Do you wish to study in the Philippines? We have compiled a list of top universities in the Philippines – their admission requirements, fees, and how to obtain a Phillippines Students Visa.
Philippines Universities are the world’s most affordable, according to a recently published global comparative study on affordability and accessibility in higher education.
With over 90% literacy rate, education is a top priority in the country. Being an English-speaking country in the Southeast Asian region, English is used as a medium of instruction in higher education.
The cost of education in the Philippines is a major consideration for international students. Additionally, Filipinos are more hospitable, and the environment is more open and less hostile.
Annually the Philippines has welcomed an increasing number of international students in recent years and is also a popular tourist destination – not surprising when you look at those tropical, sunny beaches.
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Table of contents
How To Apply To Universities In The Philippines
There are two dates for entry into universities in the Philippines, one in June and one in November. To apply directly to your chosen university, you need to provide an academic transcript relevant to your level of study.
Philippines Admission Requirements
Depending on the university and program, you may also need to provide letters of recommendation and/or sit admission exams.
If you are not a native English speaker, you’ll need to prove your proficiency with a test such as IELTS or TOEFL.
Applying For A Philippines Student visa
All international students require a student visa, which you’ll need to apply for from the Philippine embassy or consulate in your home country after you’ve gained admission at a Filipino university.
To apply, you need to provide the right documents (which should be stated on your embassy’s website) and then attend an interview at the embassy or consulate. Your Philippines visa will be valid for a year and is renewable each semester.
Necessary documents;
- Your passport, which should be valid for at least six months after you intend to leave the Philippines;
- Your completed visa application form;
- A medical health certificate (DFA Form 11) with life-size chest x-ray and laboratory reports;
- Three photographs of yourself;
- A police clearing certificate;
- Letter of acceptance at a university in the Philippines;
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay or a scholarship;
- Your paid visa fee.
How Much Does It Cost To Study In The Philippines? Fees and funding
Tuition fees are also on the low side. Universities set their own fees and they will vary between programs, but you’ll pay an average of US$1,000 per year at public universities and US$1,200 to 2,500 at private institutions.
International students looking to study in the Philippines will be pleased to read that living costs are very low – you’ll only need around US$4,200-6,000 per year.
Note that your student visa does not allow you to find part-time work in the Philippines while you study, so you can’t supplement your expenses as you go.
You can also take advantage of the available scholarships to study in the Philippines.
READ: Top 7 Success Tips for Your Student Visa Interview
Health and Safety
Those who wish to study in the Philippines are always advised to secure health insurance. This can be gotten from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, which provides affordable health insurance for all citizens.
However, you can also check the options available in your home country. It’s also a good idea to visit your health professional before your visit to check if you need any vaccinations before you set off to the Philippines.
The Philippines’ location on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ makes it prone to earthquakes and typhoons, the latter of which can be expected during the rainy season from June to November.
There are also numerous volcanoes in the Philippines. It’s wise to read up on what to do in case of any natural disasters. As of April 2016, the island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are considered dangerous due to terrorist activity, so visitors are not advised to visit these locations.
What Are The Top Universities In The Philippines
There are almost 2,300 higher education institutions in the Philippines, the majority of which are private. Many universities are affiliated with Roman Catholicism, which reflects the country’s colonial past.
Of the public institutions funded by the government, the national university, the University of the Philippines, receives the most funding.
Four top universities in the Philippines are ranked among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings® 2016/17, with a further four featured in the QS University Rankings: Asia 2016.
The top four Universities in the Philippines are:
- University of the Philippines
- Ateneo de Manila University
- De La Salle University
- University of Santo Tomas
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1. University of the Philippines
Ranked joint 374th in the World University Rankings 2016/17 (up from 401-410 the previous year) and joint 70th in Asia, the University of the Philippines (UP) is actually a public university system made up of seven constituent universities and a total of 15 campuses across the country.
Its flagship campus and administration seat are the University of the Philippines Diliman, which is located in Quezon City and teaches around 24,000 students. UP was founded by the American colonial government in 1908 and has since gained a strong reputation, consistently referred to as the top university in the country.
It currently ranks among the top 150 universities in the world for English language and literature and in the top 250 faculties around the world for social sciences and management.
2. Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private research university that ranks 501-550 in the world rankings and 99th in Asia. Its four campuses are located in the Metro Manila region, with the main campus in Quezon City.
Founded in 1859 by the Society of Jesus, it’s one of the country’s oldest universities. Ateneo ranks as one of the top 200 universities in the world for English language and literature, and its arts and humanities faculty is ranked as one of the top 350 in the world.
3. De La Salle University
Next among the top universities in the Philippines, De La Salle University (DLSU) is ranked 143rd in the latest edition of the QS University Rankings: Asia.
DLSU is a private, Roman Catholic research university that was founded in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and was originally a boys’ school. It teaches around 20,700 students and has a main campus in the heart of Manila.
Like the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines, DLSU ranks within the top 200 universities in the world for English language and literature.
4. University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas (UST, also known as Pontifical and the Royal University of Santo Tomas, or the Catholic University of the Philippines) is ranked 701+ in the world rankings and 157th in Asia.
UST is a private, Roman Catholic research university located in Manila and has the distinction of being the oldest university in both the Philippines and Asia, having been established in 1611. It’s also one of the largest Catholic universities in the world, with over 42,000 students.
UST has been rated four out of five stars in the QS Stars benchmarking system and was recognized as having the most accredited programs in the country in 2013.
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