How does the Education System in the Philippines Compare to the Rest of the World's?

It is important to understand how the tertiary or higher education system in a country works so that you can pick the best study destination abroad. The standard of education in a nation mainly depends on the amount of money that its government and private owners spend to support it. That said, you should look at certain metrics like the quality of life, job opportunities, economic security, and safety, to determine the quality of education systems around the world.

Based on these factors, we have listed below some of the countries with the best education systems in the world. Before we delve into the list, let us look at what the education system in the Philippines is like.

Let’s dive right in…

• The Education System in the Philippines
• The American Education System
• The UK Education System
• The Australian Education System
• The Canada Education System
• The New Zealand Education System
• The Singapore Education System
• Why Choose to Study in These Countries Over the Philippines?
• Kickstart Your Study Abroad Journey Now!

The Education System in the Philippines

The education system in the Philippines uniquely blends Eastern and Western educational traditions, marked by its recent adoption of the K-12 system, aligning with global standards. Home to over 2,000 universities and colleges, many with Roman Catholic affiliations reflecting its colonial past, the system offers a bilingual curriculum in Filipino and English. Catering to over 5,000 international students annually, it provides a diverse and inclusive learning environment across student-friendly cities like Metro Manila and Cebu. 

Despite facing challenges such as underfunding, the Philippines is committed to enhancing its educational quality and global competitiveness. This evolving system, balancing traditional Filipino values with modern practices, positions the Philippines as an emerging player in global education.

Key Differences in the Philippines Education System Compared to the Global Standard

Key Differences in the Philippines Education System Compared to the Global Standard

• K-12 Program: Extended basic education to 12 years, aligning more with international standards.
• Bilingual Approach: Uses both English and Filipino as mediums of instruction.
• Technical and Vocational Focus: Emphasizes vocational training through TESDA.
• Religious Affiliations: Many schools have strong religious ties, influencing their curriculum.
• Diverse Higher Education: Offers a wide range of courses with flexible pathways.
• American Educational Influence: Historically shaped by American systems, particularly in language and structure.
• Overseas Employment Orientation: Education geared towards preparing students for international job markets.
• Colonial History Impact: Unique blend of Eastern and Western educational practices due to Spanish and American colonization.
• Challenges and Reforms: Addressing issues like underfunding and regional disparities through initiatives like the K-12 program.

The Best Education Systems in the World

You should identify countries with the best education systems to make informed decisions regarding where to study further. No two countries have the same education system, so you should look at facts and figures to determine which one is right for you. With this in mind, let us dive into the list of countries with the best education system in the world.

The American Education System

The USA has some of the world's best universities and student cities. US universities offer over two million programs and employ semester- or trimester-based schedules for admission. Higher education is a part of the American education system, and almost every university in it follows a semester credit hours system that requires students to complete 30 credits or more for a degree.

Larger US universities have individual schools or colleges for different fields of study, like business schools and engineering colleges. As per the National Center for Education Statistics, the USA has over 5,900 tertiary education institutions, many of which play a part in holding the American education system in high regard – which means a higher number of programs on offer for international students. There are three university intake periods in the country: fall (starting in August), spring (starting in January), and summer (starting around May).

The UK Education System

The United Kingdom is also home to some of the top-ranking universities and best student cities in the world. The UK offers its international students access to more than just quality education – starting from the affordable tuition fees to its student-friendly visa policies, the education system in the UK has so much going for it.

Higher education providers in the UK offer great flexibility to students with 3-year bachelor's, 1-year master's, and 2-year doctoral degree options. The UK education system allows students to benefit from dynamic learning experiences and opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, seminars, and webinars. The UK has two intake periods: September to October and January to February. However, certain UK universities also have April/May intakes for some programs.

The Australian Education System

Australia has 43 universities as well as other institutions that provide higher education programs. Many of these universities rank among the world's best, which helps put the Australian education system in the spotlight. Students also enrol in combined bachelor's degree programs in Australia, leading to the grant of two bachelor's qualifications. This is more common in commerce, science, the arts, and law. Institutions in Australia also offer courses in business, management, engineering, humanities, health sciences, technology, environmental science, finance, medicine, and so forth.

Under the Australian education system, students must complete a certain number of credit points. Undergraduate students must complete 144 points, while postgraduate students must complete 96 points. There are two major intake periods at universities in Australia: February to May (or March to June) and July/August to November. That said, some universities in Australia also invite applications in the summer.

The Canada Education System

The Canada education system ticks a lot of boxes, especially when it comes to higher education, as the country is home to some of the world's best universities and student cities. The country has more than 800,000 international students, as per the latest data from IRCC, the department of immigration. Some facets of the Canada education system may vary between provinces, but there are consistently high standards of education throughout the nation. Apart from the quality of education and the welcoming and diverse culture, it is the relatively lower tuition fees and cost of living that make Canada a magnet for international students.

Engineering, business, the arts, and medicine are among the best-known programs opted for by international students in Canada. There are three intake periods at universities in Canada: fall (September), winter (January), and summer (May).

The New Zealand Education System

The tuition fees in New Zealand are way more affordable than some of the other major study destinations. This is startling, especially for a country that offers world-class higher education. The country is known for its doctoral research opportunities, especially with regard to PhD. Unlike some of the other countries, international PhD candidates in New Zealand only have to pay the same tuition fees as domestic students and can work any number of hours while studying. There are also no restrictions on work hours for foreign nationals who pursue master's degrees in New Zealand.

The government of New Zealand invests heavily in new pieces of technology, like machine learning and artificial intelligence, in addition to research tie-ups with top international universities. There are two major intake periods in New Zealand: February to June and July to November.

The Singapore Education System

Students in Singapore have high scores in the PISA world rankings, leading to the Singapore education system earning high esteem. The country has a bilingual policy that focuses on education in English and the native language of any of the local ethnic communities. This is one aspect of the Singapore education system that makes it unique.

There are six autonomous universities in the country, in addition to the privately-funded SIM University. Singapore also has branches of ten foreign institutions that offer higher education programs and two privately-funded arts colleges. Some government-affiliated institutions also offer degree programs in Singapore.

Singapore universities attract a large number of teachers and students from all over the world. A majority of foreign academics and students go to the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Universities in the country have also made major breakthroughs in science and modern technology.

There are two intake periods at universities in Singapore: one starting in August and the other in January. Travel and tourism, aviation, business administration, engineering, and science are among the most popular course options pursued by international students in Singapore. Singapore has plenty of study programs that place an emphasis on the development of skills to prepare students for life after graduation.

Grading System in the Philippines vs. Other Countries: Detailed Comparison

• Philippines:
  • Primary & Secondary: Percentage-based, 75% typically the passing mark.
  • Higher Education: Numeric scale from 1.0 (excellent) to 5.0 (fail).
• USA and Canada:
  • Letter grades: A (excellent) to F (fail).
  • GPA: Scale of 0.0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest.
• European Countries:
  • Numerical scale: Commonly 1 (lowest) to 10 or 20 (highest), varying by country.
• Asian Countries (Varies):
  • Mix of letter grades, percentages, or numerical scales.
  • For example, Japan uses a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), with 5 being excellent.
• Impact of K-12 in the Philippines:
  • Shift towards holistic assessment aligning with global standards.
  • Emphasis on skills and competencies alongside academic performance.
• Challenges in the Philippines:
  • Adapting to resource constraints and regional educational disparities.
  • Flexible assessment methods, especially in response to the pandemic.
• Global Trends:
  • Western countries often favour GPA and letter grades for broader assessment.
  • Asian and European countries may use more varied and localised grading systems.

Why Should You Choose to Study in These Countries Over the Philippines?

The education system in the Philippines ranks among the best in Asia. That said, you may want to consider higher education in any of the other countries as they have certain perks and opportunities that put them ahead of the pack. Here are some of the other features of tertiary education in the other nations that you may want to consider before determining where to study.

• More intake periods: There are more than two intake periods in the non-Asian countries mentioned above, including summer intakes. This offers you more windows to apply to a higher education institute and start your studies at virtually any time during the year without missing out on classes.

• Greater potential return on investment: The tuition fees for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees abroad may be more as compared to the Philippines, but you can earn more with any of these qualifications. After you reach a point where your income exceeds your cost of studying abroad, you will start to realise the value of the greater income there. In most cases, you will breach that break-even point after one year of graduation.
• Greater quality research: There are some universities with research capabilities in the Philippines, but most study destinations abroad have a higher number of public research universities with "above world standard research". The quality of university research matters for students as it helps them have a more comprehensive analysis of certain topics. With a more in-depth analysis of a topic, you will have more fruitful results and greater knowledge.

If you are still in two minds about where to pursue higher education, feel free to approach our counsellors to get help in making the best decision possible.

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