University.im

University · Tainan, Taiwan

National Cheng Kung University

By

Location
Tainan
QS 2027
#191
Founded
1931
Students
20,500+ (2025)
The short answer

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is a public research university in Tainan, founded in 1931 as Tainan Technical College.[1] It is 191st in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and entered the top 200 for the first time.[2]

NCKU’s fee list for the 2025/26 academic year charges international bachelor’s students NT$45,071 to NT$71,891 per semester in total, depending on the college, and master’s and doctoral students NT$51,000 to NT$62,010 per semester in the first four semesters.[3] The 2026/27 rates had not been announced when the admissions prospectus was printed in November 2025.[4] Language requirements are set by each department.[4]

Key facts

Official nameNational Cheng Kung University (NCKU); Chinese name 國立成功大學[1]
LocationTainan, Taiwan (main address No. 1, University Road, Tainan City 701)[5]
TypePublic (national) research university[6]
Founded1931 as Tainan Technical College; Taiwan Provincial College of Engineering 1946; Taiwan Provincial Cheng Kung University 1956; National Cheng Kung University since 1971[1]
Students11,853 undergraduates and 8,701 postgraduates (2025, per Wikipedia)[6]
Faculty2,604 (2025, per Wikipedia)[6]
Colleges and academies in the master’s fee tableLiberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Planning and Design, Management, Medicine, Social Sciences, Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing[3]
QS World University Rankings 2027191st (first time in the top 200)[2]
Tuition 2025/26, international bachelor’s (total per semester)NT$45,071–71,891 by college[3]
Tuition 2025/26, international master’s and doctoral (per semester, first four semesters)NT$51,000–62,010 by college and level[3]
Length of studyBachelor’s 4 years (medicine 6 years including internship); master’s 1–4 years; doctorate 2–7 years[4]
Application feeNT$2,000 per applicant, up to three departments or institutes[4]
Language requirementSet by each department, for example TOCFL A2 or B1 for Chinese-taught programmes, CEFR B2 for English at Foreign Languages and Literature[4]
Official websiteweb.ncku.edu.tw

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About National Cheng Kung University

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) is a public research university in Tainan. The university dates its history to 1931, when it was founded as Tainan Technical College. It became Taiwan Provincial College of Engineering in 1946, Taiwan Provincial Cheng Kung University in 1956 and National Cheng Kung University in 1971.[1]

Wikipedia gives 11,853 undergraduates, 8,701 postgraduates and 2,604 faculty for 2025. It describes a main campus of about 83 hectares in Tainan’s East District, with further campuses at Kuei-Jen, An-Nan and Dou-Liu (Yunlin County).[6] Wikipedia counts nine colleges in its introduction and eleven in a later section without reconciling the two numbers, so we list the units that NCKU’s own fee schedule names (see below).[6]

How is National Cheng Kung University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, NCKU is 191st in the world and entered the top 200 for the first time.[2][7] Wikipedia’s table lists 203rd for the 2026 edition.[6]

For the other Taiwanese universities in the ranking, see our Taiwan university guide. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at National Cheng Kung University?

NCKU’s fee schedule names these colleges and academies: Liberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (with the Miin Wu School of Computing), Planning and Design, Management, Medicine, Social Sciences, Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing.[3] Each department publishes a quota for AY2026/27 and says whether Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 entry is open to international applicants.[4]

Most programmes are taught in Chinese or in a mix. NCKU’s list of full-English programmes includes two bachelor’s programmes, the International Bachelor Degree Program on Energy (Engineering) and the Department of Public Health (Medicine), plus a long list of master’s and doctoral programmes, for example the International Master Program on Natural Hazards Mitigation and Management and the Institute of International Management. Many more departments offer enough English courses to satisfy graduation requirements.[8]

A bachelor’s degree takes four years, and specialised programmes such as medicine take six years including internship. Master’s programmes take one to four years and doctoral programmes two to seven years; individual departments set their own rules.[4]

How much does National Cheng Kung University cost?

NCKU’s prospectus says that the rates for 2026/27 had not been announced when it was printed in November 2025 and tells applicants to use the 2025/26 rates as a reference. The Registrar’s Division announces the official rates.[4] The tables show the 2025/26 rates for foreign students (and mainland Chinese students) from the Registrar’s schedule.[3]

Bachelor’s, 2025/26, per semester (NT$)

  1. Liberal Arts, Social Sciences
    Tuition
    30,311
    Miscellaneous
    14,760
    Total
    45,071
  2. Management
    Tuition
    30,311
    Miscellaneous
    15,540
    Total
    45,851
  3. Sciences, Bioscience and Biotechnology
    Tuition
    30,583
    Miscellaneous
    22,520
    Total
    53,103
  4. Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Planning and Design
    Tuition
    30,583
    Miscellaneous
    23,000
    Total
    53,583
  5. Medicine (except the Departments of Medicine and Dentistry)
    Tuition
    30,583
    Miscellaneous
    26,100
    Total
    56,683
  6. Department of Dentistry
    Tuition
    37,264
    Miscellaneous
    24,208
    Total
    61,472
  7. Department of Medicine
    Tuition
    40,851
    Miscellaneous
    31,040
    Total
    71,891

Master’s and doctoral, 2025/26, per semester (NT$)

  1. Liberal Arts
    Basic tuition
    34,200
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    54,600
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    51,000
  2. Social Sciences
    Basic tuition
    34,200
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    52,800
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    53,400
  3. Sciences
    Basic tuition
    39,600
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    54,600
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    55,200
  4. Bioscience and Biotechnology
    Basic tuition
    39,600
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    55,800
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    55,800
  5. Engineering
    Basic tuition
    41,100
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    57,300
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    56,700
  6. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
    Basic tuition
    41,100
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    56,100
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    54,900
  7. Planning and Design
    Basic tuition
    41,100
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    59,700
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    53,700
  8. Academy of Innovative Semiconductor and Sustainable Manufacturing
    Basic tuition
    41,100
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    56,100
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    56,100
  9. Management (not including AMBA)
    Basic tuition
    34,740
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    57,540
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    57,540
  10. Medicine
    Basic tuition
    44,010
    Master’s, with basic credit fee
    60,810
    Doctoral, with basic credit fee
    62,010

Master’s and doctoral students who enrolled from February 2023 pay the full amount for the first four semesters (not counting suspended semesters) and only the basic tuition from the fifth semester. Newly enrolled students also pay a one-off internet fee of NT$1,200.[3] For students of the AMBA programme the tuition is NT$34,740 per semester plus NT$7,500 per credit. Doctoral students in the Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience pay the local student rate.[3]

Bachelor’s freshmen also pay a NT$1,200 internet fee in the first semester and a NT$600 language-lab fee per semester. Bachelor’s students who extend their studies and take fewer than nine credits pay NT$1,530 per credit instead.[3] Compulsory fees such as accident and national health insurance are separate, and books and living costs are paid by the student.[4] For living costs, see our Taiwan guide.

How do you apply to National Cheng Kung University?

International degree applicants apply online only through NCKU’s application portal.[4]

  • Eligibility: a high-school diploma for bachelor’s programmes, a bachelor’s degree for a master’s and a master’s degree for a doctorate. The applicant must qualify as an international student under the Ministry of Education’s regulations and must not previously have held overseas Chinese student status.[4]
  • Steps: register one account with a personal email address, complete the application form, choose your department, upload the required documents as PDF files and pay the application fee.[4]
  • Fee and number of choices: NT$2,000 per applicant, non-refundable; you may apply to up to three departments or institutes, and to only one group within each. Department-specific documents are mandatory.[4]
  • Intakes: the prospectus covers Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 entry, and each department shows which entry is open.[4]

We give no deadlines because they change every year; the international degree page links the current prospectus.

Which language level do you need?

NCKU has no single university-wide test score. Each department lists its own language requirement in the prospectus.[4] Examples from the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 prospectus:

  • The Department of Chinese Literature asks for a Chinese certificate at TOCFL B1 or above.
  • The Department of Foreign Languages and Literature asks applicants from non-English-speaking countries for an English certificate at CEFR B2 or above (the prospectus names an official TOEFL iBT score of 80 or above).
  • Many other Chinese-taught departments ask for TOCFL A2 or above, or an internationally recognised certificate of the same level.

Applicants who meet the exemption rules do not need a certificate; the prospectus refers to its section “Application procedures and regulations” for the rules. Check the department page of your programme for the language of instruction and the exact level.[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does National Cheng Kung University cost for international students?

In the 2025/26 academic year, bachelor’s students paid NT$45,071 to NT$71,891 per semester in total, depending on the college. Master’s and doctoral students paid NT$51,000 to NT$62,010 per semester in the first four semesters.[3] The 2026/27 rates were not yet announced when the prospectus was printed.[4]

What is National Cheng Kung University’s QS ranking?

NCKU is 191st in the QS World University Rankings 2027, its first appearance in the top 200.[2]

Can I study in English at National Cheng Kung University?

Yes, in some programmes. NCKU lists two full-English bachelor’s programmes (energy engineering and public health) and many full-English master’s and doctoral programmes, and further departments with enough English courses to satisfy graduation requirements.[8]

How many departments can I apply to at National Cheng Kung University?

Up to three departments or institutes, and only one group within each. The application fee is NT$2,000 per applicant.[4]

How long does a degree at National Cheng Kung University take?

A bachelor’s degree takes four years, or six years for programmes such as medicine, which include an internship. Master’s programmes take one to four years and doctoral programmes two to seven years.[4]

More about studying in Taiwan

More university profiles in Taiwan

Sources

[1] NCKU Office of International Affairs: Why NCKU? (page without a date)

[2] Taiwan News: Taiwan sets record in QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026 (topuniversities.com blocks automated access))

[3] NCKU Registrar’s Division: Tuition, credit and miscellaneous fees 2025/2026 (foreign and mainland Chinese students) (fee schedule for the 2025/2026 academic year; PDF)

[4] NCKU: Admission Prospectus for International Students, Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 (printed November 2025; English translation, the Chinese text prevails)

[5] National Cheng Kung University: official English website (address; page without a date)

[6] Wikipedia: National Cheng Kung University (enrolment figures labelled 2025; secondary source)

[7] TechNews (Chinese): QS 2027 ranking, four Taiwanese universities in the top 200 (published 18 Jun 2026; Chinese-language article)

[8] NCKU Office of International Affairs: Programs & fees (degree for international students) (page updated 15 Sep 2026)

Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.