Do you dream of studying abroad in Asia—in a city that never sleeps, steeped in history and brimming with energy? Then National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei is the perfect place for you. As one of Taiwan’s most prestigious research universities, NTNU combines academic excellence with a truly international atmosphere—right in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting metropolises. Here, tradition meets innovation: ancient temples stand alongside futuristic skyscrapers, and lively night markets sit next to modern university buildings. On this page, you’ll find all the important information about the university, the city, and life there—and learn how you can make your semester abroad at NTNU in Taipei a reality. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon be sipping boba tea while exploring Taiwan’s fascinating capital between classes and watching the sunset from Elephant Mountain?
Anyone visiting National Taiwan Normal University for the first time will quickly realize that it strikes the right balance between academic excellence and a global perspective. NTNU is one of Taiwan’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Founded in 1922, initially as a teachers’ college under Japanese colonial rule, it gradually evolved after World War II into a comprehensive research university—and today it is far more than its name suggests. Although NTNU has its roots in teacher education, today it comprises ten colleges and 67 academic disciplines: ranging from education, the humanities, and the natural sciences to technology and engineering, as well as business, art, music, sports, and international studies. Approximately 16,000 students are enrolled, including over 1,600 international students from more than 80 countries, making NTNU the Taiwanese university with the highest proportion of international students.
A distinctive hallmark of NTNU is its world-famous Mandarin Training Center (MTC). Every year, nearly 1,800 students from over 90 countries take Chinese language courses at this renowned language center—a unique offering that makes Taipei one of the world’s leading destinations for learning Chinese. So, if you’d like to use your semester abroad to learn or improve your Mandarin, NTNU offers the ideal conditions.
Research is a top priority at NTNU: 13 research centers drive interdisciplinary projects, and in the Times Higher Education Rankings, NTNU ranks among the Top 50 worldwide in the field of Education Studies. NTNU is a member of AACSB, which underscores the high quality of its management faculty on an international level. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) supports international students with a wide range of services: from course registration and finding housing to career opportunities in Taiwan. NTNU also embodies true internationality on campus: faculty and researchers from around the world, numerous English-language courses, and a vibrant network of over 196 student clubs ensure a campus life that offers new encounters and inspiration every day.
NTNU is spread across three campuses in Taipei City and neighboring New Taipei City—all easily accessible by public transportation and strategically located. The heart of the university is the Main Campus in the Da'an District, right in the center of Taipei. This is where most of the academic buildings, libraries, and administrative facilities are located, surrounded by a lively neighborhood with cafés, restaurants, and small bookstores. Its immediate proximity to the famous Shida Night Market Road makes the location particularly popular: after the last class of the day, bubble tea and fresh scallion pancakes are less than a five-minute walk away.
The Gongguan Campus is also located within the city and houses facilities for sports science and other academic departments—including high-standard sports facilities. The Linkou Campus, situated in the more rural outskirts, offers additional infrastructure, particularly for athletic activities and specialized programs.
On campus itself, you’ll find modern learning spaces, a well-equipped university library, laboratories, art studios, sports facilities, and several dining halls and cafeterias. Over 196 student clubs ensure that social life doesn’t take a back seat to your studies—ranging from music ensembles and language clubs to outdoor communities.
Taipei is a city that gets under your skin. By day, it offers world-class museums and modern skyscrapers; by night, bustling night markets and karaoke bars that stay open until the early morning hours—Taiwan’s capital blends Eastern tradition and Western modernity in a way all its own, a feat few other cities in the world can match. With around 2.5 million residents in the city proper and over 7 million in the metropolitan area, Taipei is the vibrant heart of Taiwan. The city is safe, clean, and incredibly well-connected: The MRT (metro) system is punctual, affordable, and can take you in just a few minutes from the university to Taipei 101, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum, or one of the numerous nature parks on the outskirts of the city. For cycling enthusiasts, the YouBike rental system is available on almost every corner.
What makes Taipei particularly attractive for students is the comparatively moderate cost of living—especially compared to other Asian metropolises like Tokyo, Seoul, or Singapore. A meal at the night market often costs less than three euros, and a public transit ticket is less than one euro. With good planning, you can get by very well on a monthly budget of 700 to 1,000 euros—provided you live in a student dorm. This is exactly what’s recommended for international exchange students: NTNU offers on-campus housing that is not only affordable (equivalent to about 150–250 euros per month) but also makes it easier to quickly settle into campus life. Those who prefer to live off-campus can find shared apartment rooms in popular neighborhoods like Da’an, Zhongzheng, or Wanhua starting at around 350–500 euros per month.
Taiwan itself is a country that invites you to explore: dreamy beaches on the east coast, impressive national parks like Taroko Gorge, hot springs in the north, and bustling old towns in the south—there are no excuses for not taking weekend trips. Those who want to travel even further can take advantage of Taipei’s location as a hub for flights throughout Asia. Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, or Hong Kong are often within reach for less than 100 euros. Taiwanese people are known for their exceptional hospitality. As an international student, you’ll quickly realize that openness and helpfulness aren’t just empty phrases here, but a lived reality.
Munich Business School (MBS) offers you the opportunity to combine your studies in Munich with a stay at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei—all within a single program! You can complete your semester abroad at NTNU as part of the following master’s programs at MBS:
In addition, students in the Master of Arts in International Business program have the unique opportunity to earn a Dual Degree in partnership with NTNU. This means that upon completion of your studies, you will receive not only an MBS degree but also a degree from NTNU—a strong dual qualification that offers real added value, particularly for a career in Asia or at internationally oriented companies.
Note: Despite careful maintenance of our content, individual details regarding the semester abroad may occasionally change. For binding and up-to-date information, we recommend checking our partner university database.
Have you found a degree program that piques your interest? If so, you can easily apply through the MBS application portal. Provided you meet the necessary academic and language requirements, you will then be invited to a selection interview. It’s best to apply early to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to both Munich Business School and NTNU!
Once your application to Munich Business School has been accepted and you have successfully enrolled in a master’s program, your time as a student in Munich begins. During your first semesters at Munich Business School, you’ll acquire important business fundamentals, choose your areas of concentration and electives based on your program and interests, and collaborate with your fellow students on exciting projects.
Your first semesters at Munich Business School are also the ideal time to plan your semester abroad at NTNU. In the master’s program, the semester abroad is scheduled for the third semester. The MBS International Center is here to provide you with advice and support as you plan your trip and will answer all your questions about course selection, housing, and student life in Taipei.
Now that you’ve successfully completed your first semesters at Munich Business School and finalized your plans for your semester abroad at NTNU, it’s finally time to get started. Your semester abroad in Taipei is about to begin! Immerse yourself in a new university culture, make new friends from all over the world, discover one of Asia’s most exciting cities, and create memories that will last a lifetime. One thing is certain: the experience of studying in Taiwan will stay with you forever—and at the same time, it will open up entirely new perspectives for your career in one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
After your semester abroad, you’ll return to Munich Business School and complete your degree with your master’s thesis.
Want to earn another college degree without completing an entire degree program in Taiwan? The Dual Degree program makes it possible! To do this, you’ll first study for two semesters in the International Business master’s program at Munich Business School and then spend two more semesters at National Taiwan Normal University. After successfully completing your studies with your master’s thesis, you’ll earn two degrees: a Taiwanese MBA from NTNU and a German Master of Arts from Munich Business School!
To qualify for a master’s program at Munich Business School—and thus also at NTNU in Taipei—you must meet certain academic and language requirements. MBS offers several application rounds. We recommend applying early, as the number of spots is limited.
A semester abroad—or even a dual degree—at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei is a dream come true for many students—and for good reason! At the same time, studying in Taiwan raises many practical questions: How good is the university really? What is the cost of living in Taipei? And what is it like to study in English? In this FAQ, you’ll find answers to the most important questions about studying at NTNU.
National Taiwan Normal University ranks 435th worldwide in the 2026 QS World University Rankings—a solid result, but one that does not tell the whole story. According to Times Higher Education, NTNU ranks among the top 50 worldwide in fields such as Education Studies, and it ranks 118th in the Asia University Rankings. As a public research university with a particular focus on internationalization, language training, and interdisciplinary research, NTNU is known above all for its quality in specialized fields and its excellent international network—making it an attractive partner for career-oriented MBS students looking toward the Asian market.
NTNU is not an exclusively English-speaking university—many undergraduate courses are taught in Chinese. However, for international exchange students and master’s students, NTNU offers a wide range of English-language courses, particularly in the fields of business, international studies, technology, and the natural sciences. MBS students can easily complete their semester in English. Those who wish to use this time to learn Mandarin or improve their existing skills will find the ideal environment at NTNU’s world-renowned Mandarin Training Center.
Compared to other Asian cities, Taipei is one of the more affordable metropolises. As an MBS exchange student, you do not pay any additional tuition fees at NTNU—you remain enrolled at Munich Business School. The cost of living in Taipei is significantly lower than in major Western European cities: Students living in NTNU’s dormitories pay the equivalent of about 150–250 euros per month for housing. Food, public transportation, and leisure activities are also affordable. With a monthly budget of about 700–900 euros, you can live very comfortably in Taipei—including taking day trips and exploring the island.
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