According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 State of the World’s Nursing report, the world still faces a nursing workforce shortage. WHO estimates the shortage at 5.8 million nurses in 2023, with a projected decline to 4.1 million by 2030. As such, nursing remains an appealing career field with opportunities in many countries. However, what it takes to obtain a nursing license depends on the country where you plan to study and practice. In the Philippines, applicants for a nursing license must pass the Nurse Licensure Examination and meet the Professional Regulation Commission’s requirements.
A nursing program is designed to give students knowledge and practice in areas such as health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction, and patient care. In this article, we will focus on how you can study nursing in the Philippines as an international student and plan your career. Read on to find out what you need to know about this interesting course.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the standard undergraduate route to nursing practice is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Many schools also offer graduate nursing programs. For instance, the University of Santo Tomas lists nursing at the master’s level, while Silliman University lists a Ph.D. in Nursing as a four-year postgraduate program. Therefore, you can advance your studies to gain more skills and strengthen your career options.
Cost of Studying Nursing
If you are planning to study nursing as an international student in the Philippines, then the financial part of things should be one of your main priorities. At the moment, most nursing schools charge a tuition fee of between $1,000 and $2,500 per year. It’s worth noting that all universities set their own fees. Nonetheless, most public institutions average an annual tuition fee of $1,000 while the private ones charge more than this figure but under $2,500.
When it comes to the cost of living, it is quite low and can accommodate almost anyone. You will require not more than $6,000 to pay your bills, buy food, and any other expenses for the whole year. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to work part-time jobs in between classes to supplement your pocket money. This is down to the restrictions attached to your visa.
Requirements to Study Nursing in the Philippines
Like any other career path, there are requirements you must meet before you are admitted to a nursing program in the Philippines. Requirements differ from one university to another, but common requirements include secondary school records, a passport, application forms, entrance exam results or internationally recognized credentials, English proficiency proof when applicable, and program-specific health requirements. Because nursing programs include hospital and community placements, schools may also require medical clearance, immunization records, laboratory results, or other clinical-readiness documents.
Admission routes vary by university. For example, the University of the Philippines Manila accepts certain internationally administered examinations for applicants with secondary education abroad, including a minimum SAT total score of 1,200, but the UP College of Nursing also states that all BS Nursing applicants must pass the UPCAT. At the University of Santo Tomas, applicants use the USTET or an international credentials route, and current application fees vary by category, including ₱1,000 for international students from schools abroad, ₱3,000 for applicants with international credentials, and ₱6,000 for applicants testing at international centers. At Saint Louis University, foreign applicants should apply at least six months before the start of the academic term and are expected to be in Baguio four weeks before classes for the English Proficiency Test, entrance or qualifying examinations, personality tests, and other pre-admission steps.
After graduation, those who want to become registered nurses in the Philippines must meet Professional Regulation Commission requirements and pass the Nurse Licensure Examination. Current PRC nursing examination document requirements include a PSA birth certificate, marriage certificate or contract where applicable, and a transcript of records with “For Board Examination Purposes” remarks and a notarized undertaking signed by the dean and registrar, subject to exam fees. Foreign applicants should also confirm reciprocity and other PRC rules before planning to practice in the Philippines.
This application process can be difficult to navigate. So, we’ve prepared a guide on How to Study in the Philippines for International Students that contains application requirements, language requirements, the application process, and student visa information. If you are unsure about the whole process, check the article above.
In What Languages Do You Study Nursing in the Philippines?
English is widely used in Philippine higher education, but language and English proficiency requirements vary by institution. The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School asks foreign applicants to submit TOEFL English proficiency, while Saint Louis University requires foreign applicants to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency and take its English Proficiency Test. Therefore, to study nursing in the Philippines as an international student, you should be prepared to study and communicate in English.
Best Nursing Schools in the Philippines
1. University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas is one of the long-established private universities in the Philippines. The university offers programs in various fields, ranging from health to business courses. You can study nursing at UST’s College of Nursing.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UST is a four-year program that includes general education courses, professional nursing courses, related learning experiences, and an intensive nursing practicum. It is designed for students who want to gain the skills needed for entry-level nursing positions in health care settings.
You can apply to the bachelor’s program after high school, subject to UST’s current admission route and available program slots. For graduate study, UST lists nursing at the master’s level. Foreign graduate applicants may need to submit English proficiency documentation, such as TOEFL results, and admitted foreign students should check UST’s current out-of-state fees. UST’s current Graduate School degree list does not list a doctoral nursing program, so applicants seeking doctoral nursing study should consider another institution.
2. Saint Louis University – Baguio City
Saint Louis University – Baguio City has a notable nursing school in the Philippines and accepts applications from both local and international students. This private university prepares students for professional practice in various fields, including health sciences. SLU’s School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences offers undergraduate nursing education, while its School of Advanced Studies lists graduate nursing programs.
If you are planning to join the university directly from high school, then the Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the undergraduate route for you. SLU’s current BS Nursing program catalog presents four year levels and lists first-semester fees by year level. Foreign applicants from schools abroad should review SLU’s specific requirements, including the expectation to complete pre-admission steps in Baguio before classes begin.
The graduate nursing programs listed by Saint Louis University include the Master of Science in Nursing, Master in Nursing Education, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing – Research Track. Make sure to check the university’s website for current details on admission requirements, fees, and program structure before applying.
3. University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines Manila is a public health sciences institution and is widely recognized as the health sciences center of the University of the Philippines system. Its College of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
The BS Nursing program is a four-year, competency-based, community-oriented, and value-based program that prepares students to become beginning professional nurses. After successful completion of the program and the required licensure process, graduates can pursue entry-level roles in clinical nursing, community health, and other health care settings.
The current MS Nursing program page lists academic and advanced practice tracks. The academic track includes 30 units, composed of 24 academic units and 6 thesis units, while the advanced practice track includes 30 academic units and a capstone project. A full-time student normally enrolls in 12 units per semester, and the maximum period to complete the program is five years.
The Ph.D. in Nursing at the UP College of Nursing was first instituted in 1979. Because doctoral curricula, course loads, and residency requirements can change, applicants should verify the current semester-by-semester study plan directly with the UP College of Nursing or the National Graduate Office for the Health Sciences before applying.
Studying nursing in the Philippines can be a valuable academic and professional experience. Tuition is often lower than in many Western countries, but exact fees vary widely by university, year level, and student category. Eligible Filipino undergraduate students may receive free tuition and other school fees in state and local universities and colleges under the Free Higher Education program, but international students should not assume they qualify. For more funding options, you can check our guide on scholarships and tuition options in the Philippines.
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