Taiwan might be a small island nation, but its ability to uphold and safeguard public health is not one to belittle. A large part of this success was due to the country’s investment in achieving universal healthcare and consolidated patient data through advancements in technology while fortifying the government’s role as a single-payer of medical insurance. The Taiwanese benefit package is more comprehensive than other government packages, including services such as dental care, mental health, and home nursing. This has resulted in positive reception for Taiwanese healthcare, which flows into its stellar public health rating – the country ranks first among healthcare systems worldwide in the Numbeo online survey of 2021.
With a healthcare backdrop like this, it comes as no surprise that Taiwan boasts some of the best public health courses in the world. Read on to find out which schools to go to for an excellent Taiwanese public health education:
Is it Cheap to Live and Study in Taiwan?
The living costs in Taiwan are pretty low compared to European and some other Asian countries. $750 per month is enough for an international student to get by in Taiwan. This includes accommodation fees, transportation, and food. Tuition fees are also very low in Taiwan; Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can pay as little as 21,010 TWD ($700) per year to pursue their degree of choice. Some Universities might charge higher fees. Tuition rates can go as high as $2,500 per year which is still relatively cheap in comparison to many countries worldwide. At the moment, there are no specific courses we can recommend for international students who want to study in Taiwan, but you can check out our Open Courses Page for available programs in Canada, USA, the UK, and Europe.
Top Universities for Public Health in Taiwan
1. Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University is one of the best public health universities in Taiwan since its inception in 1989. The school has pioneered and educated health professionals in various studies related to improving healthcare and quality of life in Taiwan and beyond. The university offers its Master’s and Ph.D. courses in Public Health since the late 1990s with the intent of training future health professionals in health promotion and management of diseases. These courses also offer specializations in the fields of Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Community Health, and Health Communication.
Both programs consist of 24 units of core and elective courses, as well as a 6-unit thesis presentation. Ph.D. students have an additional requirement of publishing two papers in scientific journals or equivalent and presenting these in both an internal dissertation review and an international conference.
Graduates may pursue fields in academe or research for both Chinese and Western medicine and as health practitioners in organizations from the public or private sector.
2. National Taiwan University
National Taiwan University is the premier institution of the country and offers Master’s and Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Global Health. These courses have the similar aim of training students to conduct empirical studies to analyze and address current issues in public health.
In line with its global thrust, the course accepts international students only. This brings about various worldviews in and outside the classroom for an enriching learning experience. These courses are also accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, the first of its kind outside the United States. This assures students of the quality of course content, the flexibility of study options, and international recognition as a public health professional. It is also well-affiliated with organizations worldwide from Asia to the Americas.
The course consists of compulsory and elective courses. Students of this excellent public health school are then encouraged to apply their learnings through fieldwork opportunities in rural Taiwan and neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Graduates may pursue courses in academe and research, developmental agencies, and health positions in the private or public sector.
3. National Cheng Kung University
The National Cheng Kung University offers Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Public Health intended to hone public health professionals in levels of research, learning, and practice. These courses are open to students in the fields of medicine and public health. With its research expertise in epidemiology, health policy, and cost-benefit analysis, the university provides an interdisciplinary approach to learning. It is also affiliated with national agencies for accurate population data to ensure the accuracy and relevance of results and recommendations. Through these courses, the university aims to cultivate graduates with social concern and international perspectives to utilize the latest advancements in public health for the betterment of societies.
Students from both degree programs must choose three electives from the university’s five specializations and complete these tracks alongside core courses. A dissertation will be done at the end of the course to assess learning outcomes. The key difference lies in the proportion of the credits – Master’s students take on a 6-unit dissertation, while Ph.D. students’ dissertations are at 12-units.
4. National Yang-Ming University
The National Yang-Ming University is another one of the best public health universities in Taiwan. It offers Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in their International Health Program which was established in 2002. With a global mindset, the program takes in both local and international students to encourage a wider perspective among its students. Students take on subjects under the university’s nine graduate institutes such as Health and Welfare Policy, Clinical, and Community Health Nursing, Microbiology and Immunology, among others, providing a holistic approach to public health education. All courses are conducted on a full-time basis.
The Master’s program comprises 30 units – 24 units of coursework and 6 units of thesis. This usually takes two years to complete. Meanwhile, the Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 18 credits of coursework and a completion of a published Ph.D. thesis in a scientific journal before graduation. As the thesis for a Ph.D. program requires implementation and evaluation, the standard duration of the program is 5-6 years.
5. Kaohsiung Medical University
Kaohsiung Medical University offers a Master Program of Public Health providing students with general education and interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in the field of public health. The course consists of subjects related to the university’s specializations in biostatistics and epidemiology, environmental health and industrial hygiene, and health administration and medical management. In line with its thrust for nation-building, the university aims to cultivate graduates with a heart for service, able to respond quickly to matters of disease prevention and health promotion in all levels of government.
The course can be completed in two years, the first year focusing on lectures while the second year moves toward application through statistic analysis and thesis completion.
We hope that you found this article on the best public health universities in Taiwan informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students to know more!
