Law Schools
15 Best Law Schools in the Phillippines | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
Many people have the desire of becoming lawyers, but the process might be difficult. Because of this, it’s best to start getting ready for law school years in advance. If you want to succeed in law school, you will need to be ready for a lot of things; simply be eager to learn as much as you can.
Are you interested in a career in law but unsure of which college can help you get into the top legal firm? Since the majority of the country’s top lawmakers are University of the Philippines Diliman law graduates, most people will say that UP College of Law is the finest option among law schools in the Philippines. The best scorers on the board exams, nevertheless, have lately come from other schools.
The best law schools in the Philippines 2024 are described in this article. This rating of schools is based on data from the most recent Legal Education Board.
Are There Law Schools In The Philippines?
As of 2007, 89 law schools in the Philippines were allowed to operate under the supervision of the Philippine Association of Law Schools, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Association of Law Professors, and Association of Law Students of the Philippines.
Although the law is not among the simplest subjects available, given the various fantastic prospects that follow, it is not unexpected that many students continue to obtain a degree in it.
If you aspire to practice law one day, you probably want to know which law school in the Philippines is the finest to apply to. The best law schools in the Philippines for 2024 will be the focus of this article.
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How Long Is A Law School In The Philippines?
Students in the Philippines have the option of enrolling in law schools in the Philippines, which typically lasts four years to complete. The student’s next step is to sit for the bar test. The Philippine Bar Association, which is directly under the control of the nation’s Supreme Court, is in charge of overseeing this.
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How Much Does Law Schools In the Philippines Cost?
Depending on the university, the cost of attending law school in the Philippines might be as high as 40,000 pesos every semester. Since the government subsidizes a portion of the tuition at some state universities, such as the University of the Philippines, tuition is lower there.
Remember that most law schools in the Philippines provide qualifying applicants with scholarships, grants, and financial help.
What Are Law Schools In The Philippines Ranked For?
Due to its low tuition costs and high quality of education, the Philippines has grown in popularity as a study-abroad location.
The Philippines’ law school graduates are renowned for having a high bar passage rate.
For recent law school graduates, the Philippines is regarded for offering excellent work possibilities.
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What Are The Requirements For Getting Into Law Schools In The Philippines 2024?
A bachelor’s or master’s degree with at least 18 units of English, 6 units of mathematics, 18 units of social science, and 3 units from the Rizal course are prerequisites for the majority of law schools in the Philippines.
Any competent student, regardless of age, sex, religion, or educational background, can enrol at a law school. Documents from your academic career and personal life are also required to apply.
Before accepting law students, several law colleges require a law aptitude test and other prerequisite exams. The admissions procedures at various institutions vary, but they are always in compliance with Rule 138 of Section 6 of the Rules of the Court of the Philippines.
What Are The Best Law Schools In The Philippines 2024?
You can easily discover several law schools in the Philippines. This article narrows down to 15 of them which are as follows:
- University of The Philippines Law School
- Ateneo de Manila University
- San Beda University
- Santo Tomas University
- University of San Carlos Law School
- Far Eastern University – Institute of Law
- University of Silliman College of Law
- Xavier College
- New Era College
- University of Arellano School of Law
- University of Saint Louis, Baguio
- University of Cebu Law School
- Polytechnic University of the Philippine
- Mindanao University
- San Sebastian University College of Law
#1. University of The Philippines Law School
One of the best legal schools in the Philippines is the University of the Philippines. With an overall passing rate of 82.46%, it is ranked first in the 2019 bar exams (141 bar exam passers out of 171 examinees). Several prominent graduates from the UP College of Law include members of the Senate and seven former presidents of the Philippines.
The UP Masters of Law Program provides two concentration tracks: government, public advocacy, adjudication, and cross-border and regional practice.
Candidates for the UP Juris Doctor Program must pass the UP Law Aptitude Exam and hold a four-year Bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences (with majors in Political Science, Philosophy, English, History, or Economics). The UP Masters of Legal, on the other hand, requires applicants to have a law degree (LL.B., J.D., B.C.L., or equivalent) from any country in the world.
#2. Ateneo de Manila University
One of the top law schools in the Philippines is the Ateneo de Manila University. Among all law schools in the nation, it boasts the most students who placed in the top 10 on the bar exam. The second-highest passing rate among law schools in 2019 is 81.38%.
The Juris Doctor degree at Ateneo de Manila is a four-year full-time curriculum. Candidates must pass their admission exam and go through an interview. They must be graduates of accredited, state-recognized institutions or universities with a bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences, or higher.
Students may choose to concentrate on areas like Intellectual Property, International Corporate and Business Law, International Economic Law, or International Human Rights Law through Ateneo’s Masters of Law program.
#3. San Beda University
A 1954 San Beda College of Law magna cum laude alumnus achieved a record-breaking 96.70% on the exam. It is the best score ever received in the Philippine Bar Examinations’ history. Many of the graduates from the San Beda College of Law’s top-performing and globally competitive class come from the legal and political professions. The bar test was passed by 190 out of 245 students in 2019, ranking third in the nation for bar exam passing rates.
To be admitted to the Philippine Law School, candidates for a bachelor’s degree in law must pass the test (PHILSAT). A bachelor’s degree in political science, philosophy, English, economics, or history is a requirement. Students must pass the university’s Graduate Admissions Test to pursue a master’s degree in law.
The San Beda College of Law provides concentrations in areas like Canon Law, International Law, Constitutional Law, Commercial Law, and Civil Law. Candidates for the Doctor of Juridical Science degree must possess credentials comparable to those of the Master of Law, Master of Comparative Law, or Doctor of Canon Law.
#4. Santo Tomas University
The Institution of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in Asia and the Philippines, having been founded in 1611. It founded the nation’s first law school in 1734. With numerous noteworthy graduates, including Supreme Court justices, judges, and heroes of the Philippine Revolution, this premier law school in the Philippines provides one of the greatest and highest standards of legal education in the region.
The university’s bar exam passing rate for 2019 is 75.63%. (90 passers out of 119 examinees). It consistently places among the top 10 states for having the highest annual bar exam pass rate.
In addition to passing the UST Faculty of Law admission exam, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in the arts or sciences with at least 18 units in English, 18 units in social science, and 6 units in mathematics. Additionally, the Philippine Law Admission Test must be passed (PHILSAT).
#5. University of San Carlos Law School
The University of San Carlos is one of the top universities in the Philippines for studying law. With an Award for Excellence in Legal Education from the Legal Education Board, it provides high and excellent levels of legal education. It bar exam candidates frequently place in the top 10. With four of its graduates placed in the first, third, seventh, and eighth positions in 2016, it has a 100% passing percentage. In 2019, 64 out of 98 students passed the bar examinations, placing their law school in fifth place overall. One of the biggest law schools in the nation is located at USC College of Law.
#6. Far Eastern University – Institute of Law
The FEU Institute of Law is home to working students who, while pursuing a legal education, already contribute to the advancement of their country and society through their work in academia, business, finance, accounting, government, the media, and other fields in both the private and public sectors of society.
This institution is known as the school of the working class intelligentsia. When they start their legal careers, FEU Institute of Law graduates is not inexperienced attorneys. They have previously been deeply involved in struggles with life.
They are therefore formidable opponents in court cases, arbitration, contracts, negotiations between management and employees, business dealings, banking, finance, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy, interpersonal and family relationships, as well as other areas of law and human relations.
#7. University of Silliman College of Law
A top legal school in the nation, Silliman, which provides a Juris Doctor program, has maintained its position. Its faculty is comprised of eminent practitioners, domestic legal luminaries, and professors of law from other countries. It has produced two top performers during the past ten years, ranking fifth and seventh respectively.
#8. Xavier College
The school is situated in the Misamis Oriental city of Cagayan de Oro.
The Legal Education Board’s 2018 rankings place Xavier University in fifth place with a passing rate of 75.86%. In 2015, they were ranked among the top 10 law schools by LEP, with a total passing rate of 32.20 per cent.
#9. New Era College
In terms of passing scores on the bar exam, New Era University lags significantly below other universities and colleges. On October 28, 2012, New Era University defeated the University of the Philippines in the final round of the bar exam.
Because the University of Santo Tomas belongs to the fifth group of the oblong of the United Nations while New Era University belongs to the first group of the first triangle of the United Nations, and because both Universities have title names in the United Nations in ABA, it is pointing in the direction of the University of Santo Tomas. It demonstrates that the two universities have an international license to practice here and abroad or a title to practice a profession in the government by the fact that there are approved law schools functioning in the US while there are none elsewhere.
#10. University of Arellano School of Law
The ideal institution for those who must balance law school and employment. Very flexible because every course is given during the academic year, including summer sessions. It is undoubtedly among the top law schools in the field! The finest for working students without a doubt! one of the top legal schools in the country!
#11. University of Saint Louis, Baguio
It is the only university in the City of Pines that can compete with those prestigious, established institutions in Manila. Many bright pupils in the north choose this school as their destination.
Every bar examination, SLU graduates a large number of attorneys. The power of numbers is with them!
An educational facility called the University of the Visayas is situated in Cebu City, Philippines. It is marketed as the first institution to receive university status in the entire province of Cebu.
#12. University of Cebu Law School
The supportive, devoted, and top-notch faculty at UC Law, which is made up of attorneys who are authorities in their respective practice areas, is responsible for the school’s success. Many of the lecturers are honour graduates and bar exam placers who share a commitment to cultivating tenacity in our students so they can pursue achievement.
The teachers are passionate about what they teach and encourage students to learn more and develop a sincere interest in what they are learning because they sincerely believe that teaching is a vocation. With the sole intention of providing their students with the best preparation for the legal profession, our faculty is renowned for their “tough love.”
#13. Polytechnic University of the Philippine
The PUP College of Law (PUP CL), which was founded in 2001, offers a post-graduate Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B). To produce reliable lawyers and patriotic national leaders, the College strives for excellence and superiority in offering legal education that satisfies national requirements to qualified students. One of the best law schools in the nation, PUP CL has already produced several bar test pass rates.
#14. Mindanao University
One of the 10 campuses of the Mindanao State University System is the external Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). By Republic Act (RA) 5363, the institute was established on July 12, 1968, and has since served thousands of students from all over the Philippines with high-quality instruction.
#15. San Sebastian University College of Law
San Sebastian College of Law, one of the top law schools in the Philippines, was founded in 1953. The top Bar Review lecturers and book authors in the country have their academic roots at San Sebastian College of Law, which continually strives for academic excellence.
San Sebastian College of Law has produced remarkable lawyers who are today regarded as authorities in several areas of law because of its superb faculty and committed administration.
The Recoletos Law Center and the Sebastian Office of Legal Aid are both proudly housed inside the College.
How To Apply For Law Schools In The Philippines
The procedure for application to law schools in the Philippines differs slightly from schools. However, these are the general steps to applying for law schools in the Philippines.
- Get your bachelor’s degree.
- Pass the PhiLSAT, the entrance exam for Philippine law schools, or apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
- Choose the legal school to which you plan to apply.
- Send the necessary documents and application papers to the law school of your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
The University of the Philippines – Diliman is the best law school in the Philippines for 2022. The best-performing school in the 2019 bar exam was UP-D, with an average passing percentage of 82.46%. In both 2015 and 2018, they scored highly on the bar exam, placing them among the best colleges.
Law school is challenging. Many folks claim to have read more during their first week of law school than they did during their whole undergraduate career. We’re talking about skipping family gatherings to study for a test. We’re talking about putting off meeting your buddies once more because you have examinations coming up.
One of the most renowned bar examinations in the world is held in the Philippines. Thousands of people attempt to become lawyers each year by taking the bar test. The test is famously challenging, and historically, only a small percentage of those who take it succeed.
Because they are so much more abstract than other disciplines of law, Constitutional Law and Civil Procedure are typically the ones that students find the most challenging.
Candidates who have failed the bar examination three times are ineligible to retake it unless they can demonstrate to the court’s satisfaction that they have enrolled in and completed regular fourth-year review classes as well as attended a pre-bar review course at an accredited law school.
Conclusion
We have concluded the Philippine legal education system. The application procedure can be started right away by visiting the school website if you are a serious applicant to one of the law schools in the Philippines.
Don’t let the misconception about law schools deter you. Your dedication to your academics and your diligence will set you apart!
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