Study in Cambodia

Higher Education Structure in Cambodia

Study In Cambodia

Cambodia is home to 49 Universities, most of which are located in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The country is known for its undergraduate courses, and it is associated with a significantly lower cost of higher education than most other countries in Asia. The country’s identity as a tourist hotspot adds to its status as a notable destination for international students.

Cambodia is a developing country in Southeast Asia with a population of 17 million people. More than 15% of its population lives in the capital and largest city, Phnom Penh, which is also the economic powerhouse of the country. Cambodia has some of the most scenic tourist spots in the region, with mountain valleys, rivers, forests, and beaches. The country’s economy is growing rapidly, and depends heavily on agriculture and tourism. Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, and Buddhism is the most widely followed religion.

The Perks of Studying in Cambodia

Cambodia is ranked in the middle third according to several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #134 in the world in the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #61 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #136 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #144 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in Cambodia

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.

Certificate Programs

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.

Undergraduate Programs

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 Programs

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 Programs

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.

Popular Disciplines Available in Cambodia

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

International StudiesMedia and CommunicationTeaching English as a Second Language
Geography and Land ManagementKhmer LiteraturePhilosophy
PsychologyComputer ScienceMathematics
Physical ChemistryIndustrial EngineeringCivil Engineering
Chemical EngineeringEnglish for Work SkillsSociology

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Cambodia

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

The name of the city No. of Higher Education Institutions 
Phnom Penh49
Siem Reap3
Battambang3
Sihanoukville3

Average Monthly Expenses in Cambodia for International Students

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.

Students Visa Requirements

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

Applicants for a long term Cambodian Student Visa (type ES) must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A filled application form online, on the Cambodian E-Visa website. Students must fill the E-type form (and not the T-type form).
  • A scan of a valid international passport issued in the home country of the candidate.
  • A Letter of Admission from a University located in Cambodia.
  • A scan of a recent passport size photograph of the candidate.
  • The e-visa application fee.
  • Proof of payment of the first year’s tuition fee (letter from the University).
  • A bank statement showing access to sufficient funds.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Applicants for a Cambodian Student Visa must first pay the ordinary (E type) visa processing fee of 42 USD online. After arriving in Cambodia, the student must visit the local authorities to obtain a 6 or 12 month residence permit, which must be renewed annually.

The submitted photograph scan is subject to the following guidelines: (1) Size: 35 mm width by 45 mm height. (2) The background must be a single light color; white is preferred. (3) The candidate’s face should look directly at the camera with a neutral expression; teeth should not be visible, and the applicant should be in sharp focus. (4) The face should occupy 75% to 80% of the area of the photograph. (5) The photographs should be recent; taken within 6 months of the date of submission of the visa application.

A Cambodian Student Visa application may be rejected for multiple reasons, including incomplete data, missing documents, a flawed travel plan, and lack of financial stability. The rejection notification contains details of the reason. Candidates whose applications have been rejected due to a minor error may choose to apply again, after paying the e-visa fee a second time.

International students in Cambodian Universities may work part time for additional income. However, they are subject to the rules of their HEI, and must not work full time (more than 20 hours per week) during the semester. During summer and winter vacations, students may take up full time internships if their employer applies for a work permit on their behalf.

The Royal University of Phnom Penh is the largest Higher Education Institution in Cambodia. Other prestigious HEIs in the country include the University of Cambodia and the University of Puthisastra.

International students who secure admissions to the best Universities in Cambodia can complete their entire studies for a fraction of the cost in a Western country; it is also lower than in most other Asian countries. Therefore, students often choose to study abroad in Cambodia for cost effective University education.

Cambodia is a notable tourist destination for international travelers, and is hence very safe for foreign students as well. International students should be careful not to get into trouble with the law, and to abide by the rules of the University.

It is more expensive to study in Malaysia or Singapore than in Cambodia. However, Cambodia has no Universities ranked in the QS 2024 top 1,000 in the world. Therefore, most international students prefer neighboring countries, even though the average tuition fees are higher.

Indian students in the best Cambodian Universities can access strong job opportunities in the industrial sector of Cambodia, especially after completing high demand programs like medicine or Business Administration. Being fluent in the local language is a key success factor, as is consistent academic performance and participation in internships.

Most Universities in Cambodia award three kinds of scholarships to eligible international students: Academic Excellence, Scholastic Aptitude, and Partial. The first two involve full tuition fee waivers, and some HEIs also pay a living stipend to students based on academic merit. The most prestigious award is the Prime Minister Hun Sen Scholarship Program.