Student Budget Guide
Cost and Fee Guide to Study in the Philippines
The cost of studying English in the Philippines does not consist of a single number. The final budget combines the program and accommodation fees, local fees paid in Philippine Pesos, visa and travel costs, and then daily expenses after arrival.
This page is the starting point for understanding the cost items and choosing the appropriate guide for your case. The detailed calculation varies according to the city, institute, program, room type, duration of study, and date of arrival.
Important: Prices and offers change, so the final quote issued to the student must be approved before payment, not any old number posted online.
What number are you looking for?
Cost Guide
The cost of studying in the Philippines (Arabic)
Know the total budget and its distribution among the main items
What does the budget for studying in the Philippines consist of?
| item | Usual payment currency | What changes the amount? |
|---|---|---|
| Study programme | US dollar | Type of program, number of classes, and duration of study |
| Institute housing | US dollar | Room type, campus, and length of stay |
| Registration and reservation | US dollars or according to the institute’s policy | Institute, programme and available offer |
| Local fees | Philippine Peso | Length of stay, institute and services included |
| Visa and extension | Philippine Peso | Duration of stay and required procedures |
| Pre-travel expenses | Saudi Riyal or the currency of the student’s country | Flights, insurance, preparation and transfers |
| Expenses after arrival | Philippine Peso | Style of living, transportation and personal activities |
This is why an institute’s offer may seem cheaper when looking at tuition fees only, and then become higher after adding housing and local fees or choosing a private room. The correct comparison would be: Final cost for the same duration, program and room type.
The difference between fees in dollars and local fees in pesos
Many institutes quote tuition and accommodation in US dollars, with other local charges payable after arrival in Philippine pesos. Depending on the institute, local charges may include the Special Study Permit, associated immigration card, visa extensions, books, utilities, arrival transfers, student ID and a refundable deposit.
The presence of two currencies in a quote is not a duplicate charge. Each group covers different items, so a statement should be requested that shows:
- What was paid before travelling?
- What will be paid within the Philippines?
- What are the refundable fees upon departure?
- What items are calculated based on consumption or length of stay?
You can review Institute fees in dollars andLocal fees in pesos in their respective guides.
Practical example from A&J Institute in Baguio
The A&J Main Campus pricing file shows how the cost is broken down into more than one tier. In the base price list available for 2024, the four-week General ESL program included a tuition fee of $800, while four-week lodging was $850 for a single room, $750 for a twin room, or $650 for a triple or quadruple room, plus $100 for registration.
In the local fee schedule effective July 2, 2025, the total illustrative local fee for the four weeks in the ESL program amounted to P22,000. The schedule included SSP worth P7,800, E-Card worth P4,500, utilities worth P2,500, student card, books, reception and refundable deposit as per institute details.
The 2026 document describes a high-season supplement of $40 per week from 28 June to 22 August 2026, alongside separate offers for certain new registrations. This is a dated example, not a current quote. It shows why you need the programme, room, duration, arrival date and local charges before comparing costs.
To obtain the current A&J price, you must refer to the institute’s page and request a dated, student-specific quote.
Why does the cost differ from one student to another?
Program type
The General English program is not equivalent in price to an Intensive program or an IELTS, TOEFL or TOEIC program. The price usually increases as the number of individual classes increases or additional academic and testing services are included.
Room type
A single room gives more privacy, but is often more expensive than a double, triple or quadruple. You must also check whether the price is per person or per room, especially in family suites.
Duration of study
The duration affects tuition fees, housing, books, services, and visa extension. Some schools offer a discount for longer stays, but local fees may rise with the length of stay.
City and lifestyle
The cost of living and options available vary between Cebu and Baguio. Therefore a separate guide is devoted toCost of studying in Cebu and another forCost of studying in Baguio.
Season and Offers
There may be additional fees in peak seasons or offers with a specific registration period and arrival date. Do not deduct anything from your budget unless it is written in the quote sent to you.
Choose the cost guide that is right for you
The cost of studying in the Philippines
Start from Comprehensive guide to the cost of studying in the Philippines (Arabic) to understand the full budget and compare it in Saudi riyals.
The cost of studying according to the city
Use the Cebu Guide if you prefer a coastal city and wide school options, or the Baguio Guide if you are comparing a mountainous study environment and its institutions.
Fees shown in the institute’s quote
See Institute fees in dollars to understand the program, housing and registration, then Local fees in pesos to know the items paid after arrival.
Travel and arrival costs
Don’t forget Expenses before travel such as ticket, insurance and equipment, then Expenses after arrival such as transport, phone and internet, purchases and personal activities.
How do you compare two price offers correctly?
Do not compare only the last number. Place the two offers in one table and make sure the following items match:
- Duration of study and number of weeks.
- Name of the program and number of individual and group sessions.
- Room and campus type.
- Registration, reservation and reception fees.
- Local fees and whether they are estimated or fixed.
- Refundable deposit and the conditions for its return.
- Applicable high-season charges or offers.
- Cancellation, postponement and room or program change policy.
If one item is different, a direct comparison between the two prices may be misleading.
Before Payment Get a written answer on these terms
- Does the amount include both study and housing?
- What room type is specified in the offer?
- What fees will be paid in pesos after arrival?
- Are there additional charges on your arrival date?
- Is pickup from the airport or arrival point included?
- Are meals, books, electricity and water included?
- What is the refundable deposit, and when is it returned?
- What are the conditions for canceling or changing the study date?
- How long is a quote valid for?
Calculate your budget and request a custom quote
Use the tuition cost calculator to select the city, duration, program and room type. You can then speak with your advisor to review the terms and get an updated quote before making a payment decision.
Frequently asked questions about costs and fees
Do the institute fees include housing?
Not always. Some quotes separate tuition and accommodation, while others combine them. Read the itemised offer rather than relying on the headline amount.
Why are there amounts in dollars and others in pesos?
Many institutions use dollars for tuition and housing fees, while local fees, procedures and services within the Philippines are paid in pesos. The exact policy varies from one institute to another.
Are visa fees fixed for all students?
The cost of the extension depends on the length of stay and the required procedures. See Visa and Extension Fee Guide Then confirm the amount according to the duration of your studies.
Is the institute’s deposit refundable?
It may be refundable after deductions for outstanding charges or damage, according to the institute’s policy. For example, the A&J Main Campus schedule describes a PHP 3,000 deposit as refundable. This does not establish the amount or policy at other campuses.
How do I get the most accurate budget?
Select the city, institute, programme, duration, room type and arrival date, then collect tuition fees, accommodation, local fees, visa, travel and personal expenses. The quickest step is to use the calculator and then request a dated quote.