The University of the Philippines (UP) has increased testing centers and alternatives to the UP College Admissions Tests (UPCAT) to allow more students to receive an education from the country’s leading higher educational institution.
READ: Why the University of the Philippines’ UPCAT draws over 100k students
Increased UPCAT Test Centers
Director of the UP Office of Admissions (OAdms) Prof. Francisco De Los Reyes revealed in a university announcement that the testing will be made accessible to remote and marginalized areas on August 10 and 11 when UPCAT test centers can be found in 100% of the provinces in the country.
Applicants based abroad will also be accommodated through testing centers designated in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al Khobar.
Those with limited access to the internet won’t be left behind as they may accomplish and submit their application forms manually.
Non-Traditional Admissions
Students can enter the university programs under the Associate in Arts (AA) and some under the Associate of Science through non-traditional admissions methods. UP Diliman, UP Mindanao, UP Los Banos, and UP Open University offer non-traditional admissions.
Applications for AA programs are made directly to the colleges where applicants are required to pass a talent test from the College of Arts and Letters, College of Fine Arts, and the College of Music, or a sports readiness test from the College of Human Kinetics. AA programs are two-year pre-baccalaureate degree programs.
Alternative admissions are open for the following programs on these campuses:
UP Diliman
- Associate in Arts (Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino)
- Associate in Arts (Theatre)
- Associate in Arts (Industrial Design)
- Associate in Arts (Visual Communication)
- Associate in Arts (Studio Arts)
- Associate in Arts (Sports Studies)
- Associate in Arts (Music)
UP Mindanao
- Associate in Arts in Sports Studies
UPLB
- Associate in Arts in Entrepreneurship
- Associate in Science in Development Communication
- Associate of Science in Forestry
UP Open University
- Associate in Arts
- Associate of Science in Instructional Design and Technology
- Associate of Arts in Digital Design and Art
- Associate of Science in Information Technology
- Associate of Arts in Digital Entrepreneurship
The Varsity Athletics Admission System (VAAS) in UP Diliman and UP Cebu is an avenue for students gifted in athletics or dance to be admitted by becoming members of the UP varsity sports teams or performing arts groups through a system of tryouts. Students under this system would not be required to take or pass the UPCAT but are required to represent UP in national or international sports competitions.
DISCOVER: UP top graduate Gia Evangelista says grit helped her overcome not passing UPCAT
Scholarships for Accessibility
The Lingap-Iskolar Program aims to provide crucial support and opportunities to UPCAT qualifiers from remote and disadvantaged areas, particularly those from Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). Established in response to the observation that around 1,500 qualifiers from these regions did not enroll despite free tuition, the program addresses the financial challenges students face, such as the costs of dormitories, meals, transportation, and learning materials. This initiative seeks to ensure that more students from GIDA can pursue higher education by offering comprehensive assistance.
The following are the benefits of Lingap-Iskolar Program grantees:
- Vouchers for housing/dorm accommodation
- Food allowance
- Communication allowance
- Books, school supplies, and educational materials
- Relocation transportation from the student’s home to their constituent unit during year-end breaks
The Lingap-Iskolar Program is designed for students from low-income families with a gross annual income of PhP135,000 or less, who are not receiving other financial assistance or scholarships. In its first year, the program will provide support to 300 deserving students, helping them pursue higher education and overcome financial barriers.
This is part of the UP Strategic Plan 2023-2029 Flagship Program #2 guided by the theme “Transformative University in the Service of the Nation” and the pillars of teaching, research, innovation and creative work, public service, consultative and accountable governance. The plan consists of ten flagship programs that are implemented across the UP systems.
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