How to apply

ADMISSION

Application Forms (Online Portal):

For Graduate Diploma and Master’s degree application: Application Form 1 – Master’s

For PhD degree application: Application Form 1 – PhD

For PhD by Research degree application: Application Form 1 – PhD by Research

For Non-Degree application: Application Form 1 – Non-Degree

Note: GS will only accept application forms completed using the above links.

Recommendation Forms

Recommendation Form – PDF

Recommendation Form – Fillable Word File

– Two (2) recommendations if applying for Master’s degree program

– Three (3) recommendations if applying for PhD degree program

Submit here: GS Recommendation Google form

How to Apply:

A. Filipino applicants

A duly accomplished application form must be submitted to the Graduate School together with the following documents:

    • One (1) original and one (1) photocopy of Official Transcript of Record (OTR)*, in English language, for each college previously attended

*Undergraduate degree OTR is required for master’s degree applicants

*Undergraduate and Master’s degrees OTR is required for PhD applicants

Note: It is preferred that the Official Transcript of Records does not bear any remarks (e.g. “for evaluation”).   

    • One (1) photocopy of each certificate or diploma received;
    • Two (2) accomplished recommendation forms from former professors or from current/former supervisors. If with a master’s degree, a third recommendation from the major professor is required.

The recommendation forms must be sent through the GS Standard Recommendation Google form by the persons making the recommendation. GS will only consider recommendation forms submitted through this specified link. 

    • A nonrefundable application fee of PHP 500.

Payment Options

 – direct cash payment at the UPLB Cashier’s Office

 – JRS and LBC courier services (door-to-door delivery), please email [email protected] for the details

– Thru LBP E-service (Php 500)

          1. Click the link: https://www.lbp-eservices.com/egps/portal/Merchants.jsp
          2. Under Merchant List Click the letter “U” and look for the University of the Philippines Los Baños
          3. Click Continue
          4. Select GS Fees
          5. Choose Payment Options
          6. Fill out the data needed (Put N/A, if not applicable).
          7. Click Continue
          8. Check all the information
          9. Click I certify that I am at least 18 years old and have read, understood, and agreed to the Terms and Conditions and fill up the one-time password
          10. Click Submit

B. International (Non-Filipino) Applicants

A duly accomplished application form must be submitted to the Graduate School together with the following documents:

    • One (1) original and one (1) photocopy of Official Transcript of Record, in English language, for each college previously attended;
    • One (1) photocopy of each certificate or diploma received;
    • Two (2) accomplished recommendation forms from former professors. If with a master’s degree, a third recommendation from the major professor is required.

The recommendation forms must be sent through the GS Standard Recommendation Google form by the persons making the recommendation. GS will only consider recommendation forms submitted through this specified link. 

    • Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent, or Certification of English as medium of instruction in previous degree/s issued by the university/school registrar.

TOEFL score of 46 or IELTS score of 5.5 or better taken within the last two years is required only of applicants from countries where English is not the medium of instruction and/or not the native language. A copy of the official score report should be issued by the Educational Testing Service to the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Graduate School.

    • A nonrefundable application fee of 40 USD (excluding bank charges). Payment can be through bank transfer to the Land Bank of the Philippines:

      Bank Account: UPLB Revolving Fund Dollar

      Bank Account Number: 1894-0022-27

      Bank Name: Land Bank of the Philippines – UPLB Branch

      Bank Address: Victoria M. Ela Ave. Los Baños, Laguna

      Swift Code: TLBP PH MMXXX

    • Photocopy of passport as proof of identification.
    • Proof of financial capacity to pursue studies in the Philippines or scholarship award letter
    • Police Clearance

English Proficiency Examination

If English is not the medium of instruction during previously taken degree programs or the TOEFL score is below the set threshold (please email [email protected] for the details), an accepted applicant is required to take the English Proficiency Examination (EPE) in UPLB. This is to determine one’s level of proficiency. The fee for EPE is Php 250. If the applicant’s level of proficiency is Level A, he/she is required to take the Level A English Intensive Course for a fee of Php 8000.

IMPORTANT:

The Graduate School and the individual programs may require additional information or documents from an applicant when deemed necessary.

All application materials become part of the permanent records of UPLB and will not be returned to the applicant.

Additional Requirements for Phd by Research

    • Certification from the immediate head of the agency that the applicant has at least five (5) years of satisfactory research experience
    • Reprints or copies of the applicant’s research outputs
    • A research proposal which shall include the title, rationale, objectives, methodology, and references (maximum of 5 pages)

Other additional attachments required by the following programs

      • Applied Mathematics – Research Plan and Interview
      • Applied Nutrition – Abstract of Research Interest
      • Community Development (PhD only) –  minimum 2 years work experience required; Essay on Proposed Research. Format of the Proposed Research:
        1. Research Interest/Study Title (8-10 words)
        2. Statement of the Problem (400-500 words)
        3. Objectives of the Study (100-150 words)
        4. Significance of Research Interest/Study (200-300 words)
        5. Methodology (200-300 words)
      • Clinical Nutrition – updated PRC license, certification of GWA
      • Community Development (MS) –  minimum of 1 year work experience required
      • Development Studies – Research Proposal
      • Development Management and Governance – minimum 2 years work experience required; Essay 1: Personal statement, Essay 2:  Research Interest
      • Environmental Science – Concept Note
      • Extension Education –  minimum of 1-year work experience required for MS and a minimum of 2 years work experience for PhD
      • Food Engineering:
        1. Letter of application
        2. A 300 to 500-word essay on a food engineering problem encountered in the current/previous job and a proposed plan of action to address the problem
        3. Curriculum Vitae
        4. Endorsement letter from the current supervisor if the applicant is employed, and
        5. Interview (may be conducted online)
      • Human Nutrition – Abstract of Research Interest
      • Public Affairs –  minimum 2 years work experience required
      • PhD by Research
        1. Certification from the immediate head of the agency that the applicant has at least five (5) years of satisfactory research experience
        2. Reprints or copies of the applicant’s research outputs
        3. A research proposal which shall include the title, rationale, objectives, methodology, and references (maximum of 5 pages)

Application Deadlines:

All documents must be received by the Graduate School not later than:

Term of Admission Regular* Deadline Date
1st Semester (August/September intake)

March 31

(Submission online portals open on February 01;

Release of application results starts on 31 May)

2nd Semester (January/February intake)

August 31

(Submission online portals open on July 01;

Release of application results starts on 31 October

For programs requiring midyear preparatory school (only 1st Semester August/September intake):

Master of Management

    • Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship
    • Business Management
    • Cooperative Management

Master of Science

    • Agricultural Economics
    • Economics

Master in Food Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy

    • Agricultural Economics

March 31

(Submission online portals open on February 01;

Release of application results depends on the schedule of the midyear preparatory school)

*For Special Deadline Dates (e.g., for fresh graduates of BA/BS applying for admission to the Master’s degree programs, for fresh graduates of Master’s applying to the PhD programs, or for applicants under special arrangement with UPLB), please email [email protected].

*For international students or for students applying for scholarship (e.g., DAAD scholarship) who need to receive the results of the application (Notice of Admission) before the set date listed in the above table, please inform [email protected] at least 2 months before you need the result. 

NOTE: For more information, check the program listing or inquire from the degree program chair (email [email protected] to get the email address of the program chair).

Incomplete Applications

Applications lacking the required documents will not be processed until after all the papers are received by the Graduate School. If application is completed after the deadline, processing will then commence in the next evaluation period.

Admission Categories:

An applicant to a degree program may be admitted on either regular or probationary status.

Regular admission is offered to an applicant whose academic records and supporting documents indicate that he is qualified to undertake graduate study in his chosen field.

Advanced or Transfer Credit: Not more than nine (9) units (see https://gs.uplb.edu.ph/gs-policies-rules-regulations).

Probationary admission is offered to an applicant whose academic records and supporting documents indicate deficiencies but show promise of success in graduate study. An applicant must meet the specific requirements of his admission before his probationary status can be changed to regular. An applicant who fails to meet the terms of probationary admission is disqualified from the intended program of study. The probationary admission is valid for one term only. 

Deferment of Admission:

An applicant who cannot enroll in the semester for which admission was offered may send a written request to the Dean of the Graduate School to have their admission deferred for a period not exceeding one year (2 semesters). If the request is approved, the student cannot register for graduate course work as a nondegree or special student in UPLB while the deferment is in effect.

Deferment fee: PhP200 for Filipino students; 15 USD for International students

Non-degree or Special Admission:

An applicant for non-degree or special programs may be offered admission to the Graduate School but not to any graduate degree program upon recommendation of the Graduate Program Management Committee of the department for which the applicant intends to enroll courses. The recommendation must be endorsed by the department chair and approved by the dean of the Graduate School. 

An applicant admitted on non-degree status may take a maximum of 12 units of course work for credit but shall not be allowed to enroll for more than one semester, except by special permission of the dean of the Graduate School and the Registrar. An applicant admitted on special status shall not be allowed to enroll for more than 9 units a semester or to register for more than 2 years, except by special permission of the dean of the Graduate School; subjects taken shall not be credited.

Readmission:

An applicant offered readmission to a degree program shall undergo the same procedure as that of a newly-admitted graduate student. Applications for readmission to a graduate program can be made only once.

Applicants not admitted:

Applicants who are denied admission due to lack of preparatory or fundamental courses in the intended graduate program of study may have their applications reconsidered only after submission of additional documents not submitted at the time of original evaluation. Applicants denied admission due to poor academic credentials are discouraged from reapplying for admission.

Summary:

Step 1. See if you meet the minimum qualifications 

Degree Applied For Minimum Qualifications
Master’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree (4-year degree course) or its equivalent from any recognized institution.
Doctor of Philosophy (Regular PhD) Master’s Degree or its equivalent from any recognized institution.
Doctor of Philosophy (by Research) Master’s Degree or its equivalent from any recognized institution. Three (3) years of experience in research beyond the Master of Science degree. Published at least one (1) paper (excluding the M.S. and B.S. theses) in refereed scientific journals; the applicant must be sole or senior author in the field he is applying for.
Non regular Admission Bachelor’s Degree (4-year degree course) or its equivalent from any recognized institution.

 

Step 2. Secure admission requirements for uploading in the Online Admissions Portal

Applications with incomplete documents will not be processed.

Step 3. Upload the documents to the Online Admissions Portal on or before the deadline

If admitted, the hardcopy of the documents will be submitted later to the Graduate School.

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to remind the professors/supervisors to submit the recommendation forms on time. 

Step 4. Wait for the result

The applicant will be notified through email (hence, please double check the email entered in the Admission Portal). If no email has been received this means that the application is still in process.

If admitted, the next steps will be announced in an email.


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