Study in Thailand
Thailand is a great choice for international study due to famous Thai people’s friendliness and hospitality and the country’s rich culture and economic development. With a fascinating combination of tradition and modernism, and exotic scenery, Thailand welcomes more than 20,000 international students each year.
Find the best information about what it’s like to study in Bangkok, including degree course offers, career opportunities, student life, living costs, and more.
Education System
Tertiary education in Thailand is offered at universities, institutes of technology (known as the Rajamangala Institute), vocational and technical colleges, teachers colleges (known as the Rajabhat Institute), and other professional colleges such as nursing colleges, and police and military academies.
The standard duration of study for most Bachelor’s degree programmes is four years, except for Architecture, Art, Graphic Art and Pharmacy that require five years of study. Basic training in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine lasts six years of study.
The academic year is made up of two semesters, June to October and November to March, and a summer session from April to May. However, some Thai universities have adopted different start and end dates for their semesters to correlate with the other school systems, like the ones from U.S. or Europe.
Why study in Thailand?
1. Tuition fees are low
For those of you planning to study at a public university in Thailand, you should know that tuition fees usually range between 1,600 and 2,500 EUR per year. Of course, there are exceptions, and you should expect much higher fees at private universities.
2. Enjoy beautiful weather and golden beaches
We cannot make a list with the best reasons to study in Thailand without talking about its wonderful tropical climate and beaches. What's there left to say?! After classes or during weekends, you can always take your friends, grab your swimming suits, and have fun at the seaside. Just don't forget your sunscreen!
3. Explore jaw-dropping landmarks and sites
If you think Thai beaches are attractive, then you'll love this: there are various other places where you can reconnect with nature and enjoy its beauty. Here are a few top attractions we recommend: the Similan Islands, the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, the Erawan National Park, the Erawan Falls, the Khao Sok National Park, the Doi Inthanon National Park, etc.
For human-made wonders, check out the Grand Palace, the Wat Arun Ratchawararam temple, the Wat Phra Kaew shrine, the White Temple, and so on.
4. Discover the "Land of Smiles"
The "Land of Smiles" is one of the (cute) nicknames used to refer to Thailand. It originates from Thai people's natural hospitality and friendliness towards internationals and other people in general. You'll discover this genuine light-heart feeling as soon as you arrive.
What to study in Thailand?
The most popular fields of study among foreign students are business administration, marketing, business English, Thai language, general management and international business management.
To demonstrate their English level, students may be required to take an English proficiency test, such as TOEFL or IELTS test. For Thai programmes, the Test of Thai as a Foreign Language is the official certificate accepted by Thailand Ministry of Education.
Application Requirements
Higher educational institutions help international students to follow simple application procedures, either applying online or by e-mail to the chosen university. All accepted applicants receive a Letter of Admission from the university.
Here is a list of most common required documents for university application:
- Completed Application Form
- Copy of Passport
- Transcripts: High School / Previous or current educational institution Official Transcripts (copies must be in English and be original or official certified copies of originals)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Chosen language of instruction with the language proficiency test annexed
According to university policy, additional documents may be required, like an essay between 300 to 500 words on a topic of your choice
It is advisable to always check with your chosen university for the exact required type of documents.
Language of instruction
Thai is the officially approved language of instruction in universities from Thailand. However, there are numerous degree programmes taught in English and higher education institutions continue to increase the number of courses. Some universities offers candidates the option to follow courses for Thai speaking students in English.
English language preparation for studying in Thailand
Develop your academic English language skills in order to meet the English language requirements at Thai universities offering degree studies for international students. Choose an English language school anywhere in the world and pick your preferred English exam preparation course from diverse language course options.
Universities in Thailand will want to see proof that you have good English-language skills, so that you can easily succeed in their English-taught courses. Universities accept these official English exams:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- C1 Advanced
Living in Thailand
Let's take a closer look at tuition and living expenses in Thailand:
Tuition fees
In Thailand, tuition fees vary based on the type of university (public vs private), the level of education (undergraduate vs postgraduate), the chosen discipline (e.g. IT, Business, Engineering), and so on.
International students can pay anywhere between 890 and 10,000 EUR per academic year. There are also study programmes that go over 10,000 EUR. For example, some MBA degrees cost as much as 39,000 EUR per year.
Check out scholarships to fund your studies in Thailand.
Costs of living
The monthly living expenses for students in Thailand can reach anywhere between 400 and 800 EUR. This largely depends on the city where you live, your lifestyle and, of course, your spending habits.
Here's a breakdown of living costs in Thailand:
- accommodation (one-bedroom apartment): 200–400 EUR/month
- monthly utilities: 60–90 EUR
- food and groceries: 100–250 EUR/month
- monthly transport pass: 34 EUR; some cities might have student discounts
- three-course meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant: 19 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 1.50 EUR
- 1 loaf of bread: 1.10 EUR
- 1 cappuccino: 1.65 EUR
About Thailand
Thailand officially the Kingdom of Thailand features a modern capital city, Bangkok, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation. Located in the centre of Southeast Asia, The geography of Thailand features many natural borders with neighbouring countries: a mountainous border with Myanmar (Burma) to the north and west; a long stretch of the Mekong River separating Thailand from Laos to the north and east; and the Mekong River and the Dongrak Mountains delineating the border of Cambodia to the east.
Thai means "people" or "human being", The Thai refer to Thailand as "land of the freedom”. This is because Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia never colonised by a European power.
Thailand is a Constitutional Monarchy presided over by the King of Thailand, who is the official head of state. The Thailand government is based on a constitutional monarchy quite similar to that of the United Kingdom, in which a Prime Minister serves as head of a parliamentary government and a hereditary Thai king functions as head of state.
Thailand is an emerging economy, the 2nd largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, with the seventh lowest unemployment rate in the world, and only 10% of the population living below the poverty line. The country’s exports consist primarily of agricultural products, including fish and rice, the latter of which Thailand is the largest exporter of in the world, as well as textiles, rubber, automobiles, jewellery, and computers/electronic appliances.
While the official Thai language is widely spoken throughout Thailand, many Thais also speak and understand English.
Thailand is largely tropical, so it's hot and humid all year around with temperatures in the 28-35°C range (82-95°F).
In addition to the Gregorian calendar, Thailand also uses the Thai solar calendar, which is 543 years ahead. Thai dates in English are often written as B.E., short for "Buddhist Era".
Thailand is home to the world’s ninth tallest statue, The Great Buddha of Thailand. Buddhism is the country's main religion, practiced by 95 % of the population.
Universities, colleges and schools in Thailand
Bangkok
- Thammasat University (2 Short courses)
- Mahidol University (1 Short course)
- King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (16 Short courses)
How to Apply to a Master's in Thailand
If you've decided to study a Master's degree at a university in Thailand, you will have to gather the right documents to prove that you fit the university requirements. Provide complete personal information, previous qualifications, financial information, and a personal statement.
What documents do I need to provide to apply in Thailand?
To apply to a university in Thailand you will likely be asked to provide some of the following documents:
- birth certificate;
- recent photos;
- your passport or national identity card;
- one or more reference letters from past employers or teachers;
- copies of past diplomas or certificates, including your graduated Bachelor's degree;
- academic transcripts;
- letter of intent;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Some form of proof that you can support your stay in the country during your studies.
Depending on the subject or specialization of your chosen Master's, you might also be asked to provide scores for additional tests like the GRE, GMAT or LSAT. Check if your programme requires any of these, or others.
The list of documents depends on the specific requirements of universities in Thailand so you might be asked to include additional documents. It’s also likely you’ll have to provide official English translations of your documents, or translations in the local language.
Prove your English skills
Because you’ll study an international degree in English, you'll have to present a language certificate. Some popular options for international students are IELTS, TOEFL or C1 Advanced language certificates. You’ll have to meet a minimum language score set by the university, and your test scores shouldn’t be older than 1-2 years. If you don’t meet the minimum language requirements, you will have to improve your skills and scores by taking an English preparation course.
Application deadlines for Thailand
The deadlines for applying to a Master's in Thailand are usually during summer (June-July), or in winter (January-February). Keep in mind that some universities don’t have application deadlines, which means you can apply whenever you are ready.
To avoid delays or missed deadlines send your required documents with plenty of time in advance.
