Thinking about a master’s or PhD in Thailand with your tuition fully covered? Walailak University has a scholarship built exactly for that.
Through its College of Graduate Studies, known as GRAD WU, Walailak University offers graduate scholarships to international students from all countries. Some cover full tuition. The best one goes further and adds a monthly cash allowance on top.
Here’s the part that makes this scholarship stand out: you don’t need to fill out a separate application or pay any extra fee. You apply for the scholarship at the same time as your university admission. All you need is strong academic grades and a genuine research interest. If you’re serious about a funded graduate degree in Southeast Asia, this is one of the most straightforward, no-catch options out there right now.
About Walailak University
Walailak University is a public research university located in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a quiet, green province in southern Thailand. Founded in 1992, it has grown into one of the country’s most respected research institutions.
The campus itself is modern and well-equipped, set against a backdrop of nature rather than concrete. And the city around it? Affordable, friendly, and a lot less hectic than Bangkok. If you’re the kind of student who wants to actually focus on research instead of getting pulled into big-city distractions, this location works in your favor.
Key Details
- University: Walailak University
- College: College of Graduate Studies (GRAD WU)
- Country: Thailand
- Degree Level: Master’s Degree and Ph.D.
- Scholarship Types: Fully Funded, Full Tuition Waiver, Partial Tuition Waiver
- Open to: All nationalities worldwide
- Application Fee: None
The College of Graduate Studies handles the entire journey — from admission, through thesis supervision, all the way to scholarship payments.
GRAD WU Scholarship Types: Three Main Options for Graduate Students
GRAD WU runs several scholarship categories, but three stand out as the most relevant for international applicants.
PhD Funded Scholarship
This is the most generous award Walailak offers. It covers your full tuition fees for the entire PhD program, and on top of that, you get a 10,000 THB monthly living allowance to help with day-to-day expenses.
PhD Full Tuition Fee Waiver
This one covers your complete tuition fees for the doctoral program, but there’s no monthly stipend attached. It’s a solid fit if you already have personal savings or family support to cover living costs.
Master’s Full Tuition Fee Waiver
Covers full tuition for four consecutive semesters of your master’s program. It’s available to students enrolled in international or English-medium master’s programs, though — like the PhD tuition waiver — it doesn’t come with a monthly stipend.
Financial Benefits
PhD Funded Scholarship:
- Full tuition fee waiver for the entire PhD duration
- Monthly living allowance of 10,000 THB — paid every month
- Access to university research labs and facilities at no cost
- Research fund support available through GRAD WU for qualified students
Master’s and PhD Tuition Waiver Scholarships:
- Full tuition fee waiver — no fees to pay each semester
- Access to university research infrastructure
Eligibility Criteria
Master’s Scholarship Requirements
- Open to students from all countries
- Must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
- English proficiency equivalent to TOEFL 500 paper-based or an accepted equivalent
- Must have a confirmed thesis advisor who is a permanent lecturer at Walailak University
- One Scopus-indexed research article must be published or accepted before graduation
PhD Funded Scholarship Requirements
- Open to students from all countries
- Bachelor’s degree holders need a minimum GPA of 3.40
- Master’s degree holders need a minimum GPA of 3.60
- Must have graduated from a recognized research university—Thai Group 1 or 2, or an accredited foreign university
- English proficiency equivalent to TOEFL 500 paper-based or accepted equivalent
- Must not be receiving a similar scholarship from another organization
- Thesis advisor must be a permanent WU lecturer with a strong Scopus publication record
Publication Requirement Before Graduation
For Master’s students, one Scopus-indexed article ranked Q2 or higher must be published before graduation.
For PhD students, at least two Scopus-indexed articles are required. Top-level scholarships require two Q1 publications. Other types require one Q1 plus one Q2.
Required Documents
Prepare these before you start your application:
- Written confirmation from your thesis advisor at WU in a letter
- Updated CV showing your academic background, research experience, and any publications
- Official academic transcripts from all previous universities
- English proficiency certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent)
- Research proposal for PhD applicants: explain your intended research topic clearly
- Scholarship application letter, maximum one page, explaining why you should receive this scholarship
- Two recommendation letters from academic supervisors or professors
- Passport copy or valid identification
- List of publications: any Scopus-indexed papers you have authored or co-authored
- Written confirmation from your thesis advisor at WU in a letter
Step-by-Step Application Process for Graduate Scholarships
Step 1: Find a thesis advisor first.
Before you fill in any form, contact a WU faculty member whose research matches your interests. A confirmed advisor makes your application significantly stronger and is actually required for the scholarship.
Step 2: Check your eligibility.
Confirm your GPA meets the minimum. Check your English test score.
Step 3: Prepare your documents.
Collect all required documents. Make sure everything is in English or has a certified translation.
Step 4: Apply online.
Go to the GRAD WU admission portal at grad-admission.wu.ac.th. The scholarship application is submitted together with your admission application—you do not apply separately. Choose your scholarship type during the process and upload all documents.
Step 5: Wait for the decision.
GRAD WU reviews applications after each intake deadline. Selected candidates are notified by email with their admission and scholarship decision together.
Step 6: Complete enrollment.
Once accepted, arrange your Thai student visa through the nearest Thai embassy in your country. Confirm your accommodation and prepare to arrive before the semester start date.