NTNU Continues to Lead in International Student Enrollment
National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has once again topped Taiwan's national universities in international student enrollment, according to newly released statistics from the Ministry of Education (MOE). During the 2025–2026 academic year, international degree students account for 13.39% of NTNU's total student body, which is the highest proportion among all national universities in Taiwan for the second consecutive year. This is a 1.34 percentage point increase from the previous year's figure of 12.05%. The gap between NTNU and the second-ranked national university has widened to 1.54 percentage points, suggesting that NTNU’s lead is not merely holding but growing.
With Taiwan's declining birth rate and intensifying global competition for international students, these figures represent a significant institutional achievement. Meanwhile, the number of international students applying for the 2026–2027 academic year has already set a new record, growing over 40% since last year. NTNU currently enrolls 1,942 international degree students from 73 countries and regions. The results reflect five intersecting strategies the university has pursued over the long term. 1. Leadership-Driven Internationalization NTNU's international growth has been sustained across successive administrations. Both the current president, Dr. Yao-Ting Sung, and his predecessor, Dr. Cheng-Chih Wu, have placed internationalization at the center of institutional strategy. International recruitment and talent development are permanent pillars of the university's direction. 2. Government and Institutional Resources NTNU's internationalization efforts are closely aligned with national policy. The University has leveraged Taiwan’s Higher Education SPROUT Project along with MOE programs promoting inbound international students and Mandarin language learning. NTNU’s Mandarin Training Center and the Overseas Chinese Student Preparatory Program have for decades attracted learners from across Southeast Asia and beyond, creating stable and renewable student pipelines from countries including Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia. 3. A Global Recruitment Network Beyond institutional platforms, NTNU has steadily expanded its global recruitment infrastructure through international education fairs, digital recruitment channels, and collaboration with Taiwan's National Development Council. A network of partner institutions, sister schools, alumni recommendations, and faculty referrals has built the University's reputation within international academic communities over time. An example is the "Lion Leap Project," a partnership with Kent University in Vietnam that promotes bilateral student exchange, academic collaboration, and articulation pathways. 4. English-Medium Instruction The growth of NTNU's bilingual education infrastructure has become an increasingly important factor in attracting international applicants. The University now offers 62 English-medium graduate programs and six undergraduate programs conducted entirely in English, giving students from diverse linguistic backgrounds access to NTNU's full academic offering. Ongoing investment in EMI faculty development and internationally oriented curriculum design has strengthened the University's appeal as a destination for students who wish to study in English while living in Asia. 5. A Diverse Campus NTNU's 1,942 international students hail from 73 countries and regions, with major contingents from Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong and Macau. This breadth means that cross-cultural exchange is a lived daily reality on campus rather than an occasional event. Domestic students at NTNU, especially members of the NTNU International Youth, support incoming international students as the latter adapt to campus life. Their assistance can range from helping with Mandarin practice, navigating daily routines, and facilitating cultural exchange. One student volunteer described accompanying international peers on company visits and observing how many expressed a strong desire to remain in Taiwan after graduation, drawn by what they described as the island's welcoming atmosphere. The Office of International Affairs at NTNU reinforces this through a campus buddy program, industry visits, and a support infrastructure that includes Mandarin reinforcement courses, counseling services, and cultural programming, staffed by a team with multicultural backgrounds. NTNU has signaled its intention to continue expanding its bilingual offerings, broadening its global partnership network, and refining the support systems available to international students. These developments will sustain NTNU’s momentum as Taiwan's leading national university for international student enrollment.