Study in UAE from Philippines 🇵🇭
Filipino students and working professionals choose the UAE for nursing and health-science degrees with DHA/DOH licensing pathways, evening and part-time programs, K-12 diploma acceptance and a huge Filipino community that makes settling in easy.
Around 700,000 Filipinos live in the UAE — the largest Filipino community outside North America. · Flights: 8–9 hours from Manila, Cebu and Clark.
Why Filipino Students Choose the UAE
Nursing & Health Pathways
BSc Nursing, bridging (RN-to-BSN) and allied-health degrees with DHA, DOH and MOHAP licensing support.
Study While Working
Evening, weekend and part-time programs at Skyline, Westford-style colleges and branch campuses suit OFWs already in the UAE.
K-12 Diploma Accepted
The Senior High School diploma is accepted for direct undergraduate admission; no separate entrance exam.
Largest Filipino Hub
Filipino churches, restaurants, groceries and community groups in every emirate; English is the working language.
Eligibility — Which Filipino Qualifications Are Accepted?
K-12 Senior High School Diploma
Accepted by all universitiesOld 10-year curriculum + 2 years college
Accepted — transfer credits possibleIGCSE / IB
Accepted by all universitiesALS / TESDA only
Foundation year requiredA general average of 80–85 per cent in Grade 12 is typical for direct entry; STEM strand for engineering and health programs. CHED-recognised college credits can be transferred into second year at many UAE universities.
English requirement: Most universities waive IELTS for Filipino applicants from English-medium schools or accept a university placement test; some require IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL iBT 61–79.
Cost of Studying in UAE vs Other Destinations (in PHP)
| Destination | Tuition / year | Living / month | Flight from Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 UAE | ₱ 312K – ₱ 1.2M | ₱ 31K – ₱ 62K | 8–9 hours from Manila, Cebu and Clark |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ₱ 1.1M – ₱ 1.9M | ₱ 62K – ₱ 101K | 8–9 hours |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ₱ 780K – ₱ 1.7M | ₱ 47K – ₱ 86K | 14–16 hours |
| 🇺🇸 USA | ₱ 1.2M – ₱ 3.0M | ₱ 70K – ₱ 125K | 15–17 hours |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | ₱ 234K – ₱ 624K | ₱ 23K – ₱ 47K | 4 hours |
Approximate conversions at 1 AED ≈ ₱16; tuition varies widely by university and program.
- Tuition / year
- ₱ 312K – ₱ 1.2M
- Living / month
- ₱ 31K – ₱ 62K
- Flight from Philippines
- 8–9 hours from Manila, Cebu and Clark
- Tuition / year
- ₱ 1.1M – ₱ 1.9M
- Living / month
- ₱ 62K – ₱ 101K
- Flight from Philippines
- 8–9 hours
- Tuition / year
- ₱ 780K – ₱ 1.7M
- Living / month
- ₱ 47K – ₱ 86K
- Flight from Philippines
- 14–16 hours
- Tuition / year
- ₱ 1.2M – ₱ 3.0M
- Living / month
- ₱ 70K – ₱ 125K
- Flight from Philippines
- 15–17 hours
- Tuition / year
- ₱ 234K – ₱ 624K
- Living / month
- ₱ 23K – ₱ 47K
- Flight from Philippines
- 4 hours
Approximate conversions at 1 AED ≈ ₱16; tuition varies widely by university and program.
Popular UAE Universities for Filipino Students
Scholarships for Filipino Students
- Merit scholarships of 10–40 per cent for Grade 12 averages above 85–90 per cent at private universities.
- Corporate-sponsored and employer tuition support for OFWs studying part-time at Skyline, Curtin, Middlesex and Murdoch.
- Reduced fees for nursing and allied-health programs at Batterjee Medical College and RAK Medical & Health Sciences University.
- Application fees waived at 20+ universities through UAE College.
Working During & After Your Degree
Student visa holders may work part-time with university approval; students on a family or employment visa can study full-time or part-time without restriction. Nursing graduates can sit the DHA/DOH exam and are actively recruited by UAE hospitals.
UAE Student Visa Process for Filipino Citizens
Get an offer letter; if you already hold a UAE residence visa (employment or family), you can study without changing visa status.
New students: university sponsors a student visa — submit passport, photos, DFA-authenticated (apostilled) diploma and transcript.
Entry permit in 2–4 weeks; travel, medical test and Emirates ID on arrival.
Residence visa stamped for one year and renewed annually while enrolled.
Full UAE student visa guide: documents, costs and timelines →
Apply from Philippines in 10 minutes
One profile for every UAE university, document checks before submission, and application-fee waivers at partner institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study nursing in Dubai as a Filipino?
Yes. Batterjee Medical College Dubai, Gulf Medical University (Ajman), RAK Medical and Health Sciences University and the University of Sharjah offer BSc Nursing and bridging programs, and graduates can sit the DHA or DOH licensing exam.
Is the K-12 Senior High School diploma accepted in the UAE?
Yes. The Philippine SHS diploma is accepted for direct undergraduate admission at UAE universities, usually with an 80–85 per cent general average and the relevant strand for STEM or health programs.
How much does it cost to study in the UAE from the Philippines?
Tuition ranges from about AED 20,000 to AED 80,000 a year (roughly ₱310,000 to ₱1.25 million) plus living costs of AED 2,000–4,000 a month. Many OFWs study part-time while working.
Can I study in the UAE while on an employment visa?
Yes. If you already hold a UAE residence visa you can enrol in full-time or part-time programs without switching to a student visa. Evening and weekend programs are widely available.
Is a UAE degree recognised in the Philippines and abroad?
Degrees from CAA-accredited universities and from Australian, UK and US branch campuses are recognised by CHED and internationally after apostille or attestation.
Summary
In summary: Filipino students can enter UAE universities directly on K-12 Senior High School Diploma results, pay roughly ₱ 312K – ₱ 1.2M a year in tuition plus ₱ 31K – ₱ 62K a month in living costs, and study a 8–9 hours from Manila, Cebu and Clark flight from home. Student visas are sponsored by the university, part-time work is permitted, and degrees from CAA-accredited universities and international branch campuses are recognised back in Philippines.