Study system in Thailand
The Thai academic year is divided into two semesters from June to October and November to March; however, some universities also count in terms of trimesters. The study achievements are measured with credit points.
Usually Thai is the language spoken in universities. The range of English-language courses is increasing. Nevertheless, it is generally advisable to attend Thai language courses that every university offers.
Thai universities traditionally rely on conservative frontal teaching, a strict curriculum and systematic learning based on specific textbooks in their courses and lectures. However, with the educational reform that has been going on since the turn of the millennium, the teaching methods have been modernized and internationalized.
The bachelor’s degree in Thailand
According to microedu, Thailand’s study system is based on the Anglo-Saxon model and is divided into three courses: Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Philosophy. The Bachelor’s degree (Bhandit), which is part of the undergraduate degree programs, usually lasts four years. Exceptions include architecture, pharmacy and graphic design with five years or human, dentistry or veterinary medicine with six years of study. All medical subjects end with the so-called professional doctorates, that is, without the award of an explicit doctorate.
The master’s degree in Thailand
Building on the bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can be added. This leads to a technical deepening of the previous knowledge and ends with an independently developed written thesis. As a rule, two years of study can be expected before the master’s degree (Mar Bhandit).
The PhD in Thailand
If the master’s graduates want to continue to devote more time to research and science and the past performance tune is a two- to four-year promotion to Doctor (Dutsadibandit) recommended. With outstanding academic achievements, Bachelor graduates already enroll for a three and a half year doctoral program.
Alternative degrees
Non-university degrees are the two to three year associate degree, which is structured with regard to professional activity and corresponds to the first half of the bachelor’s degree. In addition, technical and vocational colleges and institutes and some universities offer one-year certificates and two-year diplomas. The diplomas are, on the one hand, professional qualifications and enable teaching at schools. On the other hand, the graduates can also switch with them to the advanced bachelor’s degree in the third academic year.
A so-called one to three-year graduate diploma or a one-year higher graduate diploma can follow as postgraduate degrees and for further professional qualifications after successfully completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medicine.
Studying in Thailand: the requirements
In order to study at a Thai university, at least 12 years of schooling with a degree are required. In German, this corresponds to the general university entrance qualification. The overall grade point average and the grades in certain subjects also play a role.
A successfully completed bachelor’s degree enables access to the master’s course. In some cases, a certain minimum grade and an additional examination are required. A very good master’s degree is required for the Ph.D.
Especially in international study programs with English as the language of instruction, it is necessary to achieve a certain minimum number of points in standardized language tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS.
Costs and financing options for studying in Thailand
Tuition fees are charged at Thai universities, which vary greatly depending on the institution, subject, course program and type of degree. As a rule, they are a little higher for foreign students than for locals. International students pay around EUR 2,000-10,000 annually to study in Thailand. Sometimes the individual courses are also credited separately. In private institutions, tuition fees are usually higher than in public institutions.
In order to make studying abroad in Thailand less of a financial burden, various funding programs can be used: For example, the Federal Government offers BAföG abroad, which among other things pays grants for tuition fees of up to EUR 4,600 and is partly also available to students, who are not entitled to domestic BAföG. In addition, a student loan is also a financing option.
In general, the cost of living in Thailand is low. Of course, they always depend on the individual lifestyle and the chosen place of study. Typical accommodation options are the student residences with single and multi-bed rooms attached to the universities at a price range of EUR 200-400 per month, depending on the city and the level of comfort. A timely application is definitely an advantage here. Otherwise, private accommodation with host families, shared apartments with fellow students or privately run apartment complexes may be an option.
Visa and entry into Thailand
For German tourists to study abroad in Thailand, a visa is required for a stay of more than 30 days. This means that in order to study in Thailand, either a non-immigrant visa for three months or a residence permit for one year is necessary. They can be applied for at the Thai Embassy and the Consulate General.
The visa application includes a passport that is valid for at least six months, two passport photos, the certificate of enrollment for a Thai university, an official certificate of the purpose of entry and proof of sufficient financial means. When entering the country, vaccination regulations and current warnings from the Foreign Office must be observed. A foreign health insurance for Thailand should be concluded in Germany in advance.