Online Degree, Online Courses and Distance Learning in Philippines

In the Philippines, online and distance learning is a recognised way to earn a university degree or a technical-vocational certificate. Republic Act No. 10650, the Open Distance Learning Act of 2014, defines distance education as "a mode of learning in which students and teachers are physically separated from each other" and makes it part of the national system of tertiary education.

For international students, the main interest is the chance to follow a Philippine programme taught in English from home, without moving to the country. SpainExchange lists one school in this category, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) in Los Baños.

How distance education is regulated

The law covers public and private higher education institutions and post-secondary schools. Two agencies regulate the field: the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for degree programmes and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for non-degree technical-vocational programmes. They approve new distance programmes, set standards and can close programmes that do not meet them.

The Act sets a few rules that matter to students:

• distance programmes must be equivalent in depth to classroom programmes
• an institution calling itself an open university needs at least Level III accreditation for its classroom programmes
• practicum or on-the-job training still applies where a course requires it
• graduates must pass the same licensure examinations as campus graduates before practising a regulated profession

TESDA also runs its own online platform, the TESDA Online Program (TOP), with technical-vocational courses grouped by sector, such as ICT, tourism, agriculture and health care.

The University of the Philippines Open University

UPOU was established on 23 February 1995 and is the fifth autonomous university of the University of the Philippines System. CHED has named it National Center of Excellence in Open Learning and Distance Education, and the Open Distance Learning Act gives it a national role in developing distance learning, training teachers and helping other institutions design programmes.

Teaching is asynchronous: students follow learning packages prepared by the faculty and work in a virtual classroom called MyPortal. Final examinations take place either online or face to face at designated learning and testing centres, and some subjects need scheduled face-to-face sessions, for example laboratory work or field practice. According to the university, around 15 per cent of its students are based abroad.

The programmes range from associate degrees to doctorates. UPOU offers two bachelor's degrees (Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies and Bachelor of Education Studies), graduate certificates and diplomas, 12 master's programmes in fields such as distance education, development communication, information systems, nursing, public management and social work, and doctorates in education, communication and sustainability. Undergraduate programmes run on trimesters; most graduate programmes run on semesters.

Admission for international students

UPOU admits Philippine-based and offshore applicants and foreign nationals. Applications are made online, but the university also asks for hard copies of all admission documents by post. Foreign applicants need school records and a passport copy authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate in their country of origin or residence. Entry to a bachelor's degree is through the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT), unless the applicant already holds a degree, has completed a UPOU associate programme or qualifies as a transferee. Some master's programmes have their own online admission test.

Because students do not have to live in the Philippines, UPOU states that it cannot help with a student visa (9F). It also does not allow enrolment in two degree programmes at once.

Costs

UPOU's published fee schedule lists tuition of PhP 1,000 per unit at all levels, plus miscellaneous fees of PhP 2,000 per term and laboratory or materials fees for some courses. Foreign nationals pay a non-refundable application fee of US$ 75 (undergraduate) or US$ 100 (graduate). Non-Filipino students living outside the Philippines also pay an Educational Development Fund of US$ 300 per semester at undergraduate level and US$ 500 per semester at graduate level. Fees can change, so check the registrar's page before applying.

How to choose a distance programme

• Recognition: check that the institution and programme are authorised by CHED (degrees) or TESDA (technical-vocational courses)
• In-person requirements: ask where exams, laboratory sessions or practicums take place
• Time zone and schedule: asynchronous courses suit students abroad better than live classes
• Professional use: if the degree leads to a licensed profession, check the licensure rules in the country where you want to work
• Total cost: add per-unit tuition, term fees and any fees for foreign students

Frequently asked questions

Are online degrees from the Philippines officially recognised?

Degree programmes offered by distance learning fall under CHED, and the Open Distance Learning Act requires them to be equivalent to classroom programmes. Check that the specific programme is authorised before enrolling.

Can I study at UPOU from outside the Philippines?

Yes. Almost all courses are taught online and around 15 per cent of UPOU students are based abroad, although some subjects require scheduled face-to-face sessions.

Do I need a student visa for a Philippine distance programme?

Not for study from abroad. UPOU does not require students to live in the Philippines and states that it cannot assist with a 9F student visa.

How much does UPOU cost for a foreign student?

Tuition is PhP 1,000 per unit plus term fees. Non-resident foreign students also pay an Educational Development Fund of US$ 300 (undergraduate) or US$ 500 (graduate) per semester.