Bhutan – Thimphu- Gold Statues – and Mountains
Pre-Requisites
- Minimum GPA: 2.5
- Judicial Check
- Academic Conduct Check
Currently Accepting Applications for:
- Fall 2025 Dates: Late July – Early December
- SMCM Approval Application Deadline: March 1st for Scholarship, March 15th Final Deadline on Via TRM
- API Admission Deadline: EARLY! Also apply by February 28th on API Abroad website for admission
Highlights
- Study in the Himalayas in the capital city of Thimphu, Bhutan
- Have the opportunity to conduct an internship along with your English-taught coursework
- Experience a country where the Gross National Happiness is an official measure of success!
Financing Studying Abroad
Office of International Education Scholarships & Grants
API Scholarships (Region Specific, DEI, First-Generation, STEM, Gilman Recipients, Intern)
Speak with the Office of Student Financial Assistance for Options
About the Program
Are you looking to study the environment, sciences, business, anthropology, or more, in a peaceful and off-the-beaten-path location? This program in Bhutan might be perfect for you! Students enroll at the Royal Thimphu College in the capital city of Bhutan to take English-taught courses while experiencing the beauty of the Himalayas.
Academics
Students earn 12-15 US credits at Royal Thimphu College through the support of API Abroad. The course catalog for this college can be found here. This program has a variety of ENST-approved courses focused on topics such as biodiversity conservation, energy resources management, environmental ethics, and more. However, it is also a strong option for students of other sciences, social sciences, business, and more. Anthropology students may be tempted to study the Anthropology of the Himalayas or Religion and Rituals, while ECON students might want to take a Bhutanese Economy and Social Capital course. Connect with the Office of International Education to learn more!
Students also have the option to complete a for-credit internship as one of their courses, from a variety of customized placements on or off-campus in Thimphu, such as teaching English to monks in a Buddhist monastery to assisting an NGO with environmental conservation.
Housing and Meals
Students on the Bhutan program live alongside the vibrant community of close-knit local and international students at Royal Thimphu College and have access to the university facilities, such as the IT labs, library, canteen, gym, athletic field, and more. Some meals are included in the dining plan for all residential students.
Location
Studying in Bhutan offers students a unique perspective on South Asia, tucked in this country which has a population of less than a million people between China and India. Royal Thimphu College is located alongside Thimphu, the capital city of the kingdom of Bhutan.
This campus is nestled in the breathtaking Himalayas, in a country known for its natural beauty and Buddhist temples. Statues and prayer flags pepper the landscape, which students will be able to explore with included program excursions such as the Bumthang, Phobjikha and Wangdue: Spinning Yarns from the Heartland trip and the Punakha: Blossoms, Breezes, and Bold Rapids trip.
Important Links
Transfer Credit Policy
See the following for how grades and credits are translated back to SMCM. Note: grade equivalencies between U.S. and international institutions are subject to change without notice. the equivalencies provided here are understand to be accurate and up to date as of September 2024.
| API Bhutan at Royal Thimphu College | |
| Grading System | |
| Grade | US Grade |
| 85% and above | A+ |
| 80- 84.9% | A |
| 70-79.9% | B+ |
| 65-69.9% | B |
| 60-64.9% | C+ |
| 55-59.9% | C |
| 50-54.9% | D |
| Below 49.9% | F |
| Most courses in Thimphu at Royal Thimphu College (RTC) are worth 12 RTC credits. Students will receive a Royal Thimphu College transcript. 1 RTC credit equals 10 hours of study (consisting equally of in-class contact hours and self-study hours). This equates to a total of 120 hours per course, and 60 in-class contact hours, or 4 U.S. semester credits. |
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Academic and Judicial Policies
The academic and judicial requirements for any student considering studying abroad.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
How financial aid will apply towards your study abroad program and what scholarships are available.
Payments and Services
Payment processes for semester-long, short-term, and non-SMCM study abroad programs.