MA Program

Program Overview

Thammasat University's School of Global Studies is pleased to offer a pioneering Masters's degree in Social Innovation and Sustainability. The program has the mission to build a vibrant community of practitioners and researchers in Southeast Asia with the knowledge, mindset and skills to tackle the most pressing sustainable development challenges. 

 

  • When our students join our program, they become part of the vibrant international community. Since the program's foundation, we have attracted students worldwide, including Sweden, Germany, the UK, the USA, Nepal, Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and Thailand.  

    They also come from diverse occupational backgrounds, including NGOs, tech companies, government agencies, social enterprises and international organisations. But all have a deep passion for creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable world and, through the program, they build friendships and bonds that will stay with them throughout their professional and personal lives.

  • The School of Global Studies has assembled an international team of academic instructors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, France, the USA, Thailand, Nepal and India with specialisations in anthropology, sociology, political science, public administration, behavioral economics, urban and community development. Our team also comprises guest lectures from social enterprises, NGOs, multi-national corporations, and international organisations such as UNESAP, UNDP and ADB.

  • The graduate program is run at the historic and vibrant Thammasat University Tha Prachan campus located in the heart of the old city of Bangkok. Our classrooms overlook the Chao Phraya River and are within easy walking distance from many historical sites, such as the Grand Palace and tourist areas like Khao San Rd. Students can easily access the campus by bus, river ferries and MRT.

When our students join our program, they become part of the vibrant international community. Since the program's foundation, we have attracted students worldwide, including Sweden, Germany, the UK, the USA, Nepal, Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar and Thailand.  

They also come from diverse occupational backgrounds, including NGOs, tech companies, government agencies, social enterprises and international organisations. But all have a deep passion for creating a more just, inclusive and sustainable world and, through the program, they build friendships and bonds that will stay with them throughout their professional and personal lives.

The School of Global Studies has assembled an international team of academic instructors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, France, the USA, Thailand, Nepal and India with specialisations in anthropology, sociology, political science, public administration, behavioral economics, urban and community development. Our team also comprises guest lectures from social enterprises, NGOs, multi-national corporations, and international organisations such as UNESAP, UNDP and ADB.

The Master's program is run at the historic and vibrant Thammasat University Tha Prachan campus located in the heart of the old city of Bangkok. Our classrooms overlook the Chao Phraya River and are within easy walking distance from many historical sites, such as the Grand Palace and tourist areas like Khao San Rd. Students can easily access the campus by bus, river ferries and MRT.

Courses and Carreer

We have created a dynamic program that emphasises critical and analytical thinking, empathy-building from ethnography and design thinking, evidence-based dialogue, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and active public engagement. Students take a wide array of holistic and multi-disciplinary courses which prepare students for careers in CSR and sustainability management at major corporations, sustainable development at NGOs and international organisations, or social enterprises developing innovations to tackle local, national and global challenges.

Our graduate students complete 36 credits over 3-semesters, beginning with foundational courses in the first semester. Students choose between taking the coursework track or the research track in the second semester. Students delve deep into project management, impact assessment, behavioural economics, strategic leadership, technology for development, and social change in the coursework track. In the final summer semester, they complete an Independent Studies (IS) research project under the supervision of one of our specialist faculty members.

Those who take the research track develop their research methods and establish a foundation in the philosophy of science before pursuing research for their thesis, culminating in presenting their research at an international conference and publishing their research. Research track students will have the option of following a fast-track version of our PhD in Social Innovation and Sustainability or alternative local and international PhD programs.

Courses and Carreer

We have created a dynamic program that emphasises critical and analytical thinking, empathy-building from ethnography and design thinking, evidence-based dialogue, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and active public engagement. Students take a wide array of holistic and multi-disciplinary courses which prepare students for careers in CSR and sustainability management at major corporations, sustainable development at NGOs and international organisations, or social enterprises developing innovations to tackle local, national and global challenges.

Our graduate students complete 36 credits over 3-semesters, beginning with foundational courses in the first semester. Students choose between taking the coursework track or the research track in the second semester. Students delve deep into project management, impact assessment, behavioural economics, strategic leadership, technology for development, and social change in the coursework track. In the final summer semester, they complete an Independent Studies (IS) research project under the supervision of one of our specialist faculty members.

Those who take the research track develop their research methods and establish a foundation in the philosophy of science before pursuing research for their thesis, culminating in presenting their research at an international conference and publishing their research. Research track students will have the option of following a fast-track version of our PhD in Social Innovation and Sustainability or alternative local and international PhD programs.

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See full list of courses

Admission Schedule

  • - First Date of Application Submission: January 9th, 2023
  • - Last Date of  Application Submission: July 3rd, 2023
  • - Announcement of Final List of Students: July 231st, 2023
  • - New Student Orientation: To be announced

Tuition Fees

Thai Student
Thai Student
International Student
International Student
Thai Students
International Students

Required Documents

Accepted Tests:

    • TU–GET paper-based (550 and up)
    • TU-GET computer-based (79 and up)
    • TOEFL paper-based (550 and up)
    • TOEFL Internet-based (79 and up)
    • TOEFL ITP (550 and up)
    • IELTS (6.5 and up)

Note: No English Proficiency test is required if you are a native English speaker or have graduated from an undergraduate program conducted in English within the last two years.

Scanned copy of the identification page of your passport or Thai ID card

A Statement of Interest of no more than 750 words is required for us to assess your application. You will be required to answer the first two questions and then be able to pick your third question to answer.

Questions (Required):

  1. Please explain why you are applying for the MA in Social Innovation and Sustainability Program and what interested you most (approx. 250 words)
  2. Explain how the MA in Social Innovation and Sustainability Program relates to your future academic studies and career aspirations (approx. 250 words)

And please answer ONE of the following two questions to complete your Statement of Interest:

  1. The university invites distinguished guest speakers representing a wide range of experiences and accomplishments. What person, past or present, would you invite to speak? What question would you like to ask him or her? (approx. 250 words)
  2. The lessons we take from the difficulties or obstacles we encounter can be vital to later success. Tell us about a challenge, setback or failure that you have experienced. How did it affect you and what did you learn from the experience? (approx. 250 words)

You can send your documents to mas@sgs.tu.ac.th

Optionally, you can send in up to two letters of recommendations.

To process your application we require a fee of 1000THB. Please print the application processing fee form, you will have to find your nearest Krungthai Bank to complete payment with this print off.

For the international transfers, our previous applicants had used WISE or wire transfer directly from their local banks with the information below:

SWIFT CODE: KRTHTHBK
BANK: KRUNGTHAI BANK PCL
BRANCH: THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY, RUNGSIT SUBBRANCH
ACCOUNT NO: 475–0–71597–2
NAME: SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES, THAMMASAT UNIVERSITY
ADDRESS: 99 MOO 18 T. KLONGNUENG A. KLONGLUANG,
PATHUMTHANI THAILAND 12120

For other methods of payment, please contact our admission team for more information graduate@sgs.tu.ac.th, Once payment is complete please send us a photo copy of your receipt.

Scholarship Opportunities

– Thesis Track Scholarships (100% & Partial Tuition Scholarship)
– Social Innovator Scholarship (100% & Partial Tuition Scholarship)

– New applicants applying for 2022 admission and had been accepted into the program in admission round 1 – 3
– Those with minimum GPA of 3.0 and up
– Those with at least two or three years of community leadership initiative experience

Complete MAS Online Application
Submit supporting documents via email at mas@sgs.tu.ac.th

a) Research Track.

Submit a 1500 word research proposal that explains a research question related to social innovation and sustainability (it make consider any social or environmental issue) and explain your rationale for asking the question. Additionally, describe the research methods you would use for answering the question and the potential impact of the research.
Give a 5-minute oral presentation of your research accompanied with slides. The presentation will either take place at the time of your interview or at a separate designated time.
Note: students who choose the research track, should have the ambition to pursue a career in research and consider the MA as a stepping stone to doing a PhD.

b) Coursework Social Innovation Scholarship

Submit a 1500 word paper that describes a social innovation project that you led or supported. Explain the purpose of the project, how it was novel, your contribution to the project, the challenges and key learnings from the project, and what you discovered you would like to understand more so future projects could be impactful.
Give a 5-minute oral presentation of your research accompanied with slides. The presentation will either take place at the time of your interview or at a separate designated time.

Applicants will be evaluated based on their past experience, academic ability, and skills in research, writing and analytical thinking.

Join Our Programs

At the School of Global Studies' graduate programs we are always on the search for talented individuals to join our vibrant community.

Apply

Contact Us

Rangsit Campus (BA Program)

School of Global Studies, Thammasat University

Learning and Laboratory Building, Piyachart 2
99 Moo 18 Klong Luang, Rangsit, Pathumthani
12121, Thailand

Office :
+66 (0)2 564 4444 or +66 (0)2 696 5000 Ext. 4428 (PR), 4427 (HR), 4431 (Education), 4420 (Finance) 

Admission Team :
+66 (0)86 788 8064

Tha Pra Chan Campus (MA/PhD)

Office of Graduated Studies, School of Global studies,

F444, 4th floor60th anniversary building (river side), Thammasat University 2 Prachan Rd., Pranakorn, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Office :
+66 (0)2 613 2037

E - MAIL

info@sgs.tu.ac.th

graduate@sgs.tu.ac.th

gsse.admission@sgs.tu.ac.th

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