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.
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.
Study Options
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 the 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.
Student Visa
The non-immigrant visa “ED” (Education) is the type of visa issued to applicants who wish to study, attend seminars, training sessions, or internships in Thailand.
Tourist visas allow students to stay for 60 days in Thailand and are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. For a duration longer than 60 days, international students have to apply for a visa extension make sure you have a current passport (valid for at least six months), two additional passport photos, your travel itinerary, and a bank statement. Applicants under 20 you will be required to send a few additional documents too.
Here is a list of necessary documents for visa application:
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
- Visa application form completely filled out
- Recent (4 x 6 cm) photograph of the applicant
- Recommendation letter addressed to the Consulate
- Letter of acceptance from the concerned academic institute/organisation
- For study in a private institution, an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the enrolment of foreign students and a copy of registration certificate of the concerned academic institute are required
- Academic record and the Student ID (if currently studying)
- Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary
Visit consulate/embassy in your home country before traveling to Thailand for more visa information:
Living in Thailand
-Tuition fee at a Thailand university could go between 23,000 and 32,000 EUR per year.
- Under Thai law, International students are prohibited from working full time. Students are only allowed to work up to 20 hours a week in paid employment. Full-time internships are accepted if students have a proof from the university that the internship is part of their studies. Undertaking an internship without the appropriate work permit may invalidate student visa.
-An average student would spend around 220 EUR for meal per month.
-The average rent for a one room apartment costs about 250 EUR per month, including utilities.
-The price for a one-way ticket at a local transport costs around 0.55 EUR and the regular price for a monthly pass is about 27 EUR.
-Not to be missed in Thailand is Chang Mai, the country’s highest mountain at 2,565 metres above sea level.
-Worth visiting is Ayutthaya, a UNESCO world heritage site, only an hour outside of Bangkok. The ruined city is packed with temples, museums and buildings with historical and architectural significance.
-Check out the annual YeePeng Festival held in the north of Thailand in which a multitude of floating lanterns are launched into the sky during a Buddhist ceremony.
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.
