Tertiary Education in the Philippines

Higher education institutions in the Philippines are either colleges or universities,

and are generally classified as public or private.
Colleges are tertiary institutions that typically offer one or a few specialized
courses, for example, in the sciences or in liberal arts, or in specific professional
courses, such as Nursing, Computing, or Maritime Studies.
To be classified as universities, state universities and colleges (SUCs), CHEDsupervised higher education institutions (CHEIs), private higher education institutions
(PHEIs), and community colleges (CCs), must operate at least eight different degree
programs. They must offer at least six undergraduate courses including a four-year
course in liberal arts, a four-year course in Basic Science Mathematics, a four-year
course in the Social Sciences, a minimum of three other active and recognized
professional courses leading to government licensures, and at least two graduate-level
courses leading to doctoral degrees. A further seven areas of requirements as
universities are mandated by the Commission on Higher Education. Local government
universities and colleges (LUCs) have less stringent requirements than private
universities. They are required to operate at least five undergraduate programs (as
opposed to eight for private universities), and two graduate-level programs.

Public tertiary education

are all non-sectarian and offer a wide-range of courses, which are taught in
English. They are government funded, with the largest, the University of the Philippines,
receiving the largest chunk of the annual budget.

Private universities
can be sectarian or non-sectarian, as well as for-profit or not-for-profit. Most
private institutions are Catholic, non-profit entities.
Most universities offer 4 year degree programmes with 2 semesters per year. The
school year is from June to March. The admission of an international student into a full-

time degree course depends on secondary school grades and achievement in the
Filipino College Entrance Exam. Depending on the nationality of the student a certificate
of English level may also be required. Entrance to public universities is very competitive,
particularly for the larger universities such as The University of the Philippines in Manila.

Vocational Colleges
Vocational (technical) colleges serve to improve a students practical and
technical skills. They are regulated and acredited by the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA). These colleges can be public, usually run by local
Government, or private. The majority are privately operated.
Programmes offered vary in duration from a few weeks to two-year diplomas.
Courses can be technical - automotive technology or computer technology; service
based - care-giving, nurses aide, hotel manager or trade - plumbing, welding,
electrician, etc.
When students graduate from their course they can take the relevant exam,
administered by TESDA to obtain their diploma or certificate.
Vocational colleges dont usually require an entrance exam, only a record of high
school studies and the enrollment fee.

Many Filipinos dont have the capacity to study in tertiary school. This has a great effect
to each Filipinos because many cannot apply a job because they dont have a degree in
college. Good thing our government has created vocational colleges which trains and
teaches people who cannot afford expensive colleges.
Especially when you are studying in a catholic school you are being thought Christian
morals and other Christian ethics to widen your knowledge and deepen your faith as a
catholic student.
in my own experience here in UST, I never thought that they would give religion classes
for free. In my own perspective, I can really understand and appreciate that ust really
wants its student to become morally intelligent being a Christian.