Applying to VISTEC
Prospective students can apply to VISTEC when admissions are open (usually near the end of each year). The initial stage of the application is quite straightforward - documents are to be submitted online. Recommendation letters may be scanned and uploaded, or prepared with a digital signature.
Stages of the application process:
1. Application online
After application closes, VISTEC will shortlist a number of potential applicants and contact them for an interview.
2. Interview
Applicants who are in Thailand would be invited to present themselves in person for interview - this normally takes place in Bangkok. The admissions committee will conduct an interview via video conferencing for applicants outside Thailand.
3. Contract Signing
Applicants who pass the preceding rounds will be invited to sign the scholarship contract, after which they may be recognised as VISTEC students.
FAQ (unofficial answers provided)
How many students does VISTEC accept each year?
Like many graduate study institutions, the number of students is affected by several factors, including funding, supervisor capacity, accommodation capacity, and quality of applicants. In previous years, about 50 students have been enrolled in each batch.
How do I increase my odds of acceptance?
While admission criteria is not publicised, there are several things which could improve your application.
1. Academic ability. Having a good bachelor's (or master's) degree is necessary, and both the university and GPA could be taken into account. A degree in science or engineering is acceptable. Having published papers would help too.
2. Show interest. If you see a faculty member who shares the same interest as you, contact them. Also, go for Open House and join the public seminars if you can. Having worked at VISTEC as an intern or RA would also improve your profile when you apply.
3. English skills. Part of the interview would be conducted in English, so that the committee can gauge the student's ability. While it is not necessary to have a fair mastery of English, being skilled in English language would go a long way should you be accepted, since students are expected to publish in respected international journals.
Do foreign students need to learn Thai language?
It is not necessary to know the Thai language beforehand, nor will VISTEC offer to teach foreign students Thai. However, since most Thai people prefer to communicate in Thai, it could be a worthwhile investment.
A note for foreign applicants: VISTEC has been primarily funded by PTT group, which is majority-owned by the Thai government. Therefore the number of scholarships allocated to foreign students are quite limited, and preference may be given to applicants who are interested in Thailand.
Do I need to have a research topic in mind before application?
No, it's alright if you do, as long as it's not too different from VISTEC's research directions.
There are two types of students which are suited for such a research institution: first, students who already have research interests which are similar to that of certain faculty members, and second, students who are willing to study anything in order to satisfy the degree requirements.
Prospective students are advised to first research on VISTEC - find out what are the fields which faculty members are currently pursuing. As VISTEC is funded by banks, as well as gas & oil and chemical companies, applicants with widely different interests will find it difficult to find a project (or advisor).
Which school should I apply to?
Each of the 4 schools have their own fields of study:
MSE - materials engineering
ESE - chemical engineering
BSE - bio-engineering
IST - information technologies and robotics
As there is a lot of overlap between MSE and ESE, some faculty members can be found on the webpage of both schools. Nonetheless, a close examination of each person's profile page will show which school they are officially under. This is important as students should apply to the right school if they want a particular person to become their advisor.
Note that BSE is presently more inclined towards industrial enzymes and bio-fuels, rather than medical technology.
Which programme should I apply for?
There are three main durations of study:
2-year Master's programme - recommended for applicants who are not sure if they like research or can tolerate staying away from home. As there may be too little time for students without the relevant background, VISTEC has been advising fresh graduates to apply for the 5-year Ph.D programme instead.
3-year Ph.D programme - this is only for applicants who have already obtained a Master's degree.
5-year Ph.D programme - it requires a rather long commitment, so choose this if you're sure.
There are also two variants for each programme: with or without coursework.
Research oriented - this option is preferable for 2-year and 3-year students who may not have the time to fulfil all the research requirements if they had coursework to do. Nonetheless, VISTEC might not approve this option if the applicant's transcript(s) does not show that they have sufficient background.
Research + coursework - this is the standard option.
Stages of the application process:
1. Application online
After application closes, VISTEC will shortlist a number of potential applicants and contact them for an interview.
2. Interview
Applicants who are in Thailand would be invited to present themselves in person for interview - this normally takes place in Bangkok. The admissions committee will conduct an interview via video conferencing for applicants outside Thailand.
3. Contract Signing
Applicants who pass the preceding rounds will be invited to sign the scholarship contract, after which they may be recognised as VISTEC students.
FAQ (unofficial answers provided)
How many students does VISTEC accept each year?
Like many graduate study institutions, the number of students is affected by several factors, including funding, supervisor capacity, accommodation capacity, and quality of applicants. In previous years, about 50 students have been enrolled in each batch.
How do I increase my odds of acceptance?
While admission criteria is not publicised, there are several things which could improve your application.
1. Academic ability. Having a good bachelor's (or master's) degree is necessary, and both the university and GPA could be taken into account. A degree in science or engineering is acceptable. Having published papers would help too.
2. Show interest. If you see a faculty member who shares the same interest as you, contact them. Also, go for Open House and join the public seminars if you can. Having worked at VISTEC as an intern or RA would also improve your profile when you apply.
3. English skills. Part of the interview would be conducted in English, so that the committee can gauge the student's ability. While it is not necessary to have a fair mastery of English, being skilled in English language would go a long way should you be accepted, since students are expected to publish in respected international journals.
Do foreign students need to learn Thai language?
It is not necessary to know the Thai language beforehand, nor will VISTEC offer to teach foreign students Thai. However, since most Thai people prefer to communicate in Thai, it could be a worthwhile investment.
A note for foreign applicants: VISTEC has been primarily funded by PTT group, which is majority-owned by the Thai government. Therefore the number of scholarships allocated to foreign students are quite limited, and preference may be given to applicants who are interested in Thailand.
Do I need to have a research topic in mind before application?
No, it's alright if you do, as long as it's not too different from VISTEC's research directions.
There are two types of students which are suited for such a research institution: first, students who already have research interests which are similar to that of certain faculty members, and second, students who are willing to study anything in order to satisfy the degree requirements.
Prospective students are advised to first research on VISTEC - find out what are the fields which faculty members are currently pursuing. As VISTEC is funded by banks, as well as gas & oil and chemical companies, applicants with widely different interests will find it difficult to find a project (or advisor).
Which school should I apply to?
Each of the 4 schools have their own fields of study:
MSE - materials engineering
ESE - chemical engineering
BSE - bio-engineering
IST - information technologies and robotics
As there is a lot of overlap between MSE and ESE, some faculty members can be found on the webpage of both schools. Nonetheless, a close examination of each person's profile page will show which school they are officially under. This is important as students should apply to the right school if they want a particular person to become their advisor.
Note that BSE is presently more inclined towards industrial enzymes and bio-fuels, rather than medical technology.
Which programme should I apply for?
There are three main durations of study:
2-year Master's programme - recommended for applicants who are not sure if they like research or can tolerate staying away from home. As there may be too little time for students without the relevant background, VISTEC has been advising fresh graduates to apply for the 5-year Ph.D programme instead.
3-year Ph.D programme - this is only for applicants who have already obtained a Master's degree.
5-year Ph.D programme - it requires a rather long commitment, so choose this if you're sure.
There are also two variants for each programme: with or without coursework.
Research oriented - this option is preferable for 2-year and 3-year students who may not have the time to fulfil all the research requirements if they had coursework to do. Nonetheless, VISTEC might not approve this option if the applicant's transcript(s) does not show that they have sufficient background.
Research + coursework - this is the standard option.
Comments
Post a Comment