Frequently Ask Question

IMES Program

How long does the program last for?

Students must finish the program within six years. This includes any periods of withdrawal from school (maximum of two years).

All students must be enrolled in at least one course each semester to maintain student status. Those who have already taken the required numbers of courses (thirty-three hours) are exempted from this rule.

What are the requirements to graduate?

A minimum of 33 credit hours of graduate course work, including 9 credits for required courses and 24 credits for elective courses. Completion of research ethics online course and a thesis is required for the IMES Program.

Specialized Tracks: A total of 24 credits are offered in four  major areas of specialization consisting of ‘Economic Policy Analysis and Evaluation’, ‘Public Finance and Financial Market’, ‘Land Economy and the Environment’ and ‘Regional Development Studies’. Students may select course from the mentioned above area of specialization.

When do I have to take the Research Ethics Online course?

In order to ensure all students to abide by a high standard of research ethics, starting from Academic Year 2016-2017, newly enrolled students (including those who have early enrollment before Fall 2016), must complete the research ethics coursework before the end of their first school year. Students are required to pass the research ethics course, or receive explicit authorization for an exemption from the research ethics course before his/her application for taking the final graduate degree examination. 

To comply with the Research Ethics Course requirement, please follow the following guide.

Course Selection

Can I take courses outside the IMES Program?

IMES students can take up to three graduate-level courses taught in English from other

departments/programs at NCCU or University System of Taiwan (abbreviated as UST). However, students taking IMAS/IDAS courses, can take up to four courses, including the inter-departmental courses or UST courses.

How many credits are suggested to take per semester?

The suggested total credits per semester are 9-15 credits, but since different courses have different loading, you can adjust it on their own.

Writing Thesis

When should I find a Thesis Advisor?

Once you have decided on the broad subject area you want to research, you should consider who you want to serve as your Thesis Advisor. Students are suggested to choose an Advisor before or within the first semester of the second year.

How to find an advisor?

• Go to the web pages of departments that fit your interests. 
• Think about which professors you know or have taught classes that are related to your interests and that you enjoyed. 
• Ask around for recommendations from your classmates.
• Attend university events, activities, you know Speeches or conferences to learn more about the specialties of professors.

Can I have an Advisor from another university?

In compliance with the MOE Degree Conferral Law, thesis advisors need to be full-time or joint appointment faculty members of NCCU. Adjunct professors, professors from other schools or assistant professors may be accepted under approval by the IMES Director

When can I apply for the thesis proposal examination?

Applications for thesis proposal examination can be submitted anytime during the semester after they have completed 18 credits (3 required courses and 3 courses from one of the specialized tracks), and obtained approval from their thesis advisor. 

The thesis proposal examination should be completed within the same semester in which the application was submitted.

What should I do for thesis proposal and thesis defense?

1. After completion of the required 33 credit hours of coursework, a thesis must be completed and approved by the advisor in order to apply for thesis defense. 
2. The application for the thesis oral defense must be submitted TWO WEEKS before the day of the thesis defense and two months after passing applicant Thesis Proposal Examination.

Can I have professors from other universities in my Proposal Examining Committee?

Master’s thesis defense committees shall consist of three 3 to five (5) members. At least one member should be a full time professor from the College of Social Sciences. 

External members accounting for no less than one third of the committee.

Studying at NCCU & Living in Taiwan

Does NCCU provide scholarships for new students?

Yes. Several scholarships are offered to new students, such as the Taiwan Scholarship, International New Student Scholarship, IMES scholarship, etc. You can find more information on the Scholarships page.

Can I work while studying?

Yes, students who wish to work while studying in Taiwan must apply for a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor.  With the exception of the winter and summer vacations, foreign students’ sum of working hours shall not exceed 20 hours per week (80h/month).

Can I live at NCCU?

Yes, NCCU has dorms for students. Newly admitted international graduate students, except for those who have obtained the bachelor’s degree or above in Taiwan, are guaranteed a bed in an on-campus dormitory for the first year. Second year or above international graduate students who haven’t exceeded the maximum semesters of dormitory residence must apply to join the lottery drawing process to determine the residence of the next academic year. 

Please refer to the website of the Housing Service Section for additional information about the dormitories.

Where can I rent my graduation gown and cap?

NCCU Master’s and PhD. students can refer to the Graduation Gown & Cap Rental Procedure for rental details.