Frequency of Intake
Applications are accepted twice a year, once for each semester, which starts August/September and January/February.
Deadline Mailing List
• For First Semester, AY 2024–2025 (August/September 2024 intake): 12 July 2024.
• For other/later semesters, please fill out the form below to be notified.
Application Process: M.A. Programs
How to Apply: M.A. Programs
-
Fill out online application form (see "Forms and Requirements" tab)
-
There will be separate application forms for later semesters, so kindly answer the form only if you are applying for the next semester.
-
Send the soft copies of the requirements (except the recommendation forms) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in one zip file by the deadline.
-
Follow file naming and formatting guide below
-
Review "Submission Reminders" tab
-
To pay for the application fees, please see "Application Fee" tab
-
The recommendation forms may be emailed by the person recommending you. See "Submitting the Recommendation Forms" for details
-
The original documents should be submitted personally, by a representative, or via courier of your choice. Original and authentic documents are important to submit for verification and evaluation purposes. Address the documents to Mr. Robert Silleza from the Office of the College Secretary.
-
Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Magsaysay Avenue cor. Katipunan Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1101
-
Online Interviews (via Zoom) of Shortlisted Candidates
-
The Office of the College Secretary will contact you for the schedule via the email address you provide in the online application form.
-
If scheduled for interview, kindly make sure you have a registered/authenticated (i.e., you used a verified email address to sign up) Zoom account. Signing in to your Zoom account is required to join the session.
-
Aptitude examination is suspended until further notice.
-
All applicants will be notified of the results. Accepted applicants will process their University Admission Slip. See "I got accepted. What's next?" tab.
How to Apply: M.A. Programs (Other Semesters; Non-Quarantine Conditions)
-
Fill out the online application form. Online application forms will be activated weeks before the application period for each intake. In the meantime, you may sign up for the deadline mailing list (See deadline tab on the left).
-
Submit all requirements to the Office of the College Secretary on or before the deadline (See deadline tab on the left).*
-
Applicants who pass preliminary screening will take an aptitude exam and write two essays** (in-house at the UP Asian Center). Schedule to be announced by the Office of the College Secretary
Generally, while it can help to read up on Asia- or Philippine-related issues and theories, the aptitude exam tests less for objective knowledge than for the depth and range of one's thinking, as well as writing aptitude (proper grammar, sentence structure, clear presentation of one's ideas, etc.) and readiness for graduate school.
-
Successful examinees will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee.
-
Accepted applicants await further instructions/updates. The next steps can be viewed here: visit OUR FAQ page, in particular step 4 onwards.
File Naming Guide
For faster processing, except for the Passport photo (jpg or png) and GWA (Excel), all files must be sent as PDFs (and in one zip file) and must be named thus (include the numbers in the file name):
• 01 Letter of Application - Last Name, Given Name
• 02 Transcript of Records/TCG - Last Name, Given Name
• 03 CV - Last Name, Given Name
• 04 Personal Data Form - Last Name, Given Name
• 05 Passport Photo - Last Name, Given Name
• 06 Birth Certificate - Last Name, Given Name
• 07 Research Plan - Last Name, Given Name
• 08 GWA Computation Form - Last Name, Given Name
• 09 Certificate of Transfer Credentials - Last Name, Given Name (For applicants from non-UP Diliman universities)
• 10 Marriage Certificate - Last Name, Given Name (For married female applicants only)
• 11 Proof Payment Application Fee - Last Name Given Name
—Last updated: 19 February 2022
Submission Reminders
See file naming and numbering guide tab.
All items—except 06, 09 and 10—must be submitted online by the deadline. But if you already have items 06, 09, and/or 10, please include them in your online submission by the deadline. It is strongly recommended, however, that you already have these documents by the time you apply.
Applicants who are yet to submit these three items may still be shortlisted and interviewed online.
However, applicants endorsed for admission to the Office of the University Registrar must submit later to the Admissions and Registration Section (ARS) of the OUR original hard copies of the following:
-
-
- PSA Birth Certificate (BC)
- PSA Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Certificate of Transfer Credentials (for applicants from non-UP Diliman universities)
- Transcript of Records (marked with "Copy for UP Diliman)
The deadline for the submission of these original hard-copy documents to the OUR will be given to you by the Office of the College Secretary. Please coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary regarding this matter. Any updates regarding deadlines and other procedures will be emailed to you.
—Tab last updated 18 February 2022
Notes on Submission (Pre-Covid-19 Process Only)
* The requirements have to be submitted in person, either by you or by a representative, only on weekdays (excluding holidays or cancellation of work), 8 am to 12 noon, 1 pm to 5 pm.
Submitting the Recommendation Forms
Kindly ask the person recommending you to fill out the form and email it directly to the Office of the College Secretary. File name should be: Recommendation_LastName_GivenName.
But please secure hard copies of the recommendation forms—still sealed—and send them to the Office of the College Secretary, UP Asian Center on or before the deadline. You may coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary regarding this matter.
I got accepted. What's next?
After the Office of the College Secretary notifies you of your acceptance, you will now process your University Admission Slip (UAS), which will formalize and make official your admission to the university (as a graduate student).
Please view requirements here (see "New Graduate Students...", and follow any instructions given by the Office of the College Secretary. Make sure to take note of the provisional acceptance notice.
How to Apply: M.A. Programs
-
Fill out online application form (see "Forms and Requirements" tab)
-
There will be separate application forms for later semesters, so kindly answer the form only if you are applying for the next semester.
-
-
Send the soft copies of the requirements (except the recommendation forms) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in one zip file by the deadline.
-
Follow file naming and formatting guide below
-
Review "Submission Reminders" tab
-
To pay for the application fees, please see "Application Fee" tab
-
The recommendation forms may be emailed by the person recommending you. See "Submitting the Recommendation Forms" for details
-
-
The original documents should be submitted personally, by a representative, or via courier of your choice. Original and authentic documents are important to submit for verification and evaluation purposes. Address the documents to Mr. Robert Silleza from the Office of the College Secretary.
-
Hall of Wisdom, GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center, Magsaysay Avenue cor. Katipunan Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 1101
-
-
Online Interviews (via Zoom) of Shortlisted Candidates
-
The Office of the College Secretary will contact you for the schedule via the email address you provide in the online application form.
-
If scheduled for interview, kindly make sure you have a registered/authenticated (i.e., you used a verified email address to sign up) Zoom account. Signing in to your Zoom account is required to join the session.
-
-
Aptitude examination is suspended until further notice.
-
All applicants will be notified of the results. Accepted applicants will process their University Admission Slip. See "I got accepted. What's next?" tab.
How to Apply: M.A. Programs (Other Semesters; Non-Quarantine Conditions)
-
Fill out the online application form. Online application forms will be activated weeks before the application period for each intake. In the meantime, you may sign up for the deadline mailing list (See deadline tab on the left).
-
Submit all requirements to the Office of the College Secretary on or before the deadline (See deadline tab on the left).*
-
Applicants who pass preliminary screening will take an aptitude exam and write two essays** (in-house at the UP Asian Center). Schedule to be announced by the Office of the College Secretary
Generally, while it can help to read up on Asia- or Philippine-related issues and theories, the aptitude exam tests less for objective knowledge than for the depth and range of one's thinking, as well as writing aptitude (proper grammar, sentence structure, clear presentation of one's ideas, etc.) and readiness for graduate school.
-
Successful examinees will be interviewed by the Admissions Committee.
-
Accepted applicants await further instructions/updates. The next steps can be viewed here: visit OUR FAQ page, in particular step 4 onwards.
File Naming Guide
For faster processing, except for the Passport photo (jpg or png) and GWA (Excel), all files must be sent as PDFs (and in one zip file) and must be named thus (include the numbers in the file name):
• 01 Letter of Application - Last Name, Given Name
• 02 Transcript of Records/TCG - Last Name, Given Name
• 03 CV - Last Name, Given Name
• 04 Personal Data Form - Last Name, Given Name
• 05 Passport Photo - Last Name, Given Name
• 06 Birth Certificate - Last Name, Given Name
• 07 Research Plan - Last Name, Given Name
• 08 GWA Computation Form - Last Name, Given Name
• 09 Certificate of Transfer Credentials - Last Name, Given Name (For applicants from non-UP Diliman universities)
• 10 Marriage Certificate - Last Name, Given Name (For married female applicants only)
• 11 Proof Payment Application Fee - Last Name Given Name
—Last updated: 19 February 2022
Submission Reminders
See file naming and numbering guide tab.
All items—except 06, 09 and 10—must be submitted online by the deadline. But if you already have items 06, 09, and/or 10, please include them in your online submission by the deadline. It is strongly recommended, however, that you already have these documents by the time you apply.
Applicants who are yet to submit these three items may still be shortlisted and interviewed online.
However, applicants endorsed for admission to the Office of the University Registrar must submit later to the Admissions and Registration Section (ARS) of the OUR original hard copies of the following:
-
-
- PSA Birth Certificate (BC)
- PSA Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Certificate of Transfer Credentials (for applicants from non-UP Diliman universities)
- Transcript of Records (marked with "Copy for UP Diliman)
-
The deadline for the submission of these original hard-copy documents to the OUR will be given to you by the Office of the College Secretary. Please coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary regarding this matter. Any updates regarding deadlines and other procedures will be emailed to you.
—Tab last updated 18 February 2022
Notes on Submission (Pre-Covid-19 Process Only)
* The requirements have to be submitted in person, either by you or by a representative, only on weekdays (excluding holidays or cancellation of work), 8 am to 12 noon, 1 pm to 5 pm.
Submitting the Recommendation Forms
Kindly ask the person recommending you to fill out the form and email it directly to the Office of the College Secretary. File name should be: Recommendation_LastName_GivenName.
But please secure hard copies of the recommendation forms—still sealed—and send them to the Office of the College Secretary, UP Asian Center on or before the deadline. You may coordinate with the Office of the College Secretary regarding this matter.
I got accepted. What's next?
After the Office of the College Secretary notifies you of your acceptance, you will now process your University Admission Slip (UAS), which will formalize and make official your admission to the university (as a graduate student).
Please view requirements here (see "New Graduate Students...", and follow any instructions given by the Office of the College Secretary. Make sure to take note of the provisional acceptance notice.
For easier browsing, click "Admissions" on the main menu above.
