The Philippines has thousands of islands, making it an excellent tourist destination. However, a couple of islands remain uninhabited. Therefore, when people go fishing and diving, they have their spots to go to since countless islands have yet to be discovered. Because of their interactions with foreigners and tourists, Filipinos speak English very fluently.
That’s why the Filipinos are also renowned for their English skills, as they speak it as a second language. Almost all of the universities in the Philippines offer English-taught programs, ideal for many international students interested in studying here. Even better, the cost of the tuition here is affordable, as well as the cost of living. In this article, we will be listing some of the most affordable universities in the Philippines
Affordable Schools in the Philippines for International Students
1. Visayas State University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: PHP 240 per unit (Undergraduate) | PHP 400 per unit (Graduate) | Miscellaneous Fee of PHP 1,440 to PHP 2,140 per semester and Educational Development Fee of USD 500 per semester for non-residents
Visayas State University (VSU) is a public university located in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines, and is a well-known institution for agricultural education and research. Established in 1924, its main campus is recognized for its scenic location between a mountain range and the sea. VSU offers a wide array of academic programs through its various colleges, including Agriculture and Food Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Engineering and Technology. The university’s mission is centered on providing quality education and contributing to regional development, with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
For international students, VSU is a particularly attractive option due to its affordable tuition. While tuition fees for domestic students are minimal, international students can expect to pay a very low rate. If you assume a 30-unit course load per year, for bachelor’s, the tuition fee would be PHP 240 per unit x 30 units + PHP 2,140 (1st semester fee) + PHP 1,440 (2nd semester fee) + USD 500 per semester * 2 semesters, which makes it around USD 1,200 per year. For a Master’s, it would be around USD 1,300 per year. This makes it one of the most cost-effective universities for foreign students in the Philippines. The university actively supports its international student community and provides a welcoming environment, reflecting its commitment to global collaboration and knowledge sharing.
2. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
The largest state school in the Philippines, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, is also known as the first polytechnic higher institution established in the country. Ranked in some international competitions, PUP is known for its high-quality education and its renowned professors.
First established as a business school for Filipinos, this cheap university in the Philippines continued to transform into a college, and it continues to prosper and grow to this present day. Always transforming to fit the needs of its students, the PUP is one of the top universities in the Philippines, and it offers low tuition even to international students.
The tuition fee structure is fairly simple at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Simply multiply the number of units by the per-unit tuition fee, and you get the tuition fee. For 30 30-unit a year load, the tuition fee would be around USD 800 per year for Bachelor’s, USD 1,200 for Master’s, and USD 1,300 for PhD.
3. University of the Philippines Diliman
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from PHP 1,500 per unit (Undergraduate) | from PHP 300 per unit (Graduate) | Miscellaneous fees and Educational Development Fee of USD 350 (Bachelor’s) and USD 500 (Master’s) per semester for non-resident
The University of the Philippines Diliman follows our list of the cheapest universities in the Philippines. Established in 1908, this institution provides higher education to national or international students regardless of their background. When first established, UP was located in Manila, but because of World War II and the damage it caused, it had to relocate to Diliman. That’s why the name “Diliman” is attached at the end.
UPD is home to many academic programs that provide baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate degrees in human behavior and development. It offers over 200 degree programs in the country, 70 of which are at the undergraduate level, 105 at the master’s level, and 48 at the doctorate level.
Assuming a 30-unit course load per year, the bachelor’s tuition fee would be PHP 1,500 per unit x 30 units per year + USD 350 per semester x 2 semesters per year, which would be around USD 1,550, including miscellaneous fees. Doing a similar calculation for Master’s, it would be around USD 1,200, including the miscellaneous fees.
3. University of Santo Tomas
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from PHP 50,000 per semester (Undergraduate) | from PHP 50,000 per semester (Graduate) | International Student Fee of USD 50 per semester (Undergraduate), USD 2,750 one-time payment (Master’s), USD 3,500 one-time payment (Doctoral)
Also known as the Catholic University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest institution in Asia. Founded by St. Thomas Aquinas, it is committed to the cause of this religious faith and has faithfully carried out its principles throughout the years. Because they served the city and the Catholic faith, the popes officially named the University of Santo Tomas, the Pontifical University.
UST has over 40,000 students and 22 academic degree-granting units and has provided education in the country for over 400 years. Moreover, their graduates have contributed to society by being elected as the Philippines president or in other influential positions.
The tuition fee for international students at UST is structured in an interesting way. For Bachelor’s, the calculation is quite straightforward, but for Master’s and PhD students, there is a one-time payment of USD 2,750 for Master’s and USD 3,500 for Doctoral degrees, and students can pay that in installments or a one-time payment.
5. De La Salle University
De La Salle University is established to teach Catholic principles in the capital of the Philippines. Seeking to provide a brighter future to its students, DLSU offers quality education to its incoming students, giving them many opportunities since it is located in Manila. Affiliated with a Catholic organization, it strives to better its education by combining religious principles with quality education.
Because of its teaching methods, this renowned university in the Philippines transforms lives physically and spiritually. Since it was located on the outer edge of Manila, DLSU had some privileges that other colleges located in the city did not have.
If a student takes 30 units per year, the tuition fee for bachelor’s would be PHP 3,500 per unit x 30 units, which would be PHP 105,000 or around USD 1,800 per year. Using the same calculation, the Master’s tuition is around USD 2,200 per year. There are miscellaneous fees and international student fees, so you can add around USD 200 per year for those charges as well.
FAQs: Studying in the Philippines
What Are the General Requirements to Study in the Philippines?
When applying to Philippine universities, you must apply directly to your chosen institution of choice by making an online application. However, it must also meet the general requirements for it to be considered. Some of the most common requirements include completing high school or a higher level, having a valid passport for over six months, and having enough financial resources to cover your studies and living expenses.
Do Universities in the Philippines Offer English-Taught Programs?
Several universities in the Philippines offer English-taught programs, making it favorable for international students to enroll in their programs. Depending on the school and the program, you need to meet specific English language requirements. With tests such as TOEFL and IELTS accepted by various Philippine universities, you must ensure you understand the accepted scores and prepare well for your exams.
For example, to enroll in an English program at the University of the Philippines Manila, a candidate whose first language is not English or whose school uses English as an instructional medium must have a TOEFL score of 500 (or 173 on the computerized version) or above.
In conclusion, the Philippines is such an exciting place where international students can study in different degree programs in Southeast Asia because of the abundance of schools that offer programs taught in English. Moreover, with the help of affordable universities in the country, they can easily enroll in them without worrying about the expensive costs they may encounter when studying here. So, consider the schools above if you want to pursue a degree in the Philippines!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in the Philippines was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, feel free to check out the Philippines Page and the Available Programs for International Students to explore your study options.
