How to Study in Phnom Penh for International Students
Phnom Penh, one of the beautiful cities in Cambodia, 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, Phnom Penh currently has 36 universities, from which 16 universities are a part of the public sector and 20 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 Phnom Penh you should definitely check out are Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cambodia, Royal University of Phnom Penh, and Institute of Technology of Cambodia.
Being able to study in Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Phnom Penh
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Phnom Penh, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 164,200 KHR to 24,596,500 KHR, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 2,060,000 KHR and 27,733,000 KHR.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Phnom Penh
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Phnom Penh, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Business | 164,200 KHR - 2,257,800 KHR | 2,873,500 KHR |
| Royal University of Phnom Penh | 2,060,000 KHR - 13,390,000 KHR | |
| Institute of Technology of Cambodia | 4,940,400 KHR | |
| Royal University of Agriculture | 2,877,700 KHR |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Phnom Penh
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| CamEd Business School | 19,164,700 KHR | |
| Pannasastra University of Cambodia | 5,905,500 KHR | 14,173,100 KHR |
| American University of Phnom Penh | 24,596,500 KHR | 27,733,000 KHR |
| Paragon International University | 12,306,000 KHR - 18,454,500 KHR | 16,404,000 KHR - 20,505,000 KHR |
| Panha Chiet University | 2,052,200 KHR | 4,104,400 KHR |
| Vanda Institute | 4,925,000 KHR | |
| Build Bright University | 4,625,400 KHR | |
| University of Cambodia | 3,699,900 KHR | 7,399,800 KHR |
| BELTEI International University | 4,111,000 KHR | 6,166,500 KHR |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Phnom Penh, check out the Cheap Universities in Phnom Penh!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Phnom Penh for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Phnom Penh, 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 Phnom Penh, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cambodia
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 5
- TOEFL: 60
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5
- TOEFL: 60
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
CamEd Business School
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 5
- TOEFL: 40
- CEFR: B2
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
East Asia Management University
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- TOEFL: No minimum score
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
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 Phnom Penh
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Phnom Penh have online applications available on their websites, like Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cambodia and Royal University of Phnom Penh. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Phnom Penh.
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Cambodia
Royal University of Phnom Penh
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Institute of Technology of Cambodia
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 Phnom Penh 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 Phnom Penh.
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 Phnom Penh
If you’re going to study in Phnom Penh, you will need to apply for a student visa in Cambodia
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Cambodia. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Cambodia Student Visa (ES).
To start your student visa application in Phnom Penh, you will need to present the following:
- Visa application form
- Passport pictures
- Valid passport and photocopies
- Letter of Acceptance from the institution
- Medical insurance
- Evidence of sufficient funds
- Return-trip ticket
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 Cambodia is 144,520 KHR.
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:
- Access the application form on the official government website of Cambodia.
- Write down and attach all the information needed in the application form. Make sure to input the correct email address, as this is where you will receive your online visa.
- Pay the application fee using a credit or debit card. You can only successfully submit your application after paying.
- Wait for the official email and download your e-visa certificate.
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 Phnom Penh. 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!