NTNU Leads in International Student Enrollment Among Taiwan’s Top Universities
Following its recognition by the Ministry of Education in 2024 and its designation as a bilingual benchmark university, National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has set another record. According to Ministry of Education statistics for the 2024 academic year, international degree-seeking students make up 12.05% of NTNU’s total student population—the highest proportion among Taiwan’s top national universities. Additionally, the percentage of overseas Chinese students, which has ranked first for several consecutive years, has increased further to 6.65% this year.
This impressive achievement reflects NTNU’s strong performance in international student recruitment and multicultural engagement, as well as the effectiveness of its long-term internationalization efforts. Through bilingual education, transnational collaboration initiatives, and robust support systems for international students, NTNU is steadily advancing as a globally recognized academic institution, attracting top talent from around the world.
NTNU President Cheng-Chih Wu attributes the university’s success in international recruitment to three key strategies carefully devised by its administrative and academic teams: bilingual education, targeted talent recruitment and retention, and the development of an internationalized campus along with localized global engagement. These efforts create a supportive and enriching learning environment for international students, enabling NTNU to maintain steady progress in the field of global higher education.
Advancing Bilingual Education Through Internationalized Programs and Teaching
In response to global competition and the challenges of a declining birth rate, National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has been actively advancing bilingual education, positioning itself as a leader in the bilingualization of higher education in Taiwan. Since 2021, the university has systematically introduced fully English-taught bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs while expanding both the number of English-Medium Instruction (EMI) courses and student enrollment in these courses.
Currently, NTNU offers six fully English-taught undergraduate programs and 62 fully English-taught master's and doctoral programs, spanning all academic disciplines. The number of EMI courses available each year has reached 886, with student participation steadily increasing. Moving forward, NTNU aims to further expand its all-English course offerings and plans to engage even more students in EMI courses by 2030.
Attracting and Supporting International Students Through Talent Development and Employment Support
To expand international enrollment and strengthen its global brand, NTNU actively participates in international education fairs, produces multilingual recruitment videos, and enhances its global social media marketing efforts. The university also offers a diverse range of academic programs and international scholarships to attract international applicants. Currently, the number of international degree-seeking students at NTNU has surpassed 1,700.
Beyond recruitment, NTNU supports international students by facilitating career guidance and internship opportunities in Taiwan. Between 2022 and 2024, a total of 82 international graduates chose to stay and work in Taiwan, reflecting NTNU’s success in talent retention initiatives. Additionally, the university has received funding from the Ministry of Education’s Professionalization of Employment Counseling for International Students, which will further enhance career development and employment competitiveness for international students through a range of targeted support measures.
An Internationalized Campus with Enhanced Administrative Support and Cultural Integration
NTNU is continuously improving its campus environment and support systems to foster an internationalized learning experience. The university is actively implementing bilingual administrative services and has established a dedicated international student support office to provide comprehensive academic and living assistance. Additionally, NTNU has strengthened its Chinese language education resources by offering specialized courses to help international students overcome language barriers. Since 2021, nearly 3,000 international students have received foundational Chinese language training.
Beyond language support, NTNU is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus by expanding accessible facilities and creating gender-inclusive spaces. Looking ahead, the university plans to hire one foreign administrative staff member per year and enhance both language tutoring and psychological support for international students. To further address housing needs, NTNU is set to complete the construction of a Chinese Language International Residence Hall in 2027, designed specifically for international students, reinforcing its commitment to a more inclusive campus environment.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Learning Opportunities
NTNU actively fosters international exchange by attracting international students for study and exchange programs while offering a rich array of cultural activities, such as the International Culture Festival and foreign culture lectures. Since 2021, the university has hosted more than 50 cultural exchange events, drawing students and faculty from around the world. Additionally, NTNU is committed to advancing global virtual classrooms and flipped classrooms, using distance learning and cross-cultural communication to overcome geographical limitations and expand international learning opportunities for students.
The Academy of Preparatory Programs for Overseas Chinese Students and the Mandarin Training Center play key roles in NTNU’s internationalization efforts. The Academy of Preparatory Programs is Taiwan’s only institution dedicated to providing preparatory education for overseas Chinese students. Each year, students from Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Europe, and the United States begin their academic journey here. In 2024, 76.5% of the academy’s overseas Chinese students came from Myanmar, while 8.66% were from Indonesia. The academy provides students with a strong academic foundation, greater learning and living opportunities in Taiwan, and serves as a vital bridge for the global Chinese community.
Since its establishment in 1956, NTNU’s Mandarin Training Center has grown into Taiwan’s largest and most prestigious Chinese language education institution. In 2024, enrollment surpassed 5,000 students from over 90 countries, underscoring NTNU’s global influence in Chinese language education. The center has received funding from the Ministry of Education, including a 2021 grant for the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program, which facilitates collaborations with renowned universities such as the University of Maryland, the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, UCLA, and UC Santa Barbara. This year, the center also secured funding from the Advanced Chinese Language Program for Foreign Students in Colleges and Universities, further supporting NTNU’s efforts to enhance international students' Chinese proficiency.
As a leading institution for both Chinese language education and overseas Chinese student programs, NTNU continues to build a diverse global academic network, providing high-quality educational resources to students worldwide and further strengthening Taiwan’s influence in international education.
NTNU’s Vision for the Future
As Taiwan’s most internationalized higher education institution, NTNU will continue to advance its internationalization efforts by expanding global partnerships and providing comprehensive academic, living, and career support for international students. The university’s internationalization strategy not only strengthens the global competitiveness of Taiwan’s higher education but also offers students worldwide a high-quality platform for learning and growth. Looking ahead, NTNU remains committed to leading Taiwan’s higher education onto the world stage and becoming a top destination for students from around the globe.