UP Manila Student Life

STUDENT LIFE

Students The University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) is the country’s premier health education institution and the University of the Philippines System’s health campus.

The main campus is located in the Ermita District of Manila while its satellite campuses for the School of Health Sciences are located in Palo, Leyte; Baler, Aurora; and Koronadal, South Cotabato.

From 2011 to 2016, covering five academic years, UPM had an average of 4,871 annual enrollment for the undergraduate programs and 1,084 for the graduate programs. On the average, it admitted 780 first year UP College Admission Test qualifiers, distributed among the different undergraduate programs. The gender ratio of students on the average was 1:2 (35% males and 65% females).

About 39.5%, 6% and 5.8% of UPM enrollees came from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively, while 48% came from the National Capital Region.

A very small proportion came from foreign countries (0.7%). In terms of qualifiers by high schools, 57% came from private schools, 15% from public schools, and 28% from various science high

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schools in the Philippines.

Under the University Code, a student may be classified as regular or non-regular. Regular students are students who follow an organized program of study and carry the prescribed academic load credits in a given semester, either for graduate or undergraduate curriculum for which they are officially or formally registered.

Non-regular students are classified as non-degree students with credit, special students, crossregistrants with credit, and non-major with credit.

Students are not only expected to excel in academics. They are provided with venues to develop other talents and abilities to become wellrounded persons. They are granted opportunities for active engagement to become leaders in their professions and communities, and help contribute to national growth and development.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, together with the Office of the University Registrar and Office of Students Affairs, implements quality and responsive programs that ensure that every student avails of quality education and rewarding experience in the university.

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Admissions Admission to UP Manila is highly competitive. All undergraduate applicants need to take and pass the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).

The exam consists of four parts:

(English and Filipino). UPCAT

determine the UP Admission

Language Proficiency (English

scores are combined with the

Grade. To implement the policy

and Filipino), Science, Math,

weighted average of three years

of demographic access, the

and Reading Comprehension

in high school final grades to

selection of campus qualifiers also considers socio-economic

UPCAT applicants must be graduating senior school students from a Dep-Ed-accredited high school or secondary school abroad. Visit: http://our.upm.edu.ph

and geographic factors. The school must also have a recognition/permit to operate

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School has permit to operate the new

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Must not have taken UPCAT previously, nor any college subject/s prior to taking UPCAT

Final grades for

Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) holder

UPCAT% + (3) GWA =

University Predicted Grade

high school years preceeding the year of graduation

UPCAT scorers can enroll to INTARMED

Enhanced Basic Education (K-12) Curriculum

the curriculum during the

FOR FILIPINO STUDENTS

the college offering the course

transition period from the old

Graduates of accredited high

and approved by the University

Basic Education Curriculum

schools may be admitted to

Council and the UP Board of

to the new Enhanced Basic

UP Manila as first year students

Regents.

Education (K-12) Curriculum. In

based on their choice of degree

lieu of a high school diploma,

courses, the course quota set

The top 50 UPCAT scorers

the applicant must be a holder

by the respective deans and the

are given the chance to enroll

of the Philippine Educational

University Predicted Grade (UPG)

in UP Manila’s seven-year

Placement Test (PEPT).

which is composed of: 1) their

medical curriculum called the

The applicant must have final

performance in the UP College

Integrated Arts and Medicine

grades for three (3) high school

Admission Test (UPCAT); and 2)

(INTARMED) program that

years preceding the year of

their weighted average in the

accepts exceptionally gifted

graduation; must not have taken

first three years of high school.

medical students directly from

any college subject/s prior to

The entrance requirements

high school.

taking the UPCAT; and must not

for each course shall be as

have taken the UPCAT previously.

prescribed by the faculty of PAGE 5

FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

college - qualifying national or international

Students of other nationalities seeking admission

foreign-administered examination, such as

to the University shall be required to meet all

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum total

prescribed entrance requirements for the program,

score of 1200; the General Certificate of Education

provided that their previous training was obtained

Examination (GCEE) or with three (3) ordinary

in an institution of recognized standing, and

level passes and two (2) advanced level passes;

provided further, that there is a place for them in

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD); and, in

the college or school.

the case of an applicant whose native language or whose medium of instruction in the secondary

Applicants who graduated from high schools

school is not English, must have a minimum score

abroad and have not enrolled in college may

of 500 in a paper-based Test of English as a Foreign

be admitted as beginning first year students

Language (TOEFL) or a minimum score of 173 in the

into non-quota programs without taking the

computerized test.

UPCAT, provided that they meet the following requirements: completion of the high school

A student who graduated from a high school

program in the country where they had their

abroad but fails to satisfy the requirements for

secondary education; qualify in an equivalent

automatic admission may take the UPCAT.

Minimum of 1200 total score in Scholastic Aptitude Test

Completed secondary education

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International Baccalaureate Diploma

General Certificate of Education Examination

Minimum score of 500 in Test of English as a Foreign Language

Financial Assistance and Scholarships SOCIALIZED TUITION SYSTEM (STS) At the University of the Philippines (UP), all students receive financial support from the national government since the full tuition is much lower than the prevailing cost of education. Given that students of UP come from all walks of life, there are those who may not be able to afford paying the full tuition despite the low cost. In this regard, the Socialized Tuition System (STS) is being implemented to provide tuition discount at rates that are based on the assessment of the paying capacity of the household to which

UP Manila, like other UP constituent universities, has programs that allow students to continue with their education despite financial difficulties.

a student belongs. This assessment looks at the income as well as the

33% discount up to 100%

applicable for one academic

socio-economic characteristics of the

discount of tuition plus

year and is renewable yearly.

household. Students may enjoy at least

stipend. These discounts are

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STUDENT ASSISTAND AND GRADUATE ASSISTANT (SAGA) This program provides undergraduate and postgraduate students the opportunity to work and earn oncampus while pursuing their studies in the University. Aside from the compensation, students under the SAGA Program are able to gain work experience that could help prepare them for employment, entrepreneurship, and community service after they leave the University.

The University, on the other hand, is able to engage the students in fulfilling its academic and operational functions.

The rate for undergraduate student assistant is Php 60.00/hr; Php100.00/ hr for graduate assistant (Master’s program); Php140.00/hr graduate assistant (Doctoral program).

While there is no employer-employee

STUDENT LOAN BOARD A student, undergraduate and graduate, can borrow up to 100% of the total tuition and other fees (miscellaneous and laboratory) per semester on a case-to-case basis duly approved by the Chancellor. Loans should be paid fully (including 6% interest p.a.) at one time or in three instalments before the final examinations.

COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE PROGRAM (CARe) The Comprehensive Assistance and Resource Program (CARe) aims to promote immediate financial assistance to UP Manila students available to Student Assistants (SA) and STS bracket Full Discount with Stipend grantees. It comes in the form of cash advances, interest-free with a maximum loanable amount of PhP1,000.00 payable within the semester.

relationship between UP and the SAGAs,

UP MANILA FOUNDATION STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROGRAM

the University is nonetheless committed

The UP Manila Foundation Student

to policies for the elimination of child

Enrollment Program is a privately-

labor and forced labor, and shall

funded student loan program

not tolerate any form of abuse or

supervised by the UP Manila

exploitation.

Development Foundation in coordination with the OSA.

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It is open to all students with at least second year standing and is intended to assist students with the payment of their tuition and other fees. The applicant must not be a grantee of other student loan programs in UP Manila except the Student Loan Board, and he/she must be of good moral standing.

STUDENTS’ EMERGENCY LOAN FUND (SELF) SELF is a loan program managed by the OSA and is open to all bona fide UP Manila students, especially STS grantees. It aims to assist students pay for their tuition and other fees, as well as, their book needs. SELF is a CASH LOAN. The maximum amount of the loan is PhP 10,000.00 per student per semester, with a 6% interest per annum deducted immediately from the total amount loaned and payable in full or several instalments before the end of the semester. The loan program also covers book loans with a maximum amount of P 5,000.00 per student per semester.

PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS UP Manila has established partnerships with private institutions that are willing to help students in need. Private scholarships include monetary benefits whose extent is determined by the private donors. The rules governing each scholarship including the qualifications required of prospective awardees are subject to the approval of the University. Private scholarships are either university-administered or college-administered.

Information on university-administered scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs. Information on college-administered scholarships may be obtained from the For more details visit http://osa.upm.edu.ph/

office of the College Dean or Secretary.

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Return Service Agreement

In 1976, the School of Health Sciences (SHS) in

University and the local government units.

Tacloban, Leyte, administratively under UP Manila,

In 2005, the Regionalization Program of the UP

was established with the mandate to serve the

College of Medicine (UPCM) started implementing

underserved Filipinos in rural and remote areas.

the “Acceptance to Serve and Assumption of

Graduates of SHS serve two years for every year

Liability (ASAL) Agreement.� Prior to 2005, the

of education either as midwife, nurse or physician,

Regionalization Program was introduced by the

preferably in the community which nominated

UPCM so that candidates from the Philippine

them. After 33 years, about 90% of SHS graduates

areas deemed to be in need of doctors will have

are still serving the Philippines. Most of those

a chance to be admitted to UPCM and serve

who left had served the required period of return

their respective areas. These students undertake

service. The return service agreement was based

annual summer immersion in their region. Students

initially on a verbal social contract but in 2008, SHS

who indicated Regionalization Program in their

was the first component of UP Manila that required

application shall serve for five years in the region

students to sign a tripartite contract with the

which nominated them after graduation. UPCM medical graduates will be leaders, experts, and educators upon their return to these areas.

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In 2009, applicants to the medical degree

and cause-oriented organizations. The graduate

program of UPCM started signing a ‘Return Service

is expected to serve fully within five years. If after

Agreement’ as requirement for admission. In

five years, the graduate has not fully complied

2011, as approved by the Board of Regents, all

with the RSA, the student will pay double the cost

other health colleges based in the Manila campus

of his/her education at the prevailing rate from

implemented the RSA. All first year students who

the time of entry, plus interest, and less the total

signed the agreement, including lateral entrants

amount of tuition fee paid. The cost of education

(shiftees and transferees), were required to serve in

shall be computed based on total subsidy of UP/

the country for a minimum of two years within five

government and donations made to specific

years after graduation.

colleges or units that enhance the education and training of students in the university.

Today, the Return Service Agreement is an absolute admission requirement for the CHW Program

Enrolling for a second degree like a master’s

(SHS), baccalaureate health sciences programs of

degree, Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Bachelor

the College of Allied Medical Professions, College

of Laws (LLB) or other programs cannot be

of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Public

considered as return service.

Health, SHS, College of Dentistry and the Doctor of Medicine program of the College of Medicine.

To facilitate serving of the RSA by graduates

The agreement states that the student shall serve

of UP Manila, the Philippine General Hospital

in the Philippines within five years after graduation.

and UP System give priority to UPM graduates

The graduate shall serve for a period specified by

for employment after the requirements for

his/her college - the period of which should not

employment are met. UP Manila also developed

be less than two years. Furthermore, the graduate

a placement process for implementation of the

shall serve preferably in accordance with the role of

RSA with the Office of Alumni Relations as the

the defined profession or health-related profession

implementing office for the program.

along three functions, but not limited to, direct service, education/training, and research.

The agreement is signed by the chancellor of UP Manila for the University and the prospective

The return service is an employment preferably

students and the parents, witnessed by the dean/

with government agencies/institutions,

director.

underserved towns/provinces, non-government PAGE 11