Chiang Mai University (CMU) is a public university in northern Thailand and calls itself the country’s first regional university; its first academic term began on 18 June 1964.[1] It is ranked =555th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
For its international undergraduate programmes, admission for the 2027 academic year lists tuition per regular semester of THB 55,000 to THB 100,000 for students of other nationalities. That amount already includes an international student fee of THB 20,000 per semester.[3] The application fee is THB 1,200 per programme.[3]
Key facts
| Official name | Chiang Mai University (มหาวิทยาลัยเชียงใหม่) |
| Location | Chiang Mai, Thailand (239 Huay Kaew Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200)[4] |
| Type | Public, national research university[5] |
| Founded | First academic term began on 18 June 1964; royal opening ceremony on 24 January 1965; cabinet approved the university in 1960[1] |
| Students | 38,269 (Wikipedia, 2023; no official current figure found)[5] |
| Faculties | 20 faculties and the Chiang Mai University Business School, plus colleges, schools and institutes such as the International College of Digital Innovation[4] |
| Campuses | Four: three in Chiang Mai and one in Lamphun (Suan Sak, Suan Dok, Mae Hia, Si Bua Ban)[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =555th (tied)[2] |
| International undergraduate programmes | 19 programmes open for the 2027 academic year[3] |
| Tuition 2027 intake, other nationalities | THB 55,000–100,000 per regular semester, including the THB 20,000 international student fee[3] |
| Application fee | THB 1,200 per programme; THB 400 for the English Placement Test if needed[3] |
| Official website | cmu.ac.th |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Chiang Mai University
CMU describes itself as the first university of the Lanna people and the first regional university in Thailand. It grew out of a public campaign in northern Thailand for a university in the 1950s. In 1960 the cabinet approved a university in Chiang Mai, with teaching to begin in 1964; the first academic term started on 18 June 1964, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej opened the university officially on 24 January 1965.[1]
The university’s faculty list names twenty faculties (for example Agriculture, Dentistry, Engineering, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Social Sciences) and the Chiang Mai University Business School, as well as the International College of Digital Innovation, the College of Art, Media and Technology, a school of public policy and two research institutes.[4] Wikipedia gives 38,269 students for 2023 and counts four campuses, three in Chiang Mai and one in Lamphun.[5]
How is Chiang Mai University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, CMU is =555th, with an overall score of 29.7.[2] A Thai ranking site shows the same position tied with Thammasat University and lists CMU as the third Thai university in QS; the site does not state the edition, but its Chulalongkorn figure matches the 2027 edition.[6]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For other Thai universities see our Thailand guide.
What can you study at Chiang Mai University?
Most CMU programmes are taught by the faculties listed above. The CMU registrar’s International Programs Admission System (CMU-IPAS) lists 19 undergraduate international programmes open for the 2027 academic year, among them:[3]
- Engineering: civil and infrastructure, electrical and smart grid, industrial and logistics, information systems and cybersecurity, mechanical and project management, and integrated and multi-disciplinary engineering
- Humanities, social sciences and sustainability, including Thai as a Foreign Language
- Business and economics: Accountancy, Economics, Modern Management and Information Technology
- Sciences and health: Environmental Science, Food Science and Technology, Nursing Science
- Digital and design: Digital Innovation, Software Engineering, Integrated Design in Emerging Architecture
We found no complete graduate programme list in English. Graduate applications run through a separate CMU graduate admission system at admission.reg.cmu.ac.th/gpas, whose pages we could read only in Thai.
How much does Chiang Mai University cost for the 2027 intake?
The IPAS page lists tuition for a regular semester of the 2027 academic-year intake. For other nationalities the THB 20,000 international student fee is already included in the figures. Thai applicants, and those with certain 13-digit Thai ID numbers, pay the Thai rate; others pay the rate of other nationalities.[3]
| Programme | Thai nationality, THB per semester | Other nationalities, THB per semester |
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy (ACC) | 55,000 | 75,000 |
| Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Digital Innovation (DIN) | 55,000 | 75,000 |
| Economics (ECON) | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| Electrical Engineering and Smart Grid Technology (EESG) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Environmental Science (ES) | 35,000 | 55,000 |
| Food Science and Technology (FST) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Humanities and Sustainability (HS) | 36,000 | 56,000 |
| Integrated Design in Emerging Architecture (IDEA) | 65,000 | 85,000 |
| Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management (IEL) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Information Systems and Cybersecurity (ISCE) | 80,000 | 100,000 |
| Integrated and Multi-disciplinary Engineering (IGME) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Project Management (MEPM) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Modern Management and Information Technology (MMIT) | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| Nursing Science (NSC) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Software Engineering (SE) | 40,000 | 60,000 |
| Social Science and Sustainable Development (SSSD) | 35,000 | 55,000 |
| Sustainability (STB) | 50,000 | 70,000 |
| Thai as a Foreign Language (TFL) | not offered | 55,000 |
Applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of THB 1,200 per programme, plus THB 400 for the English Placement Test if they take the regular track without a standard English test. Payment is by QR code, credit card (about 2.1 per cent processing fee), Alipay or WeChat Pay (about 1.7 per cent).[3] We did not find graduate fees on pages we could read in English.
How do you apply to Chiang Mai University?
International undergraduate applicants apply online through CMU-IPAS. There are two tracks:[3]
- Regular track: for applicants without the required standard tests; an online written exam (CMU exam, subjects depend on the programme) and/or the CMU English Placement Test, then an interview.
- Special track: online interview only, for applicants who submit standardised test results, for example SAT scores, and evidence of English proficiency required by the programme.
Required documents include the graduation certificate or proof of student status, the transcript, English test results if the track and programme require them, a passport for international applicants and a recent photo. Applicants in Round 3 must also show a valid Non-Immigrant ED or ED Plus visa.[3] We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the IPAS site has the timeline.
Which language level do you need?
CMU-IPAS requires a valid English proficiency test result when the track and programme demand it; applicants on the regular track who lack a qualifying result take the CMU English Placement Test.[3] The exact scores are set per programme in Annex 3 of the admission announcement, which we could not read in full.[3] The QS profile lists TOEFL 61 or higher and IELTS 5 or higher as bachelor’s admission levels, but that is a general indication, not a programme rule.[2]
For Thai as a Foreign Language, the special track requires a Thai test result or a preparation-course certificate instead.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Chiang Mai University ranked?
It is =555th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
How much does it cost to study at Chiang Mai University as an international student?
For the 2027 intake of its international undergraduate programmes, tuition for other nationalities is THB 55,000 to 100,000 per regular semester, including a THB 20,000 international student fee.[3]
Do Thai and international students pay the same?
No. In the international programmes Thai nationals pay THB 20,000 per semester less than other nationalities, which matches the international student fee; the Thai as a Foreign Language programme lists a fee for other nationalities only.[3]
How do I apply to Chiang Mai University?
International undergraduate applicants use the CMU-IPAS system, either the regular track (exams and interview) or the special track (standardised test results and interview).[3]
When did Chiang Mai University open?
Its first academic term began on 18 June 1964, and it was officially opened on 24 January 1965.[1]
More about studying in Thailand
- Thailand: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Thailand
Sources
[1] Chiang Mai University: Background (history) (page without a date)
[2] QS Top Universities: Chiang Mai University profile (QS profile page read in a browser on 9 Nov 2026; QS WUR 2027 was published on 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Chiang Mai University: CMU-IPAS, International Programs Admission System, 2027 academic year (page for the 2027 academic year without a day date; read 9 Nov 2026)
[4] Chiang Mai University: Faculties (page footer © 2025; address from the footer)
[5] Wikipedia: Chiang Mai University (type, campuses and 2023 student count)
[6] Thai University Rankings: QS World University Rankings listing for Thailand (aggregator; page does not state the edition or a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.