The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,641 islands, making it an excellent tourist destination. Many islands remain uninhabited or less developed, so travelers who enjoy fishing, diving, and island-hopping have many destinations to explore. English is also widely used in the country, especially in education, since English is one of the official languages used for communication and instruction.
That is why the Philippines can be a practical study destination for international students. Many universities in the Philippines use English as a medium of instruction or offer programs taught in English. Even better, tuition and living costs can be affordable compared with many other study-abroad destinations. In this article, we will list some affordable universities in the Philippines for international students.
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 for MS courses and PHP 700 per unit for selected graduate programs | Miscellaneous Fee of PHP 1,440 to PHP 2,140 per semester | Educational Development Fee of USD 500 per semester for non-resident foreign students and USD 250 per semester for resident foreign students
Visayas State University (VSU) is a public university located in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines, and is a well-known institution for agriculture, science, technology, and allied fields. Established in 1924 as the Baybay Agricultural School, VSU now offers programs through faculties and colleges that include Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Education, Computing, Nursing, and other fields. The university’s mission focuses on high-quality instruction, innovative research, and community engagement.
For international students, VSU is a particularly attractive option because of its low published tuition rates. Assuming a 30-unit course load per year for a bachelor’s degree, the estimated first-year cost is around USD 1,190, including tuition, miscellaneous fees, the USD 10 admission fee, and the USD 500 per semester Educational Development Fee for non-resident foreign students. For an MS program, a similar 30-unit annual estimate is around USD 1,275, while selected graduate programs charged at PHP 700 per unit may cost more. Actual costs vary by program, residency classification, exchange rate, and other fees.
2. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is a government educational institution and one of the largest universities in the Philippines by student population. PUP is also known as the country’s first PolytechnicU. It began as the Manila Business School in 1904, became the Philippine School of Commerce in 1908, was renamed the Philippine College of Commerce in 1952, and was converted into the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 1978.
This affordable university in the Philippines continues to offer programs across applied arts and sciences, business, education, technology, social sciences, and other fields. Always transforming to fit the needs of its students, PUP is one of the top universities in the Philippines, and its published international/non-formal and open university fee schedule remains relatively low.
The tuition fee structure is fairly simple at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Multiply the number of units by the per-unit tuition fee, then add applicable assessment, application, miscellaneous, and other fees. For a 30-unit annual load, tuition alone is about USD 790 for a bachelor’s degree, USD 1,110 for a master’s degree, and USD 1,230 for a doctorate. First-year totals are higher after the listed application and miscellaneous fees are included.
3. University of the Philippines Diliman
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from PHP 1,500 per unit (Undergraduate) | from PHP 300 to PHP 2,500 per unit (Graduate) | Miscellaneous fees, student fund, laboratory fees where applicable, and Educational Development Fee of USD 300 per semester for undergraduate students and USD 500 per semester for graduate students
The University of the Philippines Diliman follows our list of affordable universities in the Philippines. The University of the Philippines was established in 1908 to provide advanced instruction and professional and technical training to qualified students regardless of age, sex, nationality, religious belief, or political affiliation. UP spent its formative years in Manila before key academic and administrative operations moved to Diliman after World War II.
UP Diliman is home to a wide range of academic programs. Its facts-at-a-glance page lists 77 undergraduate programs, 105 master’s programs, 50 doctorate programs, and other certificate, diploma, minor, Juris Doctor, and honors programs.
Assuming a 30-unit course load per year, the undergraduate tuition fee would be PHP 1,500 per unit x 30 units per year, plus the USD 300 per semester Educational Development Fee and other fees. This is approximately USD 1,410 per year before laboratory fees and other program-specific charges. For a graduate program at the lowest published graduate tuition rate of PHP 300 per unit, a similar calculation is around USD 1,200 per year before laboratory and program-specific charges, but graduate tuition may be higher depending on the college or program.
3. University of Santo Tomas
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from around PHP 51,854 per semester for selected undergraduate programs, depending on program and load | Graduate fees vary by unit load; current UST Graduate School tables show 15-unit foreign new-student totals of about PHP 66,349 for master’s students and PHP 76,234 for doctoral students | Out-of-State Fee of USD 50 per semester for undergraduate foreign students and USD 2,750 for master’s students or USD 3,500 for doctoral students
Also known as the Pontifical, Royal, and Catholic University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia. Founded in 1611 under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas, UST has carried out its Catholic and Dominican educational mission for more than 400 years.
UST has over 40,000 students and 22 degree-granting academic units. Its alumni include several Philippine presidents and many other influential figures in government, law, science, architecture, engineering, and the arts.
The tuition fee for international students at UST varies by program, year level, and unit load. For undergraduate students, current posted freshman tables show program-dependent first-term totals that start a little above PHP 50,000 and can be higher for programs with laboratory or professional fees. For master’s and doctoral students, UST charges an out-of-state fee of USD 2,750 for master’s programs and USD 3,500 for doctoral programs. This fee may be paid in full or in installments during the program, but it must be settled before graduation.
5. De La Salle University
De La Salle University is a Catholic research university in Manila founded in 1911 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. DLSU is known for academic excellence, research, and community service, and it is part of the De La Salle Philippines network of schools.
Seeking to provide a brighter future to its students, DLSU offers quality education to incoming students and provides many opportunities through its location in Manila. As a Lasallian institution, it combines faith, scholarship, research, and service in its educational mission.
If a student takes 30 units per year, bachelor’s tuition at PHP 3,500 per unit would be PHP 105,000, or about USD 1,725 per year in tuition alone. Using the same calculation, graduate tuition at PHP 4,213 per unit is about PHP 126,390, or about USD 2,080 per year in tuition alone. Students should also budget for miscellaneous, laboratory, international student, and other applicable fees.
FAQs: Studying in the Philippines
What Are the General Requirements to Study in the Philippines?
When applying to Philippine universities, you generally apply directly to your chosen institution and follow that institution’s admission process. Common academic and visa-related requirements can include proof of completed secondary education or a previous degree, scholastic records, a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, a Notice of Acceptance, and proof of adequate financial support. Requirements vary by university and by visa route, so check the institution and Philippine consular guidance before applying.
Do Universities in the Philippines Offer English-Taught Programs?
Many Philippine universities use English as a medium of instruction or offer programs taught in English, making the country favorable for international students. Depending on the school and program, you may need to meet specific English language requirements. With tests such as TOEFL and IELTS accepted by various Philippine universities, you should review the accepted scores before applying.
For example, the University of the Philippines Manila states that an applicant whose native language or school medium of instruction is not English must have a TOEFL score of at least 500, or 173 on the computerized TOEFL.
In conclusion, the Philippines is an exciting place where international students can study in different degree programs in Southeast Asia because many schools use English as a medium of instruction or offer programs taught in English. Moreover, with the help of affordable universities in the country, students can find options that may fit their budgets. 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.
