The Philippines has drawn international recognition from students around the world due to the country’s vibrant culture and hospitality. University programs offered at public universities in the country are some of the best offerings in the English language, with reasonable tuition fees and a supportive environment for international students.
In recent years, more than ever before, the country’s universities are being globally recognized with international students flooding in to continue their higher education in the breathtakingly beautiful archipelago. Some public universities in the Philippines charge close to no tuition fees for local and international students, making it all the more enticing for students. Below we discuss some of the most popular public universities in the country that are known for high standards of education, affordable fees, and their acceptance of international students.
Top Public Universities in the Philippines
While there are high-ranking universities both in the private and public sectors, studying at a public university brings about many perks. Here are the top public universities for international students in the Philippines.
| INSTITUTION NAME |
TOP-RATED PROGRAMS |
| University of the Philippines – Diliman |
Law, Sciences, Humanities, and Liberal Arts |
| Polytechnic University of the Philippines |
Journalism, Filipino, Business Administration |
| Mindanao State University |
Environmental Science, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Engineering |
| Batangas State University |
Information Technology, Computer Science, and Engineering |
| Tarlac State University |
Law, Engineering, Education, and Accountancy |
| Visayas State University |
Environmental Science & Forestry, Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Food Technology |
| Western Mindanao State University |
Sports Science, Engineering, Public Administration, and Law |
1. University of the Philippines – Diliman
The University of the Philippines – Diliman established in 1908 is the country’s national university, proudly part of a government-run system of eight institutions spread across the country. UP is the biggest university in the Philippines with over 57,000 students and it is one of the top public universities in Asia.
On the international front, the university is acclaimed as the leading educational body in the country, having been part of the Asia Pacific Rim Universities, a group of top universities from 19 countries worldwide that hold significance for excellence in education and research. As per the UP Language Policy, the university’s progressive approach to education has made English the primary medium of instruction for students while still promoting the Filipino language.
2. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Ranking among the top 100 universities in South Eastern Asia, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a government educational institution for higher education. PUP is one of the country’s top-performing schools, especially in the fields of education, information technology, business, science, and other polytechnic areas. In terms of student count, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines is the largest in the country with over 80,000 students across more than twenty campuses in the country.
The university has a sizable international student population hailing from countries like China, Singapore, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Ghana. The most popular programs among international students are language, business, communication, and statistics which are taught both in undergraduate and graduate levels. PUP consistently has some Korean students who visit the country to take short English courses during their summer vacations.
3. Mindanao State University
- Top-Rated Programs: Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, and Criminology
Located in the city of Marawi, Mindanao State University is a coeducational research higher education institution. MSU was founded in 1961 and has now become the largest institution in the Mindanao State University System. The university is known for its programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, and Criminology.
MSU is highly welcoming of international students with over 9,000 international students studying at several campuses across the country.
4. Batangas State University
- Admissions
- Top-Rated Programs: Information Technology, Computer Science, and Engineering
Batangas State University is a pioneering higher education provider, especially in the field of Engineering. As of now, the university is known as the Philippines’ National Engineering University, and it is strategically located in the second biggest economic hotspot in the country, Calabarzon. Information Technology, Computer Science, and Engineering programs offered at the university are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, making it the only university in the Philippines to be recognized on that front.
The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings which ranked 1,050 universities around the world, placed BatStateU at #351 for being one of the most sustainable universities in the world.
5. Tarlac State University
- Admissions
- Top-Rated Programs: Law, Engineering, Education, and Accountancy
With a student body of over 22,000 students, Tarlac State University is a public higher education provider in the Philippines that is known for its programs in criminology. With three campuses across the country, the university offers a wide range of other programs including fields like law, engineering, education, and accountancy.
With consistent recognition for quality education, the university became the first university in the Philippines to be awarded the Integrated Management System Certification award by the United States Accreditation Services. Other than that the university is both locally and internationally acclaimed and recognized as one of the best education providers in the country.
6. Visayas State University
Integrated into a network of several other research institutions, and known for its quality training facilities, Visayas State University is yet another leading university in the country offering multiple programs that are globally recognized. Since its establishment in 1924, the university has become popular among local and international students garnering special recognition for its programs in geography, geology, agriculture, and allied fields.
VSU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the English language. The university calls itself a “global university” that attracts outstanding foreign nationals for study and research purposes. Professionals from overseas are also brought into the university to function as mentors and educators, making education at VSU outstanding.
7. Western Mindanao State University
Western Mindanao State University which was established in 1904 is a popular university among international students that is known for its programs in home economics, agriculture, forestry, and criminal justice. The university has 15 colleges, two autonomous campuses, and one institute and offers programs in several fields including sports science, engineering, public administration, and law.
The university has also managed to create a namesake of its own, and it has been ranked sixth among the 68 universities in the archipelago according to the Top Academic Institutions in the Philippines- a survey conducted by the Commission on Higher Education.
FAQs: Studying in Philippines’ Public Universities
Can International Students Enroll in Public Universities in the Philippines?
Yes, international students are accepted at public universities in the Philippines provided they fulfill all the requirements laid out for the specific program by the university. Generally, students who have graduated high school with required passes and have not enrolled in any higher education program abroad may enroll in an undergraduate program at one of these public universities.
However, international students won’t enjoy the privilege of free education that Filipino students enjoy. At state-funded public universities like the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, admitted international students have to pay tuition and fees very low compared to other universities elsewhere in the Western world.
The Philippines is a country that’s trending towards becoming a hot spot for international students. Public universities in the country are well operated providing quality education for students at very affordable tuition rates.
We hope that you benefited from the list of our top picks for the best public universities in the country. Feel free to check out the Philippines Study Page and browse through the Available Open Courses to learn more about studying abroad.
