Thammasat University


Image of Boat on River in Thailand
Located in the heart of Bangkok, Thammasat University is the ideal study abroad destination for students who are eager for an adventure.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Language of Instruction: EnglishThai
Program Type: Semester or Academic Year
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Take courses in English in a wide variety of subjects in the heart of Southeast Asia
  • Study at one of Thammasat University's two campuses - one in downtown Bangkok and the other about an hour outside the center of the city
  • Complement your coursework by volunteering with local organizations in the fields of health, English education, and development

Located in the heart of Bangkok, Thammasat University is the ideal study abroad destination for students who are eager for an adventure. Students have the opportunity to take classes in a variety of different fields, including the very popular Thai Studies Program which offers courses in Thai Language, Islam in Thailand and Thai Cuisine. Experience first-hand the warmth and hospitality of the Thai people as you enjoy a lively street festival, zip through Bangkok on a tuk-tuk, ride an elephant in Chiang Mai or spend your vacation on the beautiful beaches in Phuket.

Thammasat University has two campuses. Tha main campus, Tha Prachan, is a compact campus located on the land that was once the viceroy's palace grounds on the Chao Phrya River, near the center of the original Bangkok. The campus is close to some of Thailand's most sacred temples and many government ministries, as well as the Grand Palace of the reigning Chakri dynasty, the National Theater and National Museum. Most existing international programs are located at the Tha Prachan campus. The Rangsit campus, approximately one hour from the Tha Prachan campus, offers a more traditional campus lifestyle. Rangsit houses the science- and engineering-related faculties, as well as the Bachelor of Economics program, and is adjacent to the Asian Institute of Technology.

Programs

Thammasat University offers a total of 240 courses of study in the disciplines of social sciences, huamnities, science and technology, and health sciences. For Thai speakers, there are plenty of undergraduate and graduate program options. Of the 240 degree programs, 58 are International Programs, which are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and are carried out entirely in English. The following International Programs are open to ISEP students. Take note of the campus associated with each program!

Tha Prachan Campus

Thai Studies Program (TS), offered through Pridi Banomyong International College (PBIC), provides an integrated and interdisciplinary program for Thai and foreign students. A wide range of courses on historical and present-day Thailand and its culture are available. Trips to artistic, ethnological, historical, political, and religious sites are included.

Bachelor of British and American Studies (BAS) examines British and American society and culture, both past and present day. The program includes courses from the Faculty of Liberal Arts as well as other disciplines such as economics, politics, media studies, and business.

Bachelor of Business Administration* (BBA) concentrates on accounting, finance, banking and marketing.

Bachelor of Economics* (BE) is the oldest in Thailand and pioneered the teaching of Economics using English as the medium of instruction in 1969. Coursework includes Thai/Asian and developing economies, economic theory, human resources, international/comparative, financial and quantitative economics as well as general Thai studies.

Bachelor and Master of Political Sciences Program in Politics and International Relations* (BMIR) integrates theoretical approaches with case studies, current issues as well as practical skills. It also gives a priority to a diverse range of academic questions essential to the field of politics and international relations.

Rangsit Campus

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJM) offers courses in newspaper and print media, radio and television, film, advertising, public relations, and mass communication management.

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology* (SIIT) aims to produce engineering and technological graduates who are not only well prepared in their field but are also proficient in English. Qualified students may take courses in civil, electrical, industrial, or mechanical engineering or environmental and information technology. SIIT runs on the Thai academic year, June to March. SIIT also offers a Master’s degree program.

Bachelor of Business English Communication (BEC) emphasizes the English communication skills essential for business transactions. Courses are designed to develop the skills which include listening, speaking, reading, and writing English within a business context.

Courses for Graduate (Masters) Level

Programs listed above with an asterisk (*) are also offered at the graduate level. The follow programs are offered at the graduate level only:
MA-PhD in English Language Studies
Master in Finance
Master in Marketing (MIM)
Graduate Studies in Biomedical Science
International Master of Business Administration (IMBA)

Academic Notes

Students are likely to note a marked difference in lecture style and assessment between their home universities and Thammasat. Students should try to be flexible and open-minded as they adapt to the University. The typical course load is 3-6 courses per semester with 9-18 hours spent in class per week. Students are not advised to take courses on both campuses given the distance between the two. Read more about academics at TU in the Student Handbook.

Language Notes

Language Requirement: For courses taught in Thai, fluency is required.
Language Courses: Thai language courses are offered in addition to regular courses in the Thai Studies program.

Get ready to truly live like a local and eat some of the best food in the world! ISEP students receive a monthly housing and meal stipend to cover the cost of rent and food. Thai people eat almost every meal outside of the house. Food is very inexpensive and easy to find! The meal stipend can be used to eat at one of the many campus vendors, off campus at a food stall, or in restaurants. More information about life at TU and in Bangkok can be found in the Student Handbook.

Tha Prachan Campus

Tha Prachan campus is a very urban campus. It is rather small and therefore, there is no housing on campus. ISEP students have a wide range of hotel/guest house/apartment options to choose from. Many are within walking distance of campus and others are a short bus ride away. Some of the most popular housing options among international students are 3J Court and Amarin Mansion. Read more about apartment options at Thammasat Housing Information Part I and Thammasat Housing Information Part II.

Rangsit Campus

The Rangsit campus is much more similar to a typical university campus. It is very large and has its own bus system! Private apartments/guest houses are located around the campus from which students can rent rooms. OIA will assist you in securing a contract with one of the various housing providers. There are several cafeterias, cafes, and a grocery store on campus, as well as a book store, gymnasium, pool, gym, and lounges.

Student Activities

There are many activities for students to take advantage of, both on and off campus. Examples include: cultural tours of Bangkok, Thai uisine cooking classes, Grand Palace excursions, Loy Krathong Festival,International Night, Tea Ceremony, Rice Harvest Festival, and a Mangrove excursion.

Community Engagement (Internships, Service-Learning, Volunteering, etc.)

Since Bangkok is such a large and cosmopolitan city, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities for students to explore, both independently and through the University. Past volunteer events organized by OIA have included planting rice with local rice farmers and spending time at a local orphanage. Students also have the opportunity to participate in TU2U where they teach English to local children in classrooms around the Tha Prachan Campus.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

 

Contact Kaitlyn Johnson at k.johnson@ku.edu for more information.

Further information on programs can be found on the ISEP Website.