Not CS or EE! NTU's Most Popular Major in 2026 Soars to 26x Application Ratio, Praised by Jensen Huang for Bright Prospects

The 115th academic year subject examination results were announced on August 3, officially marking the beginning of the志愿 selection phase for students. This year’s National Taiwan University (NTU) application data has unexpectedly sparked widespread discussion. The long-standing dominance of engineering and computer science majors in popularity rankings has seen a major shift.

According to NTU statistics, the Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development (Bio-Communication) received 522 applications for just 20 admission slots, resulting in a staggering 26-fold application ratio. Not only did it surpass popular majors like Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, but it also became the most applied-for department across the entire university. As AI drives rising demand for interdisciplinary talent, this enrollment surge is being seen as a new direction in Taiwan’s higher education.

NTU’s Biggest Dark Horse in 2026! 522 Applicants Compete for 20 Spots in Bio-Communication

The 115th academic year subject examination results were released on August 3, with the Testing Center opening score inquiries at 9:00 AM. After confirming their scores, students have now entered the志愿 selection phase.

Beyond test scores, this year’s NTU application results have also drawn public attention. The most discussed major is not Electrical Engineering or Computer Science, but rather the Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development—a program rarely mentioned among top choices in previous years.

According to NTU’s registration office, 522 students applied to the Bio-Communication program this year, with only 20 admission spots available, resulting in a 26:1 application ratio. Ultimately, only 62 applicants passed the first screening stage, making it the most applied-for department on campus.

In comparison, the application numbers for other major programs this year were as follows:

- Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development: 522 applicants - Department of Chemical Engineering: 513 applicants - Department of Electrical Engineering: 432 applicants - Medical Program: 223 applicants

From the data, Bio-Communication not only claimed the top spot in campus-wide applications for the first time, but also shattered the long-held perception that popular majors are dominated by engineering fields.

Application Numbers Nearly Triple in Two Years—Rapid Rise in Bio-Communication’s Popularity

Looking deeper at recent enrollment trends reveals the rapid ascent of Bio-Communication’s popularity. Two years ago, the program had only 182 applicants; this year, that number surged to 522—an increase of 340 applicants in just two years, representing nearly a threefold growth. It has become the most talked-about “dark horse major” in the 115th academic year admissions.

NTU’s popular major rankings have also shifted in recent years. Last year, biomedical and bioengineering-related programs led in first-stage applications, but this year, Bio-Communication has taken the top spot—reflecting a gradual change in students’ major selection preferences.

Jensen Huang: In the AI Era, Programming Isn’t the Only Key Skill

The rapid advancement of AI is transforming corporate talent requirements. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, in a recent interview on the podcast “All-In,” stated that AI development is gradually changing work models. In the future, interacting with AI will rely more on natural language than writing complex code. Therefore, individuals skilled in expression, communication, needs analysis, and logical thinking will have greater competitiveness.

He even suggested that students from humanities backgrounds—such as English majors—who have long cultivated language and communication skills, may become “the most successful group” in the AI era.

However, Huang emphasized that truly competitive talent isn’t defined solely by engineering or humanities backgrounds, but by individuals who combine technical skills with humanistic literacy and can integrate across disciplines.

Bio-Communication Cultivates Cross-Domain Skills Aligned with AI Industry Trends

The defining feature of the Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development is its interdisciplinary, integrated education.

The curriculum covers:

- Bio-industry - Agricultural development - Media and communication - Marketing and planning - Public communication - Issue translation - Social development

Students not only learn industry-specific knowledge but also develop communication, information integration, strategic planning, and cross-domain collaboration skills—enabling them to translate complex expertise into content understandable by diverse audiences.

As AI increasingly takes over repetitive tasks, the market places greater value on individuals who can ask the right questions, integrate information, and collaborate across specialties. This makes Bio-Communication’s talent development model increasingly aligned with industry needs.

Source: National Taiwan University, Department of Bio-Industry Communication and Development

Editor: Lin Li