The Philippines is a country where urban surroundings meet the ocean. Its crystal blue lagoons, coastal mountain springs, and rainforests consistently draw in visitors worldwide, including international students.
The Philippines started to earn the attention of most international students when it gained a good reputation in teaching the English language. Through time, students have begun to explore other degree programs, and so the country has become one of the best destinations whenever you want to study abroad.
Because of the locals’ fluency in speaking the universal language, it is not difficult for these international students to communicate. Besides the hospitable culture, there are also other factors that you need to consider if you want to study in a country like the Philippines. Hence, use this article as a guide in knowing the cost of studying and living expenses in the Philippines.
Is the Philippines Good for International Students?
The Philippines is not only a good tourist destination but also an excellent international study destination. The cost of living is also lower compared with other Asian countries. The country has a high level of English fluency, with many universities teaching in English, making it easy for international students not conversant with the local language to take their studies. Universities like Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines offer courses in English.
Learn More About: The Philippines Student Visa
Cost of Studying in the Philippines for International Students
More than its inexpensive tuition, almost all universities in the Philippines use English as the medium of instruction. This makes the country a good option for international students since you are no longer required to learn the Filipino language before applying.
In terms of the cost of studying in the Philippines, public universities do not charge tuition fees. However, the admission process is highly competitive. Although the majority of the universities in the country are private institutions, the tuition fees are still budget-friendly for international students.
The University of the Philippines Diliman is one of the most excellent universities in the country, especially for journalism, engineering, and philosophy degrees. Foreign students pay between Php 4,661 to Php 31,490 for a 12-unit semester.
The University of Santo Tomas is a private institution and the oldest university in Asia. It offers approximately Php 50,000 to Php 60,000 per semester in all its degree programs. Silliman University also has an average of Php 55,000 per semester for its undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Its School of Medicine, the university’s specialization, costs Php 256,258 annually.
Graduate programs at Ateneo de Manila University, popular for their arts and sciences courses, range from Php 23,780 to Php 59,450 per semester.
Click Here to See: Universities in the Philippines with Highest Acceptance Rates
Cost of Living in the Philippines for International Students
1. Cost of Living in Manila
Manila is famous among international students since it houses the majority of the prominent universities in the Philippines. However, in terms of cost of living, studies show that Manila is Southeast Asia’s third most expensive city to live in.
Average apartment rent in the city ranges between Php 20,000 to Php 33,000 per month. Nonetheless, there are a lot of cheaper options where you can share a room with three to four people and simply pay for the bed space. Utility bills, inclusive of your Internet, electricity, and water, can cost Php 8,000 a month.
Manila is known for having the best food establishments in town, so you might often have the urge to eat outside. For a safe estimate, you can set aside Php 12,000 a month for your food expenses.
In terms of your transportation, commuting is pretty stressful in Manila. So it is better to book your ride ahead of time than simply catching a bus. On average, you can spend around Php 8,000 a month on transportation.
To study and live in Manila, you need the local currency. We recommend using Wise to convert your money to Php before moving to the Philippines. Wise is the bank of choice for international students as they offer the best conversion rates. Opening a Wise account is free of charge and only takes a few minutes, providing you with a multi-currency account that can hold numerous currencies. Make a Wise account today and explore outstanding international banking.
Check Also: The Philippines Work Visa
2. Cost of Living in Cebu
Cebu is hailed as the Queen City of the South due to its economic relevance to the Philippines. Although the cost of living in this Philippine city is relatively high, it is still 25% less expensive than in Manila.
The average one-bedroom apartment rate in Cebu is Php 14,102. In that kind of apartment, your monthly utility bills can cost Php 5,000.
Cebu has a different mode of public transportation than other cities. Here, there are no trains. So you are most likely to ride a jeepney or a taxi when commuting. A one-way jeepney trip in Cebu only costs a minimum of Php 15.
Where you buy your groceries matters so much when you live in Cebu. If you want to have a hassle-free yet expensive shopping experience, you can go to big-box membership superstores around the area and spend about Php 20,000 a month. However, Cebu also has a lot of night markets and local kiosks where you can pay as little as Php 150 for one kilo of chicken meat.
3. Cost of Living in Baguio
Living in Baguio is comparatively lower than in other urban cities. An international student living in Baguio has an estimated monthly cost of Php 35,409, inclusive of all essential expenses like rent, utilities, healthcare, food, transportation, and the like.
An apartment for a single person in the city center is estimated to cost Php 10,200 a month. If you still prefer a lower rental rate, you can find an apartment worth Php 7,800 per month outside downtown.
Food costs in Baguio are not that expensive, given that the city is self-sufficient in crops and agriculture. Basically, you can spend around Php 6,580 a month on your groceries.
See Also: The Best Subjects to Study in the Philippines
4. Cost of Living in Davao
Davao City is located on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and is known for its rich indigenous culture and tradition.
The monthly rent for an apartment in Davao City ranges from Php 8,500 to Php 20,000. That is exclusive of utility bills, which can cost up to Php 5,500 a month.
One of the best things in Davao City is the fact that everything only takes ten minutes. Wherever you want to go or whatever you want to buy, it is always just ten minutes away from you. This is the reason why transportation fees in the area do not cost that much, with only an average of Php 1,011 a month.
In general, an international student in Davao may estimate their cost of living in this Philippine city to be around Php 30,198 a month.
5. Cost of Living in Bacolod
Bacolod is located in Western Visayas and is known as the City of Smiles because of the locals’ positive outlook on life. One of the reasons why many international students are comfortable staying in Bacolod is the warm and hospitable ambiance of the city.
A one-bedroom apartment in Bacolod may range from Php 10,245 to Php 17,206 a month, inclusive of your utility expenses.
Your food costs in Bacolod are inexpensive compared to other major cities, with an average of Php 10,721 a month. Transportation is also not a problem in the area since the minimum one-way ticket is only Php 10.
Check Also: Cheap Universities in the Philippines
The Philippines is an emerging Asian market with vast opportunities for international students looking to study and live there. Before packing your bags to leave for this Asian country, go through the guide above to get an idea of the costs associated with living and studying in the Philippines. Being among the countries in Asia with the best education system, international students can pursue their studies in some of the best universities in the Philippines and take advantage of the scholarship opportunities in the Philippines listed on our page to complete their studies.
I hope that you found this article on the cost of studying and living in the Philippines informative and helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
