How to Study in Chiang Mai for International Students

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Chiang Mai, one of the beautiful cities in Thailand, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Chiang Mai currently has 7 universities, from which 4 universities are a part of the public sector and 3 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Chiang Mai you should definitely check out are Chiang Mai University, Maejo University, and Chiang Mai Rajabhat University.

Being able to study in Chiang Mai as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Chiang Mai, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Chiang Mai

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Chiang Mai, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 70,000 THB to 170,000 THB, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 40,000 THB and 330,000 THB.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Chiang Mai

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Chiang Mai, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Chiang Mai University 70,000 THB - 170,000 THB 40,000 THB - 330,000 THB

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Chiang Mai

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Payap University 132,300 THB - 160,300 THB 133,600 THB

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Chiang Mai, check out the Cheap Universities in Chiang Mai!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Chiang Mai for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Chiang Mai, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Chiang Mai, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Chiang Mai may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Chiang Mai are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Chiang Mai and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Chiang Mai University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Payap University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Chiang Mai

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Chiang Mai have online applications available on their websites, like Chiang Mai University and Maejo University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai University

Maejo University

Chiang Mai Rajabhat University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Chiang Mai differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Chiang Mai.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Chiang Mai

If you’re going to study in Chiang Mai, you will need to apply for a student visa in Thailand

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Thailand. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Non-Immigrant Visa (Category ED).

To start your student visa application in Chiang Mai, you will need to present the following:

  1. Signed letter of request from the university
  2. Proof of enrollment
  3. Two passport-sized photos
  4. Ticket itinerary
  5. Completed visa application form
  6. Valid passport
  7. Copies of valid passports from sponsors or parents

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Thailand is 2000 THB for Single Entry, 5000 THB for Multiple Entry.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare the documents for visa application.
  2. Apply at a Thai embassy or consulate nearest to your country of residence.
  3. Wait for around four to five business days for processing.
  4. Collect your visa at the embassy or consulate.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Chiang Mai. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!