Study in Philippines

Five Reasons to Study in The Philippines

Deciding to continue your higher studies in a country outside of your own is an exciting and brave venture and the Philippines cannot be overlooked as an attractive choice in Southeast Asia. Its diverse and multi-lingual culture, its low cost of living, its beautiful scenery and the prestige of its educational establishments have made the Philippines a popular choice for study - with 5,000 international students currently reaping the benefits available there.

1.Culturally diverse

As a result of its culturally diverse history, the Philippines is an Asian country unlike any other. Situated in Southeast Asia, the Philippines spent three hundred years as a Spanish colony followed by fifty years under American rule, fusing Philippine culture into a rich blend of both Eastern and Western influences. With a distinct and modern Hispanic-American appearance, its Asian roots are still firmly implanted within the family structure and traditional customs. This unique cultural identity is most often expressed through creative means such as a varied island-to-island cuisine, an abundant selection of art galleries and museums, the ink of its traditional tribal tattoos and the colour and movement of its street parties and festivals.

2.Bilingualism

An important factor when considering life as an international student is how you might linguistically move around inside your host country. While most countries would require additional language lessons in order to be understood in everyday interaction, the Philippines is a pleasant exception. It is not just the only bilingual country in Asia; it is the 3rd largest English speaking country in the world. English is the official language used in school from kindergarten through university and as a result the citizens are predominantly fluent. Additionally, you'll be able to enjoy TV, radio and cinema as if you were at home as the majority of media entertainment contains English language programming.

3.Low Cost of Living

Life in the Philippines is considerably cheaper than life in a Western country which will be a large factor in deciding where to continue with higher learning. The Philippines provides the same quality of education as Western countries at a fraction of the cost, from rent prices and tuition fees to the cost of having an active social life. This means that students need not worry about the financial burden of continuing their education as even a very limited budget will support a comfortable lifestyle.

4.Tropical Climate and Scenery

The Philippines is ideal for lovers of tropical weather as the country has two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The warmer months are between March and October which is when heavy rainfall is expected. Temperatures then cool down and the country dries up between November and February but will remain relatively warm compared to most Western countries. The Philippines is an aesthetically beautiful country, an undervalued treasure for all lovers of nature. Its islands are home to immaculate beaches and coral reefs teeming with life and throughout the country there are numerous waterfalls, rainforests and mountainscapes to be marvelled. The Philippines is a true natural paradise with no shortage of sites to see when not in class.

5.Higher Education

The Philippines places a great deal of importance on education and its impressive 93.9% literacy rate is a testament to that. Its educational institutions, which follow the US college system, have a high academic calibre - particularly the University of the Philippines which is consistently ranked the country's top University. The most popular universities for both study abroad programmes and full-time enrolment are generally located in the country's capital of Manila however, depending on subject, there are other universities throughout the country. Once the University application has been accepted, the process to obtain a student visa for the Philippines is appealingly straightforward, making the incredible experience of studying in the Philippines more attainable than imagined.

Living costs are quite reasonable. The Philippine Peso (PHP) is exchange rated at a very low 2 cents (US) for 1 PHP. Clearly the subsequent cost of living also scales in comparison. The high end salary of an MBA graduate can possibly manage to climb up to $44,000+ after 10 years of work experience (Paycale).

Item Cost per month, in Manila (Numbeo)

Food Prices $180

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment $200 - $440

Single household cost of living $500

The quality of life index in Philippines, Manila for instance, is a moderate 71. Comparing that to India's Bangalore at 118, London's 108, New York's 128, Singapore's 136, and Berlin's 159, it pales by more than a few shades. This may or may not be related to the recent considerable international, and local, backlash from its controversial "Drug War" policies initiated by the Philippine government in 2016.

UNICEF Philippines' vision is of a country where all children enjoy their rights and have a bright future within caring and protective families and communities. We are looking for talented individuals who share our values to help us to achieve this vision.

UNICEF employs regular staff based in Manila, Cotabato and in Emergency areas working in the following areas: Programmes, Communications, Fundraising and Operations (including HR, Finance, ICT and Supply).

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. UNICEF is a non-smoking environment.

Working at McKinsey Philippines

McKinsey works with many of the most successful companies in the Philippines as well as with major public institutions. We build leaders, support businesses in driving national and global growth, harness the power of technology, and help build a better Philippines.

Study visa for Philippines

If you wish to study abroad in Philippines, you might be required to apply for a visa. However, the application process for study visa is linked to your university application; once you are accepted by a university from Philippines, the institution will issue an in-principle approval (IPA) letter that works as a visa and you have to present it at entry checkpoints.

In addition to the IPA, you will also need a student pass. Find out more details about the study visa and study pass for Philippines.

All students accepted to study at a university in Philippines receive their visa with their letter of approval.

There are general requirements to gain entry into the Philippines, in addition to the specific requirements of each visa category. In general you must be:

Healthy - No inoculations are required to enter the Philippines, unless you were recently in a country with epidemics such as cholera and yellow fever.
Law-abiding - Criminal behavior is grounds for deportation.
Able to support yourself financially during your stay.
You intend to leave the US after you complete your studies.