The Education System in Thailand

Duration of Compulsory Education: 6 to 14 years of age

Academic Year: Classes start from July to Aprilch

 Long vacation from April 1 to July 31

Language of Instruction: Thai, English

School System of Thailand follows a 6-3-3 structure

PriAprily

6 years

Length of Program

6 to 11 years of age

Age level

PriAprily School Certificate

Certificate or Diploma awarded

Lower Secondary

3 years

Length of Program

12 to 14 years of age

Age level

Lower Secondary School Certificate

Certificate or Diploma awarded

Upper Secondary

3 years

Length of Program

15 to 17 years of age

Age level

Higher Secondary School Certificate (Mathayon Suksa 6)

Certificate or Diploma awarded

2 major tracks at the Upper Secondary level

·          General (Academic)

o         Comprehensive curriculum (one instructional unit consists of about two 50-minute classes per week of the 20-week semester system)

§          30 units of compulsory subjects

§          45 units of elective subjects plus extra-curricular activities

·          Vocational

Higher Secondary

·          Under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education

·          Thai education system is composed of both public and private institutions

Stages of Higher Education Studies

·          Non-University Level

o         Provided by institutes, colleges, and specialized training institutions

o         Institutions are entitled to confer qualifications up to the Bachelor’s level upon completion

·          University Level

o         First stage: Bachelor’s Degree

§          Four to six year courses

§          Programs are structured in groups of general education studies as well as specialized subjects

§          Requires a minimum 2.0 average grade point to obtain degree

o         Second stage: Master’s Degree

§          Minimum of 2 years of further study

§          Program modules consists of advance coursework and research

§          Requires a minimum of 3.0 average grade point to obtain degree

o         Third stage: Doctorate

§          3 years of intensive research and knowledge acquisition

§          Students must produce study reports and give academic seminars during the course

Non-traditional studies

·          Distance higher education

o         Offered by the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and the Ramkhamhaeng University

o         Provides continuing and lifelong education through self-instruction programs and televised classes