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Registration · Petition forms · Independent Study (IS) / Thesis · Graduation
Which stage are you in? Check whether you have registered for IS or the thesis. The section For All Students applies at every stage
For All Students
Registration and student status
  • Register every semester according to the Office of the Registrar's calendar
  • In any semester you do not register, you must maintain your status and pay the fee (THB 3,000 per semester plus THB 110 insurance per academic year). If you neither register nor maintain your status, you will lose student status
  • For leave of absence, file a request with the Office of the Registrar and inform your advisor
Contact and petitions
  • Submit every petition by email to [email protected] and deliver the original to the Programme office; keep a copy
  • Check your Faculty and University email regularly. Decisions and schedules are sent by email
  • All petition forms can be downloaded from the Documents page
Stage 1 · Coursework not yet complete, or not yet registered for IS / thesis (including the comprehensive exam)
Coursework
Coursework and requirements
  • Complete all coursework in the curriculum and keep a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
  • Students without the background take foundation courses (MB501–503) before the first semester; no credit, must be passed with a P
  • Before registering for IS / thesis: complete all coursework and pass the comprehensive exam
English requirement
  • Meet the University's English requirement before registering for IS / thesis
  • The English requirement is a graduation condition, so the Programme recommends meeting it during coursework
Comprehensive exam
During coursework you can start looking for an advisor from the research methodology course onward. See Step 0
Three things to know before registering for IS / thesis
1
You must meet all requirements before you can register
Check that you meet every item under "Coursework and requirements", "English requirement" and "Comprehensive exam" above before registering for IS1 (MB798) or the thesis (MB800)
2
Check your study plan: Independent Study (IS) or thesis
Course codes, examinations, committee size and how credits are earned all differ. The research type on Form A must match your study plan in the registration system.
Item Independent Study (IS) Thesis
Course codes MB798 (IS1), then MB799 (IS2), one course at a time MB800, registered continuously until all credits are earned
Examinations 2 exams: IS1 and IS2 · You must pass IS1 before registering for IS2 2 exams: Proposal and Final Defense
Examination committee At least 2 members At least 3 members, including at least 1 external examiner
Credits MB798 and MB799, 3 credits each (6 in total); full course credits on passing each course 12 credits (study plan: Year 2 Semester 1 register 3 · Semester 2 register 9), accumulated by semester progress results (SP / NP)
Additional documents After passing IS1, email the complete PDF with MBE 03 —
Final examination result Unanimous decision of the committee required S by unanimous decision of the committee required
Publication No publication required; submit to TU E-Thesis Publish in an academic journal or present at a conference with Proceedings Details
Suited to Students who want a smaller research project and to graduate on schedule Students who want full-scale research or plan to pursue a PhD
Credits follow the 2026 revised curriculum. Students who enrolled before academic year 2026 follow the curriculum they entered under.
3
Submit a progress report every semester you are registered
Have your advisor sign form MBE 04 and submit it through the MBE Google Form every semester you are registered for IS or the thesis, not only in exam semesters · Thesis plan: your advisor gives SP (satisfactory progress, credits for work completed) or NP (no progress, 0 credits). Credits still needed must be registered the next semester.
Caution: After NP in 2 consecutive semesters, you cannot register online yourself the next semester and need approval from your advisor or committee first. A leave of absence in between does not reset the count (NP → leave → NP counts as consecutive).
Stage 2 · Registered for IS1 (MB798) or the thesis (MB800) until final submission
Independent Study and Thesis Guidelines
! Guideline for Students Planning to Graduate in Academic Year 2026
This schedule is a guideline, not a regulation. You may submit any step at any time during the academic year. However, if you miss a deadline, you may not be able to graduate in that academic year. Following the schedule improves your chance of graduating on time.

Independent study and thesis research do not always go to plan. Factors beyond your control, on both the student's and the advisor's side, may arise: data you cannot access or collect, confidential data, research problems that require a change of approach, committee availability, or the number of revision rounds. Allow extra time in your plan, stay in close contact with your advisor and committee, and be ready to adjust your plan when the unexpected happens. Every step follows the set review process, to ensure accuracy and fairness for all students.
 
IS and Thesis Schedule
Target dates for each step for MBE students Open schedule ›
Examination calendar: Independent Study / Thesis / Dissertation
Graduation requirement
Thesis plan: publish your research before graduating
Present a full paper at an academic conference with published Proceedings or publish in an academic journal, at least 1 paper
Complete evidence of publication is required when you apply for degree approval. Without it you cannot graduate, even after passing the thesis examination. Plan your conference or journal with your advisor from the start, as review and acceptance take time. · Not accepted as publication: an abstract only, a certificate only, or a presentation without Proceedings
Independent Study (IS) plan: no publication is required; submit your work to TU E-Thesis (choose the publication type "TU E-Thesis" when applying for degree approval)
References: Master of Arts Program in Business Economics (2026 revised curriculum), clause 7.4 · Thammasat University Announcement on Publication of Thesis Work for Graduation B.E. 2569 (2026), clause 5(2)
Independent Study: register MB798 (IS1), then MB799 (IS2) · Thesis: register MB800 until all credits are earned · Both plans follow the same steps; only the examinations differ (Step 3) · Maximum study period: 8 regular semesters (2026 revised curriculum)
Check the Programme's academic calendar for the dates of each step · Submit every petition by email to [email protected] together with the original, and keep a copy · Check your Faculty and University email regularly
0
Step 0
Choosing an advisor
When: You may start from the research methodology course, since you will prepare a three-chapter proposal there. Having an advisor's guidance at the same time is very helpful
Requirements before registering for IS / thesis (all required)
  • GPA of at least 3.00
  • All coursework completed
  • Comprehensive exam passed
  • English requirement met
What to prepare
  • Your topic of interest and a brief outline
  • 2–3 faculty members whose expertise matches your topic
  • Self-introduction: full name, student ID, programme, study plan (IS or thesis)
There are two ways to find an advisor
Option 1Recommended
Approach a faculty member yourself
  1. Review faculty members' expertise
  2. Request a meeting or email them with your topic and a brief outline
  3. The faculty member agrees to be your advisor
or
Option 2Per the academic calendar each year
Programme advisor matching
  1. Submit your topic and three-chapter proposal via Google Form
  2. Faculty members select topics
  3. The Programme notifies results by email
A complete proposal is more likely to be selected
Once a faculty member has agreed, by either option, continue to Step 1 Appoint your advisor (Form A)
Advisor eligibility: Programme faculty member · a co-advisor is optional
What advisors expect from students: You are responsible for following up on your own progress · Introduce yourself fully from the first contact · Prepare your topic, work plan and questions before each meeting · Submit work on time and give notice of any delay · Keep in regular contact; do not disappear and then rush near an exam · Be polite and punctual
Ending or changing the advisor relationship
Supervision is a partnership. An advisor may decide to end supervision if they feel the work can no longer continue, for example because of the student's conduct or lack of responsibility; this does happen. Likewise, a student may ask to end supervision. In either case, both sides should discuss and agree first, because a change of advisor requires the signatures of both the previous and the new advisor.
Please conclude the arrangement with your current advisor before approaching or working with a new one. Do not work with two advisors in parallel; this is a matter of respect for all faculty members involved.
Common mistakes: A faculty member may decline for many reasons, such as a full workload or reaching the supervision limit; it does not necessarily mean your topic is unsuitable. If declined, thank them politely and keep 2–3 alternatives in mind
1
Step 1
Appoint your advisorForm A
When: As soon as you have registered for IS / thesis and your advisor has agreed; submit early
What to prepare
  • Form A page 1: student ID, name, programme, research type (must match your study plan in the registration system), title, advisor, co-advisor (if any) and eligibility
  • Form A page 2: significance of the topic, objectives, related theory and bibliography (attachments allowed)
  • Check the English title before submitting
  • Signatures of the student and advisor
How to proceed
  1. Send by email to [email protected]
  2. Deliver the original to the Programme office
  3. The Programme processes it within 5 working days of receiving both
Next: You will receive a copy of the appointment order. Keep it for your records, start working with your advisor, and discuss the examination committee next
Common mistakes: Incomplete eligibility section · Research type not matching your study plan · Sending only by email without the original, so the 5-working-day count cannot start
2
Step 2
Appoint the examination committeeForm B
When: When your work has progressed and your advisor has chosen the examiners. Submit well before the first examination, as the external examiner's qualifications must be checked. The same committee serves for every examination unless there is a necessary reason to change
What to prepare
  • Form B: chair · advisor · co-advisor · member · external examiner, with the external examiner's email, phone and address
  • CV of the external examiner with a complete publication list (if there is one; first submission only)
  • Signatures of the student and advisor
How to proceed
  1. Your advisor contacts the examiners or asks you to do so
  2. Check the external examiner's qualifications before inviting them
  3. Send Form B by email and deliver the original to the Programme office
  4. The Programme checks qualifications and issues the appointment within 5 working days
Common mistakes: Inviting an external examiner before checking qualifications · Submitting Form B together with Form C close to the exam date
3
Step 3
IS1 / IS2 or Proposal / Final Defense examinationsForm C
When: When your advisor considers the work ready and within each examination period in the academic calendar. In your graduating semester, allow time for the format check and submission before that semester's deadline
Before each examination (same every time)
1Set the exam date
First
Your advisor approves the examination; agree a date and time with every committee member
›
2Send the manuscript to the committee
At least 2 weeks before the exam
Send the exam-ready manuscript to each member so they have time to read and comment
›
3Submit the exam request (Form C) to the Programme
At least 5 working days before the exam
By email to [email protected] and in original at the Programme office, with the documents in the table below
›
4Programme confirms the exam
After review
The screening committee reviews the request and manuscript and may not approve the exam if it is not ready
›
5Exam day
As confirmed
Take the examination and revise your work according to the committee's comments
Steps 2 and 3 are separate: Step 2 sends the manuscript to the committee to read; Step 3 is your request to the Programme to approve the exam. You must do both, and the manuscript attached to Form C must be the same version sent to the committee · One Form C per examination
Documents to submit with the exam request (Step 3)
Document IS1 IS2 Proposal Final Defense
Exam request (Form C) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Exam-ready manuscript (same version sent to the committee) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Plagiarism check (Turnitin) report · Programme guideline: Similarity not more than 20% – ✓ – ✓
After passing Email the complete PDF + MBE 03, then register for IS2 Revise, then go to Step 4 Continue your research Revise, then go to Step 4
Form C asks for: examination type · Online or Onsite · date, time, venue · invitation letter for the external examiner (sent directly or via their organisation, with address)
On the exam day: Online: record the Zoom meeting yourself · Onsite: collect the attendance sheet from the Programme office · Arrive 30 minutes early to test equipment · All committee members must attend; otherwise the exam is postponed
If you fail: Revise and retake as the committee directs. The final examination requires a unanimous committee decision · Thesis plan: results are S or U; a U result leads to withdrawal from the programme
Common mistakes: Submitting Form C with an incomplete manuscript · Setting the exam date before checking with every committee member · Sending the manuscript less than 2 weeks ahead, leaving too little reading time · Taking IS2 / the Final Defense without a Turnitin report
4
Step 4
Format checkOnline Form
When: After passing IS2 or the Final Defense and completing all content revisions requested by the committee, with no further content changes
What to prepare
  • A manuscript formatted according to the TU Thesis Formatting Manual 2021 with APA 7th Edition references (formatting correctly from the start reduces revisions)
  • Check the format yourself before submitting
How to proceed
  1. Submit the online format-check form; your advisor confirms revisions are complete
  2. Deliver a hard copy to the Programme office
Next: Staff take 3–7 days per round and return a list of corrections. Revise and resubmit until approved; it usually takes more than one round, so allow time
Common mistakes: Submitting before content revisions are finished · Changing content after the format check is approved · In-text citations not matching the bibliography
5
Step 5
Submit in the TU E-Thesis system
When: After the format check is approved, before the submission deadline of your graduating semester
What to prepare
  • The format-approved manuscript file
  • Turnitin report for this version
  • Title and abstract in Thai and English, matching the manuscript exactly
How to proceed
  1. Run Turnitin on the format-approved manuscript
  2. Email [email protected] with the Turnitin report and request system access, giving your student ID, full name and advisor's name
  3. Staff check the Turnitin report; if it meets the thresholds, they open your TU E-Thesis access (if it exceeds them, revise the content and resubmit for the format check first)
  4. Upload the file and enter your details in the system; check carefully before confirming, as nothing can be changed afterwards
  5. Staff review the manuscript in the system and record the Similarity and Detected as AI values
  6. Download the manuscript with the Reference code
  7. Print the approval page for all committee members to sign
Thresholds: Similarity not more than 20% (Programme guideline) · Detected as AI not more than 40% (except theses written in Thai) · Students who took the proposal examination before semester 2/2025 follow the 2016 regulation
Common mistakes: Confirming before checking the title or abstract · Uploading a file other than the format-approved version
6
Step 6
Dean's signature on the approval page
When: After submitting in TU E-Thesis and obtaining an approval page signed by all committee members
How to proceed
  1. Submit the approval page signed by all committee members to the Programme
  2. The Programme submits it for the Dean's signature
  3. The Programme notifies you to collect the approval page
Next: Use the Dean-signed approval page to apply for degree approval in Step 7
Common mistakes: Missing signatures on the approval page · Submitting the approval page after the semester deadline
7
Step 7
Apply for degree approval
When: After the Dean signs the approval page, before the deadline of your graduating semester. If you miss it, you must maintain your status and graduate the following semester
How to proceed
  1. Enter your details and upload evidence in the Programme's online form
  2. Staff check your graduation eligibility
  3. The Programme requests degree approval from the Office of the Registrar
Information and files to attach
  • Student details, title in Thai and English, advisor, examination committee, IS2 / Final Defense date and submission date as shown on the approval page
  • Abstract file (PDF)
  • Fully signed approval page (PDF)
  • Curriculum Checklist
  • IS plan: choose the publication type "TU E-Thesis"
  • Thesis plan: publication evidence (conference presentation with Proceedings, or journal publication)
Notify expected graduation: In every semester you expect to graduate, the Office of the Registrar opens the online notification within about 15 days of the start of semester. You must notify the system yourself before the deadline. Otherwise the Registrar will not approve your degree that semester and you will need to file a late graduation notification, which is not recommended.
Publication evidence (thesis plan)
Conference presentation: conference name, date and venue; attach the certificate letter, certificate, table of contents and the full paper in the Proceedings
Journal publication: journal name, issue details and publisher; attach the acceptance letter, the full paper (may be sent later if not yet published) and the acceptance verification form
Not accepted as publication: an abstract only, a certificate only, or a presentation without Proceedings
Student status: You must stay registered or maintain your status until final submission. If you lose student status first, you cannot submit · Degree approval then follows the University's schedule
Common mistakes: Incomplete publication evidence (thesis plan) · Not notifying expected graduation in the Registrar's system before the deadline
Progress report (MBE 04)
Have your advisor sign form MBE 04 and submit it through the MBE Google Form every semester you are registered, not only in exam semesters. Details ›
MBE 04 form ›
Changes during your research Always consult your advisor first, then submit by email together with the original
Changing the title or scope Use Form Change signed by the student and advisor, with the old and new titles (Thai and English) and the reason · After the Final Defense, changes are allowed only if the committee resolves so, and must be submitted before the format check · The title on the approval page and in TU E-Thesis must match the latest approved title
Changing advisor use Form Change; if Form B was already submitted, submit a new Form B as well · Changing an examiner submit a new Form B; attach the CV of any new external examiner
Courtesy: inform the previous advisor or examiner yourself, politely, before submitting the documents
Examination Committee Requirementsfor Form B
Independent Study (IS): at least 2 members: the advisor and a programme faculty member or external examiner
Thesis: The standards depend on your curriculum. See the column for your student ID.
Master's (Thesis)
  Student ID 61–65 · 2015 standards Student ID 66–70 · 2022 standards
Number of members Programme faculty + external examiner, at least 3 members Programme faculty + external examiner, at least 3 members
Committee chair Must not be the main advisor or a co-advisor Must not be the main advisor or a co-advisor
Internal examiner Doctorate, or master's degree with the rank of Associate Professor or higher, and at least 3 academic outputs in the past 5 years (at least 1 research output) Doctorate, or master's degree with the rank of Associate Professor or higher, and at least 3 academic outputs in the past 5 years (at least 1 research output)
External examiner Doctorate and at least 10 related publications in journals indexed in national databases
Otherwise, approval by the University Council is required		 Doctorate and at least 5 related publications in journals indexed in recognised databaseschanged
Otherwise, approval by the University Council is required
Documents to submit
Form B + CV of the external examiner (first submission only), signed by the student and advisor, sent by email together with the original
When to submit
Submit well before the first examination. The Programme checks eligibility and issues the appointment within 5 working days
References: Ministry of Education, Graduate Curriculum Standards B.E. 2558 (2015) · Higher Education Standards Committee, Graduate Curriculum Standards B.E. 2565 (2022) · Thammasat University Regulation on Graduate Education B.E. 2568 (2025)
Documents and Requirements
Stage 3 · The semester in which you expect to graduate
Before graduation
Notify expected graduation: In every semester you expect to graduate, the Office of the Registrar opens the online notification within about 15 days of the start of semester. You must notify the system yourself before the deadline. Otherwise the Registrar will not approve your degree that semester and you will need to file a late graduation notification, which is not recommended.
Graduation requirement
  • Complete all coursework with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00
  • English requirement met
  • Comprehensive exam passed
  • Pass IS2 or the thesis examination by unanimous decision and submit the final manuscript
  • Thesis plan: publish in an academic journal or at a conference with Proceedings · IS plan: submit to TU E-Thesis (See the publication requirement)
  • No outstanding debts to the University
Please note
  • Stay registered or maintain your status until final submission
  • Apply for degree approval inStep 7 before the semester deadline
  • After the Programme requests degree approval, follow the result in the Registrar's system
Contact
Master of Arts Program in Business Economics (MBE)
Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University
5th floor, Faculty of Economics, Tha Prachan
✉ [email protected]
◷ Monday – Friday 8:30 – 16:30
☎ +66 2221 6111 by topic
Teaching, courses and IS / thesis registrationext. 3514
IS / thesis process, e.g. appointing the advisor and committee, examinations, final submissionext. 3512
Student statusext. 3511
Finance, activities and other mattersext. 3510