The Philippines has become a popular destination to study abroad due to the country’s relatively affordable tuition fees and the availability of many English-medium programs at its best universities. English is widely used in higher education, which can save you considerable time, effort, and possibly money because you may not need to learn a new language before starting your program. Another reason to study here is that you’ll have numerous programs to choose from, allowing you to prepare for a career in different industries.
One of the most popular programs in the country is law. A Philippine law degree is designed primarily for the Philippine legal system and the Philippine Bar Examination, but legal training can also support careers in government, business, compliance, policy, and international organizations. Check out the law schools in the Philippines below and choose your next study destination!
Top Law Schools in the Philippines
1. University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines is one of the top-performing law schools in the country. In the 2025 Bar Examinations, a UP graduate ranked first nationwide, and UP placed second among schools with more than 100 examinees, with a 94.63% passing rate. Among first-time candidates in the same category, UP also placed second with a 96.83% passing rate. The UP College of Law has produced alumni who became presidents, vice presidents, senators, speakers of the House, Supreme Court justices, cabinet secretaries, academics, and advocates.
The UP Juris Doctor Program is a four-year program involving the study of general principles and basic theories of law and the specific codes and statutory enactments in force in the Philippines. UP also lists a five-year minimum track for working and part-time students. The program is designed for students who want to qualify for the Philippine Bar Examination and pursue legal professions. The UP Master of Laws Program is a regular one-year minimum postgraduate program with two specialization tracks: Cross-Border and Regional Practice; and Government, Public Advocacy, and Judging. It focuses on ASEAN, regional, and international law.
UP Juris Doctor applicants must take and pass the UP Law Aptitude Examination, undergo an interview, and have completed or be finishing at least a four-year bachelor’s degree from a CHED-recognized college or university. UP LL.M. applicants must have a prior law degree, such as an LL.B., J.D., B.C.L., or equivalent, from any jurisdiction in the world, along with English-language aptitude and a strong academic or professional record.
2. Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is consistently one of the strongest-performing law schools in the Philippines. In the 2025 Bar Examinations, Ateneo de Manila ranked first among schools with more than 100 examinees, with a 96.52% passing rate. It also ranked first among first-time candidates in the same category, with a 98.11% passing rate.
Ateneo de Manila offers a full-time Juris Doctor program that is meant to be completed in four years. Applicants should follow the current School of Law admissions instructions, including the online application process and any screening or interview requirements set for the application cycle. Because tuition and application fees may change by academic year, applicants should use Ateneo’s official fees and admissions pages for current amounts.
Ateneo’s Master of Laws Program allows students to focus on Intellectual Property, International Corporate and Business Law, International Economic Law, or International Human Rights Law. The LL.M. curriculum requires 36 credit units. To qualify, applicants must have completed an LL.B. or J.D. from a recognized law school; current LL.M. applicants should also check Ateneo’s official application system for the latest document list and application fee.
3. San Beda University
In 1954, San Beda College of Law graduate Florenz D. Regalado earned a 96.7% Bar Examination rating, a record the Supreme Court has identified as the highest Bar rating to date. San Beda continues to be known for strong Bar performance; in the 2025 Bar Examinations, it recorded a 97.78% passing rate in the 11-to-50-examinee category and joined the group of schools with a 100% passing rate among first-time candidates in that category.
San Beda University’s College of Law currently lists the Juris Doctor non-thesis program, while its Graduate School of Law lists graduate legal programs, including the Master of Laws and Doctor of Juridical Science. Applicants should follow San Beda’s current College of Law and Graduate School of Law admissions policies.
4. University of Santo Tomas
Founded in 1611, the University of Santo Tomas is the oldest existing university in Asia. Its Faculty of Civil Law, established on September 2, 1734, is the oldest lay faculty in the university and in the Philippines. The Faculty has produced Philippine presidents, chief justices, public officials, Supreme Court justices, judges, and other legal professionals. In the 2025 Bar Examinations, UST-Manila ranked third among schools with more than 100 examinees, with an 87.16% passing rate, and third among first-time candidates in the same category, with a 96.30% passing rate.
The UST Faculty of Civil Law offers one program leading to the Juris Doctor degree, and it is a four-year program. The official JD page states that applications are generally accepted from April to July and results are released in August. Applicants should check the UST Civil Law admission portal for the current entrance examination schedule, interview details, application requirements, and tuition schedule.
Tuition at UST varies depending on the number of units enrolled and other fees; the official admission portal directs applicants to the UST tuition fees page and notes that listed schedules are subject to change.
5. University of San Carlos
The University of San Carlos is among the long-established law schools in the Philippines. Its School of Law and Governance received the Legal Education Board’s 2023 Educating for Justice Award for Top Contributing Law Schools. USC Law also has a Supreme Court-accredited Clinical Legal Education Program and is an accredited Mandatory Continuing Legal Education provider. In 2016, USC Law registered a 100% Bar passing rate, with four graduates placing first, third, seventh, and eighth.
USC offers Juris Doctor options, including a Juris Doctor with thesis and J.D. tracks in litigation, government service, and business and corporate practice. Its law programs come with a Certificate in Paralegal Studies after completion of the second year.
Current USC Juris Doctor admission requirements include a transcript of records with graduation remarks, transfer credentials and a certificate of good moral character for non-USC graduates, and a personal statement indicating the applicant’s desired law program. The official admissions guide also notes that interviews may be required by the department chair. Because tuition figures may change, applicants should confirm the latest fees directly through USC’s enrollment guide or admissions office.
FAQs: Law Studies in the Philippines
Is Law School Expensive in the Philippines?
Law school costs in the Philippines vary widely by university, program track, number of enrolled units, and miscellaneous fees. Compared with some other disciplines, a law degree can be expensive because it usually requires four years after a bachelor’s degree and includes tuition, school fees, books, review materials, and Bar preparation costs. The older peso-to-dollar estimates previously listed here have been removed because tuition schedules are updated by schools and currency conversions change over time. Many universities offer great scholarship opportunities for qualified students, including some international students, so make sure you apply for as many as possible upon admission to your university of choice. It is also noteworthy that some universities offer a degree in law at a lower cost than others, so make sure you explore all your options before submitting your applications.
How Long Does it Take to Study Law in the Philippines?
Studying law in the Philippines usually takes around four years for a full-time Juris Doctor program, after completing a bachelor’s degree. Some schools also offer tracks for working or part-time students that can take longer. Common pre-law courses include Political Science, Social Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Economics, and History, but law schools generally evaluate applicants based on each school’s current admissions rules rather than a single required pre-law major. If you’re looking to take your pre-law degree in the Philippines as well, check out the top universities with the highest acceptance rates to start your studies.
With these options, you’ll have an easier time looking for your host university in the Philippines. Besides choosing a law school, it’s crucial to prepare for your stay in the country and get your finances in order. Check out this article on the Cost of Living in the Philippines to learn more about what you’ll need to get ready for.
We hope this article on the best law universities in the Philippines was helpful. Don’t lose your chance to pursue your goals in your dream destination! Our guide on how to Study in the Philippines will equip you with valuable tips and information you need to know before you go. And if you’d like to explore additional program choices, check out these available courses for international students!
