Top 8 Universities in the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Are you about to enter the world of college students? If so, you’re probably trying to figure out where to study and which university can offer you the best education. That means you’re looking beyond the basic criteria and are truly trying to find a spot that would be perfect for you. Luckily, there are great universities in the Philippines that might match your search and stand out from the rest.

But, if you can’t make a choice yourself or you’re not even sure what’s out there, we’re here to help. Below, you’ll find the ultimate list of the 8 best Universities in the Philippines. Let’s break it down.

1.      University of the Philippines Diliman

University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) is a coeducational university that was founded in 1908. It's considered as one of the top-ranked universities in the Philippines but also among the high-standard ones in Asia as well. At UPD, you can work your way up to a bachelor, master's, or doctoral degree. As of January 2020, UPD had 250 academic programs,

Apart from Dilman, there are branch campuses in Olongapo City and the City of San Fernando.

It has more than 23.000 students currently enrolled and is open for international students as well. You'll also find that they offer financial aid and scholarships to the best students.

2.      Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo de Manila University was established in 1859. Thanks to the fact that classes are predominantly being held in English, this university is home to many international students. It provides education in the humanities, social sciences, and the pure and applied sciences.

Their goal is the preparation of students for a “global platform” meaning they’ll be able to find a job and practice their skills and knowledge all over the globe. This is thanks to their international partners, internationalized curriculum, and opportunities to send students abroad.

However, the selection process can get competitive and the average admission rate range is 10-20%. That means they’ll accept only the best students. SupremeDissertations has professional writers who can help you write your motivational letter to apply.

3.      De La Salle University

De La Salle University was founded in 1911 and is located in Manila, the capital city and major metropolis in the Philippines. Students can get undergraduate and graduate programs in both English and Filipino. You can earn a Doctoral, Master's, and Bachelor's degree in arts and social sciences, business, computer technology, education, engineering, law, and natural science.

This university offers scholarships to those students who show excellent knowledge and potential. Also, their campus life is quite rich and students can join organizations, visit the library or the museum.

4.      University of Santo Tomas

This is another university you’ll find in Manila and is Asia’s oldest existing university, being founded in 1611. It’s an internationally recognized and acclaimed University that has 22 degree-granting academic units. This university will allow you to earn a degree in a wide variety of programs, including Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Music, and many more.

Luckily, their acceptance rate is quite high, averaging around 80%.

 With 63 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs, you’re bound to find something that satisfies your academic needs.

5.      University of San Carlos

The University of San Carlos is another top-ranked university. It was officially established in 1948 but has roots that go way back to the Colegio de San Ildefonso which was founded in 1595 in Cebu City.

It offers 45 undergraduate and 62 graduate programs. The highest degree you can earn is a Doctoral and the areas of study include Anthropology, Biology, Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Fine Arts, Management, and many more.

It has around 2.000 students and 200 international ones. Students can receive support or find entertainment in international students' offices, online enrolment, dormitories, numerous cafes, and canteens.

6.      Silliman University

Located in the small city of Dumaguete, Silliman University offers a less urban setting for those students who like to live a bit more quietly. This medium-sized university, however, offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a number of areas of study. The most popular ones include Agriculture, Computer Science, Mass Communication, Performing and Visual Arts, and Nursing.

The admission rate range is 60-70% and this university also welcomes international students. It also offers scholarships and aid to students who have great academic success but lack the personal funds to carry out their studies.

7.      University of the Philippines Manila

Established in 1908, the capital’s university is the leader in health human resources, education, training, and research. It has nine different units that grant degrees, two of which, The College of Medicine and College of Nursing, are recognized as Centers of Excellence (COE) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

It has 20 undergraduate programs, 34 master's programs, and 4 doctoral programs in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Chemistry, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. It also offers diploma programs and certificate programs. 

Their goal is to become the national leader in the health sciences.

8.      Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University was founded in 1911. It’s located in Baguio City and its average acceptance rate is 58% which gives you a good chance to enroll.

The highest degree you can earn is a bachelor's, in numerous areas of study including Arts&Humanities, Medicine, Engineering, Language, and more. The classes are held in English.

Final Thoughts

The Philippines is an amazing country that stuns with spectacular nature and warm and welcoming people. It's an ideal place for spending your college years and getting the quality higher education you deserve. Hopefully, this guide helped you realize how many amazing opportunities await.

So, use our list of the top universities in the Philippines and start thinking about finding your spot. 

Author’s Bio

Donald Fomby is a student counselor and a blogger with a mission to help students from all over the globe reach their academic dreams easily and without stress. He shares advice about studying, motivation, and passing exams. He’s one of the editors at TrustMyPaper so he even blogs about academic writing.