Finding a university that matches all your preferences is not always easy. However, universities in the Philippines offer programs across a wide range of disciplines, and many programs use English as a medium of instruction. Tuition fees vary by institution and program, but students can find several universities with affordable tuition fees.
International applicants may be required to demonstrate that they can study in English. Depending on the university and program, accepted evidence may include an IELTS or TOEFL result, a certificate confirming that previous education was taught in English, an institutional English test, or an English-language course. Applicants should review the requirements for their intended program before they apply to a university in the Philippines. This article discusses Philippine universities that accept IELTS results or other evidence of English proficiency.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in the Philippines
1. De La Salle University
- IELTS Requirement | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- IELTS Band Requirement: No general undergraduate minimum is published; graduate applicants may use a score of 6.0 in every skill and overall to qualify for exemption from the university’s English proficiency examination.
Founded in 1911, De La Salle University is a Catholic research university in Manila. It offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs across a range of disciplines and is recognized as one of the leading universities in the Philippines.
Current graduate admissions information requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency result, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or Oxford ELLT, unless a stated exception applies. An IELTS score of 6.0 in each skill and overall is one basis for exemption from the university’s English proficiency examination. The current undergraduate admissions page does not publish a general IELTS minimum, so applicants should check the requirements issued for their application period and program.
2. Ateneo De Manila University
Established in 1859, Ateneo de Manila University is a Jesuit university in the Philippines. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields that include the arts, sciences, business, education, and the social sciences.
Ateneo’s student mobility requirements list a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate exchange students and 6.5 for graduate exchange students. Its requirements for international graduate applicants also list a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5.
3. University of San Carlos
Located in Cebu City, the University of San Carlos is a Catholic institution administered by the Society of the Divine Word. It offers undergraduate and graduate education across disciplines that include the arts, sciences, education, business, and engineering.
International applicants to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs are generally required to present an IELTS score of 6.0, a TOEFL score of at least 60, or a different score prescribed by the program. Applicants who graduated from an institution that used English as its medium of instruction may instead submit a certificate issued by that institution.
4. Polytechnic University of the Philippines
With more than 20 campuses serving over 106,500 students, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines describes itself as the country’s largest university by student population. As a government-run institution, it provides access to public higher education through its main campus and branches.
Its international-student requirements say that applicants with IELTS scores of 4.5–5.0, or the listed TOEFL equivalent, may be required to complete a prescribed number of English-course hours. An intensive English course may also be assigned after the applicant takes an English placement test.
5. Mapúa University
Mapúa University is a private university in the Philippines known particularly for its engineering, architecture, computing, and technology programs. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs through its campuses and online learning platforms.
For non-native English speakers, Mapúa publishes an IELTS requirement of 6.0 overall, with no individual skill score below 5.5. This applies to its foreign-student requirements and graduate admissions information. Applicants who have not taken IELTS or TOEFL may be permitted to take the Mapúa English Language Test, subject to the admissions procedure for their program.
IELTS is an English-language proficiency test used by universities and other organizations to assess listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. The minimum result, acceptable alternatives, and exemption rules differ among universities and programs. Applicants should always confirm the requirement on the official admissions page for their intended program and application period.
We hope the information about IELTS requirements at universities in the Philippines has been helpful. To prepare for your studies, visit the Philippines Page and explore the Available Courses for International Students.
