Fellowship, Tuition Fee & Living Costs
TIGP Fellowship/ Stipend
Once admitted, TIGP students receive a stipend of NTD 40,000/month (around US$1,250) for the first year. For students who perform well, this scholarship/stipend will be extended for 2 more years (merit-based). Following the scholarship/stipend period, financial support is contingent on the discretion of individual thesis advisors. Typically, students receive support from their advisors in subsequent years. After students pass their qualifying exam, their fellowship will be raised to NTD 50,000/month (around US$1,560) until the end of the fifth year (merit-based).
Tuition Fee
For the initial two years, tuition fees are approximately NT$31,180 (around US$975) per semester. Eligible Ph.D. students in their first and second years are granted a scholarship from NYCU equivalent to their paid tuition and fees. Students pay the tuition fee initially, and eligible students receive reimbursement the next semester. The specifics of the amount and eligibility are subject to announcements by NYCU.
Living Costs
Upon arriving in Taiwan, students must register for Alternative Medical Insurance before joining the NHI. The Alternative Medical Insurance fee for the first 6 months is a total of NTD 3000, payable in cash upon registration. International students with a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) for at least 6 months can apply to enroll in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance through the partner school for a fee of around NTD $826/month, providing access to the same medical coverage as Taiwanese citizens.
In comparison to most Western countries, the cost of living here is significantly lower than in the US and Europe, with living expenses in Taipei approximately half of those in Western countries. TIGP graduate students at Academia Sinica can choose dormitory housing at NT$5,500 per month. Off-campus private housing is generally pricier, ranging from NT$5,000 to NT$15,000 per month. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University also offers dormitory housing at the Yang Ming campus. As for food, you can get a good meal at a reasonable price at restaurants, cafeterias, café, or food courts on the Academia Sinica campus and off campus. Average prices include a cup of coffee/tea in a café at NT$40-60, a sandwich at a bakery at NT$60-80, and a restaurant dinner at NT$120-180.