Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering

At National Taiwan University (NTU), your curriculum will depend on your major and Chinese language ability. Engineering, economics, management, and political science departments have particularly strong coursework taught in English. If you have native or near-native Chinese language ability, you will be able to take courses from a broad range of offerings taught in Chinese.

Unique study opportunities

  • Fast-track your Chinese language skills and gain up to a full year of Chinese in one semester.
  • Learn about Taiwan’s feminist movement and the social impacts on women today.
  • Explore Asian studies through Taiwanese film, museums, news, and other media.

Language

Language of Instruction: Chinese, English

Chinese Language Study: Optional

Chinese language study is recommended and is offered from beginning to advanced levels by the Chinese Language Division of the Language Center (CLD).

All courses taught in Chinese​ as well as Chinese language classes use traditional Chinese (complex) characters.

A language placement exam is required if you intend to take Chinese language courses.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program: 

  • Take a full-time course of study: Minimum 21 quarter/14 semester UC units; the number of courses varies.
  • Maximum of 30 quarter/20 semester UC units per semester.
  • You may take a maximum of one third (33%) of your total units for pass/no pass credit. 

Current Program Courses

Rigorous courses taught in English or Chinese are offered in a wide range of fields. 

Most NTU courses are either 2 or 3 NTU credits. NTU credits are the same at UC semester units. To calculate UC quarter units, multiply NTU credits by 1.5.  

  • 2 NTU credits = 2 UC semester units = 3.0 UC quarter units
  • 3 NTU credits = 3 UC semester units = 4.5 UC quarter units 

Language, research, and independent study course units are based on contact time over the 15-week semester. For example: 

  • General Chinese language course meets for six hours per week and is 9 quarter/6 semester UC units.
  • Enhancing Chinese language tutorial course meets for four hours per week and is 6 quarter/4 semester UC units. 

Each course has a curriculum number. Apart from the General and Enhancing Chinese language courses that start with a 7, the first digit indicates the target students:

  • 1000-1999 courses for freshmen – lower division
  • 2000-2999 courses for sophomores – lower division (some exceptions)
  • 3000-3999 courses for juniors – upper division
  • 4000-4999 courses for seniors – upper division
  • 5000-6999 courses for 5th and 6th year students – upper or graduate division 
  • 7000+ courses for graduate students. 

Course Restrictions
In general, exchange students can enroll in most courses available at NTU except ones that are listed under “Program Requirements and Restrictions” of the NTU Office of International Affairs website and the NTU Course Catalog.

Catalogs and resources

  • National Taiwan University (NTU): Explore the academic departments within NTU's 16 Colleges.
  • National Taiwan University Office of International Affairs (NTU OIA): View exchange and international student resources and support services.
  • NTU Chinese Language Division (CLD): Review General Chinese and Enhancing Chinese Language course information.
  • NTU Course Catalog: Typically updated a month before the start of the semester—typically in early August for the fall and in early January for the spring. It is recommended that you refer to course information from previous semesters to begin academic planning ahead of time.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: Access the list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

The academic environment of this program is group-oriented, mature, open-minded, and diverse. Only the best students in Taiwan have the opportunity to study at NTU, and they are generally quite advanced in their chosen fields. 

The Taiwanese sense of academic discipline is strong. Professors expect preparation, disciplined study and research habits, and 100% attendance. Traditional Taiwanese relations between student and teacher are based on respect. The position of a university professor is prestigious and students defer regardless of their own personal opinion of an instructor. Most faculty members hold doctoral degrees, and lectures by well-known international scholars are a regular feature of the curriculum.

To demonstrate cultural sensitivity and keep a good relationship with professors, take all academic questions to UCEAP staff before approaching the instructor.

Many instructors do not give quizzes or homework, but language courses do require considerable homework. Some courses require term papers, presentations, or group work.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Generally there is one midterm exam and one final exam, or only a final exam.

Fall grades are not usually available in March due to the NTU calendar and Lunar New Year holidays. Spring grades are usually available in September. Year-long grades are typically sent all together after the spring term.

Grades may not be available for degree verification deadlines. Graduating seniors should talk to their campus study abroad advisor about when to declare candidacy for graduation.