Getting A Degree In Thailand Universities

[Lukelady]

There are quite some universities in Thailand offering international programs that will grant degrees. I tried to get my master in one of the most prestigious one, and tried to compare among the programs offered by various universities. Among many issues that most of degree seekers will consider, here I only provide three areas for (re)consideration based on my experience and my friends'.

Tuition -

Foreign (western and non-western) and Thai students are treated the same except the tuition. Foreign student pay a lot more. Before application and/or enrollment, ensure schools' tuition policy for the semester s beyond the normal duration. Most schools charge flat semester rate 10,000-20,000 Baht (U$300-700), Chulalongkorn University charges full registration fee and tuition, which could be as high as 150,000 (U$5,000) per semester for a master student. This information won't occur in brochures or official websites. As students "shop for" programs between places, and schools "package" their international programs, it's only fair that full information is disclosed before students discover they're stock. Don't you think?

Faculty -

It's not easy to say what make good professors, curriculum and a faculty. This is applicable worldwide. With the help of the internet and other referencing tools, we can check out about the research and activities that our schools and faculty members have done. In Thailand, professors with outstanding research and real world engagement usually stretch themselves very far. One of the reasons is that they don't really make that much from universities. One important reminder for the programs composed primarily of guest lecturers is that the lecturers only spend 2-4 weeks teaching. Many things are arranged and decided based on economic factors. To sum up, we can't have it all, but if you want more profound and expect a longer and larger advisor-advisee relationship, this won't be the program suiting you.

General Support -

This is just lacking, or to be precise, lacking coherent integration. Many international programs are very lonely in their own schools. Cooperation and integration of information, lacking. To what degree this will affect students' study and living, I can't make a good judgement. But living in a foreign land and findling several times that we were kept in dark turned some of us highly skeptical and paranoid. Apart from all the advanturous and exotic dimensions, the lack of the general support in and outside of the program would be a real challenge for some.

Expanding beyond our old and known horizon is exciting and it makes up grow no matter what happen duirng the process. I hope what's written above will be some good food for thought and your deliberation of your education site.

[farang555]

i think the statment that uni degrees r only a piece of paper was made with thai edukation system in mind......lol!

[wasabi]

The only real concern is will they ban the tight skirts and blouses. TIT

[farang555]

didnt a few already do that!

these high people what r they trying to do, ruin thailands reputation!

first no alcohol for 2 days, what r they thinking.

2nd properly attired uni girls, jeezus christ!

[geriatrickid]

You left out an important part; the field of studies. If a farang intends to use that diploma back in the west, he or she is in for a shock because it will usually on par with one of those "earn your diploma" on line type of colleges that advertise on the internet.

There is a big difference between obtaining a Masters degree from Chula in a specialty field such as marine biology, medicine, Thai literature vs. polysci, social studies. Some diplomas are applicable in the west, while others are not. If someone intends to stay in Thailand , then maybe that degree in "business" will work, but most likely the accounting and finance concepts will not reflect business practices in the EU or North America.

There is a reason why Thai universities are not renowned for orginal or proprietary research and it starts with the academic structure.

Edited July 19, 2008 by geriatrickid

[BU05zijo]

hi there! my name is Zijo, and im currently working for Bangkok University! and a student too! if you guys have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me and my group members! we are the BU idol team!

for further information please visit bangkok university website and click BUidol on the right of the screen. for your information, me and Makoto are the two international PR. so if you want to get more information, please add our msn and live chat. thank you very much!!

sawaddi krub!

[G54]

What I want to know is, where can I get a diploma or whatever to say I am qualified to teach English in Thailand and how much is it going to cost me?

Yes, I expect this post of mine to be removed by the mods

[AjarnChan]

What I want to know is, where can I get a diploma or whatever to say I am qualified to teach English in Thailand and how much is it going to cost me?

Yes, I expect this post of mine to be removed by the mods

You can buy a nice piece of paper that looks a lot like a Degree on Kao San road in Bangkok. BUT do not expect anybody to take it very seriously, and be ready to be Deported if you are unlucky enough to be checked. Along the same lines you can buy a 'Degree' online which is 'accredited' by some Online Accreditation [scam]. Ditto so far as real value, in other words USELESS if anybody at the Education Ministry decides to check it out; for example during your application for a Work Permit, or at any other point while you are Teaching. Not so long ago some 'Teacher' from exotic places like Pattaya were arrested and deported for precisely those reasons. BE WARNED !!

There is no 100% reliable way around the rules. However it is possible to get legitimate work 'upcountry' in some location where qualified Teachers do not want to go. It is also possible to get illegitimate, but 'relatively safe' work through an Agency, working in a Private school not a State school. BUT long term you are likely to get caught ;{

Good Luck

[thunder30101]

Where qualified teachers dont want to go ? lol anyone here that teaches that can say with a straight face that a western degree has any value to teaching anywhere in thailand is only fooling themselves. Where are these great bastions of higher learning in thailand ? at the tremendous pay rate of 30-50k a month highly qualified teachers are flocking here in droves. I love thailand and teaching here but lets not kid ourselves that it requires a western degree to be a good teacher here.

[AjarnChan]

Where qualified teachers dont want to go ? lol anyone here that teaches that can say with a straight face that a western degree has any value to teaching anywhere in thailand is only fooling themselves. Where are these great bastions of higher learning in thailand ? at the tremendous pay rate of 30-50k a month highly qualified teachers are flocking here in droves. I love thailand and teaching here but lets not kid ourselves that it requires a western degree to be a good teacher here.

"I love thailand and teaching here but lets not kid ourselves that it requires a western degree to be a good teacher here."

YES indeed, truer words have never been spoken

In fact in my experience it is the 'enthusiastic amateurs' who care the most and try the hardest.

[VoxPopuli]

"i think the statment that uni degrees r only a piece of paper was made with thai edukation system in mind......lol! "

My irony meter just exploded.