Raffles International Admissions Thailand

ABOUT RAFFLES COLLEGE

Raffles College is a largest private education provider in Asia Pacific specializing in design and commerce courses. We deliver higher education and vocational programs from Certificates, Bachelor Degrees, to Master Degrees.

We are part of Raffles Education Cooperation (REC) who has many years of education experiences since 1990 beginning with our first campus in Singapore and has now grown to 25 campuses in 10 countries.

Over the years, the school has built a distinguished reputation for producing some of the most talented young designers in and around the region, winning numerous local and international awards. With a rigorous curriculum and an effective internship programme, 'industry-ready' qualifications attained at Raffles College give our students a leading edge. Internationally recognised and accepted by universities worldwide, our distinguished qualifications gain the respect of local and regional businesses.

We have lecturers who are active in industry, so their teaching constantly benefits from a real-time knowledge of what’s going on out there. At Raffles, the focus is on the student – their individual ambition and talent, their professional and personal development. Our staff-the lecturers and the dedicated team supporting them – really wants to inspire students to get the most out of their course.

Who are the Lecturers at Raffles College?

Our profile of lecturers comprises of professionally trained experts in the fashion industries from all over the world. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from their own countries. All have undergraduate or post-graduate qualifications and years of professional experience behind them.

Why study at Raffles College?

Is Raffles College a university?

Raffles College is a private institute that is an accredited Higher Education Provider in Australia and Singapore. That means we can deliver our own Degree courses, both Bachelor Degrees and Master Degrees.

Being a student at Raffles vs. Being a student at University

Are there any other campuses?

Raffles College has 26 campuses in 10 countries in Asia Pacific. We are part of the Raffles Education Corporation and so have numerous partner campuses in the Asia Pacific region, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mongolia.

How does a degree from Raffles College compare with one from a university?

In terms of the qualification, Bachelor Degrees or Master Degrees from Raffles College of Design and Commerce are recognised as being equivalent to other Bachelor or Master Degrees delivered by any Higher Education Provider in Australia - see the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

In terms of delivery, there are similarities and differences between doing your degree at Raffles College or at a university. Generally, class sizes at Raffles College are much smaller than at university, with attention to the individual being one of our main priorities. Being in smaller classes means that you have more teacher-student interaction and you develop closer bonds with the other students in your class. It also means that it's much harder for you to hide from your lecturer! So you'll need to participate and work hard...

The other main difference is that studying at Raffles College will bring you into close contact with students from all different disciplines. As you will be sharing classes with students from other majors, you will be exposed to other study areas and be expected to work with students from diverse fields. Then there are the lecturers who are also professionals in their fields. This will bring you into close contact with industry and help you explore the different job opportunities available.

In terms of employer recognition, there are a few things to note: - We've been around for a while now, so we're well known in the design industry. - If you're a designer, what employers look at most is your portfolio. This is what will tell them about your potential to work with them - your creativity and level of technical skill. As our Degrees feature both practical and theoretical components, you'll be well equipped with both when you go out into industry.

You should also take a look at the curriculum to see if the course you've chosen covers the areas that interest you most. Ultimately though, the choice of school comes down to what suits you best and what kind of learning environment is going to stimulate you more.

What are the start dates?

Campuses: China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Mongolia, India.

We have 4 intakes per year i.e. January, April, July and October.

Campuses: Australia, New Zealand

We have 4 intakes per year i.e. February, April, July and October.
Our study term allow students to start their studies throughout the year at a time most suitable to their schedules. These intakes also ensure that our graduates enter the workforce at four separate times throughout the year.

When are the application closing dates?

We recommend applying at least one month before your start date. International students should check visa application requirements and processing times for their country.

Is each new intake a new course start?

Yes, we start our courses from the beginning at each of our 4 annual intakes.

What are the entry requirements?

Depends on the course you’re applying for. See the full list of entry requirements and our English requirements

Do I have to attend a personal interview?

We think it’s a good idea for you to attend a personal interview if you’re interested in any of our Bachelor or Master Degree programs. It’s not compulsory, but it’s a good opportunity for us to find out more about each other and for you to have a good understanding of what the course is all about before you start.

Can I get credit for other studies I’ve done?

Yes, you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’d like to apply for RPL, you'll need to submit an RPL form with your application.

What materials do I have to buy for my course?

Art kits are recommended for some design courses and majors. You have a choice of buying your own materials, or requesting us to buy one for you. See also the info for each course to see what materials are required.

Can I start after an intake date?

Formal classes start the week after the beginning of each term. It’s possible to start your course up to one week after the first classes.

Can I defer my course?

Yes. You can defer your course for up to one year. However, a fee will be levied upon approval of deferment.

What happens if I want to cancel my enrolment?

See the Conditions of Enrolment and Refund Policy on the application form.

When do I have to make payment?

All courses need to be paid one month in advance before course begins.

Course Information:

What courses are available?

We’ve got a range of courses, from design to commerce, from certificate level to Master Degrees.

Design (Bachelor & Master): Design Management, Interior Design, Product Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, and Fashion Marketing.

Commerce (Bachelor & Master): Design Management, Management, Marketing, Finance, Hospitality, Tourism.

Are the courses accredited?

Raffles College of Design and Commerce is accredited to deliver higher education and vocational courses. We are accredited in Australia, CRICOS Provider Code: 02761J, and our degrees are recognized across Australia and internationally like other university degrees.

How long are the courses?

That depends on what course you’re doing, and whether or not you’re eligible for credit transfer.

What is the normal course timetable?

There are no standard timetables, but generally you can expect to have classes scheduled for about 12-20 hours per week, depending on major and study load.

In general, classes run in the following blocks, from Monday - Friday:

9am – 1pm
2pm - 6pm

Individual timetables are available during the Orientation days at the beginning of each term.

How much homework do I have to do?

For every class contact hour, you should be planning at least another 2 hours homework to do your assignments.

How long is a term?

There are 4 terms per year, each made up of 13-weeks including 1 week of term break.

Are courses full-time or part-time?

All courses are full-time.

How many subjects are there per semester?

Have a look at the subject outline info for your chosen course.

Can I study by distance / correspondence?

No, all classes are held on campus.

Do I have to buy my own computer?

It’s not necessary, but some students find it easier to manage their workload if they’ve got access to a computer at home. The campus is wireless, so it makes it easier to work anywhere on campus if you have a laptop with wireless connection.

What kinds of software do you use?

We have a range of software on our computers to cater for all the design specialities. The list includes: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, FinalCut Studio Pro, Dreamweaver, Maya, AutoCAD, Flash and loads more.

I can’t draw, can I still study design?

Drawing is a skill and, like other skills, can be taught. There’s a lot of drawing involved in the design bachelor degrees, but not everyone can draw when they first arrive. In the first year you’ll be doing quite a lot of drawing classes. If you’re worried that you can’t draw very well, the answer is to practise, practise and then practise some more.

Is there any work experience included in the courses?

Yes, our programmes include placements of students in relevant companies where they are given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and enhance their portfolios and resumes. During their work attachment, students establish good ties with these companies and very often, receive job offers upon their graduation.

Does Raffles Design Institute offer job placement services?

As a globally positioned premier design institute with internationally renowned programmes, we constantly hear from various industry partners who are actively seeking students from Raffles College. Our Centre of Professional Development (CPD) will assist students in their job search.

How much of the courses are theory and how much are practical?

The Bachelor Degree courses are a blend of theory and practical. You do a combination of core subjects (theory) and subject-specific subjects (mostly practical) and have a choice of elective subjects as well.

Can I also study at other campuses?

Yes, as we are part of the Raffles Education group, you can choose to study at any one of our participating Associate College campuses. Please contact our friendly Education Consultants for more info about the Raffles network.

Do I have to do exams and assessments?

Yes, there are assessments and exams throughout our courses. See the information for your specific course to find out the details.

What happens if I fail a subject or assessment?

If this happens, you can repeat the subject (and incur additional fees) when it is next delivered or, if applicable, appeal the assessment grade; or apply for a supplementary assessment under exceptional circumstances; or apply for a resubmission of the assessment. There are different procedures for each of the above applications - they are reviewed on a case by case basis.

What happens if I don’t finish my course, can I still get a qualification?

If you’re doing a Bachelor Degree, you can exit with a qualification after the first two years (Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma). The Master Degree also includes two qualifications as exit points: Graduate Certificate in Commerce and Graduate Diploma of Commerce.

Are there any English requirements?

All courses at Raffles Design Institute are conducted in English, thus, students must have the ability to communicate in basic English. Students who have met any of following requirements will be exempted from taking English as a Second Language (ESL) concurrently with their main programme.

Minimum requirements for exemption from ESL programmes:
• C6 at GCE O Level Examinations
• TOEFL score of 550* (paper-based) or 213* (computer-based) or 79-80 (Internet-based)
• IELTS score of 6.0*

* To be taken in the last two years.

Students from non-English speaking backgrounds who have not met any of requirements are required to sit for an English test conducted by Raffles Design Institute on their general English proficiency. If necessary, students are required to take the ESL programme (conducted in-house). Our ESL programme is an intensive course that covers a period of 3 months per level. It can be taken concurrently with their course of study.

I don't have the right English level to start my course. How long do I have to study English?

To calculate how long you have to study English, you need to know your current English level. Then look at the course you’d like to enter and work out the difference. For example, if you currently have a level of IELTS 5.5 and you want to do a Bachelor Degree, then you should most probably do approximately 10-12 weeks of English to get from IELTS 5.5 to IELTS 6.0 (entry requirement for Bachelor Degree).

How can I work out my English level if I haven’t done an IELTS test?

If you’ve done another type of English test, have studied English or have completed some secondary or tertiary study in an English-speaking country, then we may be able to assess your English. Or you can do our own English test either here on campus or overseas at an authorised location.

What type of job can I get after I finish my course?

This depends on the course you do and, to a large extent, your drive and determination as well as talent. Design is a wide-ranging industry and there are many types of jobs available. Initially most graduates are looking at entry-level positions where they can learn on the job and keep exploring their areas of interest. Our commerce graduates would likewise be looking for entry level positions in their chosen field.

What if I have more questions about the course? How do I contact International Admission Office - Thailand?

Contact Us! We’re always happy to help out with any questions you may have.

We are located at:  5th Floor Silom Center, 2 Silom Road, Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500   Tel: +66 2632 7656    Hotline: +66 81 823 7489    Fax: +66 2632 7668
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Admissions Office Hours

Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 1pm