NSYSU: Mandarin language and culture in Taiwan

Spend 4 weeks studying Mandarin language and Taiwanese culture at National Sun Yat-sen University.

Overview

Opportunity: 4 week summer school at National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan.
Dates: 28 June - 25 July 2026. 
Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Eligibility: Non-final year undergraduates who are not fluent/native in Mandarin.
Cost: Programme fee is £320. See below for other additional costs.
Funding: Limited funding is available.  
Apply: Complete this form before 11.59pm on 4 February.
Questions: Email summer-abroad@bristol.ac.uk. 

Since 2023 we have sent over 80 students to National Sun Yat-Sen University in Taiwan to learn Mandarin alongside local culture. 

You can read previous feedback here: NSYSU reviews (PDF, 742kB).

The programme includes:

  • daily Mandarin lessons Monday to Friday
  • sessions to learn about Taiwanese culture
  • field trips to cultural sites
  • free time at weekends to explore Taiwan

This programme will help you to:

  • gain basic Mandarin language skills
  • immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture
  • develop your intercultural skills

See NSYSU brochure 2026 (PDF, 4,497kB) for more details. 

Eligibility

There are 30 places available. 

To apply for one of these places, you must be a current undergraduate student at the University of Bristol, and not in your final year. 

Any level of Mandarin (including complete beginner) can be considered for this course. As this is a language programme, you should not apply if you are a native or fluent Mandarin speaker. 

This programme is exclusively available for nominated students, so you cannot apply directly. 

Costs

This programme is supported by funding from the Taiwan Ministry for Education. Thanks to this support, the programme fee has been significantly reduced for all students.

  • The remaining fee is around £320 which includes organised cultural trips and accommodation.
  • Return flights to Taiwan from the UK usually start around £700. You will need to arrange your own travel and visa.
  • You will need to bring your own spending money for food, any extra activities/travel/souvenirs, as well as travel accessories such as luggage, sim cards etc. 
  • Nominated students will be eligible for free UOB travel insurance.

Accommodation

Students will share in basic twin rooms at a local hotel. Students with specific health concerns can request a single room but there is no guarantee one will be available.  A single room will incur an additional cost of £165. 

Funding

  • Successful home students with a UOB bursary and/or Bristol Scholars will receive a £588 grant (to cover their programme fee and other expenses) as well as a £905 travel grant (for flights and internal travel). 
  • Successful students (home or international) who do not meet this criteria will receive a £476 grant to use towards their programme fee and other expenses.

 

Application process

  1. Submit form below by 11.59pm by Sunday 4 February 2026. It will ask you to provide an email for a staff member within the university who can provide a short reference.
  2. Applications will be reviewed for suitability and shortlisted by 19 February 2026. 
  3. Students will be responsible for managing their application with NSYSU and register by mid March (date TBC). 

 

Applications closed 4 February, unfortunately late applications cannot be considered.