Should you study in Thailand?
Thailand is the closest, among the most affordable and the easiest of our destinations for a Myanmar family to visit. Its English-taught international programmes are real degrees at real universities, but they sit alongside a much larger Thai-taught system, and the difference between the two matters more than anything else on this page.
Taught in English- $2,500–9,000
- Tuition a year
- IELTS 5.0+
- Language needed
- No part-time work
- Part-time work
- $400–750
- Living costs a month
Thailand works well if…
- You want an English-taught degree close to home, at a fee your family can manage without borrowing.
- Family visits matter. Yangon to Bangkok is a short flight and a straightforward tourist visa.
- You are comfortable living somewhere daily life runs in Thai even though your degree runs in English.
Choose somewhere else if…
- You need the qualification to carry weight with employers outside Southeast Asia. Malaysia’s branch campus degrees travel further.
- You are relying on part-time work. An ED visa does not permit employment.
- You want a Thai-taught programme without a year of Thai first. That route exists, but it is a language commitment, not a shortcut.
If two of these apply to you, ask us about Malaysia. Similar cost, wider recognition.
From matriculation to a Thai degree
Three to four years, with one of the most straightforward visa processes of our destinations.
- Before you apply · 2–3 months
IELTS and documents
International programmes want IELTS 5.0 to 6.0 and a certified matriculation transcript. Some accept their own English test instead, which can save you a sitting.
- Application
Choose the international programme
Every university runs both Thai-taught and English-taught tracks, often with similar names. We make sure the offer you accept is for the one you think it is.
- Years 1–4
Bachelor’s degree
Four years is standard. Fees are charged per semester and rise a little each year, so budget for the whole degree rather than the first invoice.
- After graduation
Work, or move on
Working in Thailand needs a work permit and an employer willing to sponsor it. Many graduates use the degree regionally instead.
Cheap, but check what the quote covers
Thai universities quote per semester and per programme. The same university can cost twice as much for a different subject, so compare the whole degree, not the headline.
$3,000–6,000
Thailand sets no single national figure. The institution sponsoring your ED visa decides what it wants to see, and we confirm it with them before you apply.
| Stage | Per year | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Public university · international programme | $2,500–5,500 | 4 years |
| Private university | $4,000–9,000 | 4 years |
| Thai language year | $1,200–2,500 | 1 year, optional |
| Living costs | $400–750 / mo | Bangkok is highest |
Indicative 2026 ranges. An ED visa does not permit part-time work. Plan the budget on the assumption that you will not earn anything while you study.
Our Thailand partners
Explore our current partner institutions and programmes. We can explain the application routes and support available for your chosen course.
Questions Myanmar families ask us
Short answers to what families ask most about Thailand. We confirm the details for your own case on the call, because rules and figures change.
Is an English-taught Thai degree recognised back home?
An English-taught international programme is a real degree from that university. How far it is recognised depends on the university's accreditation, and for recognition outside Southeast Asia Malaysia's branch campus degrees usually travel further. We check the accreditation and tell you honestly if recognition matters for your plans.
Do I need to speak Thai to live there?
Not for your degree, which runs in English. Daily life, from shops to taxis, runs in Thai, so you will pick up the basics. Some universities offer an optional Thai language year, which costs about $1,200 to $2,500.
Can I work part-time on an ED visa?
No. An ED visa does not permit employment, so plan your budget on the basis that you will earn nothing while you study.
How often do I have to renew the visa?
That depends on the visa type your university arranges and on the immigration rules at the time. Your university's international office normally handles the paperwork, and we tell you the current pattern before you apply.
Which universities genuinely teach in English?
Every Thai university runs Thai-taught and English-taught tracks, often with similar names. We shortlist universities that run the international programme fully in English, and check that the offer you accept is for that programme.
How easily can my family visit?
Easily. Yangon to Bangkok is a short flight, and parents normally travel on a tourist visa. Check the current visa rules before you book.
Talk to a counsellor about studying in Thailand
David Dhakal and the Think Asia team have placed 3,000+ Myanmar students abroad across all our destinations. Thirty minutes, free, at the office or on Viber.
