Students (either international students or students from within Taiwan) with a B.S. or M.S. degree from an accredited institution will be considered for admission. However, the ESS program prioritizes admissions to applicants with a Master of Science degree before joining the program.
Please refer to admission requirements for detailed application information.
FAQs
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What type of degree should I have to be eligible for applying?
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What are the standardized testing requirements?
All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by way of one of the following standardized instruments: TOEFL, GEPT (for applicants from Taiwan), or IELTS.
Please refer to admission requirements for detailed application information. -
Are GRE and TOEFL tests mandatory for application?
The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General and Subject scores are optional but applicants are strongly encouraged to provide it. Applicants, who fail to submit GRE scores for evaluation, should provide supplementary information (e.g. M.S. thesis, research publication, description of research experiences, etc) that can demonstrate potential in research.
The TOEFL, or some alternative demonstration of English proficiency (GEPT or IELTS), is required from all applicants. If an applicant can not submit the official score report before the deadline, he/she may receive an “conditional offer.”
The test of English proficiency can be exempted for applicants graduated from universities where English is the primary language of instruction, if the applicant provides an official certification issued by the Office of Registrar.
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What other supporting documents are required?
In addition to the specified standardized test scores, applicants are asked to provide transcripts, documentation of degrees (B.S. and/or M.S.), 3 letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose (not exceeding three pages), and a passport-size photograph. Optional supporting documentation may include (if available) academic papers, publications, documentation of awards and honors, etc.
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How and when should I apply?
All applications for 2023 enrollment are due no later than 1st of Feb, 2023. Candidates have to apply online.
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Is there an application fee?
TIGP requires no application fee.
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How to choose an advisor when applying?
Please choose 3 potential advisors at most. We encourage applicants contact members of ESS faculty directly to discuss your future Ph.D. study in TIGP-ESS program. Please contact members of ESS faculty before nominating one as your potential advisor.
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What kind of fellowship will I receive, if I’m successful in admissions? What is the value of the fellowship?
Every TIGP student receives a full fellowship (through Academia Sinica) for up to three years. In subsequent years, financial support will come from the thesis advisor.
Specifically, once admitted, TIGP provides fellowship support of NT$40,000 (about US$1,250) per month for all graduate students during the first year of their enrollment. The support will be extended for another two years upon evidence of satisfactory progress towards the degree. Post the stipend allowance period, the financial support will be provided by the student’s thesis advisor. The amount of the support will be at the discretion of the advisor.
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How much tuition and credit fee do I need to pay?
Payments of tuition fees are due upon registration each semester. Academia Sinica will partially subsidize the tuition fees and credit fees for TIGP international students.
Take year of 2022 for example, after subsidizing, TIGP students in NCU should pay basic tuition fees about NT$ 12,850, and the credit fees is NT$1,570 per credit. For TIGP students in NTU, the amount of is about NT$28,890 including the basic tuition fees and all credit fees.
The subsidy will take effect only for 5 consecutive years from the first registration year. If students apply for suspension anytime during those 5 years, the subsidy cannot be delayed for later use.
Student are asked to purchase the private health insurance for the first semester (6-months length), it costs around NT$3,500. National Health Insurance fee will be charged starting from 2024 spring semester. The NHI fee is NT$826 per month.
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How soon can I choose an advisor?
Students shall confirm their advisor upon admission to the program, and confirm their co-advisor before the end of the first study year. The advisor could be from Academia Sinica or the Partner-University, and the co-advisor has to be from the other side. By the end of the first study year, a student may apply for a change of advisor with the agreement of the original and new advisors. If students experience special circumstances and wish to change their advisor after their first study year, they must submit a case that will be subject to the decision of the Student Affairs Committee of our program.
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Which university will offer the Ph.D. degree to TIGP-ESS students?
National Central University and National Taiwan University. All TIGP courses are offered in Academia Sinica.
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My question is not answered here, whom should I contact?
Please email to Ms. Anne Chiu for further questions.