The Taiwan Government Scholarship for International Students 2027 is a fully funded award for students who want to complete a full degree in Taiwan. It covers undergraduate, Master's and PhD programs, and it pays tuition plus living costs. For a Pakistani student who wants a full degree in East Asia without paying for it, it is worth a serious look. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing, and this guide explains how to approach the application sensibly.
One thing to know before you start: much of the detail for this scholarship (opening date, deadline, eligible fields, the exact stipend) is published fresh each cycle and is not fixed in advance. That makes it a scholarship you have to track actively, not one you can read about once and forget.
A fully funded degree in Taiwan, in plain terms
The scholarship is provided by the Taiwan Government and administered by the relevant government authorities. Its stated aim is to bring strong international students to universities across Taiwan. It runs on an annual application cycle, and the guidelines for each round are released on official portals.
It suits students who already know what they want to study and can explain why Taiwan is the right place for it. Taiwan is known for technology-focused education, and the scholarship gives access to well-ranked universities and research facilities. If you are an engineering, science or research-minded applicant, your study plan will probably write itself more easily than if you are applying with a vague interest in "going abroad".
It is a weaker fit if you are not willing to deal with a new language and culture. You will be living in East Asia for the length of a full degree, and some programs or universities may expect Chinese language skills. Check that before you commit time to an application.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Study levels | Undergraduate, Master's, PhD |
| Host country | Taiwan |
| Provider | Taiwan Government |
| Eligible fields | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Opening date | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Deadline | Varies, confirm on the official site |
| Official site | official website |
Tuition, a monthly stipend and health cover
The scholarship is listed as fully funded. The coverage includes:
- Full tuition fees at participating universities
- A monthly living stipend
- Accommodation support or an accommodation allowance
- Comprehensive health and medical insurance
The exact amounts are not fixed in the information available, and other parts of the package vary by cycle. So do not build your budget around a stipend figure you saw on a forum or in an old social media post. When the current guidelines are out, read the coverage section line by line. Look in particular at whether accommodation is provided directly or paid as an allowance, because that changes how much of your stipend is left for food and transport.
Also check whether airfare, visa fees and any one-time costs are included. The coverage list above does not mention flights, so assume you may need to pay for your own ticket unless the official guidelines say otherwise.
Who is eligible, and the nationality question
The scholarship is open to international students. Pakistani students should still confirm on the official portal that their nationality is eligible in the current cycle, since government programs sometimes limit or prioritise certain countries. The listed requirements are:
- You must be an international student.
- You must meet the academic requirements for the degree level you are applying to.
- Undergraduate applicants need a high school diploma.
- Master's applicants need a Bachelor's degree.
- PhD applicants need a Master's degree.
- You must meet the language proficiency criteria set by the host university.
The last point is where many applicants trip. The language requirement is set by the university, not by a single national rule. A program taught in English will ask for English proof, while a Chinese-taught program will want Chinese proficiency. Pick your program first, then check its language rules.
For Pakistani applicants, "high school diploma" in practice means your intermediate qualification (FSc, ICS, A-Levels or equivalent). Make sure your certificates are verified and ready. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers how to get that done without last-minute panic.
The six documents and the one that decides most applications
You will need:
- A completed application form
- Transcripts and certificates for your highest degree
- A valid passport copy
- Letters of recommendation
- A study plan or research proposal
- Proof of English or Chinese language proficiency
Most of these are paperwork. The study plan is the document that actually separates applicants. A weak study plan reads like a general essay about loving Taiwan's culture. A strong one names the program, explains what you will study, connects it to what you have already done, and says what you plan to do afterwards. PhD applicants should treat the research proposal as a serious academic document with a clear question and method, not a summary of interests.
Recommendation letters matter too. Ask academic referees who taught you and can comment on your work. A generic letter from a well-known name helps less than a specific letter from a teacher who actually supervised you. If you want a broader checklist, see our documents checklist for international scholarships.
Applying: program first, scholarship second
The order of steps matters here, because the scholarship is tied to admission at a participating university.
- Identify an eligible degree program at a participating university in Taiwan.
- Prepare your academic documents, transcripts and language certificates.
- Submit the scholarship application through the official portal or the designated channel.
- Wait for review and evaluation by the scholarship committee.
- Receive your admission and scholarship results.
Students often reverse steps 1 and 2. They gather documents in general and only then look for a program, which leaves them with the wrong language test or a study plan that does not match any real course. Choose the program, read its requirements, and build your file around it.
Why the deadline needs extra attention
The opening date, the deadline and the result announcement all vary and should be confirmed on the official site. The general cycle runs like this: applications open on dates announced on the official portal, you submit all documents before the final deadline, and successful candidates are notified by email or through the portal.
There is a second layer to watch. University deadlines may differ from the government scholarship deadline. You could meet the scholarship deadline and still miss the university's admission deadline, or the other way around. Write down both dates for every program you apply to and work to the earlier one.
Practically, this means starting early. Language tests take time to book and results take time to arrive. Referees need several weeks' notice. Getting certificates attested in Pakistan also takes time. If you start when the portal opens, you are already late for some of this.
Mistakes Pakistani applicants should avoid
Relying on old information is the most common problem. Because the details change each cycle, last year's deadline or stipend figure tells you very little. Check the official website for the current round before you plan anything.
Ignoring the language question is the second. If your chosen program is taught in Chinese and you have no proof of Chinese proficiency, your application is unlikely to go anywhere. Many applicants are better off targeting English-taught programs unless they have studied Chinese.
Submitting at the last minute is the third. Portals can be slow or fail near deadlines. Upload everything well before the final date so a technical problem does not cost you a full year.
Finally, think ahead to the visa stage. A scholarship award does not remove the need for a clean visa file. Our guide on student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students is worth reading once your result arrives. For other options in the same country, see all Taiwan scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Taiwan Government Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to international students who meet the academic and language criteria. Confirm on the official portal that Pakistan is eligible in the current cycle before you apply.
Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?
Yes. It covers full tuition fees at participating universities in Taiwan, along with a monthly living stipend, accommodation support or allowance, and health and medical insurance.
Which degree levels can I apply for?
Undergraduate, Master's and PhD programs. Undergraduate applicants need a high school diploma, Master's applicants a Bachelor's degree, and PhD applicants a Master's degree.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
It depends on the program. Language requirements are set by the host university, and you can submit either English or Chinese proficiency proof depending on what your program asks for.
When is the deadline for the 2027 intake?
The opening date and deadline vary by cycle and should be confirmed on the official site. Also check your university's own deadline, as it may differ from the scholarship deadline.
Which fields of study are eligible?
Various fields offered by participating universities are open, but the exact list varies. Confirm it on the official site for the current round.
Before you start your application, check the official website for the current cycle's guidelines, and keep the full scholarship page handy for a quick summary.