Cambodia is ranked in the middle third according to several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:
There are two main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Cambodia:
1. Universities and Institutes: They offer all types of degrees, including Foundation Certificates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs. Universities typically offer holistic education through several Faculties or Colleges, while Institutes focus on one area of learning e.g. Engineering. Most of the Universities in Cambodia are located in Phnom Penh, leading to education access challenges in rural areas.
2. Technical Training Institutes: Cambodia launched a new Technical and Vocational Education and Training Policy in 2017, through which the Government actively promotes Institutes that work to train skilled artisans and technical workers. This is a primary driver of the recent growth in the Cambodian Economy. Students typically join these Institutes after completing high school, in preparation to join the workforce within 1-3 years.
All Undergraduate Programs in Cambodian Universities have a Foundation Year, which aims to give the students a thorough theoretical grounding in their subject area. After this year, students are given a Foundation Certificate, and some choose to leave University after this year, and apply for jobs or Vocational Courses. The credits gained during this year can also be used to transfer to different Universities or come back to UG study in Cambodia after a gap year.
Most of the undergraduate programs in Cambodia lead to the award of a Bachelor’s Degree. Most Bachelor’s programs last three years (with an additional Foundation year), though engineering programs last 8 semesters, and include a semester or a year of industrial training. Students usually start taking courses to their major after one or two years, and they may choose to complete an undergraduate thesis to attain a Bachelor's degree with Honors.
Postgraduate Master’s degrees in Cambodia take two to three years to complete, and involve intensive coursework and basic research assignments in advanced topics related to the chosen subject. Postgraduate degree programs in Cambodia are rigorous and competitive, with the main Master’s Dissertation requiring hundreds of hours of literature survey and research work, with some Universities also mandating a presentation and Thesis Defense.
Doctoral PhD students in Cambodia are encouraged to conduct original explorations during the 3-5 year duration of their PhD programs. The first year is typically taken up by coursework and training in the basics of research techniques. In the second year, the research direction is finalized and the remainder of the degree is spent in achieving experimental results, validating them through further tests, analyzing the results, publishing academic papers, and creating a dissertation. The final thesis defense is an important step, and involves a panel of respected external examiners.
The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Cambodia are-
International Studies | Media and Communication | Teaching English as a Second Language |
Geography and Land Management | Khmer Literature | Philosophy |
Psychology | Computer Science | Mathematics |
Physical Chemistry | Industrial Engineering | Civil Engineering |
Chemical Engineering | English for Work Skills | Sociology |
Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Cambodia.
The name of the city | No. of Higher Education Institutions |
Phnom Penh | 49 |
Siem Reap | 3 |
Battambang | 3 |
Sihanoukville | 3 |
The tuition fees to study in Cambodia are much lower, on average, than in other Asian or European countries. For example, the average Master’s annual tuition fees for international students in the Royal University of Phnom Penh are 5 million Cambodian Riel (1,200 USD), with MBA / MBBS programs having higher fees. Therefore, it is a cost effective higher education system for international students.
Accommodation costs in private apartments in Phnom Penh are relatively low, with the rent for one room in a double occupancy studio apartment settling at approximately 1 million Cambodian Riel (250 USD). Students must also budget a similar amount for food, transportation, entertainment, and technical infrastructure.
Applicants for a long term Cambodian Student Visa (type ES) must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents: