Higher Education in Thailand

Tertiary and Higher Education

Public and private universities and colleges of higher education are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of University Affairs. The Ministry of University Affairs (MUA) directs the administration and management of both public and private colleges and universities. Both the government and private sectors offer excellent programmes especially in the fields of medicine, the arts, humanities, and information technology.

Admission to Higher Education

Requires the Certificate of Secondary Education (Matayom VI). Most public universities also require applicants to take the Joint Higher Education Entrance Examination (JHEEE), which is held each year in April and administered by the MUA. Students who have successfully completed the Certificate of Vocational Education are also eligible to take the JHEEE. Applicants are required to complete up to seven sections on the exam depending on the desired faculty. Some institutions hold their own entrance exams. Private institutions have their own admission process, which includes entrance examination similar to the JHEE. Ramkhamhaeng University and Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University do not require applicants to take an entrance exam.

Academic Year
The school year goes from June to March. It has a two or three week break between the two terms in September. The long summer break coincides with the hottest part of the year and Songkran, the traditional Thai new year celebrations.

Thai Higher Education

Commission on Higher Education

Autonomous Public Universities (13)

Public Universities (65)

Private HEIs (67)

Community Colleges (19)

Universities (33)

Institutions (5)

Colleges (29)

University Governance
Teaching Research

Universitys responsibilities

Providing academic services

Preserving & promoting arts & culture

Types of HEIs (Degree Granted)

Research/ Graduate University Specialized/ Comprehensive University

Groups of HEIs

Liberal Arts University

Community College

Degree System
Most bachelor degree courses in Thailand are four years full-time attendance programs. Pharmacy and architecture require five years. Doctor of dental surgery, medicine, and veterinary medicine that are six years of study programs. Master degree study generally requires either one or two years and the degree is conferred on course credits with either a thesis or a final exam. On completion of a master degree, students may apply for an admission exam to a two to five year doctoral study program. The doctorate is conferred on coursework, research and the successful submission of a dissertation.

Non-Formal Education
Provides lifelong learning opportunities to the out-of-school population. Its services have expanded significantly into secondary and vocational levels. Strategies include: developing a range of life skills through distance learning, establishing workplace and community learning centres and promoting the joint sharing of resources with the formal school sector. Internet connection has been made increasingly accessible in rural areas.

 KU-band for distance education and information broadcasting for up to 24 hours per day. Educational Museum, Science Museum. Provide satellite dishes and receivers to rural schools, provincial non-formal education centers for district schools, public libraries, temples.

Kob kun kaa!

Ellen S.Fernandez Teacher I Habay Elementary School