UP Diliman is a constituent university of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. Its undergraduate catalogue includes computer science, engineering, economics, statistics, architecture and the arts. Applicants educated outside the Philippines should first establish whether they qualify for the international-credentials route: it has different rules from the UPCAT entrance examination.
Undergraduate programmes
The official Diliman catalogue lists these distinct degrees:
- Technology: BS Computer Science and BS Computer Engineering.
- Data and economics: BS Statistics, BS Economics and BS Business Administration.
- Natural sciences: BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
- Design and the arts: BS Architecture, BA Film, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music.
Choose Diliman explicitly when researching an application. UP's central website covers several constituent universities, each with its own programmes and registrar. Fine Arts applicants at Diliman take a Talent Determination Test. Music requires music theory and solfège examinations, an audition and an interview in addition to the general admission requirements.
Applying after secondary school abroad
For academic year 2027/28, the international-credentials route covers applicants graduating or already graduated from a secondary school outside the Philippines who have not enrolled in college before that academic year. They must complete the secondary and, where applicable, pre-university preparation required in the country where they studied.
| Qualification | Published requirement |
|---|---|
| Redesigned SAT | At least 1270 total: 620 in Math and 650 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. Results must be no more than four years old at application. |
| GCE | Two O-level / GCSE / IGCSE subjects and three A-levels. |
| International Baccalaureate | The full IB Diploma. |
Apply to the Office of the University Registrar of the constituent university. This route is processed after UPCAT appeals and Iskolar ng Bayan applications, so the UPCAT calendar is not an international-application timetable.
An applicant who took the UPCAT and did not qualify cannot use international credentials as an alternative second attempt. English-language evidence is required when the applicant's native language or secondary-school medium of instruction is not English. The UPCAT itself includes language and reading questions in both English and Filipino.
How tuition and fees are assessed
The official schedule dated 8 June 2026 provides a concrete example for the short Midyear 2026 term. It explains the components of an assessment; these amounts are neither a full-year price nor a quotation for 2027/28 entry.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition per academic unit | About $24 (PHP 1,500) per unit, Midyear 2026, excluding additional fees. |
| Miscellaneous fees | About $21 (PHP 1,337.50) for Midyear 2026. |
| Educational Development Fee for foreign students | $120 for non-resident aliens or $60 for resident aliens for Midyear. |
The schedule also lists Student Fund, laboratory and other applicable charges. The final assessment depends on the academic load and student status. The Educational Development Fee distinction concerns foreign-student residency status, not a dormitory booking. UP's free-tuition announcement applies to students eligible under the government scheme; an international applicant should not automatically assume zero tuition.
Campus and accommodation
Apply separately for university accommodation through the Office of Student Housing and Dorm.Diliman. The housing website provides distinct instructions for first-year and continuing students. Include this application in your relocation plan once you receive an academic offer: admission and room allocation are separate processes.
For another university in Quezon City, explore Ateneo de Manila. To compare a three-term undergraduate calendar, see De La Salle University in Manila.
Questions before applying
Can I apply to UP Diliman without taking the UPCAT?
The 2027/28 rules provide a separate international-credentials route for eligible secondary-school graduates from outside the Philippines who have not enrolled in college. It cannot replace an unsuccessful UPCAT attempt.
What does the minimum SAT score of 1270 mean?
1270 is the published total minimum for this route, with separate minimums of 620 in Math and 650 in Reading and Writing. It is an eligibility threshold, not an offer of admission.
Does the quoted fee include a dormitory room?
No. The Midyear 2026 schedule covers tuition and academic fees. Accommodation applications go separately through the Office of Student Housing.
Plan your application
Tell us your intended degree level, school background and timing. On a free initial consultation, we clarify your goals and identify the next realistic step.
StudyU services. Individual programme selection and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU; admission decisions are made by the university.