Plan A vs Plan B: Thesis and Research Requirements for Thai Master's Degrees
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 07, 2026 • Study in Southeast Asia
Thai master's degrees run on three study plans: A1 (thesis only), A2 (coursework plus a shorter thesis), and B (coursework plus independent study, no thesis).
🎓 Plan A1 needs a minimum 36 credit thesis, with little to no graded coursework.
📩 Plan A2 combines a minimum 12 credit thesis with coursework, often 24-27 credits.
Plan B swaps the thesis for a 3-6 credit independent study project.
Plan A tracks suit students aiming at a PhD or a research career.
Plan B suits students who want a faster, coursework-heavy route into industry jobs.
Why Thai Master's Programs Have Two Plan Types
Every master's program in Thailand follows one of three study plans set by university graduate schools under standards from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). Thai students commonly call this choice "Plan A" (แผน ก) versus "Plan B" (แผน ข). The plan you choose decides how much of your degree comes from thesis research versus classroom coursework, and it shapes your workload, timeline, and career path after graduation.
Plan A1: Thesis Only
Plan A1 is the most research-heavy option. You write a thesis worth a minimum of 36 credits, and most programs require little or no separate graded coursework. Some departments still make you audit a handful of courses, commonly around 3 credits, on a satisfactory or unsatisfactory basis to fill knowledge gaps, but those credits do not count toward your GPA.
Plan A1 fits students who already have a clear research question and want a degree that reads as research-focused, especially if you plan to continue into a PhD. With almost no structured coursework, you need strong independent study habits and a supervisor willing to meet regularly.
Plan A2: Thesis Plus Coursework
Plan A2 blends both tracks. You take a set of graded courses, then write a shorter thesis, usually a minimum of 12 credits. At Chiang Mai University Business School's M.Sc. in Finance , Plan A2 students complete 27 credits across 9 subjects plus a 12 credit thesis, for 39 credits total. Coursework loads like this vary by faculty and subject, so check your target program's curriculum sheet before you commit.
Plan A2 works well if you want a thesis on your transcript and research experience, but also want structured classes that build foundational knowledge before you start your project.
Plan B: Coursework Plus Independent Study
Plan B drops the thesis. Instead, you take a heavier course load and finish with an independent study (IS) project worth a minimum of 3 credits and a maximum of 6 credits. At the same Chiang Mai University Business School program, the Plan B track requires 11 coursework subjects plus the independent study, compared with 9 subjects on the Plan A2 track.
Plan B suits students headed straight into industry jobs after graduation. The independent study runs shorter and more applied than a thesis, so you finish faster and spend less time on a single research question.
Comparing the Three Plans
| Plan | Thesis/IS credits | Coursework | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan A1 | Thesis, min 36 credits | Minimal or audit only | PhD-bound, research-focused students |
| Plan A2 | Thesis, min 12 credits | Moderate, varies by program | Balanced research and classroom learning |
| Plan B | Independent study, 3-6 credits | Heaviest of the three | Fast, career-focused graduates |
How the Choice Affects Your Timeline and Costs
Thesis work under Plan A1 or A2 rarely runs on a fixed classroom schedule. You defend your proposal, collect data, then defend the finished thesis, and each stage depends on your supervisor's availability and your research design. Delays at any stage push back your graduation date, so budget extra time beyond your program's stated minimum duration.
Plan B follows a more predictable timetable because almost all your credits come from scheduled classes. If you need to finish by a set date, for a scholarship bond or a job offer, Plan B lowers the risk of a thesis delay pushing back your graduation.
Thesis and Independent Study Defense
Plan A1 and A2 both end with an oral thesis defense in front of a committee that includes your supervisor and at least one examiner from outside your department or university. Plan B's independent study defense runs shorter and involves a smaller committee, since the project carries fewer credits and a narrower scope. Check your faculty's regulations for how many committee members you need and how far in advance you must submit your paper before the defense date.
Can You Switch Plans After Enrolling?
Some faculties let you switch from Plan B to Plan A2, or the reverse, during your first year, before you register for thesis or independent study credits. Ask your graduate school office about the deadline and paperwork for a plan change, since rules differ by faculty and by university. Once you register thesis credits and start working with an advisor, switching plans usually means losing progress on work already done.
Choosing the Right Plan for You
Ask yourself three questions before you register. First, do you want to apply for a PhD after this degree, in Thailand or abroad, where a strong thesis strengthens your application. Second, does your scholarship or employer sponsor require a fixed graduation date. Third, do you learn better through structured classes or through independent research with less classroom guidance.
Talk to current students in the program and to the graduate coordinator before you register. Thesis credit minimums and independent study requirements vary between universities and even between departments in the same university, so confirm the exact numbers in your target program's curriculum handbook rather than assuming they match the examples here.