The short version
This section explains how students from outside Taiwan apply for a university degree here. There are two sets of rules. International students (外國學生) apply directly to each university, during that school's own application period. Overseas Chinese students (僑生) and Hong Kong and Macau students (港澳生) have their own routes, mostly through the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Compatriot Students (海外聯合招生委員會, or 海外聯招會) or a university's own admissions. Which rules apply to you depends on your nationality and where you have lived.
Which rules apply to you
- International students (外國學生): people of foreign nationality who have never held Republic of China (Taiwan) nationality, under the Ministry of Education's Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan (外國學生來臺就學辦法). Some dual nationals and former nationals can also apply, with residence rules. You cannot use this route if you have already studied in Taiwan as an overseas Chinese student, or if 海外聯招會 has given you a place in the same academic year.
- Overseas Chinese students (僑生): ethnic Chinese students who live overseas and hold permanent or long-term residence there, under the rules for overseas Chinese students (僑生回國就學及輔導辦法).
- Hong Kong and Macau students (港澳生): Hong Kong and Macau residents with permanent residence there, under the rules for Hong Kong and Macau residents (香港澳門居民來臺就學辦法).
Each set of rules has its own conditions about how long you have lived outside Taiwan. The guides below explain them.