GLOBAL HEALTH AT A GLANCE

PHD-GH PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Relevance to the Workforce of the Future

The curriculum builds capacity in transdisciplinary research and problem-solving to address 21st-century challenges in global health. Developing a workforce with competencies in transdisciplinary and intersectoral problem-solving has been identified as critical in global, regional, and national policy frameworks.

In line with the University’s and Faculty of Public Health’s Strategic Plans, the curriculum offers an international PhD Global Health program within Thailand, ASEAN, and beyond that fosters innovation in research and problem-solving, with the aim of producing outstanding graduates able to take up leading positions in global health.

As a member of the Global Health Consortium and other university partnerships across five continents, the PhD Global Health program develops international collaboration in post-graduate education and research.

Philosophy

Thammasat University is an educational institution with a reputation for its quality academic work and research. The curriculum highlights the depth, breadth, and uniqueness of knowledge in the field of global health to prepare graduates who will be able to support national and regional development and beyond. Students are taught the principles of good governance and to develop the necessary skills to tackle a rapidly changing economy and society, as well as the science and technology needed to contribute in an era of globalization.

“Global health” has multiple meanings, presenting diverse and innovative approaches to the worldwide improvement of people’s health. Based on an ethos of social justice, global health contributes to addressing the roots of worldwide health inequities; it is also an approach to governance that influences political decision-making, problem identification, and allocation of resources.

The rapid development of AI and related technologies presents complex ethical and governance dilemmas that may have far-reaching consequences for the concentration and use of power, its transparency and accountability, its impact on systems of governance and social structures, and, ultimately, human rights.

The program defines global health as an area of research and practice committed to applying overtly rights-based approaches, including cultural, social, and demographic diversity, transdisciplinarity, and intersectoral approaches, to reduce health disparities within societies and across borders. In doing so, the program aims to reflect on who defines global health and to what ends.

Program Aims

The PhD in Global Health we offer at Thammasat University is relevant to a variety of disciplines important to global health. The program aims to produce the intellectual foundation supporting a 21st-century global health model by providing interesting, challenging, and excellent advanced education for outstanding students who want to pursue careers in global health research, policy, or practice.

RESEARCH AREAS

The Global Health Program at Thammasat University, together with other researchers within the Faculty of Public Health, is involved in a wide range of research activities related to threats to health that cross borders and require transdisciplinary and global action. These include the following:

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Researchers associated with the program are involved in an extensive range of projects emphasizing a One-Health approach to emerging infectious diseases. Research foci range from the microbiological to global social determinants of disease emergence and spread. Specific research areas include anti-microbial resistance, vector control, vaccine challenges, outbreak analysis and the integration of One-Health approaches from policy to community levels.

Environmental Threats

Research teams are involved in action-focused, transdisciplinary research about reducing environmental threats to human well-being and responding to major environmental events. Specific research areas include air pollution, waste management (including microplastics), risk mitigation for coastal communities, and disaster risk reduction.

Equitable Health Rights

Researchers associated with the program are involved with a wide range of research and development activities to respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations including people at risk due to forced mobility, people most at risk from climate change effects, people with mental health conditions and people in detention or at risk of detention. One major approach has been to assess and develop community health literacy to empower individual and community action.

CURRICULUM

PhD-Global Study Plan >> click

Curriculum Highlights

A four-year degree program
Research in your home country or abroad
A publication-based doctoral dissertation

Global Health Courses Available to PhD Candidates

Depending upon the PhD Global Health candidate’s background, the planned dissertation, and in consultation with the advisory team, candidates can complement their study plan with individual tutorial sessions and/or audit graduate courses.

ADMISSION

Application Form

PHD - Global Health Admission 2025

Apply now!

Deadline

Semester-1 Intake: 30 June 2025
Semester-2 Intake: 31 October 2025

Prospective students should have the following qualifications:

Academic Background: Hold at least a master’s degree or equivalent from a domestic or overseas educational institution accredited by the Thammasat University Council.
Academic Performance: Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or equivalent.

The following selection criteria are applied for admission into the program: Admission is determined by applicants’ academic records, supporting documentation on other selection criteria, a written statement of purpose, samples of written works, and results from an interview.

Prospective students should meet the following criteria:

Pass initial screening for:
- Qualification criteria
- For all non-native speakers, proven English language proficiency, i.e., TOEFL with a score of 575 paper-based, 223 computer-based, or 83 Internet-based; IELTS with a score of 6.5, and the result is not older than 2 years at the date of application.
Pass the following panel reviews:
- A written statement of purpose Download guidelines here.
- A face-to-face or Internet-facilitated interview
Qualify for one of the following enrolment criteria:
- Candidates awarded external scholarship support, including international agencies, government, fellow university schemes and philanthropies.
- Candidates awarded a Thammasat University or a partial program scholarship.
- Candidates applying to the program as self-funded.
- Candidates employed by Thammasat University as “promovendi”
A valid study visa (for international students only).

The academic year commences in August and ends in September. Students can enroll in the program at the onset of each term within an academic year, i.e., term 1 on September 1st and term 2 on January 2nd.

To apply, please follow these steps:

Initiate your application online by clicking the "Apply Now" button.
Review the requirements carefully before you begin your application.
Complete your online application form.
Accreditation for international degrees: If your undergraduate and master's degrees were granted by an institution outside of Thailand, the institution must be accredited by the country's governing educational body (e.g., the Ministry of Education).
English Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting (e.g., a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent TOEFL iBT score).

June 30, for the Semester-1 intake
October 31, for the Semester-2 intake

Important Reminders

Accuracy of information: The data you enter in the online application, including all attachments, is subject to verification. You are responsible for ensuring that all information provided is accurate.
Verification discrepancies: Thammasat University reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission or terminate enrollment if there is any discrepancy between the submitted application data and the subsequently verified data.
Year-round applications: Applications are accepted throughout the year.

TUITION FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS

Tuition Fees

PhD in Global Health Program’s estimated cost for tuition and administrative fees:

Thai candidates: 157,110 THB (approximately USD 5,240) per academic year.
International candidates: 197,610 THB (approximately USD 6,590) per academic year.

Scholarship Support

Global Health Scholarship: In the absence of other scholarship support, the Global Health Program offers merit-based partial scholarships for qualifying students.

Fellowship Support

World Health Organization Fellowship The World Health Organization offers a fellowship for qualifying candidates who are employees of the Ministry of Health or other government agencies. For fellowship support, candidates are advised to approach the Fellowship Officer in their local WHO Office to check their eligibility and/or visit their webpage.

Research Funding

Environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, and equitable health rights are key global health challenges. Yet they disproportionately affect populations in the Global South. As we recognize the need for urgent transformative actions and policy changes in the face of these crises, the role of research for development has never been more important.

Successfully tackling global development challenges requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and geographies, as embodied in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core of this discussion is equity in research partnerships and funding opportunities.

Exploring research partnerships and funding opportunities nationally and/or internationally can be daunting for junior researchers. Advisors offer coaching for PhD Global Health candidates in exploring opportunities to develop research partnerships, align research proposals with funding priorities, and apply for research funding.