Biology is among the most in-demand fields today. Aside from the incredible opportunities to engage in experiments and operate in a fancy research laboratory, biology also has the most flexible career paths.
Other than high-quality education and low tuition fees, the Philippines also offers the perfect learning environment for aspiring biology students. Rich in natural resources and with flourishing biodiversity, you have the chance to encounter lessons from yesterday’s lecture in person today! Not to mention, many universities sit at locations teeming with interesting life forms and ecologies.
Check out below the five best universities to study biology in the Philippines!
Top Universities Offering Biology Programs in the Philippines
1. University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines is a national university and a top school for biology in the country with 8 constituent universities scattered across the three main island groups of the Philippines. It ranks as the most prestigious institution for higher education, with an excellent academic reputation in science, engineering, medicine, technology, and the humanities. The University of the Philippines also offers a comprehensive biological sciences program.
The Institute of Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman supervises degree programs for the biological sciences. It is a Center of Excellence with a concentration on Biodiversity. The institute trains students to become competent professionals with a strong background in research and a passion for sustainable development.
The institute is also home to more than 10 research laboratories dedicated to microbiology, genetics, and physiology. Locally, it is a leading figure in biological research efforts and collaborations.
The biology program of the University of the Philippines is provided at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students can expect a multidisciplinary approach across different subject areas of biology for a foundational framework of understanding in the later years of the program. On the other hand, graduate students can specialize in a field they favor, and immerse in extensive research.
2. University of the East
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: College of Arts and Sciences
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
The University of the East is a private higher education institute located in Manila. It offers a variety of undergraduate programs and graduate studies. Widely known for its nursing and medical tracks, the University of the East is also a top school for biology in the Philippines that provides competent biology programs fitting to prepare future medical students.
The College of Arts and Sciences of the University of the East manages multiple degree programs within the natural sciences, life sciences, applied sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Among these programs are two biology programs. At their cores, they are similar, but the routes these programs lead to are distinct from each other.
Medical biology is specifically designed to prepare incumbent students planning to take up medicine. On the other hand, biology with a specialization in ecology and biodiversity focuses on teaching students about the relationships of different creatures living and interacting in the same environment.
3. University of Santo Tomas
Officially known as the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila, the University of Santo Tomas is a privately run Catholic university. The oldest university in the country and among the world’s largest Catholic universities, the university makes the Philippines’ unofficial roster of Ivy League colleges. The University of Santo Tomas is a leading biology university in the Philippines and is also known for its excellent research and education in biology and medicine.
The Department of Biological Sciences is recognized by the Philippine government as a center of excellence. It oversees biology course offerings for all students of the university. Beginning the academic year of 2018-2019, the department implemented changes in the degree program and now, aspiring students have to choose from three specific biology tracks: environmental biology, medical biology, and industrial biology.
The medical biology program specializes in human anatomy, immunology, and physiology. On the other hand, the microbiology program teaches students about observing and studying the movement and patterns of microorganisms. Finally, environmental biology concentrates on research and laboratory work for subjects such as taxonomy, biodiversity, aquatic ecology, and more.
As the university is renowned for its elite medical school, its biology tracks are well-equipped with fundamental knowledge and information applicable to higher studies. Faculty are highly-certified instructors with an ongoing or completed graduate degree.
4. De La Salle University
De La Salle University is another privately owned Catholic university. Alongside the University of the Philippines, De La Salle University is among the best schools for biology in the Philippines and also joins in the university rankings for top universities around the world.
The Department of Biology at De La Salle University takes care of the education and training of bright-eyed biology students. The department recognizes the industry’s need for solutions-based thinking and innovativeness.
To complement quality education, the department also houses groundbreaking research laboratories. The department particularly engages in collaborative efforts for subject areas like bacterial genetics, marine science, and molecular biology.
5. Central Luzon State University
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Department of Biological Sciences
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
The Central Luzon State University is the first comprehensive institution for higher education to go through institutional accreditation. A “Cultural Property of the Philippines”, the state university is among the leading figures in agriculture and other related fields. Aside from agriculture, Central Luzon State University also offers a rigorous biology program in the Philippines.
The Department of Biological Sciences at Central Luzon State University undertakes training and research initiatives for biology students to cultivate theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills. A Center of Excellence, the department offers quality standards of teaching and cutting-edge facilities to its faculty and students.
The department hosts biology programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. It aims to produce graduates with a passion for sustainability and conservation of the country’s natural resources.
6. Silliman University
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Biology Department
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Founded on August 28, 1901, Silliman University is a private research university in Dumaguete City, Philippines. The university has over 11,000 students and offers courses in business, education, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, and theology, among others. Silliman’s Biology Department offers a Bachelor’s and doctorate in Biology, making it one of the top universities for Biology in the Philippines.
These courses are four-year and two-year programs that prepare students for careers in the field of biology. Students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of living organisms through the degree program, while the doctorate program focuses on research and advanced study in the field.
7. University of Southern Mindanao
The University of Southern Mindanao is a public research university located in Kabacan, Philippines. It was established in 1952 and offers Biology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In the Bachelor’s program, students take courses in the major subfields of biology, such as cell and molecular biology, ecology, and evolution.
A Bachelor’s in Biology at the University of Southern Mindanao is a four-year program that studies living organisms and their interaction with the environment. This program equips students with skills for medicine, agriculture, and environmental science careers.
8. Mindanao State University Philippines
Mindanao State University has a campus in Marawi City, Philippines. It was established in 1961 and offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of the majors available at MSU Philippines include biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
The Bachelor’s program at Mindanao State University is a course that focuses on the study of living organisms and their interaction with the environment. This program is so well-rounded that most of its graduates can handle entry-level positions in biology-related fields.
9. Bicol University
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Biology Department
- Degree Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
It is quite impossible to discuss the best biology schools in the Philippines and not include Bicol University. Located in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines, the highly-regarded institution was established in 1969. The school has over 20,000 students and offers courses in business, education, and engineering, among other courses.
This university has a Biology Department that offers a Bachelor’s and doctorate of Science in Biology. Both courses are meant to instill a strong foundation in the biological sciences. The Bachelor’s program is four years, while the doctorate program is two years.
10. Mariano Marcos State University
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Department of Biological Sciences
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Most higher educational institutions in Batac, Philippines, are owned and operated by the government. One of these is the Mariano Marcos State University, established in 1978. The school is one of the country’s leading universities, offering biology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Mariano Marcos State University offers a four-year Bachelor’s in Biology program. The course focuses on how best to utilize living organisms for the benefit of humanity. It covers topics including microbiology, biochemistry, and ecology.
11. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Biology Department
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan is a private research university located in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. It was founded in 1933 to provide quality Catholic education in Northern Mindanao. The school has three Biology-related programs: the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Marine Biology, and a doctorate program.
These courses have gone a long way in making Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan one of the top universities for biology in the Philippines. They have also enabled the school to produce some of the most sought-after graduates in the field.
12. Benguet State University
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Department of Biology
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
In the heart of La Trinidad, Benguet lies the Benguet State University, established in 1916. The state university is one of the oldest in the country and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses.
It has long been a leading provider of quality education, especially in biology. The Bachelor’s and doctorate in Biology are two of the most popular courses offered by the university. They are both well-rounded programs that focus on the different aspects of the field.
13. Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Biological Sciences Department
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology is a public research university located in Iligan, Philippines. It was established in 1968 and is one of the leading universities in the country.
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology has a well-established Biology Department that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses. These courses are a testament to the school’s commitment to providing quality education in the field of biology. Because of that, the university is among the best Biology schools in the Philippines.
14. University of Southeastern Philippines – Natural Science Department
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: Natural Science Department
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
USEP is a provider of quality education located in Davao City, Philippines. The school has a long history of producing some of the best Biology experts across the country. The institution is well-equipped with the latest facilities and equipment to provide its students with the best education possible.
The University of Southeastern Philippines offers a Bachelor’s and doctorate of Science in Biology. These courses do not only focus on the core concepts of biology but also on the different applications of the discipline. They also aim to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also competent in the field.
15. University of Mindanao
- Study Program
- Faculty/Department: College of Arts and Sciences Education
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s
The private University of Mindanao is located in the southern city of Davao, Philippines. It was established in 1946 and is one of the highest-ranking universities in the country. Despite being a relatively young institution, the University of Mindanao has made a name for itself as a provider of quality education.
This university has been a leading provider of quality education, especially in biology. It offers a Bachelor’s and doctorate of Science in Biology with Specializations in Plant Biology and Ecology. These on-demand programs have made the institution a top choice for students seeking a career in biology.
To know more about the available programs in the Philippines for international students, feel free to explore these open courses! Head to our Study in the Philippines Page for more tips to help you navigate your international student adventure!
