The OCSC scholarship in short
The OCSC scholarship (ทุน ก.พ.) is a Thai government scholarship for a master's or PhD, often abroad. The government pays for your study, and you work for a government agency afterwards. You do not need an IELTS score to apply. Selection uses OCSC's own written exam, which has an English part.
- After you win, you need IELTS 6.0 overall (or TOEFL iBT 79) to study an English taught course, and a fully unconditional offer from your university.
- If you cannot reach the score, you can lose the scholarship. That is why winners start IELTS early.
- Applications are online at scholar.ocsc.go.th. The 2569 round opened on 14 November 2025 and ran for about six weeks.
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What is the OCSC scholarship?
Each year, the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) offers scholarships to fill skills that government agencies need. Scholarships are grouped into units (หน่วยทุน). Each unit has its own field, degree and destination, belongs to one agency, and can hold one or several scholarships. You choose the unit when you apply.
- It pays tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return airfare and costs before you leave, and books, equipment and a computer.
- In return, you work in government service for twice the length of the scholarship.
- If you do not, you repay everything you received plus a penalty of twice that amount.
Note
This guide covers the general public scholarship at degree level. You can see its details, and how it compares with other scholarships, on the OCSC scholarship page.
Who can apply?
These are the rules from the 2569 round. Each unit can add its own requirements, such as a degree in a particular field.
- Master's: a final year student or a bachelor's graduate. The minimum GPA is 3.00 for most units and 2.75 for some. You must be 35 or under on the closing date.
- PhD: a master's degree with a GPA of 3.50 or more. You must be 40 or under on the closing date.
- You must meet the general qualifications for the Thai civil service.
- If you are already a civil servant or state employee, OCSC won't transfer your current post: winners are newly appointed to the sponsoring agency.
- People who already hold a government scholarship and are still studying abroad cannot apply.
- You can apply for at most two scholarship types, and one unit in each.
How OCSC selects scholars
From the official 2569 announcement.
- What it tests
- Vocabulary and expressions, error recognition, and reading comprehension
- To pass
- At or above the average score of all candidates
- What it tests
- Analysis and reasoning: interpreting and summarising texts, number problems, and trends in economic, political or social data
- To pass
- At or above the average score of all candidates
- What it tests
- Candidates who pass both parts, ranked by total written score
- To pass
- Up to 5 per scholarship (3 times the number of scholarships for units with 2 to 4)
- What it tests
- Your background and studies, through an interview and other assessment centre activities
- To pass
- At least 70%
You must pass both parts of the written exam separately. A high English score does not make up for a low academic ability score.
How IELTS preparation helps with the English part
The English part is not IELTS, but two of its three sections overlap with what IELTS trains.
- Reading comprehension: the skimming, scanning and careful reading you practise for IELTS Reading carry over directly. The guide to IELTS Reading techniques shows how.
- Vocabulary and expressions: academic vocabulary study, such as the free IELTS vocabulary flashcards, builds the same range.
- Error recognition: this tests grammar accuracy, which IELTS rewards in Writing and Speaking but does not test as a separate question type. Practise it with past OCSC style questions as well.
Key insight
Studying for IELTS between applying and the exam is not wasted either way. If you pass, you need the IELTS score next. If you do not, the score still helps with other scholarships.
The IELTS score you need after you win
Winning the scholarship is not the last step. For a course taught in English, OCSC asks for IELTS 6.0 overall or TOEFL iBT 79, and a fully unconditional offer: no English condition and no other condition left on it. The score rule does not apply if your university does not use English test scores for admission.
- 6.0 is OCSC's minimum. Your university may ask for more: many master's courses ask for 6.5, sometimes with a minimum in each skill. Aim for the higher of the two.
- A conditional offer you cannot meet means you cannot start the course with the scholarship.
- Winners are appointed to their agency by 1 October 2026 and must leave to study within 3 years of appointment. That is the outer limit for reaching your score and getting an offer.
- A score below the minimum, or a result your university does not accept, can lead to the scholarship being withdrawn.
Watch out
Results come out months after the written exam, and you then need a fully unconditional offer. Raising your score by half a band usually takes a couple of months or more of regular study, depending on your level, so starting only after the results leaves you much less time. The guide how long to prepare for IELTS shows how much you can improve in the time you have.
The OCSC timeline, and when to start IELTS
These were the steps and dates in the 2569 round. The 2570 round is likely to follow a similar pattern, but check the official announcement for its dates.
- 1Nov to Dec 2025
Apply online
Applications ran from 14 November to 24 December 2025 on scholar.ocsc.go.th. The exam fee was 100 baht per unit, plus a 30 baht service fee, and your application counts only once you pay.
Take the free quick testGoalTake the quick test now, so you know your starting level.
- 2Feb 2026
Written exam
OCSC announced the candidate list and exam details by 16 January 2026. The written exam was on 1 February 2026, in or near Bangkok.
GoalStudy reading and vocabulary: they help in the exam and in IELTS.
- 3Apr to Jun 2026
Shortlist and assessment
The shortlist for the assessment was announced by 30 April 2026. Candidates met the agencies in late May, and the assessment took place in June.
GoalKeep studying IELTS. Do a full mock test to see where you are.
- 4Jul 2026
Final results
The final list of scholars was announced by 30 July 2026. Winners of this scholarship type are appointed to their agency by 1 October 2026, before they leave to study.
GoalBook IELTS once your mock tests reach your target. Sit it 6 to 8 weeks before your university's deadline (or take a computer test), so there is time for a retake.
- 5After the results
IELTS 6.0 and a fully unconditional offer
You apply to universities and send your IELTS result. You need IELTS 6.0 or more, and whatever your course asks for, with no condition left on your offer. You must leave to study within 3 years of being appointed.
GoalYour target score, in time for your university's deadline.
When is the 2570 round?
The 2569 round opened on 14 November 2025 and ran for about six weeks. Check the OCSC scholarship page for the 2570 round's dates, and apply at scholar.ocsc.go.th.
- Read the full announcement before you apply. It lists every unit, with its field, degree, country and GPA requirement.
- The scholarship finder lists the OCSC scholarship alongside other scholarships Thai students can apply for, with their IELTS requirements and deadlines.
- If you also want options with a university of your choice, see fully funded master's scholarships abroad.
Plan your way to IELTS 6.0 before the results
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
OCSC scholarship: frequently asked questions
What is the OCSC scholarship (ทุน ก.พ.)?
A Thai government scholarship, run by the Office of the Civil Service Commission, that pays for a master's or PhD so you can work for a government agency afterwards. Each unit has its own field, degree and destination.
Do I need IELTS to apply for the OCSC scholarship?
No. Selection uses OCSC's own written exam, which has an English part. You need IELTS 6.0 (or TOEFL iBT 79) after you win, to study an English taught course, plus a fully unconditional offer.
What IELTS score does the OCSC scholarship need?
IELTS 6.0 overall, or TOEFL iBT 79, plus a fully unconditional offer. Your university may ask for more, often 6.5 for a master's, so aim for whichever is higher.
What is in the OCSC scholarship exam?
Two written parts: English (vocabulary and expressions, error recognition and reading comprehension) and general academic ability (analysis, reasoning, number problems and data). You must score at or above the average of all candidates in each part. An assessment with an interview follows.
When does the OCSC scholarship open?
The 2569 round ran from 14 November to 24 December 2025. For the 2570 round's dates, see the OCSC scholarship page or the scholarship finder.
When are the OCSC scholarship results announced?
In the 2569 round, the written exam was on 1 February 2026, the shortlist was announced by 30 April 2026, and the final results by 30 July 2026. Check the announcement for each round's dates.
Can I get an OCSC scholarship for a master's degree?
Yes. Final year students and bachelor's graduates can apply for master's units, with a GPA of usually 3.00 (2.75 for some units) and an age of 35 or under on the closing date.
Can civil servants apply?
If you are already a civil servant or state employee, OCSC won't transfer your current post: winners are newly appointed to the sponsoring agency. OCSC also runs separate scholarships for people already in government service.
What happens if I don't reach IELTS 6.0?
You cannot start an English taught course with the scholarship, and the scholarship can be withdrawn. You must leave to study within 3 years of appointment, so start preparing before the results come out.
How much does it cost to apply?
In the 2569 round, the exam fee was 100 baht per unit, plus a 30 baht bank and internet service fee. The fees are not refundable.
Find out how far you are from IELTS 6.0
The free 13 minute quick test gives you a score for each skill. Then build a plan to reach 6.0, or the score your university asks for.
Sources
- OCSC: Announcement of the 2569 general public degree scholarship. Application dates, fees, eligibility, the written exam, the assessment, the English requirement and the service obligation
- OCSC: Scholarship application system. Where applications are made
- LINE TODAY (Dek-D): OCSC general public scholarship 2569 summary. Dates of the written exam, the shortlist, the assessment and the final results in the 2569 round
