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Nothing beats the tropical white sand beaches and sheer clear water that adds glory of Thailand. Thailand is a must-visit country for every traveler or backpacker owing to its mesmerizing blue seashores and historic temples. But that’s not all, commonly known as the Land of Smiles, Thailand is globally accredited for its thriving economic developments and endeavours in the education sector. As the country offers phenomenal education in a diverse range of disciplines, it has been experiencing an influx of thousands of students to pursue higher education. Top notch education, friendly people, economic rates, throbbing culture; what else does one need in a potential study abroad destination? If you are all set to fly-high for studying abroad, let us present with a plan to study in Thailand.
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Why Study in Thailand?
Not only Thailand offers a diverse and open culture, it avails more than 400 masters and bachelors courses that you can pursue in multiple fields. There are almost 80 public and 71 private academic institutions in the country that are renowned for their programs in domains like Agriculture, Business Management, Environmental Studies, Law, Buddhist Studies and much more. To help you more with the idea of studying in Thailand, here are some of the important reasons.
Quality Education at Affordable Prices
About 20,000 international students are experienced by the universities of Thailand over an academic year. Are you wondering what helps the country attract so many students? It is the educational excellence blended with numerous research and career opportunities, that too at affordable prices which makes Thailand a top choice.
Understand the meaning of Quality Education with this blog!
Experience Delightful Culture
You will mainly find people preaching buddhism in Thailand, hence, often called the Buddhists’ Land. The ecosystem is highly valued in the Thai culture, the richness of which you will find in every nook and corner. Cities in Bangkok or Chiang Mai are perfect to experience the happening life of the city. Do not forget to bless your palate by the delicious Thai food.
Lower Costs of Living
Living in Thailand while completing a course, would not cost you much. The average cost of living whether you opt for a university-based accommodation or independent one will be economical. Other expenses like food, electricity and basic utilities are comparatively cheaper in Thailand.
Embrace Buddhism
Around 98% of Thailand’s population is Buddhist, thus, you will find Buddhist influence deeply rooted in its culture. You can visit temples and interact with monks to get directed towards the path of enlightenment.
Explore the Buddhist Education System!
Did you know: Thailand is at No. 70 in the world education ranking, according to the Legatum Institute!
Universities in Thailand
Thailand houses 80 state universities and 71 private institutes of higher learning. There are 63 restricted admission universities, two open admission universities, and 15 autonomous institutions, including two Buddhist universities, among the 80 public universities. Most higher education institutions accept international students, and each year, around 20,000 foreign students study in Thailand. Thai and English language, Business Administration, and International Business and Marketing are the most popular study fields for overseas students.
Top Universities to Study in Thailand
Many globally acclaimed universities are there in Thailand that have plenty of courses on offer. Parallel to the set of great academic programs, the Thai universities are also equipped with leading research centres, expertise faculty and top-notch recruiting firms. To study in Thailand, you can choose amongst the below mentioned universities.
- Mahidol University
- Chulalongkorn University
- Chiang Mai University
- Khon Kaen University
- Kasetsart University
- Naresuan University
- Mahasarakham University
- King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
- Thammasat University
- Prince of Songkla University
- Siam University
- University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
- Stamford International University
- Rangsit University
- Dusit Thani College
- Fatoni University
- Kantana Institute
- Prince of Songkla University
- Srinakharinwirot University
- Mae Fah Luang University
Eligibility Criteria to Study in Thailand
Universities in Thailand do not demand very hard-and-fast rules to be met when it comes to pursuing the education of your choice. The general requisites for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the country is as follows-
- For Diploma/ Certificate/ Bachelor’s Degree: It is mandatory for you to have the basic formal education of 10+2 from a related background with minimum marks required
- For Master’s Degree: You must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution within some related field along with the required GPA. Also, some universities require the scorecard of GMAT or GRE test for PG courses.
- It is necessary to state your command over the English language through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc
- Usually, universities also ask students to submit LORs and SOP
To know more, get in touch with Leverage Edu experts!
What to Study in Thailand?
One of the most frequently asked questions is no longer a question anymore, as we have found the answer to it. Here are the top 10 most popular fields of study in which you can pursue a course or a degree in Thailand:
| Fields of Study | No. of Universities | Rank (As per Thailand Education System) |
| Business | 107 | 1 |
| Management | 95 | 2 |
| Education | 83 | 3 |
| Arts | 79 | 4 |
| Administration | 77 | 5 |
| Engineering | 76 | 6 |
| IT | 71 | 7 |
| Computer Science | 70 | 8 |
| Accounting | 68 | 9 |
| Law | 63 | 10 |
Did you know: Thailand is at #47 in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking!
Academic Year in Thailand
Most institutions, colleges and universities in Thailand divide the academic year into two 16-week semesters and a summer session. The first semester lasts from June to October, the second from November to March, and the summer session lasts from April to May. Some colleges use the Western semester calendar, which runs from September to December and January to May, whereas others follow the trimester calendar. To better match with the world society, it is even predicted that all Thai institutions would follow the Western semester system.
Cost of Studying in Thailand
As compared to the other options for overseas education, you will easily find similar programs in Thailand at much cheaper prices. Thailand comprises Public and Private academic institutions, hence, the average tuition fee will differ according to the type of university you choose. To study in Thailand, you will have to bear the tabulated below tuition fee-
| Level of Study | Cost in Thai Baht | Cost in INR |
| Bachelor’s | 208,000- 3,264,000 | 4,87,604.21 -76,53,276.24 |
| Master’s | 100,000- 2,170,000 | 2,34,425.10 – 50,87,024.67 |
| Doctorate | 234,000- 1,484,000 | 5,48,554.73 – 34,78,868.48 |
Cost of Living in Thailand
Apart from the cost of studying in Thailand, your average cost of living will include the cost of accommodation, travelling costs, food charges, daily utilities and other miscellaneous expenses. On average, you will be expected to spend around 15,000- 25,000 Thai Baht (INR 35,000- 58,000) as your living expenses over a month. Let’s check the various costs that determines the cost of living in Thailand:
| Rent of a Campus accommodation | 4000-7000 THB per month (INR 9031-15805) |
| Rent of a Private shared accommodation | 3000-5000 THB per month (INR 6773-11289) |
| Local transportation costs | 1200 THB per month (INR 2709) |
| Internet subscription | 600-700 THB per month (INR 1354-1580) |
| Groceries | 2000-4000 THB per month (INR 4515-9031) |
| Other utilities | 750-1000 THB per month (INR 1693-2257) |
Scholarships to Study in Thailand
Funding the expenses to study abroad can be a hard nut to crack. Thus, in such cases opting for scholarships that will allow you to study in Thailand can be the best solution. Enlisted below are the scholarships you can avail to seek education from Thailand-
- Ramkhamhaeng University: Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Bosch Scholarship to study at TGGS
- AIT Asian Institute of Technology
- MFU Mae Fah Luang University Scholarships
- Scholarships for Bachelor of Science in Digital Media
- Prince of Songkla University International College
- ASEAN/South Asian Scholarships
Did you know? Thailand is ranked at No. 34 in the world economy ranking, right after Israel and Estonia which are at No. 32 and No. 33 respectively, according to Legatum Institute!
Student Visa Requirements
International students must get a visa in order to study in Thailand; however, in many situations, the university that the student intends to attend may assist with the paperwork. Students must acquire an Education Visa (Non-Immigrant ED visa) from the Thai embassy or consulate in their home country before coming to Thailand. Because the Education Visa is only valid for 90 days, students must apply for a one-year student visa after arriving in Thailand, which can be renewed for subsequent one-year periods as needed. THB 1,900 is the visa cost, which is around Rs. 4289. After getting the visa, students must notify the Immigration Office of their current address every 90 days; failure to do so leads to a THB 2,000 fine (INR 4515). Students must also demonstrate that they have adequate funds to stay in Thailand during their study. Single students must prove that they have THB 20,000 (about Rs. 45,157), whereas students with families must show that they have THB 40,000. (about Rs. 90,314). Here is a document checklist that you’ll be requiring while applying for a student visa to study in Malaysia:
- Visa application form
- Two recent passport size photo
- Original Passport having validity more than six months
- Visa fees receipt
- Educational documents and transcripts along with certificates
- Original Statement of Purpose
- Proof of funding and other financial documents
- Payment receipt for at least 1st Semester
- Original offer letter from the University
Did you know: Thailand is ranked at #81 in the World Safety Rankings as per that Legatum Institute reports!
FAQs
Tuition costs vary according to the programmes and colleges. However, as you shall see, Thailand’s institutions are relatively inexpensive. Undergraduate candidates may be required to pay between $1,000 and $4,000 each year. Postgraduate students, on the other hand, may have to spend between $1,000 and $2,000 each year.
Education is highly respected and incredibly essential in Thailand, as it is in many other Asian countries. Thai students must pass hard tests and compete fiercely to get admission to the finest universities. International students that study in Thailand can benefit from the excellent education that the country has to offer.
Here are the top courses to study in Thailand in 2021:
Business
Management
Education
Arts
Administration
Engineering
IT
Computer Science
Accounting
Law
Yes, students can work and study simultaneously in Thailand. For that, they will be required to have a work permit as well as a ‘non-immigration B’ visa. Students may study whatever they want with it. Their education will have no bearing on the status of their visa or work permit.
We hope this detailed study guide on study in Thailand, we have provided you with all the necessary information. Do you want to know how you can pursue your dream course in Thailand and from which university? Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu and they will guide you in finding the university as per your interests and choices.
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