Introduction
Chulalongkorn University is one of the top universities in Thailand, known for its high-quality education and research. As one of the leading institutions in Asia, Chulalongkorn attracts students from Thailand and around the world. However, university costs can be prohibitive for many talented students. Thankfully, Chulalongkorn University offers a wide variety of scholarship programs to make education more accessible.
Chulalongkorn University Full Scholarships
Rangsit University Full Scholarship
The Rangsit University Full Scholarship is an extremely prestigious award that waives 100% of tuition fees for the entire duration of an undergraduate degree program at Chulalongkorn University. Only ten students per year receive this scholarship based on outstanding academic merit and leadership potential.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Thai citizens in their final year of high school with minimum GPA of 3.75. Additionally, they must show strong extracurricular involvement and community service experience. Shortlisted candidates will go through an intensive application and interview process.
Award: Full tuition fee waiver renewable annually for up to 5 years of undergraduate study depending on maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Studying abroad opportunities are also covered.
Deadline: Applications open each December, and winners are announced the following March.
The King’s & Queen’s Scholarship (Special Merit Scholarship)
A highly competitive full scholarship was awarded to commemorate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s devotion to education.
Eligibility: Available to both Thai and international students entering their first year of undergraduate study at Chulalongkorn University. Applicants must have an outstanding academic record in high school with a minimum GPA of 3.75. Demonstrated leadership skills and extracurricular involvement are important selection criteria.
Award: Covers full tuition along with stipends for living expenses and books/supplies. Renewable annually based on maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
Deadline: Rolling application period from September to March. Around 30 scholarships are awarded each year.
Faculty Scholarships
Several faculties and academic departments at Chulalongkorn University offer full or partial scholarships on a competitive basis to the most talented incoming students.
Some examples are:
- Faculty of Medicine Full Scholarship: Full waiver of tuition and fees for 6 years of the MD program. Awarded based on MCAT/PAT scores and prior academic excellence.
- Faculty of Engineering Full Scholarship: Covers full tuition and includes stipend. Granted to top 3 applicants accepted into particular engineering fields like Chemical or Computer Engineering.
- Faculty of Arts Full Scholarship: Waives 100% of tuition costs for Bachelor and Master’s degrees based on entry essays and portfolios showcasing creative abilities.
Eligibility for all faculty scholarships: Minimum high school GPA of 3.5-3.75, depending on faculty. Awards are made based on factors like entrance exam scores, interviews, writing samples, or auditions, depending on the chosen field of study.
ASEAN University Network (AUN) Scholarships
The AUN Scholarship Program is a partnership between renowned universities across Southeast Asia, including Chulalongkorn University. It aims to promote student and academic staff mobility within the region.
Eligibility: Open to both undergraduate and graduate students studying full-time at a partner AUN university. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required.
Award: Covers tuition fees, accommodation, travel allowance, and living costs for one semester of exchange studies at another AUN member institution. It can be used for coursework, research, or internship purposes.
Deadline: Applications are accepted twice yearly in September and February.
Chulalongkorn University Partial Scholarships
Chulalongkorn also offers a wide range of merit-based partial scholarships supporting students financially. Here are some of the major programs.
Faculty Scholar Support Scheme (Half Scholarship)
This program recognizes outstanding sophomore, junior, or senior-year students based on superior academic results and activities.
Eligibility: Must be a Thai citizen enrolled in a regular Bachelors or Masters program. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required, along with exemplary extracurricular involvement or research contributions.
Award: Covers 50% of tuition fees for one academic year, renewable annually based on maintaining high GPA standards.
Deadline: Rolling application windows throughout the academic calendar year.
Chulamani College of Buddhist Studies 50% Scholarship
This is for students pursuing religious studies, Buddhist philosophy, or Pali language degrees.
Eligibility: Thai or international students with proven academic merit and commitment to Buddhist learning. Minimum GPA 3.25.
Award: Half waiver of tuition fees for the duration of the undergraduate or postgraduate degree program.
Deadline: Applications open yearly in July.
TU Scholarship Program (25-50% Tuition Waiver)
Partial merit-based scholarships were awarded by the TU Consortium of 23 leading Thai universities, including Chulalongkorn University.
Eligibility: Available for Thai citizens entering 1st year of Bachelor’s degree programs. Top 5% of applicants based on GPA and entrance exam results qualify.
Award: Waives either 25% or 50% of tuition fees, depending on academic ranking. Renewable annually through 4 years of study with a minimum 3.00 GPA.
Deadline: Early September each year. The selection process concludes in November.
Chulalongkorn University Need-Based Scholarships
Financial need is also considered in some Chulalongkorn University scholarship award decisions to promote accessibility.
Chulamontri Scholarship
Tailored need-based scholarships for students from low-income families who face financial hardship despite academic merit.
**Eligibility:**Thai undergraduates and graduates with a minimum 2.50 GPA. Annual household income must be under 500,000 baht.
Award: Covers partial or full tuition depending on individual financial evaluation. Award amounts range between 25,000-150,000 baht per year.
Deadline: Applications open twice yearly in May & November. Documents like family tax forms must be provided.
Orphan Foundation Scholarship
Fully finances the education of orphaned or disadvantaged students, showing strong academic achievement.
Eligibility: Thai citizens who have lost one or both parents and are enrolled in regular degree programs. A 2.50 minimum GPA is required.
Award: Complete waiver of tuition and stipend for living expenses. Renewable annually.
Deadline: Priority deadlines in March and September. Rolling applications are also accepted.
International Scholarship Programs
Chulalongkorn recognizes the value of diversity and actively recruits talented international students.
Fullbright Foreign Student Scholarship
Prestigious merit-based award for students of any nationality sponsored by the Fullbright Commission.
Eligibility: Demonstrated leadership, minimum 3.25 GPA. Pursuing a Masters or PhD degree full-time at Chulalongkorn.
Award: Covers full tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance, research support, and return airfare.
Deadline: Varying country-specific deadlines typically fall between September and November.
ASEAN Scholarship
This is for citizens of ASEAN member countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, etc.
Eligibility: Enrolled in a regular degree program. 2.75 minimum GPA and letter of recommendation.
Award: Covers partial tuition depending on the home country. Renewable annually with a 3.00 GPA.
Deadline: Rolling applications accepted year-round.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Funded by the European Commission for international students to pursue master’s degrees at EU & partner universities, including Chula.
Eligibility: Citizens of non-EU countries. Master’s application and minimum 2.75 GPA required.
Award: Flight allowance, monthly living stipend, full health insurance, and additional funding depending on home country.
Deadline: Vary each year, usually early January/February.
General Tips for Applying to Scholarships
While requirements differ across programs, here are some tips applicable to most Chulalongkorn University scholarship applications:
- Start preparing early-draft essays, and gather recommendation letters and transcripts well in advance of deadlines to avoid last-minute hassles.
- Highlight how you meet eligibility criteria clearly through your personal statement, resume, and application responses. Quantify achievements when possible.
- Emphasize yourself as an outstanding candidate who will add value to the university through academic potential and contributions.
- Request recommendation letters from impactful mentors who can speak to your character and qualifications. Provide them with context on the scholarship and deadline.
- Highlight any community service, volunteer work, research experience, or part-time jobs that show motivation and responsibility.
- Proofread thoroughly and have others review your application materials as well. Poor writing or typos create a negative first impression.
- Follow all instructions carefully – from formatting to word counts to document uploads. Missing even minor details could cause rejection.
- Consider practicing mock interviews if they form part of the selection process. Aim to convey passion for intended field of study clearly.
- Check the scholarships webpage or contact program coordinators directly with any queries regarding eligibility, deadline details, etc.
Scholarship Application Review Process
Given the high number of applicants, choosing scholarship recipients is an extremely competitive process at Chulalongkorn University. Here is a basic overview:
- All complete applications are initially screened by the program coordinator for minimum eligibility criteria like GPA thresholds or nationality requirements.
- Shortlisted candidates then typically undergo a preliminary evaluation of academic transcripts, resumes, essays, and recommendation letters by a selection committee of university faculty members and experts.
- Top-scoring applicants may be invited to in-person or online interviews to further assess suitability and answer any outstanding questions.
- Final selection considers a balanced cohort based on academics, extracurriculars, stated career goals alignment with university missions and diversity factors.
- Successful candidates are first notified by phone or email. Followed by official award letters, usually within a month of the application deadline.
- Unsuccessful applicants can request feedback after the process though scholarship decisions are generally considered final.
Knowing this process helps set realistic expectations and emphasizes putting your best foot forward right from the application phase. While scholarships are competitive, dedication and strong qualifications can help applicants stand out from the large pool.
