Introduction to the Philippines

Philippines Education System
History
Geography
Social
Leisure Time
Accommodation
Entrance Requirement
Education Institutions in the Philippines

Why Study in the Philippines
Centre of Learning English
Affordability
Conducive Environment
New Opportunities

PHILIPPINES EDUCATION SYSTEM
The population is highly literate as the Filipinos have the highest English literacy rate in Asia (93.8%). Most Filipinos can understand English as the language is very widely spoken throughout the country. Philippines has many top Universities which are renowned in the World; namely University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and Asian Institute of Management which are ranked in the Asia Top 100 Universities list. The Asia Institute of Management (AIM) MBA programme, set up with the assistance of the world-renowned Harvard Business School, is also consistently ranked Top 3 Management School  in Asia. University of Santo Tomas which is the oldest University in Asia has a track record of more than 350 years. Other established Universities in the Philippines include Polytechnic University of the Philippines, which is the largest University in the Philippines with a student population of 53,000 students, Western Mindanao State University etc.

The Philippines educational system is similar to that of the developed countries in the West and USA. Filipinos are highly educated. English is widely used in the country as the language for communication, education, finance and trade. Students from more than 70 countries go to the Philippines for higher education. Increasing number of students is beginning to recognise Philippines as centre for higher education. Thousands of international students are already in the Philippines. The Chinese student community is currently one of the fastest growing group of international students. Several Chinese Student Associations have been set up in Universities. Some foreign students have discovered that after mastering their English Language and/or securing a bachelor degree, they can easily transfer to other countries to further their studies.

Philippines has many full-fledged State and Private Universities. The qualifications awarded by renowned Philippines Universities are generally recognized worldwide. The World’s No 1 MBA graduate in the year 2000 from the World’s No 1 MBA school (Wharton Business School, USA) is a Filipino graduate of a University in the Philippines. Entrance requirements to these Universities are very competitive. Local students are expected to have good grades and also have a good command of English.  Foreign students may be required to sit for entrance examinations. ATS Information Technology Institutes (AITI), in collaboration with State and Private Universities provide Special English Language certificate and Special courses lasting 4 to 8 weeks for foreign students to prepare them for University entrance admission examinations.

HISTORY
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 and claimed the archipelago for Spain for about 400 years. The archi-pelago was later named Philippines after King Philip II of Spain. A Filipino independence movement grew in the 19th century and Filipinos fought on the side of the Americans in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. When the Spanish were defeated, General Emilo Aguinaldo declared the Philippines independent and Philippines became the 1st Democratic country in Asia. The United States of America (USA), however, had other designs and promptly purchased the islands from the Spanish for US$20 million. Philippines came under USA control for approximately 50 years. USA eventually recognized the Filipinos’ desire for independence and Manuel L. Quezon was sworn in as President of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935 as part of a transi-tional phase pending full independence. Japan invaded the Philippines in 1942, brutally interrupting this process. Japan ruled the Philippines until the USA re-invaded Philippines two years later. The Philippines achieved full independence in 1946. Since obtaining independence, the Filipinos continued to maintain close and friendly diplomatic, military, economic and social relations with USA. Filipinos is Asian’s largest immigration group to USA.

GEOGRAPHY
Philippines enjoys close proximity to Taiwan, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hongkong, Philippines and Malaysia. Situated about 1,210 km (about 750 miles) east of the coast of Vietnam, the Philippines is separated from Taiwan to the north by the Bashi Channel. The republic is bounded to the east by the Philippine Sea, to the south by the Celebes Sea and to the west by the South China Sea. Philippines comprises of 7107 islands. It has a total land area of 290,700 sq km and is home to 69 million people. The coast line of Philippines is 18,411 km. The climate is relatively humid (humidity level of 76%) and the average temperature is  28°C. Philippines enjoys sunshine all year round with occasional breeze throughout the day and night.

SOCIAL
The main population of Philippines comprises Filipinos, Chinese, Spanish and many other races. The local Chinese people are mainly early immigrants from China’s Southern provinces such as Fujian and Guangdong. After their arrival, they were involved mainly in trading, hotel and food industry. They enjoy high social, political and financial status in the Filipino society. In Manila, the Chinatown built by the local Chinese, has now become the largest light industrial products distribution centre in the Philippines. Different races lived together in harmony blending in a rich and unique culture. Philippines is proud to be the only country in South East Asia to retain the unblemished record of harmony between Chinese and the local people.

LEISURE TIME
There are a number of things students can do in Philippines during their leisure time. They can visit various tourists spots such as Baguio, Manila Bay, Rizal Park and many others. The Shopping Centres in Philippines are much larger than the largest shopping  centre in  any part of South East Asia and China. Shopping malls of 75,000 sq metres each are common in the larger cities like Manila, Makati, Quezon, Cebu and Davao. Practically everything from all over the world can be found in these mega shopping malls.

Philippines is a member of the WTO and has recently liberated trade resulting in minimal restrictions on imports. Philippines’ reputation as a Shoppers’ Paradise is growing rapidly.
 

ACCOMMODATION
Students are free to make their own arrangements on accommodation or enlist the assistance of AITI to find suitable accommodation for them upon arrival in Philippines.

Entry Requirements
Certificate programmes
-  At least 18 years of age
-  Completed 11 years of formal education

Bachelor degree programmes
- At least 18 years of age
- Completed high school education or Middle Diploma
- 2nd or 3rd year High School students may apply for Bachelor degree programme. If accepted, students may have to take leveling subjects at the discretion of the University.
- Student shall take Intensive English Course (if necessary)

Master degree programmes
- At least 18 years of age
- Bachelor degree graduates
- 3 year diploma graduates may apply for Master degree programme. If accepted, students may have to take leveling subjects at the discretion of the University.
- Student shall take Intensive English Course (if necessary)

Doctorate degree programmes
- Master degree graduates

Some of the leading State or Private Universities authorised to foreign students

University of the Philippines (State, one of the top Universities in Asia)
De La Salle University (Private, one of the top Universities in Asia)
Ateneo De Manila University (Private, one of the top Universities in  Asia)
University of Santo Tomas (Private, Asia’s oldest University, one of the top Universities in the Philippines)
Asian Institute of Management (Private, one of the Top MBA programmes in Asia)
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (State, one of the top and largest Universities in the Philippines)
Western Mindanao State University (State, one of the top Universities in the Philippines, 1999 ranking : 6th)
Quezon City Medical Centre and Colleges (Private, Philippines First Medical School/Hotel)
University of Perpetual Help System, Laguna  (Established Private University)
La Consolacion College, Manila (Institution of Higher Learning, established since 1902)

School Fees
English language course  US$    250  -  600 per month
Bachelor Degree             US$    350  -  650 per semester
Masters Degree              US$ 1,000  - 1,300 per semester

Accommodation
Room rental (on a 4-per-room basis)  US$      70  -    90 per person, per month
Room rental (on a 2-per-room basis)  US$    100  -  120 per person, per month
Room rental (on a 1-per-room basis)  US$    120  -  160 per person, per month
Hotel / Service Apartments                 US$      30 -    80 per day
Transport             US$   1.00 per day
Food                    US$   2.50 per day
Medical expenses  US$        9 per visit to a general practitioner

Note : Costs are estimates and meant only as a guide; Actual cost-of-living may vary with individual needs and lifestyle. The budgeted expenses of students studying in the Philippines which include food, accommodation and school fees is approximately US$10,000 for a 3 year Bachelor degree programme

WHY STUDY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

IT IS A CENTRE FOR LEARNING ENGLISH The Philippines is the world’s third largest English-speaking country The Asian country with the highest English literacy rate of 93.5%.  English is used as the medium of instruction for higher education.  English is used for local and international communication, trade, investment, research and development.  Conducive environment for learning English and other disciplines taught in English.  CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT Asian culture & Food  International students from more than 70 countries around the world  Large Expatriate Communities  Multi-racial and multi-cultural society.  Camaraderie among students and professors.  Extensive Internet & Computer facilities  Highly qualified, committed, dedicated, approachable, warm and friendly faculty and board members  AFFORDABILITY  The most affordable overseas degrees available.  Affordable school / tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses.  Affordable travel, medical, and dental expenses.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES  Filipinos constitute one of the largest group of Asian immigrants to the USA Good Camaraderie with Filipinos enhances new opportunities  Opportunities to enhance ties in culture, tourism, trade, investment and development between your country, Philippines and other Asian Countries  An overseas degree coupled with a good command of English will enhance your competitiveness and give you greater advantage over your peers.  Opportunities to travel to neighbouring countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei during school holidays.  Opportunities to invest in businesses in the Philippines and other neighbouring countries.  Opportunities to make greater contributions to the economic and social development of your country after graduation.  Better opportunities to secure employment by foreign English speaking companies with investments in your country  Better opportunities for University graduates  with a good command of English to be considered  for employment or permanent residence in other developed countries Opportunities for parents to apply for long term residency similar to Permanent Residence by investing US$50,000 to US$75,000 in the Philippines.  The Philippine education system closely follows the American education system  Better opportunities to apply for transfer to other Universities in the Philippines and other countries before or after graduation.  Better opportunities to study for Master, Ph. D and Doctorate degree in Philippines and other countries.  Better opportunities to obtain scholarships for Master, Ph. D and Doctorate Degrees worldwide.  EDUCATION GATEWAY to other countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Singapore and Malaysia.

Education Institutions in the Philippines

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (State, one of the top and largest Universities in the Philippines)
Western Mindanao State University (State, one of the top Universities in the Philippines, 1999 ranking : 6th)
La Consolacion College, Manila (Institution of Higher Learning, established since 1902)
Quezon City Medical Centre and Colleges (Private, Philippines First Medical School/Hotel)
University of Perpetual Help System, Laguna  (Established Private University)
Fatima College of Medicine  (One of the leading medical schools in the Philippines)
University of the Philippines (State, one of the top Universities in Asia)
De La Salle University (Private, one of the top Universities in Asia)
Ateneo De Manila University (Private, one of the top Universities in  Asia)
University of Santo Tomas (Private, Asia’s oldest University, one of the top Universities in the Philippines)
Asia Institute of Management (Private, one of the Top MBA programmes in Asia)