TAINAN (TVBS News) — National Cheng Kung University (NCKU, 成功大學) will hold its two-day 2025 master's program entrance exams starting on Monday (Feb. 10), attracting a record 18,960 applicants. This figure marks a 17.27% increase from last year, solidifying its position as the top university in Taiwan for master's program applications. The university attributes this surge to its graduates' strong reputation in the job market.
The exams will take place simultaneously at venues in Tainan and Taipei. For the first time, departments can opt out of written exams, showcasing the university's flexible and inclusive approach to admissions. This change aims to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to participate. A total of 91 departments will offer 1,775 spots, with an average acceptance rate of 9.36%.
Among the most competitive programs, the Institute of Behavioral Medicine has an acceptance rate of just 1.7%, followed by Statistics at 2.5%, and Economics and Information Management at 2.6%. Electrical Engineering leads in applications with 1,433 candidates and a 7.6% acceptance rate. The university's Office of Academic Affairs highlights its broad range of disciplines, including literature, science, engineering, and more.
Despite a decline in doctoral program applicants, master's program interest remains strong. The university's Secretary General Lee Ching-chang (李俊璋) noted that NCKU graduates are highly favored by employers. He observed that students often choose NCKU over National Taiwan University (NTU, 台灣大學), reflecting the university's esteemed reputation.