He enrolled at the Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon and graduated with MBBS degree in 1964.
He later received Master of Science in education from University of Southern California in 1984 and an honorary Doctorate degree from Institute of Medicine 1, Yangon in 1999.
[3] Tha Hla Shwe was appointed as a medical tutor in 1966 and promoted to the Professor and Head of Department of Preventive and Social Medicine in 1988.
He then served as the Deputy Director General of Health Manpower Department of Ministry of Health (Myanmar) for three years and the Rector of the Institute of Medicine 2, Yangon from 1992 to 2004.
He is also an active member of the Myanmar Medical Association and served as the Chairperson of the Preventive & Social Medicine Society from 1994 to 1998, and also a member of the Myanmar Academy of Medical Science.