Study in Philippines

Counseling for the September intake has begun. The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is a Southeast Asian country with its capital in Manila. It's an archipelago of 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The country lies north of Borneo Island, about a hundred kilometres away. After South Korea and East Timor in East Asia, the Philippines is the only country where most people are followers of Buddhism. With a population of over 90 million, it's the 12th most populous country in the world.

Culture Buddhism reached the Philippines from India, bringing followers and cultural influences. Indian food items and artefacts are part of the local culture. Like the rest of Southeast Asia, the Philippines has a rich heritage of craft art. Some local dance forms are also inspired by India. While Catholic Christians are in the majority, there is interest in preserving the Indian cultural influences that arrived centuries ago via Indonesia.

Climate and Food The climate is similar to tropical India. Some parts, like Cebu and Davao, are warm and comfortable year-round. The average temperature is 25°C with 77% humidity. Most university and college hostels serve international food for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Many colleges with Indian students provide North and South Indian dishes. A large number of Indian restaurants also serve Indian cuisine.

Transportation For long distances on bigger islands, buses are best. In big cities like Manila or Cebu City, the most common transport is the jeepney, a ubiquitous symbol of Philippine culture. The fare starts at 4 pesos for the first 3 kilometres, with 1 peso more for each additional km. Trains are becoming a popular mode of public transportation, especially in Manila, where people use the Manila Metro Rail Transit System.

Cost of Living The cost of living varies by individual and chosen course. Generally, it's very cheap compared to other Asian countries. A rough estimate is between ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per month, which is less than many Indian cities. Shared accommodation starts from 2000 Pesos per month. Essential utilities (power, water, internet, gas, cable) cost around 2000 pesos. Food averages 2500 pesos. Transportation, clothing, stationery, and personal supplies can be around 1000 Pesos. Adding garments, books, healthcare, entertainment, and personal care adds another 500 pesos. The total is about 8500 pesos, equal to roughly ₹11,500.

Education in Philippines Over 8000 international students choose the Philippines for higher study, with more than 30% being Indian. Many Indian specialists and engineers from Philippine universities find work in the USA, UK, and other western nations. The country is home to various ISO-certified colleges, with 2299 higher educational institutions identified as Centers of Excellence. It's a standout destination for affordable, high-quality study abroad.

Before independence, the education system was based on Spain and the United States. The formal system is a sequential progression at three levels: Primary (grade school), Secondary (high school), and Tertiary (college and graduate levels). Primary education is handled by DepEd, college by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and vocational/technical training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

English is the dominant language in business, government, law, medicine, and sciences. It's also the primary medium of instruction in all colleges, a legacy of being a US territory. Filipinos generally communicate in English, using local dialects mostly with family and friends. Like India, English-medium schools are abundant and preferred. Indian students will find the language environment similar to studying in Indian cities like Bangalore or Chennai.

Available Courses If you're still deciding on a course, below is a brief overview of available college courses in the Philippines. This is a partial list. We update it periodically.

Visa Prerequisites for Study The student visa procedure is as follows: i) A properly filled, legible visa application form (in English). ii) Original passport valid for at least six months beyond the stay. iii) Photocopy of the passport information and amendment pages. iv) IELTS and TOEFL scores (academic prerequisites). v) Copy of e-ticket and other travel documents. vi) Payment of the processing fee. For transit visitors with a temporary visa, a return or onward travel ticket must be shown to Philippine immigration upon entry.

Top Universities of Philippines The University of the Philippines (UP) is a state university system. Founded on June 18, 1908, by the American colonial government, UP today has 8 constituent universities and 4 basic education schools across 15 campuses. It is often cited as the Philippines' top university.

Why Study in Philippines? Higher study in the Philippines offers Indian students a great opportunity for a secure future. It's the third-largest English-speaking country in the world. The country follows the American education system, allowing for credit transfers to the US. Strong economic, demographic, and social ties exist with the US and developed European countries.

There are numerous academic prospects in management, hospitality, medicine, sciences, and research. The country is a popular destination for medical study. MBBS course fees start from around USD 3,000. The cost of living for international students is between USD 1500 to USD 1800 per year. This combination of low fees and living costs appeals to international students. Over 4,000 Indian students are studying medicine in the Philippines. At the Asian Institute of Management in Manila, about half the students are from India. Flying schools are also attractive due to English instruction. Many universities have 'India Chapters' in their libraries with collections of Indian books.

Study MBBS in Philippines India has about 350 private and government medical colleges offering 50,000 undergraduate seats. For a population of 1.32 billion, this is insufficient. Half the seats are in private colleges, costing ₹50-70 lakhs in fees plus up to ₹50 lakhs in capitation. Students therefore seek countries offering similar education standards, accommodation, and degree recognition at a much lower cost. The Philippines is an excellent choice for MBBS.

Filipinos are great hosts-incredibly cordial and polite. Students feel at home. Cultural similarities, easy communication, similar climate, and the English language make it the first choice for Indian students pursuing MBBS.