Visiting Students
The Visiting Students Program at TCU welcomes students enrolled in colleges and universities around the world to spend a semester or full year studying at TCU.
The Visiting Students Program at TCU welcomes students enrolled in colleges and universities around the world to spend a semester or full year studying at TCU.
Nomination/Application Deadline:
Fall Semester: April 6th – May 20th
Spring Semester: October 1st – November 11th
Academic Year/Semester Dates:
Fall Semester: mid-September to mid-January
Spring Semester: mid-February to the end of June
Admission to the visiting program is offered twice per year. Students can apply to start in the fall or the spring semester. Students applying for fall admission can enroll for either one semester or the full academic year.
Check out TCU’s Academic Calendar for more key dates.
Visiting Student status is typically intended for undergraduate students taking a year or one semester abroad. Please note that there are no taught graduate courses available to graduate visiting students. If you are a graduate student, there are two possible options available to you as a registered Visiting Student: you can either follow the curriculum of an undergraduate course, or undertake a period of research under a supervisor as a Recognised Student (here). Visiting Students should be enrolled in a home institution.
As a registered Visiting Student you become a member of TCU, and it is the TCU that will arrange for your tuition or supervision. TCU does not award a degree or any other qualification for one year of study as a Visiting Student, but colleges are willing to provide a transcript, for example for credit purposes at the home institution.
As a Visiting Student you do not matriculate at the University of TCU but your name is entered on the University’s Register as a Visiting Student and you will be affiliated with a college or society.
All applications are done online. Please send an email to the program contact of visiting students program to obtain the link to online application.
The online application consists of information about the student, transcripts, and supporting documents from your current university, listed below. You will send out the forms requesting the various supporting documents through the online system once you have started the student portion of the application.
You will need to submit the following seven forms.
– Online Application Form
– Transcript
– A Photocopy of the Passport
– An Autobiography
– Study plan & statement of purpose
– A Photo
– Chinese Proficiency Evaluation (Only for students who had studied Chinese before)
TCU will process your application materials and contact you with further details within 2 – 3 weeks of your application, including an official Admission Letter and pre-arrival information.
Credit
Visiting undergraduate students are required to enroll in 9 credits per semester for graduate visiting students are required to enroll in 4 credits per semester, but you may choose to enroll in more.
At TCU, each course is normally worth 2-3 credits and meets 2-3 hours per week over 18 weeks (one semester).
1 credit = 1 hour per week over 18 weeks, 1 credit = 18 hours
Approximately 1 TCU credit = 2 ECTS credits
1 TCU credit = 1 credit hour (North American credit system)
-The course information for the First (Fall) semester: available in August; Second (Spring) semester: available in January.
-Courses taught in English list here.
-Before course information is announced, you may still refer to the TCU Course Information to search for courses offered in the past few years for your reference.
-Exchange students are allowed to enroll in most courses available at TCU with the exception of the restricted courses. We recommend you to check the list of Colleges and Departments at TCU before looking for the courses.
University tuition fees are payable to cover the cost of access to the University facilities. As you are affiliated to a college you will also pay college fees and have access to accommodation. You must secure your own funding.
For reference only here.
To ensure that all exchange students at TCU have access to basic health care while studying at TCU, health care insurance is mandatory for all exchange students. Students are responsible for paying for the International Student Insurance provided through TCU.
-Accident and Health Insurance:
TCU will assist you in acquiring health insurance coverage in Taiwan, which costs NT$3,000 for a period of six months before you can join the National Health Insurance.
-Student Group Insurance:
The policy covers medical treatment, surgery and hospitalization caused by accidents only. Additional NT$332 per semester.
More information here.
If you hold an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and have met the six-month minimum residency requirement, you can choose to join the National Health Insurance (NHI) with limited coverage. Valid NHI card (National Health Insurance card) can be considered an equivalent insurance.
Before you come to Taiwan, you should apply for a Resident or Visitor Visa at the Taiwan Diplomatic Center in your residence country with the official admission letter issued by TCU.
Please note that if you fail to obtain a correct visa issued by a Taiwan Diplomatic Mission, your exchange program will be canceled. You will get more information upon receipt of a TCU offer letter.
Note: There is no “Student Visa” in Taiwan. Instead, Taiwan offers 2 types of Visas for foreign students:
1.Visitor Visa, 2. Resident Visa. If you are going to stay less than 6 months, you should apply for the visitor visa. If your program is longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for the resident visa.
Entry Visa and Alien Residence Certificate (ARC): click here.
Students are responsible for applying for the correct visa type before entering Taiwan. For visa information please contact the closest Taiwan diplomatic center. click here.
USD 275/NT 8,200 (Per semester/student)
All international students will be provided with on-campus dormitory-style housing which costs about $USD 275/ NT 8,200 per semester per student. Each room accommodates four students.
The scholarships are exclusively for degree students (undergraduate and graduate). For scholarships for non-degree programs (exchange and visiting), please contact your home university about the possibilities.
If you have any questions about the Visiting Students admissions, please contact us at tcuoia@gms.tcu.edu.tw or chieni@gms.tcu.edu.tw We’re here to help.
Chien-Yi, Chen (Ms.)
Office of International Affairs,Tzu Chi University
Email: chieni@gms.tcu.edu.tw
Tel: +886-3-8565-301 ext. 1014