Universities in Cambodia

Universities in Cambodia include a small group of long-established public institutions and a large private sector, and all the Cambodian universities in our directory are in the capital, Phnom Penh. Programmes are taught in Khmer, in English or in both, depending on the university. For international students, Cambodia is mainly of interest for development studies, agriculture, business and tourism, regional exchange programmes and learning the Khmer language.

Quality assurance is the task of the Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC), a government body under the authority of the Council of Ministers whose main objective is to promote the quality of higher education in the country. Universities are founded by government sub-decree, and their degrees are accredited by the Ministry of Education: Norton University, for example, was founded as a university by sub-decree in 1997, and Cambodian Mekong University was recognised by a sub-decree of 2003.

How Cambodian universities work

Cambodian universities award qualifications at four levels:

• Associate degrees, often with a vocational focus
• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees
• Doctoral degrees

Many bachelor's programmes begin with a foundation year. At Norton University, the first year is spent in Foundation Studies, a course accredited by the ACC, before students move into a college or faculty. Public universities are often organised around faculties and institutes: the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) has five faculties (Science, Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, Education and Development Studies) and a Foreign Language Institute, while the Royal University of Agriculture covers agriculture, veterinary medicine, forestry, fisheries and related fields, from associate degrees to doctorates.

Each university sets its own academic calendar and intake dates, so check them directly with the institution.

Admission for international students

Cambodian students enter university with the BACC II, the grade 12 national examination certificate. Foreign students apply with their own secondary school diploma, and universities set their own entrance exams or requirements. Norton University's requirements for foreign undergraduates are a useful example:

• Original high school diploma, with an English translation if it is not in English
• An application form and an admission fee of USD 15
• A passing mark in an English language test
• A medical certificate with a chest X-ray
• The university's entrance exam or other requirements

On visas, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Washington lists tourist (T) and business (E) visas and an e-Visa service, and notes that citizens of ASEAN member states and some other countries can enter without a visa. It does not list a separate student visa. The E visa allows a stay of 30 days on entry and can be extended at the Cambodian immigration office, and passports must be valid for at least six months. Ask your university which visa to use for a full degree and check the rules with the Cambodian embassy in your country.

Costs and funding

Each university sets its own tuition fees, and there is no national fee table for international students. At Norton University, tuition is paid before each academic year and is non-refundable. For language study, RUPP's Khmer for Foreigners course costs $800 for one year or $200 per level, according to the university. Ask each university about scholarships and exchange agreements with your home institution.

How to choose a university

• Language of instruction: check whether the programme is taught in Khmer, English or both
• Recognition: check the university's founding sub-decree and accreditation, and how your home country recognises the degree
• Field of study: public universities such as RUPP and the Royal University of Agriculture focus on sciences, education and agriculture; Norton University and Cambodian Mekong University teach fields such as business, law, languages, tourism and technology
• Foundation year: find out whether you must take it or can enter later with transferred credits
• Khmer: learning some of the language helps with daily life and fieldwork

The five Cambodian universities in our directory show this range. RUPP, founded in 1960 and described by the university as Cambodia's oldest and largest public university, serves approximately 30,000 students in bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes, and its Khmer for Foreigners course has four graded levels. The Royal University of Agriculture specialises in agricultural science and rural development. Norton University, a private university, Build Bright University and Cambodian Mekong University offer programmes from associate to doctoral level; Cambodian Mekong University has five faculties, from arts, humanities and foreign languages to law, science and technology, management and tourism, and economics; Build Bright University also has branches in other cities, including Siem Reap and Battambang.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English at a Cambodian university?

Some programmes are taught in English, and universities such as Norton University test foreign students' English on admission. Others are taught in Khmer, so check the language of each programme.

Who accredits universities in Cambodia?

The Accreditation Committee of Cambodia (ACC), a government body under the Council of Ministers, is responsible for promoting the quality of higher education; universities are founded by government sub-decree.

Is there a student visa for Cambodia?

The Cambodian embassy in Washington does not list a separate student visa. Visitors usually enter on a visa such as the business (E) visa, which can be extended at the immigration office, so confirm the right visa with your university.

Where can I learn Khmer in Phnom Penh?

The Royal University of Phnom Penh runs a Khmer for Foreigners course with four levels; it costs $800 for a year or $200 per level, according to the university.