The Number of Foreign Students Studying in Taiwan Exceeds 17,500 in 2007

2008-02-12

Foreign students are the bridges of a nation to the international society. The number of students studying in Taiwan indicates the level of internationalization and international competitiveness of the nation's education, as well as representing the nation's power and ability to attract foreigners. In 2007, the total number of students (including degree-level, exchange, and language study students) reached 17,742, which registers an increase of 3,263, compared to the 14,479 count in 2006 (appendix 1).

Degree-seeking students studying in Taiwan in 2006 were 3,935 and 5,259 in 2007, which registers an increase of 1,324 persons (appendixes 1 and 2). In 2007, most of the foreign students studying for degrees in Taiwan come from Asian countries, reaching a total of 3,694 or 70%; the second largest group comes from continental America, accounting for a total of 992 persons or 19% (appendix 3). The foreign students in Taiwan come from 117 countries and the top five nations are Vietnam (806), Malaysia (700), Indonesia (425), Japan (409), and the USA (348) (appendix 4). The foreign students are studying in 109 institutions in total, with the largest number of them studying in National Taiwan University (438) and the remaining distributed in the following institutions: Ming Chuan University (426), National Cheng Kung University (414), National Cheng Chi University (405), and National Taiwan Normal University (207) (Appendix 5). In terms of subjects studied, the largest group falls in the science/technology/medicine/agriculture category with a total of 1,765 persons or 34%, and the second largest group falls in the business management category with a total of 1,712 persons or 33% (appendix 6).

Exchange students taking degree-level subjects came to a total of 1409 persons in 2006, and 2306 persons in 2007, registering an increase of 897. Most of the exchange students in 2007 also come from Asian countries, totaling 1361 persons or 59%, and the second largest group comes from Europe with a total of 506 persons or 22% (appendix 7). The exchange students in Taiwan come from 17 countries and the top five nations are Japan (574), South Korea (430), the USA (274), Germany (121), and France (116) (appendix 8). The exchange students are studying in 59 institutions; among which, Ming Chuan University has the most students ( 434), with the rest being Chung Hsing University (358), National Taiwan University (192), National Sun Yat-Sen University (134), and National Cheng Chi University (87) (appendix 9).

A total of 9135 persons in 2006 and 10,177 persons in 2007 are studying in the language centers in the universities, registering an increase of 1042 persons. The largest group of language students in 2007 also comes from Asian countries with a total of 5860 persons or 58% and the second largest group comes from America with a total of 2403 or 24% (appendix 10). Language students come from 110 countries and the top five are Japan (1888), Indonesia (1233), South Korea (1163), and Vietnam (470) (appendix 11). The students are studying in 26 language centers in Taiwan and the largest group is in the National Taiwan Normal University with a total of 2021 persons; the rest are Chinese Culture University with 1119 persons, Tamkang University with 753 persons, National Cheng Kung University with 463 persons, and Fu Jen Catholic University with 442 persons (appendix 12).

Appendixes:

1. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students Census
2. 10 Year Growth Curve of Foreign Students (Degree Level)
3. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Degree Level) by Degree and Continent
4. 2060 to 2007 Foreign Students (Degree Level) by Nation
5. 2060 to 2007 Foreign Students (Degree Level) by Institution
6. 2060 to 2007 Foreign Students (Degree Level) by Subject Category
7. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Exchange) by Continent
8. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Exchange) by Nation
9. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Exchange) by Institution
10. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Language) by Continent
11. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Language) by Nation
12. 2006 to 2007 Foreign Students (Language) by Institution