The GSP semester

Academic Focus

The topics of focus within the term at Chulalongkorn University are globalization, global governance, cultural change, and research methodology. These topics will be studied with an emphasis on Asia and Southeast Asia.

Course offer

Normally, there are four courses on offer, one for each module. Depending on the current capacities, there might also be additional alternative courses that students can choose from.

As of now, these four obligatory classes are Thai and Southeast Asian Peoples and Cultures, Globalization and Development in the Asia and Pacific Region, Research Methods in Development Studies, and Seminar in Global Governance.

At Chula you will be attending a compulsory methods course that is focused on gaining practical experience with selected methods and on developing a research proposal for the MA thesis.

Students are also free to look for other courses being offered by the other English-speaking programs. Whether the credits for these outside courses can be counted towards one of the GSP modules depends on the content of the classes and needs to be checked individually with the coordinators in Freiburg.

Course format

The predominant course formats are lectures and discussions. Group sizes usually range between 25 and 40 students per class. Some of the courses are attended exclusively by GSP students, while other courses are offered as joint courses together with other degree programs. The local degree programs we are cooperating with are the European Studies Programme, the Thai Studies Programme, and the Development Studies Programme.

Examinations

The usual examination formats are student presentations during the term as well as term papers. The official final examination period is around the end of April and beginning of May, but some classes might finish earlier and have the exam prior to this period.

Academic culture

Usually students can reach their lecturers outside the classes by email or through the course coordinator. Individual meetings can be arranged if needed.

The general language of instruction at Chulalongkorn University is Thai, but all courses in the international programs (including GSP) are taught in English. Currently, there are 19 English-speaking programs being offered at the Bachelor level, 55 English-speaking programs at the Master level, and 40 English-speaking doctoral degrees. More information is available here. Students interested in learning Thai are welcome to attend language courses offered by the Faculties of Arts.

Living and studying

There are varieties of accommodation choices close by the university grounds and in other areas around Bangkok that students can search for themselves. An international student dorm is also available on the campus. Students interested in staying in the international student dorm will need to contact the GSP coordinators at Chulalongkorn University beforehand to make a reserveration.

If the students are not living in walking distance to the university, the best way to get to class is by using BTS Sky Train (Siam Station and National Stadium Station) or MRT underground train (Samyan Station). Public bus lines are also available, but are not recommended during rush hour due to traffic.

There are several libraries and canteens available around the campus. A sport complex, health and wellness center, and co-working & studying spaces are available for students on campus as well. Most of the facilities are within 5 to 15 minutes walking distance from each other.

Visa & immigration

Thai law requires all foreign students studying in Thailand to hold the Non-Immigrant visa type "ED". It is highly recommended for you to get it before entering Thailand. After you enter Thailand, you will receive a stamp allowing you to stay for 90 days, which will not cover the semester period, so, you will have to extend it later on. The GSP coordinator at Chulalongkorn University will support you in handling your extension once you are in Thailand. It is likely that you will receive a single entry visa, please note that with the single entry visa, if you want to leave Thailand but still keep your visa, you will have to apply for a re-entry permit at the airport before you leave the country.

You will need the documents from Chulalongkorn University to apply for the Non-Immigrant visa type "ED". Usually in September the coordinator in Chulalongkorn University will contact the students to ask for the passport copy and the location of the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate General each student plans to apply for visa with. Preparing the admission letter and letter for visa application can take about 2-3 weeks. Once they are ready, the documents will be scanned and sent by email to each student individually. Then the original hard copies will be posted to the 2nd semester coordinators. Students can then go apply for the Non-Immigrant visa type "ED" with the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate General they choose. E-visa is also available. Please check for more information at https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ .

Students' voices

To give you a better idea of the experience at the Chulalongkorn University, you can read what our current and former students think about the time they spent there:

“At Chula, I loved that most of the classes are taught to an international group of students, so it was super nice to meet Thai and Asian exchange students. In class, many methods such as small group discussions, little presentations and watching videos made it easy to settle into a university that highlights scientific objectivity and a more structured style of learning. If you also want to learn from intercultural experiences beyond classes, getting to know historical sights, the vibrant city of Bangkok and new perspectives from your peers, Chula is the perfect choice!”

Hannah, Batch 2022