Made up of 7,641 islands, the Philippines is another country to consider if you want to study humanities for your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. This country is known for its abundant natural places, delicacies, and more. Aside from that, the nation has a long precolonial, colonial, and contemporary history. Studying here will give you a diverse perspective on culture, people, and traditions.
Regarding education, Filipinos place great importance on being educated or finishing a degree. As an international student here, you can expect to find many options for higher education. The Commission on Higher Education regulates higher education in the country, and many institutions are authorized to admit foreign students. English is also used as the teaching medium in the vast majority of schools. For more background, you can read our guide to the Philippines’ educational system.
Many learning opportunities await you in the Philippines as you study this specific field. In this article, let’s look into the best universities for humanities to consider if you study here!
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in the Philippines
1. University of the Philippines Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman is a major public university and part of the University of the Philippines System, which is the country’s national university under the UP Charter of 2008. It is also included in our list of the country’s top-performing educational institutions. As a constituent university of the national university system, UP Diliman continues to serve Filipino and international students who want to take their degrees in the Philippines.
Humanities studies at UP Diliman are housed mainly in its Arts and Letters Cluster, which includes the College of Arts and Letters, College of Fine Arts, College of Human Kinetics, College of Media and Communication, and College of Music. These colleges cover fields such as arts, letters, media, music, and related areas of humanistic study.
The Department of Art Studies under the College of Arts and Letters offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Art Studies. These programs cover areas such as art history, art theory and aesthetics, art criticism, art management, and curatorial studies. As a student at the University of the Philippines, you’ll be exposed to rigorous teaching and research that can help you build the skills you need in your chosen humanities field.
2. Ateneo de Manila University
Founded in 1859, Ateneo de Manila University is one of the top-tier private universities and a leading school for humanities in the Philippines. With a long record in teaching and research, it has played an essential role in the country’s educational development. Today, it provides numerous academic programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees.
ADMU’s School of Humanities includes departments and programs such as English, Filipino, Fine Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Literary and Cultural Studies, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Physical Education, and Theology. It offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in humanities and related disciplines, including master’s and doctoral options in selected fields.
In the undergraduate programs, you can enroll specifically in a Bachelor of Arts major in Humanities. Moreover, students here can explore their options when choosing their majors. Since it aims to develop students with a strong background in humanities and related disciplines, it provides a well-built curriculum to support learning in the field.
3. University of Santo Tomas
Founded in 1611, the University of Santo Tomas is recognized by the university as the oldest existing university in Asia. It has undergone many milestones over the past centuries that have helped shape its reputation today. UST is a recognized institution for humanities in the Philippines.
It is acknowledged for its education in various fields, such as engineering, medicine, arts, and humanities. Under the Faculty of Arts and Letters, UST offers 13 bachelor’s degree programs housed in 13 departments, including programs such as Asian Studies, Creative Writing, English Language Studies, History, Literature, Philosophy, and Sociology. The university’s graduate school also provides master’s and doctoral programs under Humanities and Social Sciences, including English Language Studies, History, Literature, Philosophy, and Political Science.
Since the development of the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the Graduate School, UST has produced many professionals who have significantly impacted various industries. The university also has research journals and publications connected to humanities and related disciplines, showing its active role in the field.
4. De La Salle University
A well-known private Catholic research institution in the Philippines, De La Salle University is one of the top private universities and a strong option for humanities-related studies. Founded in 1911, DLSU is known for its undergraduate and graduate education and research across different disciplines. Its main campus is located on Taft Avenue in Manila, making it accessible to many students in the capital.
Its College of Liberal Arts offers a broad range of humanities and related programs. As an incoming undergraduate or graduate student here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore various humanities programs that interest you.
The college is supported by faculty members and departments involved in teaching, research, and creative work. Through its undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, DLSU gives students opportunities to build the skills and knowledge needed for careers connected to the humanities and liberal arts.
5. University of Asia and the Pacific
The University of Asia and the Pacific is a private university with a strong liberal arts foundation. UA&P traces its roots to the Center for Research and Communication, which was founded in 1967 by Dr. Jesus Estanislao and Dr. Bernardo Villegas. Today, its liberal education is rooted in areas such as philosophy, the humanities, theology, and the social sciences. One advantage of studying humanities here is that it offers an integrated curriculum that builds the student’s foundation in this field and then moves to a specialization in later years.
UA&P students go through a strong liberal education program in their first years at the university before taking subjects in their chosen field of specialization. Students who choose a five-year program and meet all its academic requirements may graduate with a master’s degree in five years. The Humanities Program confers the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with 18 Units in Creative Writing, Bachelor of Arts in Health Humanities, and Master of Arts in Humanities. If you are interested in these specializations, consider this university.
FAQs: Humanities in the Philippines
What are the Benefits of Studying Humanities?
Studying humanities expands our knowledge of human cultures and what makes them similar or different. You can expect to learn about disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, language, art, religion, culture, and related social sciences. This gives you an array of industries where you can apply your skills.
In summary, the above humanities schools in the Philippines will give you the necessary knowledge and skills to gain a competitive edge in the current job market. Fortunately, your studies in this Southeast Asian country do not have to be expensive, thanks to the scholarship opportunities in the Philippines and the fully funded scholarships listed on our page.
We hope this article on the best universities to study humanities in the Philippines was helpful. You can also get more detailed articles on the Philippines Page and various Available Courses for International Students to explore your study options.
