As a new NTU student, you have a lot to discover! This guide will help you navigate the academic essentials, student life, living in Taiwan, and career development opportunities available to you.

To graduate from NTU, you need a total of 128 credits. These include general education, required courses, electives, and additional graduation requirements like service learning and physical education.

Your coursework is divided into different categories: General Education (15 credits), University Core (12 credits), Departmental Core (44 credits), Required Electives (10 credits), Departmental Electives (10 credits), Elective Courses (37 credits), and Additional Requirements like Service Learning (0 credits), Advanced English (0 credits), and Physical Education (4 credits, not counted toward graduation).

Each credit represents one hour of class time per week over the course of a semester. For example, a three-credit course typically involves three hours of class per week.

During the add/drop period, you're encouraged to attend different classes, even if you're not officially enrolled. Use this time to explore your options, listen to course introductions, review syllabi, and decide whether a course suits your interests or schedule.

Chinese language courses are integral to NTU's University Core requirements, with 6 mandatory credits. Even in English-taught programs—such as International Relations—learning Chinese remains essential for managing everyday tasks and cultural integration.

All students must take the Chinese Placement Test before the semester begins. The results determine your level placement—General, Enhancing, or Applied Chinese. Beginners may opt out of taking the test, but they must still submit the form to enroll in beginner-level courses.

NTU requires Political Science students to complete 15 service hours per semester over two semesters. The Political Science Department offers various service options.

All undergraduate students must complete a total of 4 PE credits to graduate. During your freshman year, you will be automatically enrolled in a 1-credit "Physical Fitness" course during your first semester. This course introduces basic physical training and general sports activities.

For the remaining requirement, you must take three 1-credit "Physical Activity and Exercise" courses, each focusing on a specific sport or activity (e.g., basketball, yoga, swimming, tennis).

The NTU-Waseda Double Degree Program, launched in the 2006–2007 academic year, allows NTU undergraduates to earn degrees from both NTU and Waseda University. The program is offered in collaboration with Waseda's School of Political Science and Economics (SPSE) and the School of International Liberal Studies (SILS).

Students spend three semesters (1.5 years) at Waseda, beginning in April. During this time, they must complete 64 credits while also fulfilling NTU's graduation requirements.

Applications typically open in October each year. Please check the department's website for the exact dates and any updates.

NTU hosts a variety of nationality-specific associations to help international students connect with peers from their home country while offering cultural events, academic support, and guidance for daily life.

These groups provide platforms for cultural exchange and support, aid students in adapting to life in Taiwan, and organize various activities such as tutoring sessions and festive events.

International students holding a valid resident visa must apply for their ARC within 15 days of arriving in Taiwan. After issuance, the ARC is valid for 1 to 3 years. Be sure to apply for a renewal at least one month before it expires.

If you take a leave of absence from NTU, your ARC—which is issued with a "Study at NTU" status—will be canceled once you complete the leave procedures. When you decide to re-enroll, you will need to obtain a new visa and reapply for an ARC upon re-entry into Taiwan.

When exchanging foreign currency into TWD, keep in mind that most banks only offer exchanges for US Dollars (USD), Hong Kong Dollars (HKD), and Japanese Yen (JPY). If you have a different currency, only the Bank of Taiwan's head office provides that service.

To open a bank account, bring your passport and ARC (both original and a photocopy) along with a cash deposit of at least TWD 100. Students under the age of 20 are required to submit a notarized guardian consent letter—authenticated by a Taiwanese embassy or representative office.

NTU provides several convenient on-campus transportation options to accommodate different needs:

International students in Taiwan are covered by several insurance schemes designed to address different needs throughout their studies. You can enroll in the National Health Insurance system after residing in Taiwan for 183 days within a 6-month period.

NTU Health Center is located on the main campus along Royal Palm Boulevard near the Main Library. It offers a range of medical services across various specialties—including family medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, otolaryngology, gynecology, dentistry, and psychiatry—as well as several diagnostic testing services.

You can only apply for the reissuance of a work permit in the event that your original permit is lost. To do so, you must submit a set of required documents including a completed work permit reissue declaration form, a photocopy of your student ID card, a photocopy of your passport, photocopies of both the front and back of your ARC, a certificate of enrollment, and the post office payment receipt for the original work permit.

Students holding a valid work permit are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term, although this limit does not apply during summer or winter vacations. Working without a valid permit can result in fines ranging from NTD 30,000 to NTD 150,000 and may lead to immediate expulsion from Taiwan as per the Employment Services Act.

Political science graduates pursue various career paths based on their specialization: