:: Admission Requirements and Procedures

Admission Requirements and Procedures for Thai Students
Admission to places of higher education is contingent upon the student

  • Having completed twelve years of education at primary and secondary schools and having obtained a grade 12 certificate or equivalent by the Ministry of Education.
  • Having sufficient financial security for the duration of the education.
  • Not having been expelled from any other institution or learning on grounds of misconduct.
  • Not having concurrently enrolled in more than one institution of higher education (except open universities).
  • Being able to serve in any Thai government agency as assigned after graduation, for those who complete courses in medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy.

:: Admission Requirements and Procedures for Foreign Students in Regular Programs :

Admittance of a foreign student to a Thai tertiary institution follows a similar procedure as for Thai students. Foreign applicants must have satisfactorily completed high school to grade 12 (or its equivalent), and possess a high school certificate (or its equivalent) stating such. This must be submitted with the international application to the relevant Thai institution. Foreign applicants will be required to undergo the entrance examination followed by the usual physical examination, interview and a possible aptitude test later. Since the entrance examinations are given in Thai, foreign students wishing to enrol in public universities should be proficient in the Thai language. Some universities will admit foreigners to specific courses provided they are completed on a non-degree basis. Students interested in this scheme should contact the institutions directly.

Foreign applicants wishing to apply for postgraduate courses must already possess a bachelor degree or its equivalent, and be well prepared and possess promise for postgraduate studies. Applicants may have to undergo additional examinations such as GRE or GMAT.

Supporting evidence in the form of 3 letters of recommendation and official grade transcripts from previously attended tertiary institutions should also accompany any application.

Following acceptance by a Thai tertiary institution, foreign students (both undergraduate and graduate) will need to submit the certificate of admission to a Thai embassy or consulate in order to obtain a non-immigrant entry visa. This visa is valid for a period of three months after which it will be extended for a year. Providing the foreign student remains enrolled in a higher education institution in Thailand, visas are renewed yearly. For further details, contact the relevant universities directly.


Undergraduate Programs
Applicants must complete their upper secondary education or equivalent to grade 12 in order to apply for a bachelor's degree in Thailand. In some cases, an examination is required, followed by an interview, a physical examination and an aptitude test, which may differ from one institution to another. Application form can be obtained by sending requests directly to the universities/institutions.

 
Graduate Programs
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Besides officiallyrequired documents accompanying application forms, the applicants may be requested to take such additional graduate examination as GRE or GMAT. The process may also include an interview.

Medium of Instruction
With the exception of the "international programs" which are conducted in English, the medium of instruction is in Thai.

:: International Programs

In order to allow Thailand to play a more active and dynamic role in the Asian, Pacific region and the world community, the Ministry of University Affairs has given prime importance and continuous support to the heightening of quality of instructors and programs.  

All through the years, Thai higher education institutions have worked in close collaboration with many leading institutions around the world from Australia and Japan to Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and United States. With increased expertise and accumulated experience, Thailand 's international programs have attracted not only Thai students, but also students from neighbouring countries and from across the region.

At present, both Thai public and private universities offer altogether 387 international programs using English as medium of instruction both at undergraduate and graduate levels. There are 128 undergraduate programs in 70 areas of study in 26 universities; 190 master's degree programs in 112 areas of study in 26 universities; and 69 doctoral degree programs in 32 areas of study in 12 universities. Foreign and Thai students can take courses for credits from such programs. The admission requirements vary depending on the nature of the program and university admission policies.

:: Academic Calendar

The academic year comprises two sixteen - week semesters with a summer session.

First semester
Registration:
Classes begin:
Examinations begin:
First semester ends:

June-October
First week of June
Second week of June
First week of October
Second week of October

Second semester
Registration:
Classes begin
Examinations begin:
Second semester ends:

November-March
Last week of October
First week of November
First week of February
Second week of March

 

 

 

Summer session

April-May

 


The academic calendar can vary from one institution to another. Students are advised to contact the relevant university for exact dates.