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Study in Bhutan

Higher Education Structure in Bhutan

Study In Bhutan

The Bhutanese Higher Education system is well developed, with one large National University, one Public Medical University, autonomous Business and Law Schools, and three flourishing Private Colleges. They are decentralized, with most of the ten campuses of the Royal National University of Bhutan located away from the country's capital of Thimphu. More than 30,000 students are currently enrolled in various Bhutanese Colleges.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small country in the eastern end of the Himalayas, with India to its South and China to its North. Despite having a population of less than one million people, its dynamic leadership and focus on educational excellence have made it a safe and relatively highly developed country. Bhutan is known for its unconventional metrics of citizen welfare, including the pioneering Gross National Happiness concept. Agriculture, Tourism, and Hydro Power are the main pillars of the Bhutanese economy. Its capital and largest city is Thimphu.

The Perks of Studying in Bhutan

Bhutan is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #19 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the Wisevoter Safety Survey.
  • The country is ranked #179 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #89 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Bhutan

Even though the tertiary education sector of Bhutan is relatively new, it has grown in leaps and bounds as a priority investment of the Government. There are five kinds of entities within the Higher Education System of Bhutan:

1. Public University: The Royal University of Bhutan is the largest and oldest HEI in the country. It has ten constituent and two affiliated colleges; both public and private HEIs may apply for University affiliation. It is completely funded by the Government of Bhutan.

2. Medical University: Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences has three Faculties and one affiliated Medical College. Established in 2015, it has grown to become a respected health sciences institution in the region.

3. The autonomous Royal Institute of Management seeks to train students to become high level management professionals, in order to introduce professionalism at every level of the Kingdom's functioning.

4. The autonomous Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law is the apex educational body of excellence in the legal sector.

5. Private Colleges: These are envisaged to increase access to higher education in Bhutan. Royal Thimphu College, the first private HEI in the country, has several programs in subjects areas that are of special interest to Bhutan, including Climate Change and Sustainable Living. There are currently three Private HEIs in Bhutan.

Diploma Programs

Bhutanese Universities offer two year Diploma programs. They are of different kinds: some are intended for high school graduates to gain professional or technical experience in a field that has strong employment opportunities, so that they can join the labor market soon after graduating. Some are intended for experienced graduate students or working professionals to improve their CV with additional qualifications. Most diploma programs are taught in the full time mode, rather than virtual or part time.

Undergraduate Programs

There are two kinds of undergraduate programs in Bhutanese Universities and Colleges. Bachelor's degree programs take three years to complete, and involve completing a set of introductory courses in the chosen discipline. Bachelor's (Honors) programs take four years to complete, and have an additional undergraduate thesis project or advanced coursework and research as compulsory requirements.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master’s Programs in Bhutanese Universities include many disciplines that are unique to this part of the world, including Climate Studies and Development Research. These programs usually take two years to complete, and students can take advantage of Bhutan’s expertise in sustainable living to obtain a qualification that can be used anywhere in the world to increase Gross National Happiness. At the end of the postgraduate degree, students are expected either to submit a detailed project report or defend a Master’s dissertation.

Doctoral Programs

Most PhD Doctoral degrees in Bhutan take 3-5 years to complete, and students can avail of research and teaching assistant programs to help fund their doctoral studies. After a successful thesis defense, students are awarded their PhD degree, and can use it to obtain a job or postdoctoral position anywhere in the world. 

Disciplines Available in Bhutan

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Bhutan are-

Traditional MedicineBhutanese and Himalayan StudiesLanguage and Culture
Dzongkha and ChoekeyAnimal ScienceForestry
Sustainable DevelopmentOrganic AgricultureArchitecture
Electronics and Communication EngineeringInformation TechnologyDental Hygiene
Clinical CounselingRenewable EnergyEngineering Geology
Nursing and MidwiferyComputer ApplicationsBusiness Administration

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Bhutan

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Bhutan.

The name of the city No. of HEIs 
Thimphu3
Paro2
Chukha1

Average Monthly Expenses in Bhutan for International Students

College fees in Bhutanese Universities are approximately the same as those in small private colleges in India. For example, Royal Thimphu College charges students from SAARC countries up to 222,700 Bhutanese Ngultrum per year. Students from countries outside SAARC are charged up to 7,120 USD per year.

The fee listed above covers the cost of tuition, dormitory housing on the University campus, and food; it includes living costs as well. Therefore, students will not need to budget for other essentials over and above this amount, except for transportation, shopping, and recreation. A security deposit of 5,000 Ngultrum is charged from all students; this is refunded at the end of their degree program.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Bhutan.

Applicants for a long term Bhutanese Student Visa must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A Letter of Recommendation from the relevant Institution.
  • A copy of the passport of the applicant, with a validity period at least six months more than the program duration.
  • A Letter of Admission from a University in Bhutan.
  • A filled up Bhutanese Visa Application Form.
  • Details of the financial status of the candidate, showing that he/she has access to sufficient funds to live in Bhutan throughout the duration of the program.
  • A Statement of Purpose written by the student, listing the reasons to study in Bhutan.
  • Any additional documents that the Embassy may request.
  • The Bhutanese student visa application fee.
  • Details of a health insurance package held by the student that is valid in Bhutan.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Bhutanese student visa application fee varies by country, but is usually the equivalent of 40 USD in most countries. This amount is not refundable if the visa application is rejected.

The photographs submitted with the Bhutanese student visa application must show the face of the candidate clearly. Their size must correspond to the normal passport photo conventions. The background color should be white or light gray, and the candidate should not wear any head covering (exceptions are allowed for religious reasons).

Most Bhutanese student visa rejections occur due to incorrect details in the application form or a discrepancy in the documents provided. These can easily be solved by submitting the application again, taking care to provide complete and correct details. However, the application fee must be paid again, as it is not refundable.

Universities in Bhutan allow students to work part time to earn additional money. For example, Royal Thimphu College has Library, Gym, and IT Assistant roles available for local and foreign students. All these part time roles are typically on campus, and allow students to give back to the University community while earning a small income.

The Royal University of Bhutan is the oldest and largest Higher Education Institution in the country. It has ten constituent Colleges. Royal Thimphu College, the first Private HEI in Bhutan, is renowned throughout the country and internationally. It is the only HEI in the country to be given a rating of A+ by the Bhutan Accreditation Council.

The number of students graduating from Higher Education Institutions in Bhutan has steadily increased by over 100% from 2014, when detailed monitoring of statistics began, to 2019, when the size of the total graduating class exceeded 10,000 for the first time.

Bhutan is a mountainous kingdom with a very high sense of civic duty and law and order. The principles of harmony and cooperation on which the Kingdom was established ensure that international students are welcomed; it is entirely safe, and foreigners need not have any concerns on the security front.

The Government of Bhutan provides several scholarships to students in all its public colleges. Each University also has its own internal scholarships. For example, the Madanjeet Singh Scholarships at the Royal University of Bhutan are awarded to students based on academic excellence, and entail a full tuition fee waiver, in addition to travel reimbursement and a monthly stipend.

Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences is an institution of excellence in the field of medicine: it runs a variety of health, dentistry, and pharmacy courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Many international students choose to study Medicine in Bhutan due to the relatively low tuition fees and universal recognition of Bhutanese MBBS degrees.

International students can apply online to Colleges and Universities in Bhutan. The entire process can be done virtually, including payment of application fees. The eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Bhutanese Universities are similar to those in other countries, with many courses mandating a minimum performance level at either high school or UG level.