Chiang Mai University
มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่
Thailand's first regional university, on a wooded campus at the foot of Doi Suthep, with 15 English-taught bachelor's programmes.
- Students
- 35,691
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- THB 80,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1964
About CMU
Chiang Mai University (CMU) opened on 18 June 1964 as the first university in northern Thailand and the country's first regional university, after a public campaign by people in the north for a university of their own. It began with three faculties (Humanities, Social Sciences and Science) and has grown into a comprehensive national research university with about 20 faculties and colleges, strong in medicine, engineering, science and agriculture.
The main Suan Sak campus lies about five kilometres west of the city centre at the foot of Doi Suthep, with buildings set among the trees and the Ang Kaew reservoir at its centre. The Suan Dok health sciences campus houses the medical faculties and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, the largest teaching hospital in northern Thailand, while the Mae Hia campus hosts veterinary medicine and agro-industry. THE's 2026 data counts about 35,700 students, around 4% of them international.
Most teaching is in Thai, but CMU runs 15 English-taught international bachelor's programmes, from Economics and Software Engineering to Nursing, Food Science and Thai as a Foreign Language, admitted through its International Programs Admission System (IPAS). CMU suits students who want a large, established Thai university in a relaxed, affordable city with mountains on the doorstep.
Attānaṃ Damayanti Paṇḍitā
“The wise control themselves” — university motto
Why students choose CMU
Fifteen English-taught bachelor's programmes, including Economics, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Network Engineering, Nursing Science and Digital Innovation.
International programme fees are modest: THB 40,000 per semester for the Bachelor of Economics (International Program).
CMU is ranked joint 555th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 701-800 in ARWU 2026.
The main campus sits at the foot of Doi Suthep, with the Ang Kaew reservoir and forested grounds in the middle of Thailand's second city.
Admissions
International programmes, 2027 academic year (starting mid-2027)
Selectivity
CMU does not publish acceptance rates. Thai students enter mainly through the national TCAS system; international programmes admit through CMU's own International Programs Admission System (IPAS), with a written test and interview or an interview-only track.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary school completion | Matthayom 6, grade 12 (US system), year 13 (British system) or an equivalent listed in CMU's secondary education equivalency annex; GED accepted |
|---|---|
| SAT (Special Track, Economics) | SAT Mathematics of at least 500, plus an accepted English test |
| Programme-specific requirements | Each programme sets extra requirements; Digital Innovation, for example, asks for a statement of purpose and a profile of awards or activities |
| English language | IELTS 5 · TOEFL iBT 61 Minimums vary by programme: IELTS 5.0 or TOEFL iBT 61 for Information Systems and Network Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering and MMIT; IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 70 for Economics; IELTS 4.5 or TOEFL iBT 52 for Digital Innovation. Native speakers from countries where English is an official language are exempt; others without a score take the CMU English placement test. |
Deadlines
CMU's IPAS site says information for the next admission cycle will be announced soon, so 2027 dates are not yet published. In the last timeline still posted (2023 academic year) IPAS ran up to three rounds between November and May, not every programme opens in every round, and some rounds (such as Round 3 for Economics) are limited to Thai applicants or holders of a Thai education visa.
How to apply
Apply online through CMU's International Programs Admission System (IPAS), run by the Registration Office, choosing the Regular Track (online written exam and interview) or the Special Track (interview only, with standardised test scores). Thai applicants must also register and confirm their offer in TCAS.
What admissions looks for
- Completion of secondary school recognised as equivalent to Thai Matthayom 6.
- Subject strength shown in CMU's written tests or standardised exams such as the SAT.
- English at the programme's minimum level, or a pass on the CMU English placement test.
- Motivation and fit, assessed in an online interview.
Tips for applying to CMU
- 1 Take the SAT and an English test before applying so you can use the interview-only Special Track.
- 2 Check each programme's page on the IPAS site: English minimums range from IELTS 4.5 (Digital Innovation) to 5.5 (Economics).
- 3 Apply in an early IPAS round, since not all programmes open in every round and later rounds may be limited to Thai applicants.
- 4 Plan for the Thai student visa (non-immigrant ED), which CMU supports with documents after you accept an offer.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in THB
CMU offers about 600 central scholarships and about 1,500 faculty scholarships a year, mainly need-based and for students across its faculties; students may hold only one. The university does not publish a dedicated scholarship scheme for international undergraduates, so ask your programme's faculty.
- About 600
- Central scholarships per year
- About 1,500 across 20 faculties and 1 college
- Faculty scholarships per year
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Bachelor of Economics (International Program)
Taught entirely in English over four years for a flat THB 40,000 per semester.
Bachelor of Engineering in Information Systems and Network Engineering (ISNE)
An English-taught engineering degree from the Faculty of Engineering; IELTS 5.0 minimum.
Bachelor of Science in Digital Innovation (DIN)
Run by the International College of Digital Innovation, with an Advanced Placement pathway and startup-focused projects.
Bachelor of Arts in Thai as a Foreign Language (TFL)
An English-taught route to fluency in Thai language and culture from the Faculty of Humanities.
Bachelor of Nursing Science (International)
Linked to the Suan Dok health sciences campus and Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, northern Thailand's largest teaching hospital.
Bachelor of Science in Integrated Design in Emerging Architecture (IDEA)
An English-taught architecture and design programme from the Faculty of Architecture.
Research
- Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital on the Suan Dok campus is the largest teaching hospital in northern Thailand.
- The Energy Research and Development Institute on the Mae Hia campus works on renewable energy, mainly biogas and biomass.
- CMU researchers have led international work on restoring forest ecosystems, and the university recently launched an integrated flood alert system with partners.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Economics
- Chiang Mai University Business School
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture
- Faculty of Nursing
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- International College of Digital Innovation
Student life
CMU's main campus was built among existing forest in the 1960s, so buildings sit between the trees at the foot of Doi Suthep. The Ang Kaew reservoir, built to supply the university with water, doubles as a recreation area for students and the local community. The university has 18 on-campus housing complexes, 17 of them on the main campus, and major sports facilities. International students in the English-taught programmes study alongside a Thai student body of more than 30,000.
- The Ang Kaew reservoir and trails leading up towards Doi Suthep.
- 18 on-campus housing complexes, 17 on the main campus.
- Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital on the Suan Dok campus.
- Major sports facilities on the main campus.
Housing. CMU has 18 student housing complexes on its campuses, 17 of them on the main Suan Sak campus.
Location
Chiang Mai is the main city of northern Thailand and the historic heart of the Lanna region, surrounded by mountains. The main campus lies about five kilometres west of the city centre, between the city and Doi Suthep and next to Chiang Mai Zoo. Living costs are low by international standards, but the region has seasonal air-quality problems (PM2.5) in the dry season, which CMU tracks in its own news section.
Nearest airport: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Notable alumni
- YS Yingluck Shinawatra28th Prime Minister of Thailand
- CC Chaturon ChaisangDeputy Prime Minister of Thailand, 2002-2006
- ST Suthep ThaugsubanDeputy Prime Minister of Thailand, 2008-2011
- AK Apirak Kosayothin14th Governor of Bangkok
- SJ Sompop JantrakaActivist against child trafficking
Frequently asked questions
Does Chiang Mai University teach in English?
Yes, in 15 international bachelor's programmes such as Economics, Software Engineering, Information Systems and Network Engineering, Nursing Science and Digital Innovation. Most other programmes are taught in Thai.
How much are CMU tuition fees for international students?
It depends on the programme. The Bachelor of Economics (International Program) costs THB 40,000 per semester, and Digital Innovation costs THB 75,000 per semester for non-Thai students, so roughly THB 80,000-150,000 a year.
What IELTS score do I need for Chiang Mai University?
Between IELTS 4.5 and 5.5 depending on the programme: 5.0 for engineering and software programmes, 5.5 for Economics and 4.5 for Digital Innovation. Without a score you can take the CMU English placement test on the Regular Track.
How do I apply to CMU as an international student?
Through the International Programs Admission System (IPAS), either on the Regular Track (online written exam and interview) or the Special Track (interview only, with SAT or other standardised scores plus an English test).
When is the application deadline for 2027?
CMU has not yet published its 2027 IPAS dates. In past cycles it ran up to three rounds between November and May, so check the IPAS site from late 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- CMU: Application of International Program
- CMU-IPAS: Program Information (international undergraduate programmes)
- CMU-IPAS: Bachelor of Economics (ECON) requirements
- CMU-IPAS: Information Systems and Network Engineering (ISNE) requirements
- CMU-IPAS: Digital Innovation (DIN) requirements
- CMU-IPAS: Software Engineering (SE) requirements
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to CMU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.