Deadlines and intakes
Thai universities set their own admission rounds, and many run several a year. Chulalongkorn University's international undergraduate programmes for the 2026 academic year, for example, ran an early admission round followed by an online application window of 9-31 March 2026 (dates revised after flooding in southern Thailand).
Work backwards: admission letter first, then the e-Visa application at least 15-30 working days before travel depending on the embassy, then arrival with time to arrange your extension of stay before the first 90 days run out.
Language you need
International programmes teach in English. Entry requirements, usually IELTS or TOEFL scores, are set by each university and programme, so check yours.
Thai-taught programmes expect a high level of Thai. Outside campus, immigration offices, landlords, clinics and most jobs work in Thai, and many universities offer Thai language courses for international students. Even basic Thai makes 90-day reports and extensions far easier.