Thailand is a dream destination for tourists. There’s so much to see and do: visit Buddhist temples, enjoy local festivals, relax on tropical beaches, go to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary — there’s something for everybody.
But did you know Thailand is also a popular study destination? Over 25,000 international students choose to enrol in Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Thai universities.
If you want to become one of them, you should first learn more about the tuition fees and living costs in this beautiful Southeast Asian country.
Let’s dive right in!
1. University tuition fees in Thailand
Tuition fees at public universities
Public universities in Thailand are much more affordable when compared to their Western counterparts. Let’s take the Chulalongkorn University as an example:
- tuition for Bachelor’s programmes: 1,675–1,785 EUR/semester
- tuition for Master’s programmes: 2,185–2,360 EUR/semester
Tuition fees at private universities
Private universities in Thailand charge higher tuition. It depends on the type of academic programme, the length of your studies, and so on. Let’s take the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) as an example:
- tuition for Bachelor’s programmes: 18,300–27,250 EUR/year
- tuition for Master’s programmes: 9,865–14,125 EUR/year
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Most affordable universities in Thailand
Based on the study programmes listed on our portals, these are some of the cheapest Thai universities:
- Thammasat University: Masters start at 900 EUR/year
- Mahasarakham University: Bachelors start at 1,235 EUR/year
Tuition fees at top-ranked universities
- Chulalongkorn University: 1,675–2,360 EUR/semester
- Mae Fah Luang University: 685–3,200 EUR/semester
Check out all the top-ranked universities in Thailand based on data from global academic rankings.
2. Student living costs in Thailand
You will need between 350 and 700 EUR per month to cover your costs of living in Thailand. Depending on your lifestyle and spending habits, you might spend less or more.
The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency. At the time of writing this article, 1 EUR equals approximately 36.50 THB.
3. Student accommodation costs
There are two main types of accommodation:
- on-campus dormitories: 150–250 EUR/month. Sometimes the utilities (e.g. water, electricity) are included in the price, but this isn’t always the case.
- renting a private flat (1–3 rooms outside the city centre): 230–530 EUR/month
- renting a private flat (1–3 rooms in the city centre): 400–930 EUR/month
If you rent a private plat, don’t forget to add monthly utilities (70–90 EUR) to your expenses. You can significantly reduce some of the costs by sharing an apartment with other students.
4. Food costs in Thailand
As an international student, you should expect to spend 170–250 EUR per month on food and groceries. This largely depends on your personal habits, how much you eat out, and so on.
These are some of the average prices for food products in Thailand:
- 1 loaf of bread: 1.10 EUR
- 1 litre of milk: 1.45 EUR
- 12 eggs: 1.40 EUR
- 1 kg of white cheese: 16 EUR
- 1 kg of apples: 2.30 EUR
- 1 kg of bananas: 1.00 EUR
- 1 meal at affordable restaurants: 1.65 EUR
Check out other costs of living in Thailand.
5. Transportation costs
A monthly pass for public transport costs around 33 EUR without any student discount. Bangkok, the capital city, has the widest range of transport options:
- tuk-tuk (auto-rickshaw)
- motorcycle taxi
- regular taxi
- bus
- subway (the subway in Bangkok is called MRT and the Skytrain is called BTS. Students can get a MRT and a BTS student card to enjoy student discounts)
- train (mainly for country-wide travel, allowing you to visit and discover other beautiful places in Thailand)
A taxi ride starts at around 1 EUR, and then you pay 0.55 EUR per km. We also recommend trying the world-famous tuk-tuks, which are especially popular among tourists.
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6. Extra costs in Thailand
- books and other study materials: 130–150 EUR/semester
- entertainment (cinema, sports, concerts): 30–70 EUR/month
- student visa fee: around 55 EUR; needs to be extended every 3 months, and each extension costs 52 EUR
- private health insurance: the monthly fee depends on the type of medical coverage, the length of your stay, and so on
7. University scholarships and grants
To find up-to-date information about scholarships and financial aid programmes, visit the official website of the Thai university where you want to apply. Alternatively, check for scholarships in Thailand on our portal.
Don’t forget to apply for our Studyportals Scholarship.