Study in Thailand

Higher Education Structure in Thailand

Study In Thailand

Thailand has nearly 200 Universities, of which the majority are public institutions. Over 2 million students are enrolled in the higher education system, and the country has multiple Universities ranked in the top 1000 in the QS 2024 world rankings.

Though Thailand is a growing economy, it has two notable advantages: a very high Ease of Doing Business Score, and a much better Human Development Index than its neighbors. Therefore, it has a cosmopolitan population, with a high number of tourists visiting the beaches of Pattaya and Phuket. The country is home to more than 70 million people; its capital and largest urban center is Bangkok. The high quality of education available (especially in the best HEis like Chulalongkorn University) and the relatively low cost of study combine to make Thailand an attractive destination for international undergraduate and postgraduate students. The job sector is also growing at a rapid pace, and freelance and full time opportunities are both available.

The Perks of Studying in Thailand

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

  • The country is ranked #89 in the world in the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #21 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.
  • The country is ranked #73 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) list, released by Worldometers in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #103 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023.

Higher Education Framework in Thailand

There are four main types of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Thailand:

1. Public Universities: These are directly funded and controlled by the Government, and their administration is overseen by public functionaries. They make up more than half of the HEIs in Thailand, though the Government has made transitioning to autonomy a key goal.

2. Autonomous Universities: They have more freedom than public universities when it comes to their syllabus and hiring. However, they still receive some funding from the Government, and are not completely free to manage their internal affairs. The Government makes financial self sufficiency an important goal for Autonomous Universities.

3. Private Universities: They do not receive funding from the Government. However, they must still abide by the standards set out by the Ministry of Higher Education, and must receive accreditation from a central body. Their quality is generally lower than public and autonomous HEIs, due to the intense competition in the sector.

4. Rajamangala Universities of Technology: They were formed through the amalgamation of technical and vocational Institutes, and now cater to the demands of the Thai workforce to produce a steady stream of technically qualified graduates who can immediately join the industry and start contributing significantly.

Certificate Programs

All the major Universities in Thailand offer short term certificate programs of two kinds: to professional leaders looking to upgrade their skills, and to junior technical employees as part of their training. Language learning courses for tourists and international workers are also available, especially in Universities located in Bangkok. The duration of these programs is usually between three and six months, and distance learning is available for many of them.

Undergraduate Programs

Most undergraduate full time Bachelor’s degree programs in Thailand last four years, irrespective of the field of study. However, integrated medical and dental programs require six years of study for completion. The first half of the undergraduate degree duration is spent in general preparation, and the second half gives the candidate domain specific knowledge related to his/her department.

Postgraduate Programs

Master's degree programs in Thailand are offered in Thai and English; therefore, international students have several options in the larger universities. Postgraduate programs usually take four semesters to complete. Master's theses may focus on original research, but they can also just involve advanced specialized study in a particular field, as a preparation for a doctoral degree.

Doctoral Programs

Each Faculty in a Thai University typically has a set of majors within it, and each major has multiple doctoral streams. PhD Degrees in Thailand are primarily awarded in technical fields, and last between 3 and 5 years. Candidates are expected to complete original research work, and the quality of output will be evaluated by an external defense panel before the PhD degree is awarded.

Disciplines Available in Thailand

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study to study in Thailand for international students. Some of the popular disciplines available in Thailand are-

Business and Supply Chain AnalyticsUrban DesignChemical Engineering
Business LawNursing ScienceGlobal Studies
Social EntrepreneurshipMass Media StudiesPhilosophy
Service InnovationTraditional Chinese MedicineOptometry
Thai StudiesElectrical EngineeringEconomics

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Thailand

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

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Bangkok78
Nonthaburi4
Phitsanulok4
Maha Sarakham3
Nakhon Pathom6

Average Monthly Expenses in Thailand for International Students

Tuition fees in Thailand are lower than in all European countries, and most Asian nations. For example, the tuition fee per semester for undergraduates in Chulalongkorn University is between 76,000 and 106,000 Thai Baht (2,200 and 3,100 USD). Master’s program fees are only slightly higher: the range is between 88,700 and 133,900 Thai Baht per semester.

Accommodation costs for international students in Thailand can exceed 60,000 Thai Baht per year. Expenditure on food is of a similar scale (5,000 THB per month). Students should also expect to spent 5,000 Thai Baht per year each on books and medical insurance, while budgeting a small amount for transportation and entertainment.

Students Visa Requirements

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

Applicants for a long term Visa to study in Thailand must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A photocopy of an international passport, valid for at least six months from the expected date of travel to Thailand.
  • A filled visa application form.
  • A recent photograph of the student.
  • A Letter of Admission from a University based in Thailand.
  • Details of a bank account in the student’s name, showing access to sufficient funds to live at least for a year in the country.
  • Proof of payment of the first semester’s fees. Instead of this, a letter from the University confirming the award of a full tuition fee scholarship may also be submitted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Thai long term student visa application fee varies by country of application. For example, the amount payable is USD 200 for applicants from the United States, and the fee is approximately the same in other countries. This student visa has to be renewed every year.

The photograph submitted with the student visa application to study in Thailand must satisfy the following criteria: Recency: Taken within the previous six months. Accurate: Must reflect the current appearance of the candidate. Passport size: The dimensions must be 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm.

The requirements for submission of data and documents to Thai Embassy authorities are extremely strict. Even a small error can lead to a rejection of the entire application, with no fee refund. Therefore, students should be careful to check every detail with the Embassy authorities, and make sure that their data is complete before submitting it. If a rejection takes place, there is no other course of action than to submit a new application.

It is illegal for international students in Thailand to take up part time employment without a work permit. After obtaining a work permit, they may work up to 20 hours per week during the semester. The University office usually assists students in obtaining part time work; they may also take up virtual internships.

Chulalongkorn and Mahidol Universities are both located in Bangkok, and are ranked in the top 300 in the world (QS 2024 rankings). They have several English courses and hundreds of international students. Other highly ranked HEIs include Thammasat University and Chiang Mai University.

Bangkok has dozens of Universities with cost effective MBA programs. The highly ranked Universities in Thailand (including Chulalongkorn and Thammasat) have Business Administration programs that lead to placements in the finance, consulting, and marketing management sectors.

MBBS degrees in Thailand are significantly lower than in most other countries, and the quality of education is high. For example, in Chulalongkorn University, the fee per semester for Medical and Dental students is 106,000 Thai Baht (3,100 USD). This is only 25% higher than most other courses of study.

There are several scholarships for meritorious international students in Thailand, including the Royal Thai Government Scholarship (public) and several private scholarships, awarded by organizations across the world (e.g. British Council, Nippon Foundation). Finally, each University also awards scholarships to international students based on need, merit, or both.

Applicants to Bachelor’s degree programs in Thai Universities must have a valid higher secondary pass certificate issued by a recognized Board of Education anywhere in the world. They must also have a valid international passport, and satisfy any other academic or performance requirements that individual courses may mandate for admission.