Have an admissions policy which is non-discriminatory or which details and explains the logic for any appropriate positive discrimination policies in admissions
Policy on Equality and Non-discrimination in Admissions
Prince of Songkla University (PSU) is committed to providing fair and equitable access to higher education. In accordance with Sections 34 and 39 of the Prince of Songkla University Act, B.E. 2559 (2016), the University has established a Policy on Promoting Equality and Eliminating Discrimination in the Admission Process as a university-wide framework for faculties and relevant units when determining admission criteria and procedures.
The policy requires that admission decisions be made fairly and without unjust discrimination on the basis of origin, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, disability, or socioeconomic status. Admission criteria must be based on legitimate academic requirements and the competencies necessary for successful study in each programme.
The University also recognises that treating all applicants identically may not always result in equitable access. PSU therefore allows targeted measures to support applicants who experience structural, social, economic, or physical barriers to higher education. Such measures are intended to promote equality of opportunity rather than to provide unfair preferential treatment.
Where specific admission requirements are necessary because of professional standards, licensing requirements, health and safety considerations, or essential programme competencies, these requirements must be clearly justified and transparently communicated to applicants.
Positive Action to Widen Access to Higher Education
PSU implements targeted admission and support measures for applicants and students who may otherwise experience barriers to entering higher education. These measures support the University’s commitment to ensuring that qualified applicants are not excluded because of disability, financial disadvantage, or other circumstances beyond their control.
Targeted measures may include special admission pathways, scholarships, tuition and accommodation support, reasonable adjustments during the admission process, academic preparation, mentoring, and other forms of assistance designed to improve equitable access to higher education.
These measures complement the University’s general admission policy and are implemented using clearly defined eligibility criteria.
Example 1: Admission Opportunities for Applicants with Disabilities
Admission Scheme for Students with Disabilities
Prince of Songkla University provides a dedicated admission pathway for persons with disabilities through the TCAS Portfolio system. Eligible applicants include persons with physical or mobility impairments, visual impairments, and hearing impairments who meet the academic requirements of participating programmes.
The scheme is offered across several PSU campuses and faculties and is designed to reduce barriers to higher education. Successful applicants may also receive financial support for tuition fees and related educational expenses in accordance with University regulations.
This targeted admission scheme supports equitable access to higher education for qualified applicants with disabilities.
Example 2: Ton Kla Prince of Songkla University Scholarship Programme
The Ton Kla Prince of Songkla University Scholarship Programme is one of PSU’s principal initiatives for widening access to higher education for students from financially disadvantaged and vulnerable households in the 14 southern provinces of Thailand.
The programme identifies students who demonstrate academic potential but face significant financial barriers that may prevent them from continuing into higher education. Support begins during upper-secondary education and continues into undergraduate study at Prince of Songkla University.
Students entering PSU through the programme receive substantial educational support, which may include tuition fee support, accommodation assistance, living allowances, academic preparation, tutoring, guidance, and student-development activities.
In Academic Year 2025, the programme supported 203 students, comprising:
The total financial support provided under the programme was THB 13,227,000.
By providing a structured pathway from secondary education to university, the Ton Kla programme helps ensure that household income does not prevent academically capable students from accessing higher education.
Rationale for Targeted Support
PSU considers targeted admission and support measures to be an appropriate form of positive action because some groups face barriers that are not experienced equally by all applicants.
For example:
applicants with disabilities may require reasonable adjustments or accessible admission procedures;
students from low-income households may be unable to enter higher education because of tuition, accommodation, transportation, or living costs;
students from vulnerable backgrounds may require additional academic preparation, mentoring, or transition support.
The purpose of these measures is therefore to remove barriers and achieve substantive equality of opportunity, rather than to lower academic standards or unfairly disadvantage other applicants.
All targeted measures are implemented using transparent eligibility criteria and must remain consistent with legitimate academic and professional requirements.
University-wide Implementation
The Policy on Promoting Equality and Eliminating Discrimination in the Admission Process applies across Prince of Songkla University and provides guidance to faculties and units responsible for student admission.
The University seeks to ensure that:
admission requirements are transparent and academically justified;
applicants are treated fairly throughout the admission process;
discrimination based on personal or socioeconomic characteristics is prohibited;
reasonable support is available for applicants facing disadvantage;
positive action measures have a clear equality rationale;
exceptions are limited to legitimate academic or professional requirements; and
admission practices are reviewed and improved to promote equitable access to higher education.
Through these policies and targeted programmes, Prince of Songkla University seeks to ensure that admission to higher education is based on academic potential and legitimate programme requirements, while addressing barriers that could otherwise exclude qualified applicants from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.