How to find a study abroad scholarship in short
Thai students can apply for many fully funded scholarships: from the Thai government, from foreign governments, from universities and from banks and foundations. Most of them ask for an English test, usually IELTS. The best way to find one is to start from the deadline and work back to your IELTS date, because the score is the part that takes longest to get ready.
- Many scholarships want your IELTS result in the application itself. Two weeks before the deadline is the latest you can test and still get the result in time. Aim for 6 to 8 weeks before, so there is room for a retake.
- Others want the score later, for example before your university offer is final. You still need it, just later in the year.
- Most rounds close once a year, many of them between November and February. If you miss a round, you usually wait a full year for the next one.
- Our scholarship finder lists the scholarships Thai citizens can apply for, with the IELTS score each one needs and its dates.
Know when your IELTS needs to be ready
Enter your scores, the band your scholarship asks for and the date you need it by. You get a day-by-day plan with the exact lessons, drills and mock tests to do before then. About 1 minute, no sign-up needed.
The main kinds of scholarship for Thai students
Scholarships differ in who pays, what they cover and what they ask in return. Knowing the four main kinds helps you search in the right places.
- Thai government scholarships: the OCSC scholarship (ทุน ก.พ.) pays for a master's or PhD abroad. You usually work for a Thai government agency afterwards. Selection uses OCSC's own written exam, and you need IELTS after you win.
- Foreign government scholarships: for example Chevening in the UK, Australia Awards, MEXT in Japan and GKS in Korea. Most are fully funded and many ask you to return to Thailand afterwards.
- University scholarships: many universities in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America offer their own awards, often decided with your admission. Some cover tuition only.
- Banks and foundations: for example the Bangkok Bank master's scholarship and the KBank Scholarship. Each has its own rules, and some cover only part of the cost.
Key insight
Fully funded usually means tuition, a monthly living allowance and flights. Partly funded awards are often easier to win. Check exactly what each one covers before you decide where to spend your time.
When your IELTS score has to be ready
Every scholarship has a point where the English score must be in. There are two patterns, and they change how you plan.
- Score with the application: you upload the result before the deadline. Australia Awards, for example, asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no skill below 6.0 in the application. Paper results take up to 13 days and computer results a few days, so two weeks before the closing date is the absolute latest. Sitting the test 6 to 8 weeks before leaves time to retake it if one skill falls short.
- Score later: you apply first and show the score afterwards. OCSC scholars need IELTS 6.0 after they win, and Chevening scholars need an unconditional university offer, which usually means reaching the course's IELTS score.
- Your test date is not the start. Improving by half a band usually takes a couple of months or more of regular study, depending on your level. Count back from the test date to see when to begin, using how long to prepare for IELTS.
Note
If you are not sure which test to book, read IELTS Academic vs General Training. Most scholarships for study ask for Academic.
How to find a scholarship that fits you, step by step
Follow these steps in order. The first three take an evening. The last two take months, which is why the order matters.
- 1Step 1
Decide the level and the countries
Choose bachelor's, master's or PhD, and two or three countries you would really go to. This cuts a long list down to the scholarships worth reading.
GoalA short list of levels and countries.
- 2Step 2
Check the eligibility rules
Read each scholarship's rules before anything else: citizenship, your degree and grades, work experience, age limits and whether you must return to Thailand afterwards. One rule you cannot meet rules the scholarship out.
GoalOnly scholarships you can actually apply for.
- 3Step 3
Note the IELTS score and when it is needed
Write down the band each scholarship asks for, any minimum per skill, and whether the score goes in with the application or later. If the scholarship sets no score, use your university's requirement.
GoalOne target band and one date to have it by.
- 4Step 4
Work back from the earliest deadline
Take the earliest deadline on your list. Plan to sit IELTS 6 to 8 weeks before it, so a retake is still possible. Two weeks before is the absolute latest. Your preparation starts a couple of months or more before the test, depending on how far you are from the target.
GoalA test date and a start date.
- 5Step 5
Prepare the rest of the application
Transcripts, degree certificates, recommendation letters and essays all take weeks. University offers can take longer. Start them alongside your IELTS preparation, not after it.
GoalEverything ready before the round opens.
When the big rounds usually close
Dates change a little every year, but the pattern is steady. These are the usual closing months for some of the largest scholarships, from their recent rounds.
- 1August to October
Chevening (UK)
Applications open around August and close around October. For the 2027/28 round, you need an unconditional university offer by 8 July 2027, so aim to have your IELTS score by May or June 2027.
- 2November to December
OCSC (Thai government)
The 2569 round opened on 14 November 2025 and ran for about six weeks. Many university scholarships in Europe, Asia and the United States also close between November and January.
- 3February
GKS (Korea)
The graduate round opens on the Study in Korea website around February. The Embassy Track gives only about two weeks to apply online.
- 4February to April
Australia Awards and Bangkok Bank
Australia Awards rounds have recently closed on 30 April, with IELTS in the application. The Bangkok Bank master's scholarship has run from late December to April.
- 5May to June
MEXT (Japan) and KBank
The MEXT research student application goes to the Embassy of Japan by post around late May or early June. The KBank Scholarship has opened in May and closed at the end of June.
Scholarships that need your IELTS result in the application
Deadlines in the next 12 months, earliest first, from the official page of each scholarship. Plan to test 6 to 8 weeks before the deadline. Two weeks before is the latest the result can arrive in time.
- Where
- Switzerland
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 7.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 30 Nov 2026
- Where
- China
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- 7.0
- Deadline
- 30 Nov 2026
- Where
- Hong Kong
- Level
- PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- Where
- Hong Kong
- Level
- PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- Where
- Netherlands
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Dec 2026
- Where
- Japan
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 3 Dec 2026
- Where
- Australia
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 18 Dec 2026
- Where
- USA
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 7.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Jan 2027
- Where
- USA
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 7.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 2 Jan 2027
- Where
- USA
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 7.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 4 Jan 2027
- Where
- Finland
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- 6.5 (no skill below 6.0)
- Deadline
- 5 Jan 2027
- Where
- France
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 6 Jan 2027
- Where
- Canada
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 10 Jan 2027
- Where
- France
- Level
- Bachelor's, Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 13 Jan 2027
- Where
- South Korea
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 14 Jan 2027
- Where
- Europe
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- 6.5 (no skill below 6.5)
- Deadline
- 15 Jan 2027
- Where
- Hong Kong
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 15 Jan 2027
- Where
- Sweden
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 15 Jan 2027
- Where
- Finland
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- 6.5 (no skill below 6.0)
- Deadline
- 19 Jan 2027
- Where
- Japan
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- 6.0 (no skill below 5.5)
- Deadline
- 20 Jan 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 20 Jan 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 20 Jan 2027
- Where
- Canada
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 27 Jan 2027
- Where
- Hong Kong
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 31 Jan 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 31 Jan 2027
- Where
- Netherlands
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 31 Jan 2027
- Where
- South Korea
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- IELTS needed
- 6.5
- Deadline
- 5 Feb 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 17 Feb 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 17 Feb 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 17 Feb 2027
- Where
- Singapore
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 17 Feb 2027
- Where
- Austria
- Level
- PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.5 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 1 Mar 2027
- Where
- Taiwan
- Level
- Master's, PhD
- IELTS needed
- About 6.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 15 Mar 2027
- Where
- Netherlands
- Level
- Master's
- IELTS needed
- 6.5
- Deadline
- 1 Apr 2027
- Where
- Macau
- Level
- Bachelor's, Master's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 30 Apr 2027
- Where
- Hong Kong
- Level
- Bachelor's
- IELTS needed
- About 6.0 (your university's requirement)
- Deadline
- 30 Jun 2027
Where a scholarship sets no score of its own, the band shown is the typical requirement of the universities it covers. Dates can change, so check the scholarship page and the official site before you apply. The finder shows which rounds are open now.
How to tell if your English is ready
The most common reason a strong applicant misses a scholarship is an IELTS score that arrives too late. Find out where you are now, while there is still time to close the gap.
- Take a short level test to estimate your band in each skill. Our free IELTS score test takes 13 minutes.
- Compare your weakest skill with any minimum per skill. Some scholarships, such as Australia Awards and Manaaki New Zealand, also require no skill below 6.0, and Writing is usually the one that falls short.
- If the gap is a full band or more, give yourself more time than you think. Read the IELTS band scores guide to see what each band means.
- Budget for the test fee and the chance of a second attempt. The IELTS cost guide lists the current fees in Thailand.
Mistakes that cost people a scholarship
- Booking IELTS after the round opens. Many rounds are only open for a few weeks, which is not enough time to improve.
- Reading only the overall band. A score of 6.5 overall with a 5.5 in Writing fails a rule of no skill below 6.0.
- Taking General Training when the scholarship asks for Academic. The two are different tests, and one does not replace the other.
- Using an old result. IELTS results are usually accepted for two years, and some scholarships set a shorter limit.
- Waiting for one scholarship. Apply to several that fit, with deadlines spread across the year.
Get a plan that is ready before your deadline
A day-by-day plan built around your scores, your target band and your test date, with the exact lessons, drills and mock tests to do, and which skills to focus on first.
About 1 minute · No sign up needed.
Don't know your level? Take the free 13-minute testStep 1 of 6
What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
Study abroad scholarships: frequently asked questions
How do I find a scholarship to study abroad?
Decide your level and countries, then check each scholarship's eligibility rules, the IELTS score it asks for and when the score is needed. Our scholarship finder lists scholarships Thai citizens can apply for, with those details on each page.
Are there fully funded scholarships for Thai students?
Yes. The OCSC scholarship, Chevening, Australia Awards, MEXT and GKS are all fully funded for the students they select, and so are some university and foundation awards. Fully funded usually means tuition, a living allowance and flights, but check each one.
When should I start preparing for a scholarship?
About a year before the deadline for most people. The IELTS score and the university offer take the longest. Many rounds close between November and February, so preparation often starts the spring before.
What IELTS score do I need for a scholarship?
Most master's scholarships ask for IELTS 6.5. Some, such as Australia Awards and Manaaki New Zealand, also require no skill below 6.0. Some ask for 6.0, and top universities can ask for 7.0. When a scholarship sets no score, your university's requirement applies.
When should I take IELTS for a scholarship?
If the result goes in with the application, aim to sit the test 6 to 8 weeks before the deadline, so you can retake it if needed. Two weeks before is the absolute latest: paper results take up to 13 days, and computer results usually a few days. If the score is needed later, check that date instead.
Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor's degree abroad?
Yes, but there are fewer than for a master's. Government schemes such as MEXT and GKS have undergraduate tracks, and universities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States offer awards to international students. Many are decided with your admission application.
Do scholarships ask for IELTS Academic or General Training?
Scholarships for study almost always want IELTS Academic, because the score is used for university admission. Check the scholarship and the university before you book.
Is there a scholarship exam?
Some have one. The OCSC scholarship uses its own written exam, which includes English, and MEXT has a written exam in Thailand. Most others decide on your documents, essays and an interview.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Usually yes, as long as you meet each one's rules. Some government scholarships do not let you hold another award at the same time, so read the rules on accepting more than one offer.
How long is an IELTS result valid for a scholarship?
Most organisations accept an IELTS result for two years after the test date. Some scholarships set a shorter period, so check the date your result must still be valid on.
Find the scholarships you can apply for
Filter by country, level and IELTS score, see which rounds are open now, and plan your test so the result is ready before the deadline.
Sources
- OCSC: Thai Government Scholarship announcement (2569 round). Round dates, written exam and the English requirement after the award
- Chevening Scholarships: Thailand. Application window and the unconditional offer rule
- Chevening: application timeline. The 8 July deadline for an unconditional offer
- Chevening: eligibility guidance. Who can apply and the return to Thailand rule
- IELTS: getting your results. How long computer and paper results take
- Australia Awards: Thailand. Closing date and the IELTS requirement in the application
- Embassy of Japan in Thailand: MEXT research students. Postal deadline and written exam
- Study in Korea: Global Korea Scholarship. Graduate application window
- Bangkok Bank: scholarships. Master's scholarship round dates
- Kasikornbank: KBank Scholarship. Round dates and the IELTS requirement
