Universities in Laos

Higher education in Laos is small and largely public. It is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), and its core is a group of four public universities: the National University of Laos (NUOL) in Vientiane, Souphanouvong University, Champassak University and Savannakhet University. Private higher-education institutions also exist alongside them.

For an international student, a Lao university is more often a place for an exchange semester, a research stay or fieldwork than for a full degree, because most teaching is in Lao. Our directory lists one university in Laos: the National University of Laos, whose main campus is in Dongdok village, Xaythany district, on the edge of Vientiane.

How Lao universities work

NUOL was established on 5 November 1996 and describes itself as the first comprehensive university in the history of the Lao PDR. It offers continuing bachelor's programmes, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and lists an international curriculum. Its 13 faculties cover architecture, economics and business management, social sciences, environmental sciences, natural sciences, forestry, language education, sport sciences, engineering, water resources, law and political sciences, agriculture and education. Souphanouvong University lists faculties such as agriculture and forest resources, and economics and tourism.

The system is being reformed. In REAL, an Erasmus+ capacity-building project co-funded by the European Union, the ministry and the four public universities are working together for four years to introduce outcomes-based programmes and internal quality assurance. Seventeen undergraduate programmes lead the process, including food technology, English, transport and logistics engineering, livestock and business management at NUOL. The project is coordinated by the University of Groningen, with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the University of Poitiers among the European partners. NUOL's leadership links the reform to student mobility, credit transfer recognition and graduate employability, so expect credit recognition practices to change in the coming years.

Admission for international students

Lao school leavers enter NUOL through a one-day placement test in two streams, Part A (STEM) and Part B (non-STEM). In 2023 the papers covered mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, Lao language and literature, geography, history and English, and candidates paid a fee of 40,000 kip.

International students usually come through an agreement between universities instead. NUOL reports 155 memoranda of understanding and agreements with universities and organisations from 29 countries, and its Office of International Relations has a section for international exchange activities. Ask your home university whether it has an agreement with a Lao university, or contact the international office directly about admission, the language of teaching and credit recognition.

Every visitor needs a visa. The official Lao eVisa covers tourist visas only, with a 30-day stay, and passports must be valid for more than 180 days from arrival. Students staying for a semester or longer need a different visa, normally supported by an invitation from the host university; ask the Lao embassy or consulate that covers your country.

Costs and funding

There is no official national fee table for international students. Exchange students usually pay fees under their home university's agreement; others should ask the host university for its current fees in writing. Government scholarships, allocated each year by the Ministry of Education and Sports, are for Lao pupils who have just finished upper secondary school: they cover education fees and a monthly allowance. International students should look instead to exchange programmes and to projects of partner universities. When budgeting, note that prices are rising: the Lao Statistics Bureau reported year-on-year inflation of 7.8% in September 2026.

How to choose a university

• Agreement: whether your home university has an exchange agreement with NUOL or another Lao university
• Language: which courses, if any, are taught in English or another foreign language
• Field: NUOL's faculties of forestry, agriculture, water resources and environmental sciences suit fieldwork; the regional universities focus on fields such as tourism and agriculture
• Partnerships: NUOL hosts a Francophone centre, Confucius Institutes and the Laos-Japan Human Resource Development Institute
• Recognition: agree in advance with your home university how credits will be recognised

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign student take a full degree at a Lao university?

It is possible but uncommon, because most programmes are taught in Lao. Most international students come on exchange agreements, research stays or short programmes arranged with a university such as NUOL.

Which is the main university in Laos?

The National University of Laos in Vientiane, founded in 1996, is the country's first comprehensive university and has 13 faculties.

Do I need a visa to study in Laos?

Yes. The online eVisa covers 30-day tourist stays only, so students need a visa arranged with the host university and the Lao embassy or consulate.

Are there links between Lao and Spanish universities?

Yes. The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid is a partner in REAL, an Erasmus+ project with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the four public Lao universities.