How to Be a Student in Thailand

Thailand has become one of Asia’s most accessible places to study, with English-taught programs, affordable tuition, and a low cost of living. This guide covers universities, the ED visa, housing, costs, and what student life actually looks like.

Thailand has quietly become one of Asia’s most accessible places to study. There are now over 25,000 international students enrolled across bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs here. 

Last time I went to Assumption University, one of the leading private universities in Thailand, I was surprised by the numbers of international students I’ve found, especially Chinese, Indian, and Russian students. 

A decade ago, the university students were mainly Thais. Now, it has become much more international. I also saw Japanese students studying there.

The reasons are pretty straightforward.

• English-taught programs at universities that actually rank well in Asia
• Tuition that runs 50 to 70 percent cheaper than the US, UK, or Australia
• Low cost of living
• An international student community that’s been building for decades

Because of these reasons, the practical side of student life is genuinely manageable, even if you’ve never lived abroad before.

But “Thailand is great for students” doesn’t actually help you choose a university, get the right visa, or know whether you can work part-time. Especially now. The ED visa rules tightened significantly in 2025, and a lot of older guides haven’t caught up.

This guide covers the specifics: which visa to get, how to pick a university, what it actually costs, how to handle housing, and what daily life is really like once you get here.

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Choosing a University

For students, this is the real decision. And it should be your first step to take a look when you want to study in Thailand. It’s not just about the offered curriculum, your university also  determines your city, your daily costs, your social life, and the quality of your degree. 

So spend time on this part.

Public vs Private

There’s a clear two-tier system in Thai higher education.

Public Universities 

Public universities carry more prestige and tend to have lower tuition even for internationals. Admissions are more competitive. So, your fellow Thai students tend to be more academic, especially at leading public universities like Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Kasetsart, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla, KMUTT, and KMITL.

While tuition fee for public universities are much more affordable than private universities, it’s actually not that much different for international programs, in which you should expect to pay around THB60,000 to THB150,000 per semester. 

Private Universities

Private universities are easier to get into and more flexible. So, your fellow students come from different backgrounds. But in many cases, their families tend to have some good financial standing in order to pay for a tuition fee. 

The upside is that the international student population is often larger and the support systems are usually built around foreign students.

However, tuition fees can be higher as well, and you should expect to pay around THB80,000 – THB180,000.

The Shortlist Most International Students Look At

Here’s some of the popular universities for international students in Thailand.

• Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok): Thailand’s number one for 10 years running on the QS Asia rankings, and now in the top 10 in ASEAN. Strongest for business, engineering, and humanities. 
• Mahidol University and MUIC (Salaya, near Bangkok): The leading university when it comes to health sciences and medicine. Mahidol University International College (MUIC) is the well-known route for English-taught bachelor’s degrees. Worth knowing: the main campus is in Salaya, about 45 minutes west of central Bangkok, not in the city itself.
• Thammasat University (Bangkok and Rangsit): Strong in political science, law, and economics. Most undergrad activity is on the Rangsit campus, not the original Tha Prachan campus near the Grand Palace. People mix this up all the time.
• KMUTT and KMITL (Bangkok): The two strong public engineering universities. KMUTT in particular has strong industry ties.
• Chiang Mai University: One of the best public universities outside Bangkok. International programs in business, engineering, and social sciences. Lower cost of living than Bangkok, which adds up over a four-year degree.
• Assumption University (Bangkok): Known as ABAC in short, it’s one of the very first universities in Thailand that offer international program, known for business courses. The main campus is in Samut Prakan, near Suvarnnabhumi airport.
• Bangkok University International (Bangkok): A solid private option with a creative and digital media focus. 
• Stamford University (Bangkok): It’s a newer private university in Thailand that is becoming more popular among international students. Do not confuse it with Stanford University. The name is just similar. 

How to Pick a University

There are some important factors to help you pick the right university. 

• Look at the curriculum: Different universities are known for different things. For example, Chulalongkorn University tends to be great for academic while Bangkok University International are great at creativity.
• What’s actually taught in English? Don’t trust university-wide claims. Check program by program. Some “international” programs still have core classes in Thai.
• Where’s the campus? Mahidol’s main campus is in Salaya. Thammasat undergrad is mostly Rangsit, an hour from central Bangkok. Your daily life is shaped entirely by where you’re going to be five days a week.
• How big is the international community? A program with 200 international students from 30 countries is a completely different experience from one with 15 students from two countries. Both can be good, but they’re not the same thing.

Language Requirements

Most English-taught programs want IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 79+. Some accept institutional English tests or offer their own placement exam as an alternative. 

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However, you may not need to do this test if you comes from an English speaking country. Also, even if you fail the test, some universities, like ABAC, offer an intensive English course before the semester to quickly improve your English so you can study there. 

For Thai-medium programs, you’ll usually need to pass a Thai proficiency test.

Cost of Living and Tuition 

In my honest opinion, this is where most prospective students underbudget. Tuition is the headline number, but it’s not the only number.

Tuition Ranges 

The tuition fee depends on universities and programs. Here’s an average number with real examples for international students as of May 2026. 

Program	Per Semester	Full Program (4 years)
CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
BBA (CBS)	THB70,000–140,000	THB997,000
International Medicine (CUMEDi)	THB570,000	THB2,280,000
THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY
BBA (TBS)	THB124,600 + THB39,500/summer	THB997,000
MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE (MUIC)
BBA (Finance / Marketing / Int’l Business / Business Economics)	THB105,000–115,000	THB1,257,000
Communication Design	THB115,000–125,000	THB1,314,000
Creative Technology	THB135,000–145,000	THB1,621,620
ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY (ABAC)
Business Administration	THB145,000	THB583,050
Accounting	THB150,000	THB598,450
Computer Science	THB163,000	THB653,400
Nursing	THB200,000	THB798,300
Architecture	THB216,000	THB863,500
Family Business Management	THB300,000	THB1,200,000
Aeronautical Engineering	THB394,000	THB1,577,600

Remark: These tuition fees are subject to change. Please recheck it with the university website for an up-to-date number.

Monthly Living Costs

In addition to the tuition fee, here’s a good number of the cost of living per month as a student in Thailand.

• Budget lifestyle: THB15,000 to 25,000 (dorm or shared room, university canteen and street food, public transport, minimal extras)
• Comfortable lifestyle: THB25,000 to 45,000 (private studio condo, mix of campus food and restaurants, occasional travel)
• Premium lifestyle: THB50,000+ (newer central condo, regular dining out, gym, weekend trips)

For most international students, the comfortable range is what I’d plan around. Our full cost of living in Thailand guide has more detail if you want to budget precisely. The budget range is real, but coffee habits, ride-hailing, and weekend trips add up faster than you’d expect.

Good to know: Thai university students get around THB10,000 to THB15,000 per month from their parents. And this already includes the cost of accommodation. For those students are from families with good financial background, they may get over THB20,000 per month.

Setup Costs Before You Arrive

There are some costs you need to pay in advance to set up your life in Thailand such as:

• First-semester tuition plus around 10 percent in fees
• Two-month deposit if you rent off campus
• Visa application fees and travel costs
• University health insurance
• Books, supplies, uniforms where required

Therefore, I’d budget at least THB80,000 to 120,000 in startup costs on top of your first-semester tuition, and ideally more.

Accommodation

Most international students fall into one of two setups, depending on stay length and how much community they want.

On-Campus Dormitories

This is the cheapest option and also the most recommended option. It costs around THB2,500 to THB7,000 a month in Bangkok and less in other cities.

• Pros: Easy social life, walking distance to classes, utilities often included.
• Cons: Often shared rooms, basic facilities, curfews at some universities, and they fill up fast.

Most major universities (Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Bangkok University) have on-campus or near-campus dorms. However, rooms are quite limited. You should apply early.

Off-Campus Accommodations Near Campus

There are two main choices of accommodations for international students. Please note that a 1 to 2 month rent deposit is standard for renting in Thailand.

Budget Option

It’s an apartment that costs around THB4,000 to THB6,000 per month. These apartments come with basic facilities like bed, air conditioner, and basic furniture. You can find many of them near the university. 

For example, many of MUIC students stay in this Rangnam apartments. 

Comfortable Option

Renting a condo is a comfortable option. It’s like an upgraded apartment with better rooms and facilities. And it’s more expensive as well where you should expect to pay around THB8,000 to THB14,000 a month for a basic studio condo. 

There are some condos that aim at university students specifically like this Ideo Q Chula-Samyan for Chulalonkorn students. 

Good to know: Since the cost of accommodation in Thailand isn’t expensive, the idea of coliving with other students here aren’t popular. But there are some students who also share a condo together too. 

Scholarships

Fortunately, international students can get scholarships in Thailand. And some scholarship is really good. I knew a Vietnamese student got a full university scholarship from the UTCC that covers the tuition fee in full, and he got another THB10,000 a month for the cost of living. 

But the main condition is that his GPA needs to be very high. I couldn’t remember the exact number. But it should be around either 3.7+ or 3.85+ out of 4. 

Anyway, there are two main sources of scholarship you can find. 

Government-Funded Programs

• Thailand Scholarships (MHESI): Run by the Ministry of Higher Education. 
• TICA / TIPP (Thailand International Postgraduate Program)
• Royal Thai Government Scholarships (RTG)
• From the government of your own country

University-Specific

You can check each university’s international office page. They list current scholarships and deadlines.

Visa Options

Non-Immigrant ED Visa or the ED visa in short is the visa for those who want to study in Thailand. 

The main requirement is that you need to enrol in any kind of formal program at a Ministry of Education recognized institution. 

Because of this, it’s easy for students in Thailand when you become a university student or even at schools in Thailand. After initial enrolment and paying the school fee, they will give you a sheet with step-by-step process on how to get the ED visa. 

This is what you normally need to do:

• From abroad through the Thai E-Visa system, before you arrive. This is what I’d recommend for first-timers.
• Inside Thailand by converting a tourist visa or visa exemption after you have your acceptance letter. However, don’t be surprised if your school ask you to leave Thailand and apply for the ED visa from abroad since it’s much easier. 

To qualify, you need:

• An acceptance letter from an MOE-recognized institution
• A Ministry of Education (MOE) approval letter (your school files this for you)
• A passport valid for at least six more months
• Financial proof, usually around THB20,000 equivalent (varies by embassy)
• Passport photos

After you get a visa, your first visa stamp normally lasts 90 days. After that, you extend it from inside Thailand, usually up to a year at a time. You can renew it annually as long as you stay enrolled.

The same process applies for those who study in a language school. However, when you extend your visa, you may get only 90 days instead of a year.

Read our guide to the education visa in Thailand to find out more.

Good to know: Some nationalities also need a police clearance certificate. This applies to applicants from China, India, Bangladesh, Iran, Sri Lanka, parts of the Middle East, and several African countries. Add three to four weeks to your timeline if it applies to you.

Another Important Stuff about Your Visas

There are two more things you should know about your visa. 

• 90-day reporting: Every ED visa holder has to report their address to Immigration every 90 days. You can do it in person, by mail, or online. Read our 90-day reporting guide to find out more.
• Re-entry permits: Unless you have a multiple-entry visa, if you want to leave Thailand and come back without losing your visa, you need a re-entry permit. THB1,000 for single, THB3,800 for multiple. Available at Immigration or at the airport before you fly out. Read our guide to re-entry permits to find out more.

What About the DTV Visa?

The Destination Thailand Visa is not a substitute for the ED visa if you’re enrolling in a university program. 

It works for lighter “study” activities like Muay Thai or cooking classes, but no real Thai university will sponsor you on a DTV for a degree. If you’ve been reading nomad guides and wondering whether the DTV is a shortcut, it isn’t.

Health Insurance

While you don’t need health insurance to get your education visa, many Thai universities  (Kasetsart, Prince of Songkla, Assumption, Rangsit, and others) still need you to get health insurance. 

And many universities have partnered with insurance companies to give you health insurance. The Kasetsart approved plan (by Aetna), for reference, costs around THB8,500 a year and come with the following coverage: 

Coverage	Limit
Personal accident	THB100,000
Hospital room & board	THB1,200/day
Hospital expenses / disability	THB20,000
Surgical fee (per schedule)	THB25,000
Physician’s hospital visit	THB600/day
Emergency outpatient (OPD)	THB5,000/visit
Outpatient (per visit, non-emergency)	THB1,200

While it’s a basic plan with low limits by international standards, particularly for hospitalization and surgery. The coverage is generally enough for students. 

If you need higher coverage, you can get it from a private health insurance company like Cigna. But it can also be 2-3 times more expensive as well.

Money and Banking

It’s easy to open a bank account in Thailand if you are a student in a school or university here. In general, this is what you need:

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• Passport
• ED visa
• University enrollment letter
• Proof of address (dorm contract or rental agreement)

The easiest place to open a Thai bank account is an on-campus branch that’s located inside your university. For example, if you are at Assumption University, it’s Krung Sri bank. If you are at Srinakarinwirot University, it’s SCB. 

These banks have specific partnerships with the university to open an account with them.

Tip: After you can open a Thai bank account, use Wise to send money from your home to your Thai bank. Then, use your Thai bank bank app to pay for most things in Thailand via QR payment as well as withdraw money from an ATM with no fee. 

Culture

By studying in Thailand, there are some important cultural aspects you should be aware of. Culture shock can be real for some students. 

• Hierarchy and respect for teachers runs deep. Direct disagreement with a professor in front of the class is rare. You can absolutely raise points, but the style is softer than what you’d see in a US or European classroom.
• Wai Kru Day is an annual ceremony where students formally show respect to their teachers. Most universities still observe it.
• Uniforms. Most Thai universities require uniforms (white shirt, black trousers or skirt). International programs at some private universities are more relaxed, but expect uniforms at Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, and most public universities. It catches a lot of international students by surprise.
• Punctuality is flexible. Buses run late, classes start late, social plans shift on short notice. 

Academic Calendar

The Thai academic year traditionally runs August to May, though some universities use May to March. April is the long break (and the hottest month of the year). However, some universities may have summer courses available.

October is the shorter mid-year break. Songkran (April 13 to 15) and New Year (December to January) are major holidays that will affect your schedule.

Language

English is widely spoken in international programs and on campus. Off campus, it varies a lot. High in tourist parts of Bangkok, much lower in residential neighborhoods and outside major cities.

Learning basic Thai (greetings, numbers, ordering food, taxi instructions) makes a meaningful difference to daily life. Most universities offer free or discounted Thai classes for international students. Take them.

Making Friends

One trap I see international students fall into: spending all their time with other international students and treating the experience as an extended study abroad. It’s comfortable, but you’ll leave with a much shallower experience.

• Thai students can seem reserved at first, but they warm up quickly once you make an effort.
• University clubs and activities are how most cross-cultural friendships start.
• In some classes with both Thai and international tracks, students self-segregate. Push past it.

Working While Studying

You cannot legally work in Thailand on an ED visa. That includes paid part-time work, freelance gigs, and most internships that aren’t built into your curriculum. 

However, in reality, some international students still do “part-time” work secretly. For example, that UTCC scholarship student I mentioned earlier, he also tutor students as a part-time worker to help with this living expense. But the payment is done in cash to make it off record. 

But do it at your own risk though since violations can result in deportation, fines up to THB100,000, and a re-entry ban.

How’s About Internships? 

It’s possible to do an internship in Thailand, especially when your degree comes with an internship. Please note that, for internships longer than three months, you’ll also need a W.P. 3 work permit.

In case it’s a university-funded teaching or research assistantships. These are usually structured to be compliant. Your university handles the paperwork.

How’s About Remote Work?

It’s in a grey area. Technically speaking, any work performed inside Thailand while you are in Thailand requires a work permit, even if you’re paid into a foreign account. 

In practice, enforcement against students doing quiet remote work for foreign companies has been low. 

But again, do it at your own risk. An education visa is for studying, not for working.

Finding a Work After Graduation

Fortunately, if you have graduated from universities in Thailand, your chance of getting a job in Thailand is much higher than those who don’t. But you will need to change your ED visa into a work visa first.

Here’s a standard process:

• Cancel your ED visa
• Leave Thailand
• Apply for a Non-B (work) visa at a Thai embassy in your home country or another country
• Re-enter Thailand on the Non-B

Many international students in Thailand get jobs from connections of their teacher. So, treat your teacher well.

Best Cities for Students

As mentioned earlier, for students, the city is largely chosen by the university. But Here’s a quick comparison so you know what you’re walking into. For a deeper take, see our Bangkok vs Chiang Mai guide.

Bangkok

This is the most popular choices for international students because the top universities are here. Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, KMUTT, KMITL, and most of the private international programs.

Why people love it: The BTS and MRT make a megacity manageable, the food scene is genuinely one of the best in Asia, and the networking opportunities (for entrepreneurs and tech students especially) aren’t matched anywhere else in the country.

The honest tradeoff: Most expensive of the student cities, traffic is rough, and the heat is constant.

Pathum Thani / Rangsit Area

Where Thammasat Rangsit, Bangkok University, and AIT are located. Quieter, more student-focused, and much cheaper than central Bangkok.

The tradeoff: 45 to 60 minutes to actual central Bangkok. You’ll feel a little cut off if you want city energy on weekends.

Chiang Mai

The strong public university (Chiang Mai University) is here. 

Why people love it: Cooler climate (most of the year), slower pace, a strong creative community built up from the digital nomad scene, cafes everywhere, easier to make friends quickly.

The honest tradeoff: Burning season runs roughly February to April, and the air quality is genuinely bad. AQI levels regularly push past 200 on bad days. Experienced expats often leave during this period. Plan around it.

Songkhla and Hat Yai (the south)

Home to Prince of Songkla University’s main campus. Strong choice for dentistry, halal sciences, and exposure to southern Thai culture. Smaller international community, lower cost of living, and close to Malaysia for cheap weekend trips.

Phuket

Prince of Songkla has a Phuket campus, and a handful of smaller international programs operate here. Beach lifestyle, but tourist-heavy and more expensive than mainland student cities. 

Best for hospitality and tourism management programs specifically.