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Faculty of Political Science

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Development Studies (GRID)

การพัฒนาระหว่างประเทศ

Quick Information

HIGHLIGHTS

4

YearS Full-time

Duration

Bangkok: A Hub for International Development in the Heart of Southeast Asia
Top-Notch Faculty with Extensive Network in National and International Policy-Making and Development Arena
Personalized Student Support and Abundant Academic and Financial Resources
Diverse Student Body in an Intimate Class Environment

ADMISSION

SEE DETAILS

CONTACT PROGRAM

Office of the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy Program in International Development Studies (MAIDS-GRID)

Faculty of Political Science

Chulalongkorn University

+66 2218 7313
coordinator.maids@gmail.com

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Development Studies (GRID) is one of the first in Southeast Asia to offer multidisciplinary training in international development. The curriculum integrates academic, technical, managerial, and professional training in the social sciences. The GRID program offers excellent preparation for a career in public or private sector development. The core and elective courses, taught in English, address a wide range of topics, including development theory and practice; globalization; research methods; politics of public policy; migration; human rights; environmental politics; conflict resolution; project management; and innovation for inclusive development. The thesis project allows each student to pursue their personal interests. See “course description” page for more details.

WHY this program
at Chula

1 Bangkok: A Hub for International Development in the Heart of Southeast Asia

The GRID Program, situated in Thailand, is geographically central within ASEAN and Asia and leverages access to local, regional, and global organizations based in Bangkok and beyond.

Chulalongkorn University is located in the center of Bangkok, close to the regional seat of numerous United Nations agencies, among them the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). International organizations such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) and prominent civil society organizations such as Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia), which also have offices nearby. Development practitioners from these organizations regularly come to Chulalongkorn to share their knowledge and experience with students. These contacts are crucial for students wishing to work in the region after their studies. These organizations also provide a wealth of resources for the students’ research projects, and possible internship and work opportunities. Chulalongkorn University is easily accessible by public transport. Most of our students live in comfortable and private apartments only 15 – 20 minutes from campus.

2 Top-Notch Faculty with Extensive Network in National and International Policy-Making and Development Arena

Chulalongkorn Faculty members are experienced public intellectuals with strong connections at all levels of Thai society, including Southeast Asia and beyond. Students benefit from the unique inside knowledge of active players in local and regional politics, and policy-making circles. Many professors sit as committee members on national bodies in Thailand such as the National Economic and Social Advisory Board, the National Human Rights Commission, and National Security Council, and on the boards of civil society organizations. Chulalongkorn academics pursue a wide range of research interests, and are able to provide expert advice to each student. See the academic staff page for further information.

The faculty is supported by a number of prominent guest lecturers, from Thailand and overseas academic institutions, United Nations agencies, government, and civil society organizations. The M.A. program is a unique opportunity to develop a network of contacts among leading development scholars and practitioners in the region.

The program and Chulalongkorn also work in partnership with many academic and international institutions, such as Chiang Mai and Mahidol Universities; the Thailand Research Fund; the Office of the Civil Service Commission; the Union for Civil Liberty; University of Vienna, Austria; University of Bonn, Germany; Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic; Waseda University, Japan; Third World Studies Centre, University of the Philippines; and the UN Commission on Human Security.

Visit the guest lecturers page for a listing and profile of current and past contributors, and the Network page for information on some of the program’s institutional partners.

3 Personalized Student Support and Abundant Academic and Financial Resources

The Ph.D. program admits around 5 to 10 students each year and is thus able to offer personalized support to each of them. From the day of admission throughout the post-graduation period, the staff facilitates the students’ experience at the university and in Bangkok. Staff members support students in matters such as obtaining and renewing student visas, finding a place to stay on or off campus, and facilitating connections with Thai government agencies and civil society organizations for research purposes.

Chulalongkorn has modern and fully-equipped libraries and resource centers to support learning and exchange. Some of the research and multidisciplinary institutes include the Energy Research Institute, the Center for Ecological Economics, the Environmental Research Institute, the Social Research Institute, and the Asian Migration Resource Center. Students can also access the resources of other Thai universities and institutions in Bangkok.

4 Diverse Student Body in an Intimate Class Environment

All M.A. and Ph.D. courses are taught using a seminar format to provide a forum for dialogue and discussion. The M.A. and Ph.D. students, coming from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, have a unique opportunity to share their experience and discover new cultural perspectives. Since its inception, the program has hosted students from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Cambodia, China (and Taiwan), Costa Rica, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Lao PDR, Moldova, Myanmar, Nepal, Palestinian State, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vietnam. Most students have had previous work or volunteer experience in international development, and some even hold graduate degrees. The student population is, on average, 58% female and 42% male while the mean age is 31.

Career Opportunities

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in International Development Studies offers excellent preparation for a career in public or private sector development.

Admission

Qualifications of applicants for Ph.D. Program:

Plan 1.1 (Research Mode 48 Credits)

Earn Master’s Degree in Social Science or any related fields to International Development
Applicants should also have working or volunteer experiences in the field of International Development
TOEFL iBT score of 78; IELTS score of 6.0; CU-TEP score of 75.
Other particular qualifications will be based on a specific announcement by the Graduate School in that particular academic year or has been approved from the Committee of MAIDS Program.
Draft of Dissertation Proposal 1,500-2,000 words

Plan 1.2 (Research Mode 78 Credits)

Earn Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Social Science or any related fields to International Development
Applicants should also have working or volunteer experiences in the field of International Development
TOEFL iBT score of 78; IELTS score of 6.0; CU-TEP score of 75.
Other particular qualifications will be based on a specific announcement by the Graduate School in that particular academic year or has been approved from the Committee of MAIDS Program.
Draft of Dissertation Proposal 1,500-2,000 words

Plan 2.1 (Research & Coursework Mode 48 Credits)

Earn Master’s Degree in any related fields with GPAX at least 3.25
OR Complete 12-credit coursework from MAIDS Program with GPAX at least 3.50
Applicants should also have working or volunteer experiences in the field of International Development
TOEFL iBT score of 78; IELTS score of 6.0; CU-TEP score of 75.
Other particular qualifications will be based on a specific announcement by the Graduate School in that particular academic year or has been approved from the Committee of MAIDS Program.
Draft of Dissertation Proposal 1,500-2,000 words

Plan 2.2 (Research & Coursework Mode 78 Credits)

Earn Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in any related fields
Applicants should also have working or volunteer experiences in the field of International Development
TOEFL iBT score of 78; IELTS score of 6.0; CU-TEP score of 75.
Other particular qualifications will be based on a specific announcement by the Graduate School in that particular academic year or has been approved from the Committee of MAIDS Program.
Draft of Dissertation Proposal 1,500-2,000 words (If Any)

For detailed application, please click here.

Application guidelines

Choose the right track
Apply at Graduate School’s website
Save you application in .pdf format
Send supporting documents of each track (as listed on the web) to application.maids@gmail.com
Wait for our confirmation or notification of document submission

For more information on application guidelines, please visit our Admission page.
For 2020 intake calendar, click here.