Engineering remains one of the most practical subjects to study at university, with many students pursuing successful careers in various fields. Top educational institutions in the nation offer various engineering degrees and programs open to local and international students.
Many students enter this challenging field, and the Philippines has a long history of producing licensed engineers through board-regulated professions. If you are interested in starting your engineering career in the Philippines, the following engineering universities and colleges are worth considering.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in the Philippines
1. University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines is a multi-campus university system. This engineering profile focuses on University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines, where the College of Engineering offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Engineering availability should be assessed by campus rather than assumed to be identical throughout the university system.
Diliman’s bachelor’s options include Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geodetic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Materials Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Mining Engineering are also listed. These are distinct Bachelor of Science programs, allowing students to choose among infrastructure, manufacturing, electronics, resources, and materials-related fields.
Graduate offerings include master’s study in civil, mechanical, industrial, energy, environmental, and materials-related engineering. The Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute separately offers graduate degrees and a PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Doctoral options also include Civil Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. Applicants should use the relevant department’s degree requirements when comparing research pathways, since graduate structures differ by discipline.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of the Philippines Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Genes P. Maylem
Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering
Diliman; completed in 2021 | Researched supercapacitor electrodes under Prof. Armando Somintac. Describes his earlier training as grounding him in materials characterization and chemical analysis, which supported his later microfluidics and bioengineering research. | — |
Gizelle Jamero
Bachelor’s in Materials Engineering
Diliman | Studied fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, material behaviour, chemistry, drafting, research methods, and basic programming. Says this coursework helped her understand fire science and engineering during subsequent graduate study. | — |
Jennifer Callanga
Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Diliman | Reports that her previous university used English as the medium of instruction, allowing her to document English proficiency through a university certificate when applying for doctoral study. | — |
Dr. Maxine Chan
Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering
Master’s in Energy Engineering | Says industrial engineering developed her technical problem-solving skills, while energy engineering focused those skills on energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Her master’s research produced publications and involved support from the Melbourne supervisor with whom she later pursued doctoral study. | — |
2. De La Salle University
Located in Manila, De La Salle University is one of the best private universities in the Philippines for engineering and has a strong reputation for teaching and research. Its Gokongwei College of Engineering offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate engineering programs.
Subjects include chemical, civil, computer, electronics, industrial, manufacturing engineering and management, and mechanical engineering, with additional options available depending on the level of study. Several DLSU engineering programs have also received ABET accreditation, which supports the international recognition of their quality.
Outside of the classroom, students attending the university can choose from a wide range of student organizations, cultural groups, and extracurricular activities, giving them opportunities to expand their horizons beyond academics.
3. Mapúa University
If you have your heart set on engineering, then Mapúa University is one of the best-known institutions in the Philippines. The school offers a broad selection of engineering degrees, including civil, electrical, electronics, computer, mechanical, chemical, environmental and sanitary, industrial, materials science, manufacturing, and related engineering fields.
Several Mapúa engineering programs have been recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence, and many are accredited by ABET. With student organizations, campus media, and a location within Manila’s historic Intramuros district, Mapúa offers students an academic community in one of the country’s most culturally significant areas.
What Current Students / Alumni of Mapúa University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Ralph Carlo Evidente
Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering | Studied thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and process design. His undergraduate thesis assessed the life cycle of a sugar industrial complex, comparing conventional production with by-product recovery through ethanol production and cogeneration. | — |
4. University of Santo Tomas
Located in the heart of Manila and featuring a wonderful mix of old and new architecture, the University of Santo Tomas offers one of the best-known engineering programs in the Philippines. The Faculty of Engineering offers bachelor’s degrees in chemical, civil, electrical, electronics, industrial, and mechanical engineering.
In particular, its chemical engineering program has been recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Excellence, while several other engineering programs have been recognized as Centers of Development. Many of UST’s engineering programs also hold international accreditation, making the university a strong option for students who want a well-established engineering education in the Philippines.
Finally, the campus is renowned for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The Benavides Garden is of particular note, as it contains the Arch of the Centuries, a historic landmark closely associated with the University of Santo Tomas.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Santo Tomas Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Engineering Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Kevin Mikhail Revilloza
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering | Reports that his civil engineering bachelor’s degree was taught in English. | — |
5. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines traces its roots to the Manila Business School, which was founded in 1904, and became a chartered state university under its current name in 1978. Today, PUP is a major public university system in the Philippines with multiple branches and campuses.
PUP’s College of Engineering offers undergraduate programs in civil, computer, electronics, electrical, industrial, mechanical, and railway engineering. The university also offers graduate and doctoral options through its graduate and open university systems, including engineering-related programs. PUP is also known for its public mission and affordable education, making it an attractive choice for many Filipino students.
6. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University in Baguio City is a strong option for students who want to study engineering in Northern Luzon. Through its School of Engineering and Architecture, students can choose from undergraduate programs such as chemical, civil, electrical, electronics, geodetic, industrial, mechanical, mechatronics, and mining engineering. SLU also lists graduate engineering programs, including Master of Engineering majors and a Doctor of Engineering research track.
The main campus is located in Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines. It is also renowned for its natural beauty and pine-covered surroundings. Students attending the campus can be sure that, alongside a quality education, they will experience one of the country’s most distinctive cultural and academic environments.
7. Don Bosco Technical College
Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City is a private Catholic technical institution operated in the Salesian educational tradition. The school opened on June 2, 1953, and has long been known for technical and professional education.
At the college level, Don Bosco Technical College lists a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, along with other technical programs such as information technology and aircraft maintenance technology. This makes it a focused option for students who want a technically oriented engineering environment.
8. Romblon State University
Romblon State University traces its roots to the Odiongan Farm School, which was established in 1915. Today, it is a public university in Romblon with its main campus in Odiongan and additional campuses across the province.
Through its College of Engineering and Technology, RSU offers bachelor’s degree programs in agricultural and biosystems engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. These programs support the university’s role in providing technical and professional education in the province.
9. Baliuag University
Baliuag University traces its history to Baliuag Institute, which was founded in 1925 by Domingo “Tatang” Santiago Sr. It later became Baliuag Junior College before developing into the university it is today.
Its College of Environmental Design and Engineering offers four-year engineering programs, including civil, computer, electronics, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. These programs make Baliuag University a notable option for students looking for engineering education in Bulacan.
10. University of Cagayan Valley
The University of Cagayan Valley is a private non-sectarian university in Tuguegarao City. It traces its history to Cagayan Teachers College, which was founded in April 1948, and is recognized as the first private non-sectarian university in the Cagayan Valley region.
Its College of Engineering offers bachelor’s degree programs in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer engineering. These programs make UCV a practical option for students seeking engineering education in Northern Luzon.
11. Lyceum Northwestern University
Lyceum-Northwestern University, or L-NU, is a private university in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Founded in 1969, it has grown into an institution offering programs across several academic fields, including engineering.
The university’s College of Engineering lists bachelor’s degree programs in electronics engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering. The college focuses on developing future professionals who are knowledgeable, socially responsible, and committed to improving society.
In conclusion, studying in the Philippines is a unique experience for both local and international students, as they are exposed to new cultures, languages, and environments. Many factors make this country attractive to learners, including the presence of several cheap universities that make higher education more accessible. Feel free to check the cost of studying and living in the Philippines to learn more.
We hope this article on the best universities to study engineering in the Philippines was informative. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
