National Taiwan University

What you'll study

The programme provides a balanced curriculum across physical geography, human geography and geospatial technologies. In the early years students take foundation courses in physical geography (landforms, climatology, hydrology), human geography (population, urban and regional geography), and core skills such as cartography, statistics and research methods.

• Core modules: geomorphology, climatology and meteorology, hydrology, human and urban geography, regional geography of East Asia and Taiwan.
• Geospatial and technical training: geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, spatial analysis, digital cartography, field mapping and geocomputation.
• Methods and quantitative skills: statistics for geographers, qualitative methods, research design and data visualisation.
• Applied and environmental topics: environmental management, natural hazards and disaster risk reduction, coastal processes and management, land-use planning, sustainable development.
• Practical components: laboratory work in GIS and remote sensing, regular fieldwork across Taiwan’s varied landscapes, and project-based coursework culminating in a capstone project or undergraduate thesis.

Students can normally choose elective courses to specialise in areas such as urban planning, environmental assessment, transportation geography or advanced spatial modelling. Departmental seminars, guest lectures and research group activities supplement taught modules.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent. Typical admission expectations include strong academic results in relevant subjects such as geography, earth sciences, mathematics or related social sciences. Domestic applicants usually apply through national entrance systems, while international applicants are assessed on equivalent qualifications.

• Academic qualifications: secondary school diploma with competitive grades; relevant subject background recommended.
• Language requirements: many undergraduate courses are taught in Mandarin Chinese, so proficiency in Mandarin is normally required; some courses and resources are available in English and international applicants should check the medium of instruction and provide proof of language proficiency where requested.
• Supporting documents: academic transcripts, personal statement outlining interest in geography, and letters of recommendation where requested. Some applicants may be invited for interview.
• Additional routes: transfer students or those with prior tertiary study should provide university transcripts and may be required to meet specific credit transfer rules.

Career prospects

Graduates develop a combination of environmental knowledge, spatial thinking and technical GIS/remote sensing skills sought by employers across sectors. Common career paths include:

• GIS analyst, geospatial data specialist or remote sensing technician in private industry, consultancies or government agencies.
• Environmental consultant, natural resource manager or coastal/marine planner working on impact assessment and environmental management.
• Urban and regional planner or transportation analyst in municipal and regional planning bodies.
• Disaster risk reduction and emergency management roles in government, NGOs and international organisations.
• Research and academic careers following further study (master’s and PhD) in geography, environmental science, urban studies or geoinformatics.
• Teaching at secondary or tertiary levels after meeting local certification requirements.

Practical training, fieldwork experience and departmental links to government and industry support transitions into employment or postgraduate study.

Why study at National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University offers a well-established Geography Department with strengths in both physical and human geography and a commitment to applied geospatial research. Students benefit from dedicated laboratories (GIS and remote sensing facilities), active research groups and opportunities for fieldwork across Taiwan’s diverse environments—from mountains and rivers to urban and coastal systems.

• Research-led teaching: faculty conduct research in areas such as climate and hydrology, urbanisation, landscape change and geospatial technologies, bringing current topics into teaching.
• Practical exposure: regular field trips, laboratory sessions and project work develop hands-on skills valued by employers.
• Location advantages: proximity to government agencies, research institutes and a dynamic urban environment provides internship and collaboration opportunities.
• Pathways: strong graduate-study and industry connections support further education and professional careers in Taiwan and internationally.

Overall, the programme is suitable for students seeking a rigorous grounding in geographic science combined with practical geospatial skills and real-world experience.