Schools and universities in Thailand: AED 50,000 to 160,000 a year — more than in Dubai
A good international school in Thailand costs AED 50,000–100,000 a year, the best up to AED 160,000. Universities are cheaper, from AED 15,000. A parent can live in the country on the back of a child’s education visa.
A good international school in Thailand costs AED 50,000–100,000 a year, the best AED 100,000–140,000, and certain Bangkok schools up to AED 160,000. That is more than in Dubai. Universities, by contrast, are cheaper: AED 15,000 to 35,000 a year. A parent can stay in the country on the strength of the child's education visa.
How much does a school in Thailand cost?
| Tier | Fees per year, AED |
|---|---|
| Good international schools | 50,000–100,000 |
| The best schools | 100,000–140,000 |
| Certain Bangkok schools | up to 160,000 |
These are British and American schools with an international curriculum. A year at one costs more than a million baht, which is very expensive by Thai standards.
Is that more than in Dubai?
Yes, the top tier of Thai schools costs more than Dubai's; both the practitioner with 12 years in the Thai market and those attending our closed session for brokers confirmed it. A family with two children should cost the school before the flat.
Talk to a licensed broker: 📲 +971 50 120 32 64 on WhatsApp, @dubai_oleg on Telegram
Demand is sustained by Chinese families: competition in China's schools is fierce, and children are brought to Thailand to study.
How much does university cost?
From AED 15,000 to 35,000 a year. Programmes run jointly with foreign universities cost AED 50,000–80,000.
- Popular with foreigners: artificial intelligence, IT, engineering, business, finance, biotechnology, international relations.
- Chosen by those who stay in the country: law, medicine and film directing.
What visa does the family get?
The child gets an education visa, and one parent gets a guardian visa tied to it. In the Emirates it works the other way round: the child is on the parent's visa.
Education visas are issued to adults as well, for language courses, university programmes and training. All the options are in our breakdown of Thai visas.
How the school shapes the choice of flat
The most expensive schools, at up to AED 160,000 a year, are in Bangkok. For a family it makes sense to pick the school first and only then a home near it.
We covered how the capital's market differs from the resort one in our piece on Phuket and Bangkok.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an international school in Thailand cost?
From AED 50,000 to 100,000 a year for a good school and AED 100,000–140,000 for the best. Bangkok has schools at AED 160,000.
Can a parent live in Thailand while the child is at school?
Yes. A visa for one guardian is issued alongside the child's education visa.
How much does a Thai university cost?
AED 15,000–35,000 a year; joint programmes with foreign universities cost AED 50,000–80,000.
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