Our Mission
A Place to Settle In and Grow
Choosing a university far from home is never a small decision. TCU understands that and is committed to providing more than just an education.
Located in Hualien, a coastal city of quiet beauty on Taiwan’s eastern shore, TCU offers an environment where you are genuinely cared for, where settling in feels possible, and where growth feels natural.
Where Care Shapes Everything
Rooted in Buddhist values, this commitment to human dignity is not a religious requirement. Rather, it is a practice that embraces people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. Tzu Chi believes that students who experience genuine support will, in turn, learn to support others. At TCU, this belief is not just a slogan. It is reflected in every aspect of campus life, every day.
What makes TCU different comes down to five things and each one matters.
Compassionate Education
Yi-De Parents Program
Studying abroad means leaving everything familiar behind. The Yi-De Parents Program pairs international students with Tzu Chi volunteers who offer guidance, practical support, and a genuine sense of community, so that settling into campus life feels a little less like starting from scratch.
Service Learning and Volunteering Opportunities
Service learning is an integral part of the TCU experience. Through volunteer initiatives and community engagement programs, Students have a variety of opportunities to engage with their communities, from local outreach to international volunteer initiatives through the Tzu Chi network.
Innovative Medical Education
Silent Mentor Program
The Silent Mentor Program sets TCU apart, not just as a medical school, but as a place where clinical training and human dignity go hand in hand.
Pioneered by TCU and now recognized internationally, the program invites voluntary body donors to contribute to medical education with the full understanding and blessing of their families. Medical students learn not only from the body, but from the person, their story, their family, and their choice to give.
Today, the Silent Mentor Program is recognized as a global standard for humanistic medical training. This model originated here in Hualien and has since inspired institutions around the world.
Global Opportunities
Dual Degree / Triple Degree Program
The Dual or Triple Degree Program offers something rare: the chance to graduate with degrees from two or three institutions through one focused journey. Graduates leave with qualifications from both TCU and a partner university abroad, along with a perspective that opens doors.
Student Exchange Program
TCU has formal partnerships with more than 70 universities across five continents, offerig students opportunities for academic exchange, cross-cultural learning, and collaborative research. Partner institutions include leading universities such as :
- National University of Singapore
- Osaka University
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
- Thompson Rivers University
- Rennes School of Business
- Aston University
These are not just names on a list ,they represent real exchange opportunities available to TCU students every year. For many, studying at TCU is where the journey begins. a springboard to wherever their aspirations may take them.
Personalized Academic Support
Global Rankings and Recognition
Tzu Chi University has received international recognition for it’s contributions to education and social impact. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2019, TCU ranked 67th globally, 10th in Asia, and 1st in Taiwan among 462 universities evaluated.
in THE Impact Rankings 2025, TCU ranked 64th worldwide among 1,788 universities for its contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Faculty Excellence
TCU is supported by a highly qualified faculty committed to excellence in teaching and research. More than 86% of faculty members hold doctoral degrees, exceeding the national average.
with a student–faculty ratio of approximately 10:1, students have genuine access to faculty who are deeply committed to their field and personalized academic guidance.
Accelerated 5-Year Programs
TCU’s 5-Year Program allows students to begin graduate-level preparation during their undergraduate studies, enabling them to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees within shorter timeframe.
Global Tzu Chi Network
Behind TCU stands one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks. The Tzu Chi Foundation, operating across 68 countries. For students, this is not just an impressive backdrop. It is a living ecosystem of hospitals, media organizations, educational institutions, and relief operations that actively needs talented people.
At TCU, your studies place you at the edge of that world with real opportunities to engage, contribute, and grow alongside it.
Scholarship and Student Support
Scholarships for International Students
Financial concerns shouldn’t stand between you and your education. TCU offers a variety of scholarships and financial assistance programs designed to reduce financial barriers, reflecting our belief that when students feel truly supported, they can give their full attention to learning, growing, and thriving.
Affordable Housing and Campus Facilities
Living well is essential to learning well. TCU’s on-campus housing is comfortable, affordable, and thoughtfully managed. providing a safe and secure environment where students can rest and recharge. On-campus dining is available for all three meals of the day, at prices that won’t strain a student budget , making it simple to eat well without leaving campus.
Student Employment Opportunities
TCU offers various on-campus student employment opportunities that allows students to gain professional experience while studying, on-campus positions are available in various areas , such as the Office of Global Affairs, the university library, and academic teaching assistance programs. International students may work part-time with a valid work permit tied to their Taiwan ARC ( Alien Resident Certificate ) up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods.