs and Fields of Study
NYCU covers a broad academic portfolio across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university is particularly strong in areas that attract international students from across Asia and beyond.
- Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering
- Technology and Computing: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Management, Photonics
- Biomedical and Life Sciences: Biomedical Engineering, Biological Science and Technology, Pharmacy, Medicine (Yangming campus)
- Management and Social Sciences: Business Administration, Management of Technology, Law, Applied Social Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Programs: Several English-taught programs across campuses in Hsinchu (Chiaotung Campus) and Taipei (Yangming Campus)
Most graduate engineering and CS programs at NYCU offer English-taught tracks, making them accessible without prior Mandarin knowledge. Browse more opportunities in the Scholarships and Guidelines and Resources sections on Gradualin.
Required Documents
- NYCU Online Scholarship Application Form — completed via the official portal; declaration requires your signature
- Official Full Transcript — NYCU full official transcript (Grade 1, no class ranking). For new students: transcripts from all previous degrees. Pakistani students: HEC-attested transcripts are strongly recommended — HEC attestation can take 2–3 weeks, so start early.
- Conduct Grades Record — downloaded from the NYCU Student Portal (for current students): Campus Service → Student Affairs → Conduct Grades
- Research Report (graduate students who have completed required courses) — 1–2 pages, 12pt, single-spaced, signed by both the applicant and the advisor
- Recommendation Letter — required for all graduate students; submitted via the system to the referee directly
- English Proficiency Proof — TOEFL, IELTS, or official English-medium instruction certificate from a previous institution
- Mandarin Exemption Certificate (optional) — TOCFL Level 2+ certificate or a Chinese language waiver from NYCU Chinese Language Center
- Supplementary Materials (optional) — volunteer certificates, awards, extracurricular achievements
All documents must be submitted as PDF files only through the online system. You cannot revise your application after submission, so review everything carefully before clicking submit.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Determine your track: Are you a new international student or a current NYCU student whose scholarship is expiring? New students apply via the NYCU admissions system; current students use the NYCU OIA Scholarship Portal directly.
- Check eligibility: Confirm you are not receiving any Taiwan government-funded scholarship. If you are on the Taiwan Scholarship, you are not eligible until that award expires.
- Secure a research supervisor (graduate students): Before applying, identify a department supervisor willing to provide match-funding. Without this co-funding commitment, graduate awards cannot be activated even if you are selected. Email professors directly and reference their specific research areas.
- Prepare documents in PDF: Get your HEC-attested transcripts ready. If applying for the Mandarin exemption, obtain your TOCFL certificate or the NYCU Chinese Language Center waiver letter.
- Submit online: Log in at oia-scholarship.nycu.edu.tw/student, complete the application form, upload all PDF documents, and fill in recommender information so the system can notify them.
- Track your application: Check both the portal and your email regularly. OIA will notify you if any document is missing — but you cannot revise after submission, so incomplete applications are disqualified.
- Await results: For the Spring 2027 new student cycle (deadline November 13, 2026), results are announced November 14, 2026. For current students, results come in late December 2026.
Practical tip: The single biggest reason applications are disqualified is incomplete documents. Double-check that your PDF transcript includes your most recent semester results and that your research report carries both your signature and your advisor’s signature before uploading.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Current Students — Spring 2027 Application Opens | July 15, 2026 |
| Current Students — Spring 2027 Deadline | September 15, 2026 (12:00 noon GMT+8) |
| New Students — Spring 2027 Application Opens | August 10, 2026 |
| New Students — Spring 2027 Deadline | November 13, 2026 (11:59 AM) |
| New Students — Results Announced | November 14, 2026 |
| Current Students — Results (Spring 2027) | December 25, 2026 |
| Course Commencement | February 23, 2027 |
Bookmark this page — we update deadlines as soon as changes are announced.
Why Apply for the NYCU Scholarship?
Taiwan is one of the most underrated study destinations for Pakistani and South Asian students. The cost of living in Hsinchu (where the main NYCU campus sits) is significantly lower than comparable tech cities in the UK, US, or Australia — and the NT$30,000 monthly stipend is genuinely liveable for a student. Taiwan’s semiconductor and tech ecosystem means NYCU graduates in engineering and CS have direct exposure to global industry leaders like TSMC, MediaTek, and ASUS.
Unlike the Chinese government scholarship (CSC), this award does not require Mandarin fluency at entry — English-taught programs exist and Mandarin is learned gradually through the required courses. The application process is also notably streamlined compared to European scholarship systems, with a single online portal and integration with the admission process for new students.
Explore more opportunities through Gradualin Scholarships, Jobs and Internships, and Events and Conferences to stay ahead of every deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are based on what students most commonly search about this program.
Can Pakistani students apply for the NYCU International Student Scholarship?
Yes — Pakistani students are fully eligible. The scholarship is open to all international (foreign) students regardless of nationality. Pakistan is not on any restriction list. Your HEC-attested degree certificate and transcripts from a recognized Pakistani university are accepted as standard supporting documents. An English-medium instruction certificate from your previous institution can substitute for IELTS.
Is IELTS required for the NYCU scholarship?
IELTS is not mandated specifically for the scholarship application. The requirement is proof of English proficiency — which can be satisfied by TOEFL, IELTS, or an official English-medium instruction certificate from your previous institution. Many Pakistani university graduates qualify using their English-medium degree certificate without taking an additional test.
Is the NYCU scholarship fully funded?
Not necessarily for every recipient. The NYCU scholarship is a variable, merit-reviewed award. Some students receive both a monthly stipend AND a full tuition waiver; others receive only one or the other. The exact package depends on the annual budget, number of qualified applicants, and the departmental review. PhD students nominated through the Elite track can receive NT$33,000/month plus a two-year tuition waiver. Graduate awards also require match-funding from an advisor or department. Plan financially for a partial award as your baseline.
What is the match-funding requirement for graduate students?
For master’s and PhD students, NYCU requires the research advisor, department, or college to co-fund the scholarship award. This is compulsory — not optional. You need to identify and contact a research supervisor who agrees to take you on and contribute matching funds before you apply. Students who apply without a confirmed supervisor often find their awards cannot be activated even if they are academically selected.
Can I hold the NYCU scholarship alongside the Taiwan Scholarship?
No. The NYCU scholarship cannot be held simultaneously with any Taiwan government-funded scholarship — this includes the Taiwan Scholarship (MOE), ICDF Scholarship, TIGP, ESP, UST, NSNT, and scholarships sponsored by your home country’s government. If your existing scholarship expires, you become eligible to apply for the NYCU award in the subsequent cycle.
Are there Mandarin language requirements for scholarship recipients?
Yes — NYCU scholarship recipients must take Mandarin language courses during their study period. Exemptions are available if you hold a TOCFL certificate at Level 2 or higher, a placement pass from the NYCU Chinese Language Center, or proof of prior Mandarin study before enrolling. Some departments have additional Mandarin requirements for graduation, so check your program’s requirements carefully.
Official Source and Contact
- Application Portal: oia-scholarship.nycu.edu.tw/student
- OIA Official Website: oia.nycu.edu.tw
- Chiaotung Campus Contact: Ms. Jessica Hsieh — jessicahsieh@nycu.edu.tw
- Yangming Campus Contact: Ms. Trudy Wu — trudy@nycu.edu.tw
- General OIA Email: scholarshipoia@nycu.edu.tw
When emailing OIA, always include your student ID number in the subject line and your full name in the body of the email.
Quick Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| University | National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan |
| Degree Levels | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD |
| Scholarship Type | Institutional — Monthly Stipend + Tuition Waiver (variable) |
| Monthly Stipend | Up to NT$30,000 (PhD); varies by level |
| Tuition Award | Full waiver or local-rate reduction (verify per department) |
| Current Students Deadline | September 15, 2026 |
| New Students Deadline | November 13, 2026 |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes |
| IELTS Required | No — English proficiency letter accepted |
| Official Portal | Apply Here |
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