Around 50,000 university places now available in ‘3/2’ round of TCAS
Nearly 50,000 university seats are now available for applicants in the so-called “3/2 round” – the newly agreed second phase of the third round of the Thai University Central Admission System (TCAS).
The number of available places was confirmed on Monday, after successful candidates in the first phase, the 3/1 round, made their choices.
On Tuesday, the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) will announce the list of successful candidates in the 3/2 round.
“These candidates then will have to pick or reconfirm their choice between 1pm on Wednesday and 6pm on Thursday,” said CUPT secretary-general Prasert Kanthamanon.
Used for the first time this year, the TCAS features five rounds – each with different criteria.
The first two rounds took place without any problems, but the third round, which is ongoing, has drawn intense criticism.
The third round gives every candidate the right to choose up to four higher-education programmes. The scores of each candidate in exams held jointly by the TCAS-participating universities then determine whether they can get a seat for those programmes.
Given that many top-scorers get offers from more than one of their chosen programmes, the TCAS required them to make just one choice by June 3 under what is now referred to as the 3/1 stage.
Had the CUPT stuck to the initial plan, the TCAS would have then immediately proceeded to the fourth round, irrespective of how many seats were given up by highly successful candidates.
However, because of the outcry from many students, the CUPT resolved to add the 3/2 phase to the process.