The Southeast Asian region is an emerging region in Asia and is a fast-rising region in terms of commerce, tourism, trade, and education. Tucked beside the mainland Southeast Asian nations of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, Cambodia is a small unassuming country facing the Gulf of Thailand.
Besides its historical stone temples, particularly the Angkor Wat complex, Cambodia also hosts various universities, most of which are concentrated in its capital city Phnom Penh. This makes the capital rank high in the cost of living in the Southeast Asian region, although the cost of education, and living in general, is lower than most of Asia. Here, we will discuss the various scholarships available in Thailand for international students.
Living Costs in Cambodia for International Students
A budget of around US $1100 will be the average budget of an international student in Cambodia, most especially in the capital Phnom Penh. This will include accommodation expenses amounting from US $200 to $300 monthly, transportation fees around US $100, phone expenses that cost US $10 monthly, and a food budget of around US $200 monthly. These are overestimated since Phnom Penh is an affordable city by international standards, and these costs may still be lowered depending on the lifestyle of the student.
Can International Students Work in Cambodia?
International students interested in studying in Cambodia need to apply for the ES Cambodia student visa. This visa requires having an acceptance letter and proof that the student can financially support themselves while in Cambodia. Hence, working while studying in Cambodia is not allowed, and one may need another visa to be permitted to look for work.
Top Universities in Cambodia
Most of the top universities of Cambodia are in the capital city Phnom Penh which is also the center of education in the country. These include the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, the Royal University of Agriculture Cambodia, the Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia, and the University of Cambodia. Some universities may have Khmer language proficiency requirements like the University of Puthisatra. Many others have English as the language of instruction.
Best Scholarships in Cambodia
1. Support to Higher Education in the ASEAN Region (SHARE) Scholarships
The cooperation project by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) promotes internationalization, interconnection, and harmony among member nations in the ASEAN region. This Thailand scholarship is inspired by the Erasmus scholarship in the EU where the mobility of students is a core foundation of the program. As such, only a limited group of students are eligible to apply.
- They should be citizens of the ASEAN nations such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. These are the only countries with participating universities.
- They should be taking up undergraduate studies from a participating SHARE University.
- They should apply for a participating SHARE University.
- They should have finished at least two (2) semesters before applying.
Participating universities of Cambodia include the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), the University of Cambodia, the National University Management Cambodia, and the Phnom Penh International University, which are some of the top universities in Cambodia. This program is only for one semester and the program to be taken in Cambodia must be related to the degree one is taking in their university. Chosen students will be eligible to receive waived tuition fees for the one-semester duration of the program. Monthly living allowance, return airfare, relevant academic materials, health insurance, and visa expenses will be provided as well. For reference, tuition fees in the RUPP range from US $250 to $450 annually, amounting to around US $2500 to finish a degree in the university.
2. Paragon International University Scholarship
Located in the capital Phnom Penh, Paragon International University offers one of the best scholarships in Cambodia for international students. Unlike many universities, the university requires an English proficiency test since this is an international university where you will meet international students. International students residing in Cambodia can apply for the university’s scholarships, although they are already eligible for a 75% scholarship. Only the accommodation, living costs, and the annual registration fee will not be included in the scholarship. The student will be responsible for settling these.
However, if an international student chooses to take the scholarship exam of the university, they can have the chance to avail of the 100% scholarship, which the university awards to 30 students only. The semestral tuition fee for the English Preparatory School is US $1000 while the undergraduate degrees range from US $1250 to $2000 per semester.
3. Paragon International University STAR Program
For Master’s students, Paragon International University also has a program named STAR Program. The catch is that students are required to obtain available positions with research components to have a more holistic development for their master’s studies. Only 30 hours per week is allowed for the administrative work.
In return, their master’s degree will be provided with a 100% scholarship. Since master’s programs range from US $2000 to $2500, the scholarship amount will be around this amount as well. A monthly stipend will also be provided to the master’s student which can amount from US $200 to $400. The registration fee of US $500 shall be shouldered by the student.
4. AUPP Full Scholarships
The American University of Phnom Penh is one of the various English universities with a US academic curriculum. As such, the university welcomes international students to its campus in Phnom Penh. The AUPP provides 80 full Cambodia scholarships annually to its students, 50 of which are allotted for Information and Communications Technology students and 15 each for Bachelor of Arts in Law and Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs, all of which are single degree programs in the AUPP.
Regarding eligibility, the students must have Grade A on the entrance examination of the AUPP or the National Examination. The economic standing of the students will also be assessed to give the scholarship to those who need it most. A semester of single-degree programs costs US $3000 per semester.
5. AUPP Merit Scholarships
Another valuable scholarship provided by the AUPP is their Merit Scholarships. Compared to the Full Scholarships, the Merit Scholarships are only provided to 30 students and are valid for the whole duration of the degree program. Also, the scholarships are available for any major in the AUPP, hence making the scholarship more competitive.
Unlike the full scholarship awards, the Merit Scholarships will not cover the total costs. This annual Cambodia scholarship amount for single-degree programs ranges from US $500, $1000, and $1500 from those with Grades C, B, and A, respectively, and available for 4 years. Meanwhile, dual-degree programs can avail annual funding of US $2000, $35000, and $4500 for Grades C, B, and A, respectively, and are available for the 1st and 2nd years. Everything else will be shouldered by the student.
