University of the Philippines

The University of the Philippines is the country’s national university. Established on 18 June 1908 through the ratification of Act No. 1870 of the First Philippine Legislature, UP has grown over the past century into a university system consisting of eight constituent universities and one autonomous college, located in 17 campuses all over the archipelago.

To date, UP offers 190 undergraduate and 381 graduate programs, more than any other university in the country. It provides the broadest range of offerings that embraces almost all interests and inclinations in the thriving liberal atmosphere that is the hallmark of a UP education.

UP alumni have become the country’s leaders in education, health professions, politics and governance, business, law, sciences, the arts, and other disciplines. As of 2022, UP has produced 39 of the 42 National Scientists; 50 of the 81 National Artists; all nine of the country’s National Social Scientists; seven of the 17 Presidents of the Republic; 13 of the 24 Senate Presidents; 11 of the 26 Speaker of the House of Representatives;15 of the 27 Chief Justices of the Supreme Court; at least 15,000 doctors, 8,000 lawyers,15,000 engineers, and 23,000 teachers; and hundreds of thousands of graduates in other academic fields.

Internationally recognized as the leading educational institution in the country, UP is the only Philippine university in the Asia Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), whose membership is comprised of top universities from 19 economies known worldwide for their academic and research excellence. UP is the only Philippine university in the ASEAN-European University Network, a network of universities that aim to promote the continuous internationalization of education and research. It is a founding member of the ASEAN University Network. As of April 2022, UP has international linkages with 350 higher education and research institutions in 43 countries.

On 29 April 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9500 or the new UP Charter, establishing UP as the sole national university, mandated to perform its unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and development as a teaching, research, graduate, public service, and regional and global university.