Frequently Asked Questions
1. 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 candidates receive a stipend of NT$34,000/month (approx. USD1,130) for the first year. For students who perform well, this stipend will be extended for a further 2 to 3 years. Post the stipend allowance period, further financial support is dependent upon individual thesis advisors.
2. How much are the tuition and credit fees?
Payment of tuition fees are due upon registration each semester. Tuition amounts vary among partner universities. For more information please contact your program of interest. On arriving at Academia Sinica, students will also face reasonable living and housing costs.
3. How is the living expenses here?
About living expense, one may have to consume about 500 USD per month on average to cover everything, from housing price, travel expenses, eating… With the monthly stipend at about 1130 USD, it is quiet affordable for living in Taipei.
The tuition and course fee is about 1000 USD per semester, in which TIGP program have financially supported by half.
4. I haven’t taken the English proficiency test, can I still apply for TIGP?
It is possible that you can submit your profile without English certificate by the deadline. You can supplement the English before the new study semester start if you get admission by TIGP (conditional admission)
5. Is there any activity like Sport Competition, Cultural Exchange events for TIGP students?
TIGP hosts many exciting activities like organizing trip, Dragon Boat Competition, etc. We also have Association for Foreign Student, Counseling Service that will great support students for the affairs beside research.
6. How long will it take to obtain a doctoral degree at TIGP?
Normally, it takes five years for a student to complete the Ph.D. degree in Taiwan. However, the duration might be reduced for excellent or hard-working students. Why does it take longer for pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Taiwan than other countries that students can finish within three years? It stems from the difference in the training system of each country. In Taiwan, students almost spend all of their time to take courses during the first year or one and a half year. At the end of the second year, they have to pass the oral qualifying exam; this is a great challenging for them to become a doctoral candidate. Therefore, during the first two years, students don’t do their own research project. Hence, the PhD life takes two years for the coursework. Starting from the third year, students need to figure out their own research topic to conduct for the next three years until completing the Ph.D with several publications. This research topic might origin from the research proposal that the student defense in their oral qualifying exam. Eventually, it takes five years for a student to finish their Ph.D. degree. For other training system without taking courses in other countries, three-year Ph.D. is quite reasonable. There are some arguments that taking courses is useless and waste time for Ph.D. level. In my viewpoint, these arguments are definitely wrong; taking course is useful in different aspects instead. It helps to remind or improve their knowledge as the background to understand more complicated concepts arising during their research. For example, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics are the backbone for students who are conducting their studies related to molecular or material science. It is uncertain that the knowledge from textbooks serves to solve the problem in a straightforward manner. However, it is certain that students are on the right direction. Regarding the course, not only the background is enhanced, in the English-teaching system, the other aspects such as communication, problem-solving and presentation skills are also relevant. The obligation seminar course trains the students these skills and pushes every student to work harder towards professional researchers. Overall, two years transition for the coursework out of five years Ph.D. is valuable for students to get themselves ready for their future research project.