Speaking of the Philippines should remind you of the stunning natural beauty of the archipelago, the pristine beaches, mountains, and tropical landscapes. But, this Asian country has way more to offer than that. Not only is the Philippines a happening place for tourists, but the country’s recognized educational institutions draw in a massive influx of international students.
Higher education in the Philippines is reputed worldwide because the country’s top universities are well integrated into the international market through industry connections, partnerships with other education providers, and a track record of producing skilled professionals across fields. Being able to be nurtured in such a backdrop for free might seem like a far-fetched idea, but hear us out as we delve into the countless opportunities for international students to study in the Philippines for little to no cost at all.
How to Study in the Philippines for Free
1. Browse Scholarships
When applying to just about any university, scholarship opportunities are something that you should not neglect. There could be scholarships offered by the government in your country or the country you are moving to, international scholarships offered by third-party organizations, or even scholarships and discounts offered by the university you are applying to.
You can apply for both fully-funded scholarships and partial scholarships and make use of them as required during your period of study. There are scholarships like the CHED scholarship for local students and other scholarships that are offered and recognized by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines.
2. Apply for Affordable Universities
When looking for a university of your liking, affordability is a factor you need to consider. Public universities and polytechnics in the Philippines generally demand lower tuition fees, and they also offer many financial aid programs that students can apply for.
At some of the most affordable universities in the Philippines like the University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo De Manila University, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, tuition is PHP 20,000 – PHP 100,000 a year.
3. Ensure You Have Submitted All the Necessary Documents
To increase the likelihood of being accepted into a reputed university in the Philippines, you must meet all their admission requirements. First of all, submitting a complete application free of any errors is key. In addition to required documents like educational certificates, it is also best practice to submit other supplementary documents such as ACTs, language tests, and other qualifications.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in the Philippines
While public universities in the Philippines don’t offer programs with free tuition per se, there are many workarounds students can use to help themselves. The most practical of them is to apply for fully-funded scholarships bringing the cost of tuition to zero.
At the University of the Philippines Manila, the Commonwealth Foods Inc. Scholarship is a program that funds students with their bachelor’s degree in any discipline at the institution. Applicants who are financially deserving and demonstrate academic excellence would qualify for the scholarship. There are also other grants and scholarships like the Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholarships that generously offer full-tuition scholarships in addition to annual allowances.
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in the Philippines
There are both internal and external scholarship opportunities for master’s students too. The Filipino Commission on Higher Education offers several scholarships that international students can benefit from. The UP Presidential Leadership Scholarship is one such program that international students could make use of.
The Global Study Awards is a joint initiative that international students could benefit from from around the world. The maximum individual fund awarded is £10,000, and if the course fee for your program is below that, the remaining could even be allocated for living expenses.
Third-party scholarship programs like the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program are equally feasible options for financial aid that you should consider. This grant is mainly offered for students following programs in selected fields including science and technology, economics, business management, and law.
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in the Philippines
A multitude of financial aid options are also available for Ph.D. and research students. The CHED K to 12 Transition Program offered by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines was initially offered to students at the undergraduate and master’s levels. However, the scholarship is now made available to students following doctoral programs.
The University of the Philippines system also offers stand-alone scholarship programs for its students at all levels. Some of them are the UP Scholarship Program for Foreign Students and the UP Presidential Scholarship.
FAQs: Studying in the Philippines as an International Student
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in the Philippines for Free?
While higher education in the Philippines isn’t entirely free, there are many opportunities for both local and international students to bring the already low tuition fees to a minimum. One foolproof way is to opt for scholarships. In addition to the tuition fees being extremely affordable compared to universities elsewhere in the world, public universities in the Philippines accept the prospect of students benefiting from discounts and scholarships.
Online sources suggest that there might already be a few higher education providers in the country that offer free education. Still, generally, it is safe to assume that tuition at Filipino universities will be drastically lower than tuition fees in countries like the US, UK, Australia, or Canada.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in the Philippines?
As an international student studying in the Philippines, you will incur living expenses that include food, accommodation, transport, and entertainment during your stay in the country. In addition, other expenses like tuition fees, the cost of books and supplies, and other miscellaneous fees may have to be paid directly to the university.
Excluding the cost of rent, the basic cost of living in the Philippines for a single person can be as low as $600 a month. Academic expenses like tuition fees largely depend on the university and study program of your choice. For example, a chemistry student at the University of the Philippines Diliman will have to pay PHP 31,500 in tuition fees, in addition to other expenses which total up to around PHP 37,300. Total matriculation fees, which include tuition, student funds, and other miscellaneous expenses for foreign students could range between PHP 4,600 and PHP 32,000 at the University of the Philippines. Expenses are higher in private universities.
Scholarships can be a great way not only to minimize your expenses but also to increase the likelihood of being accepted into a university of your liking. There are many options for receiving financial aid as an international student which ultimately lessens the financial burden on you during your stay in a foreign country. This article listed some of them that might interest you.
We hope this article on how to study in the Philippines for free was informative. You can get more educational opportunities like scholarships on the Philippines Page and various Open Courses to explore your study options.
