International Graduate Study in Taiwan

(With a focus on Austronesian/Indigenous studies.)

There are an increasing number of international graduate programs opening up in Taiwan, and many of these are focused around Austronesian studies. Here are some that I’ve found, including at my own university, NDHU in Hualien. All the programs on this page are English-taught, unless otherwise specified.

MA Programs

• Note: Fulbright now offers funding for several MA programs in Taiwan. Although Fulbright awards are limited, it is also possible to apply directly to these programs, and other sources of funding may be possible. I have listed Fulbright information where available.
• NDHU Master’s Degree Program in Ethnic Relations and Cultures
  • This program is Chinese taught, but intermediate-to-advanced learners of Chinese should be able to manage as most homework and you MA thesis can be submitted in English. Additionally, students who apply via Fulbright will receive a year of intensive Chinese study at NDHU before you start classes.
  • This program is located within the College of Indigenous Studies, a program specifically set up for Indigenous students and scholarship on Indigenous issues.
  • Apply via Fulbright
• National Tsing Hua University MA in Austronesian Studies
  • This program is located within one of the top anthropology programs in Taiwan.
  • Apply via Fulbright
• NCCU MA program in Asia-Pacific Studies
  • There are many professors at NCCU working on Indigenous issues, including at the Department of Ethnology and Sociology as well as in the Linguistics program.
  • Apply via Fulbright.
• Master’s Program on Natural Resources and Environmental Studies at NDHU
  • Some of the courses in this program are co-taught by faculty from the Program in Ethnic Relations and Cultures, and several faculty members in environmental studies are working closely with Indigenous communities.
• International Master’s Program in Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, University System of Taiwan
  • One of the best cultural studies programs in Taiwan, and open to students working on Indigenous issues.
• The International Program of Austronesian Studies (IPAS) at NCCU
  • IPAS is a collaboration between National Chengchi University, the University of California at Los Angeles (USA), the University of Central Lancashire (UK), the University of Melbourne, and the University of New England (Australia).

PhD Programs

• International Ph.D. Program in Indigenous Studies at NDHU
  • This is a new English taught Ph.D. program as of 2023.
• PhD program in Asia-Pacific Regional Studies at NDHU
  • Many students in this program work on Indigenous issues for their thesis.
• NCCU International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies
  • See notes on the MA program above.
• Ph.D Program of Austronesian Studies at NTTU
  • Doctoral program focusing on the study of Austronesian cultures. All the lectures will be taught in English.

Short Term Exchange Programs

• The International Graduate Student Exchange Program at the National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University International Institute for Cultural Studies
  • Same as the program listed for the MA program at the “University System of Taiwan” above, but a shorter term scholarship.

Related Pages:

• If you are new to Indigenous Taiwanese studies, you might want to take a look at my page, Intro to Indigenous Taiwan, which has some resources to help you get started.
• For advice on selecting graduate schools and getting into graduate school, see my page: Advice for graduate students.