Higher education in the Philippines

Unlike Dutch higher education, Philippine higher education is not divided into and . Philippine higher education institutions can offer both types of education. This often means that for each diploma we have to determine whether it is HBO or WO. Below, we describe the diplomas that we often see.

K to 12 reforms: effect on higher education

The K to 12 reforms also have an effect on higher education. Students now take fewer general subjects (general education curriculum – GED) during the bachelor's programme. The GED study hours in the bachelor's programme have been reduced to 36 units. The other general subjects are now taken by students in upper secondary education (for the Grade 12/Senior High School Diploma).

Associate

There are relatively few study programmes that lead to an Associate.

  • : 2 years, sometimes 3 years.
  • Content: education with a focus on professional practice. We often see the following fields of study: hotel and restaurant management, technology and information technology.
  • Admission requirements: the Grade 12/Senior High School Diploma or the High School Diploma (katibayan/katunayan). Sometimes, there are extra requirements, such as an entrance exam.
  • Function of the diploma: work.
  • Diploma: Associate.

We compare an Associate to an diploma level 3 or 4. This depends on the content of the study programme.

Bachelor's degree

  • Duration: usually 4 years, sometimes 5 years (technical study programmes).
  • : approximately 150 to 210 units.
  • Content: general subjects (general education curriculum, GED), physical education and the national service training programme together make up about half of the curriculum. Students usually do not write a thesis, but they do take practical training and/or do an internship.
  • Admission requirements: from 2018 onwards, the Grade 12/Senior High School Diploma and sometimes an entrance exam. Until 2018, a High School Diploma (katibayan/katunayan) and sometimes an entrance exam.
  • Function of the diploma: work and access to master's programmes.
  • Diploma: a bachelor's degree, such as:
    • Bachelor of Arts;
    • Bachelor of Business Administration;
    • Bachelor of Science.

We compare a bachelor's degree to an associate degree or 2 years of HBO.

Doctor of Dental Science/Veterinary Medicine

The bachelor's programmes for dentistry (Doctor of Dental Science) and veterinary medicine (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) are structured differently than most bachelor's programmes.

  • Duration: 6 years.
  • Study load: approximately 250 units.
  • Content: a preparatory programme (with general subjects) during the first 2 years, then lectures and practical training aimed at the field of study.
  • Admission requirements: from 2018 onwards, the Grade 12/Senior High School Diploma and extra requirements. Until 2018, a High School Diploma (katibayan/katunayan) and extra requirements.
  • Function of the diploma: working as a dentist or veterinarian. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
  • Diploma: Doctor of Dental Science or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

We compare a Doctor of Dental Science to 2 years of WO.

We compare a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine to 2 years of WO.

Bachelor's degree from a Centre of Excellence

The study programmes of some educational institutions have been awarded the status Center of Excellence (CoE) by the CHED. This status shows that these study programmes have a higher level than average.

The CHED does not automatically grant the CoE status to other study programmes of the same higher education institution. And the status is only valid for a certain period of time. When it expires, the CHED determines whether the status is extended or terminated.

We compare a bachelor's degree from a Centre of Excellence to an HBO bachelor’s degree.

Doctor of Medicine

After completing the medicine study programme, students receive the diploma Doctor of Medicine (MD).

  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Content: theoretical education and, in the final year, clinical education.
  • Admission requirements: a Bachelor and extra requirements: students need to pass the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) and must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility for Admission to a Medical Course (CEMed) from the CHED.
  • Function of the diploma: working as a doctor. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
  • Diploma: Doctor of Medicine.

We compare a Doctor of Medicine to a WO bachelor’s degree.

Juris Doctor

After completing the law study programme, students receive the diploma Juris Doctor (JD).

  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Study load: at least 132 units.
  • Content: theory about law. Students also take practical training, such as the practice court course. Writing a thesis is not compulsory.
  • Admission requirements: a Bachelor and a law entrance exam.
  • Function of the diploma: working in the legal sector. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
  • Diploma: Juris Doctor.

We compare a Juris Doctor to a WO bachelor’s degree.

Master's degree

  • Duration: 2 years.
  • Study load: at least 30 units.
  • Content: students attend lectures and write a thesis by the end of their studies. Or they only attend lectures and do not write a thesis (non-thesis). In that case, the curriculum consists of more subjects.
  • Admission requirements: a bachelor's degree.
  • Function of the diploma: work or access to PhD programmes.
  • Diploma: a master's degree, such as:
    • Master of Arts;
    • Master of Business Administration;
    • Master of Science.

The level of a master's degree varies. Please contact us for a credential evaluation.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  • Duration: at least 2 years.
  • Study load: varies per study programme. The CHED determines how many units are required.
  • Content: a varied doctorate programme with or without a dissertation.
  • Admission requirements: a master's degree.
  • Diploma: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).