RTC welcomes international students! The College believes that a multicultural environment contributes to the breadth of opportunities for all students, and is a substantial benefit for everyone in terms of cross-cultural learning. International students are encouraged to play an active part in college life and to take full advantage of the academic and social facilities available. Bhutan is a peaceful and stable country, renowned for its pristine environment and breathtaking scenery. RTC students enjoy a tranquil yet well-equipped campus, an ideal setting in which to pursue higher education learning in security and without disruption. Thimphu's climate is typically pleasant for the 9 months of the year during the academic semesters. The campus is a 25 min drive from the Thimphu city centre and only one hour from Paro international airport.

Once you arrive, our academic and administrative staff will do all they can to help you settle in. Comfortable accommodation is available on campus. All the necessary services for daily academic life are also available to all students. Social activities and excursions are also frequently organized.

Enrollment Options for International Students

Contact us early if you are interested in credited short-term, semester abroad, gap year, or degree studies! For more information, please e-mail RTC International Relations (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

For full-degree enrollment in RTC's 3-yr and 4-yr degree programmes, the admission process and requirements for international students are the same as for Bhutanese students. We select for academic ability and academic potential, as judged by secondary school results (examination results), a personal statement, an English-language interview, and if required for the subject, admissions test or written work. Once admission has been granted, the College will assist with visa formalities and any other aspect of preparing to study at RTC. There are limited numbers of seats for our various degree programmes. Interested applicants are requested to apply early to secure seats for programmes of their choice. You can apply to RTC by e-mail.

Semester study-abroad and exchange programmes are available for existing college students studying in degree programmes at universities around the world. Students come through their own arrangements made in agreement with the sending institution and RTC, through our partner universities, or through programmes such as Erasmus+ (for EU students), Wheaton-in-Bhutan or API (for US students).

Short-term credited programmes are faculty-led programmes of 2-5 weeks duration and arranged through inter-institutional partnerships.

Subject areas of study at RTC include Anthropology, Business, Development Economics, English, Environmental Management, Mass Communication, Nursing, Political Science, and Sociology.

International Institutional Linkages

Royal Thimphu College is host to the award-winning study-abroad program "Wheaton in Bhutan" conducted in partnership with Wheaton College, Massachusetts, USA.

Additionally, student exchanges regularly occur as a part of the academic partnership between the Royal Thimphu College and SEISA University of Japan, and with Pitzer College, California, USA.

RTC currently has international partnerships with:

RTC hopes to keep expanding such collaborations so as to provide enriching opportunities for both Bhutanese and international students. Institutions interested in pursuing linkages with RTC may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.