How to Study in Manila for International Students
Manila, one of the beautiful cities in Philippines, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Manila currently has 35 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 29 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Manila you should definitely check out are De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines Manila.
Being able to study in Manila as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Manila, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Manila
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Manila, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 0 Pesos to 237,400 Pesos, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 3,600 Pesos and 149,400 Pesos.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Manila
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Manila, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine Normal University | 14,000 Pesos | 20,700 Pesos |
| Technological University of the Philippines | 3,600 Pesos | 10,800 Pesos |
| Polytechnic University of the Philippines | 408 Pesos | 6,000 Pesos - 7,200 Pesos |
| University of the Philippines Manila | 4,500 Pesos - 22,500 Pesos | 3,600 Pesos - 18,000 Pesos |
| Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila | 0 Pesos | 72,000 Pesos - 75,000 Pesos |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Manila
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FEATI University | 120,000 Pesos | |
| Santa Isabel College | 50,100 Pesos - 63,300 Pesos | |
| Colegio de San Juan de Letran | 42,100 Pesos - 81,400 Pesos | 41,800 Pesos - 46,000 Pesos |
| Far Eastern University Institute of Technology | 96,000 Pesos - 100,000 Pesos | |
| National Teachers College | 14,700 Pesos | 9,720 Pesos |
| Asian Social Institute | 13,000 Pesos - 15,600 Pesos | |
| Technological Institute of the Philippines | 39,000 Pesos - 50,000 Pesos | 32,000 Pesos - 50,000 Pesos |
| St. Paul University Manila | 46,200 Pesos - 85,700 Pesos | 33,100 Pesos - 44,100 Pesos |
| De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde | 137,000 Pesos - 237,400 Pesos | 36,100 Pesos - 36,300 Pesos |
| Lyceum of the Philippines University | 100,000 Pesos - 110,000 Pesos | |
| Centro Escolar University | 59,800 Pesos - 128,900 Pesos | |
| Far Eastern University – Philippines | 62,800 Pesos - 93,200 Pesos | 7,635 Pesos - 53,500 Pesos |
| Adamson University | 71,900 Pesos - 126,100 Pesos | 72,900 Pesos - 118,900 Pesos |
| University of the East | 63,700 Pesos - 92,000 Pesos | 40,400 Pesos - 46,900 Pesos |
| Philippine Women’s University | 25,900 Pesos | |
| De La Salle University | 168,100 Pesos - 200,500 Pesos | 126,000 Pesos - 149,400 Pesos |
| University of Santo Tomas | 53,400 Pesos - 106,700 Pesos | 90,000 Pesos |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Manila, check out the Cheap Universities in Manila!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Manila for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Manila, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Manila, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Manila may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Manila are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Manila and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Far Eastern University Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: No minimum score
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Philippine Normal University
Bachelor’s degree
Mapúa University
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 75
- IELTS: 6.0
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Manila
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Manila have online applications available on their websites, like De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Manila.
De La Salle University
University of Santo Tomas
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of the Philippines Manila
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Manila differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Manila.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Manila
If you’re going to study in Manila, you will need to apply for a student visa in Philippines
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Philippines. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Student 9(f).
To start your student visa application in Manila, you will need to present the following:
- Duly accomplished visa application form
- Personal History Statement (certified true copy)
- Notice of Acceptance or CEA (certified true copy)
- Medical Health Certificate
- Chest x-ray plates and results
- Police clearance with the signature of issuing officer and law enforcement agency seal
- Passport with at least 6-month validity
- 6 2x2 photos, taken within the last 6 months
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Philippines is around 250 USD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Submit the requirements to the host university.
- The host university will issue a copy of the Notice of Acceptance to the applicant.
- The host university will submit the original copy of the Notice of Acceptance, along with the submitted visa requirements to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
- DFA will endorse the application to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General location in the applicant’s country.
- Applicants will receive notification to appear in the embassy or consulate for an interview and completion of other requirements. Applicants will need to bring their visa requirements in triplicate during their appointment at the embassy or consulate.
- Upon arrival in the Philippines, the applicant must report to their host university and receive the Alien Certificate of Registration and the Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students from the Bureau of Immigration.
- After visa approval, submit your passport for visa implementation.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Manila. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!