Learn about the Top 10 law schools in the Philippines.
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Top 10 Law Schools in the Philippines
For students who are planning to pursue a career in law, consider the Top 10 law schools in the Philippines for the best legal education.
Making it to a top law school is no easy feat. You will be competing with the best and brightest minds in the country, so better submit your application requirements early and start your LAE prep immediately.
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Is Law School Right For You?
Top 10 Law Schools in the Philippines: 2012-2014 Bar Examinations
The top 10 law schools in the Philippines based on bar performance from 2012-2014 are:
- University of the Philippines (73.71%)
- Ateneo de Manila University (67.55%)
- San Beda College – Manila (67.13%)
- University of San Carlos (58%)
- Ateneo de Davao University (53.02%)
- University of Santo Tomas (43.98%)
- University of Cebu (41.49%)
- San Beda College – Alabang (39.10%)
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (35.80%)
- Xavier University (32.20%)
Top 10 Law Schools in the Philippines: 2019 Bar Examinations
The top performing law schools in the 2019 bar exams with at least 63 examinees are:
- University of the Philippines (82.46%)
- Ateneo de Manila University (81.38%)
- San Beda University (77.55%)
- University of Sto. Tomas (75.63%)
- University of San Carlos (65.31%)
- University of Cebu (60.32%)
- De La Salle University – Manila (52.55%)
- Saint Louis University (51.92%)
- University of the Cordilleras (45.90%)
- San Beda College – Alabang (40.46%)
Meanwhile, the top 10 performing schools for the same year with fewer than 63 examinees are:
- Ateneo de Davao University (88.64%)
- Ateneo de Zamboanga University (81.82%)
- Mariano Marcos State University (73.33%)
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines (63.33%)
- Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (62.50%)
- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (55.88%)
- Palawan State University (47.83%)
- Angeles University Foundation (45.45%)
- University of St. La Salle (40.63%)
- Father Saturnino Urios University (38.10%)
Top 10 Law Schools in the Philippines: 2022 Bar Examinations
The top performing law schools in the 2022 Bar Examinations with more than 100 examinees (which includes all candidates):
- Ateneo de Manila University (96.74%)
- San Beda University (96.67%)
- University of the Philippines (94.27%)
- University of San Carlos (91.43%)
- University of Santo Tomas (78.09%)
Meanwhile, the top performing law schools for the same year with 51-100 examinees (which includes all candidates) are:
- Ateneo de Davao University (92.06%)
- Saint Louis University (78.46%)
- University of Cebu (76.47%)
- Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (73.91%)
- Jose Maria College (69.64%)
Top 10 Law Schools in the Philippines: Featured Law Schools
The degree conferred, admission process, requirements, testing fee, and tuition fee of some of the top law schools in the Philippines are enumerated below. (You may click the name of the school to visit its website.)
University of the Philippines
Degree: Juris Doctor
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the UP Law Aptitude Exam. Essay and interview may be part of the admission process.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must be a holder of a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the arts or science
- must have majored in Political Science, Philosophy, English, History, or Economics
- must have completed 12 units of English, 9 units of History or Economics, 9 units of Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology, and 3 units of Rizal (if the applicant majored in another course)
- must submit the registration form
- must submit proof of payment of testing fee
- must submit proof of graduation, official transcript of records, and general weighted average (if already a graduate)
- must submit proof of senior standing, certified current official transcript of records and general weighted average, and copy of the course curriculum (if still enrolled)
- must submit certification of good standing and official transcript of records (if enrolled in another law school)
- must submit 3 pcs. of identical and recent passport-sized photos with white background
- must submit 1 self-addressed stamped envelope
- must submit other documents as may be required by the Admissions Committee
Testing Fee: PHP1,500 for early registrants or PHP2,000 for late registrants
Tuition Fee: Around PHP25,000 – PHP30,000 per semester
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Ateneo de Manila University
Degree: Juris Doctor
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam. Based on the result of the exam, he may be qualified for enrollment, or he may need to undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree
- must have completed 18 units of English, 6 units of Mathematics, 18 units of Social Science, and 3 units of Rizal
- must submit an online application form
- must submit an official transcript of records
- must submit a certification of candidacy for graduation (if still enrolled)
- must submit 3 pcs. of 2 x 2 ID picture with red background
- must submit 2 recommendation forms: 1 from the Dean or a faculty member of the school, and 1 from a reputable source
Testing Fee: PHP2,500
Tuition Fee: PHP75,000 – PHP98,000 per semester
Related Post:
Ateneo Law School Entrance Exam
San Beda College – Manila
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam. Based on the result of the exam, he may be qualified for enrollment, or he may need to undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must be a Filipino citizen
- must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree
- must 18 units of English, 18 units of Social Science, 6 units of Mathematics, and 6 units of Filipino
- must submit an official transcript of records
- must submit honorable dismissal or certificate of graduation (if the TOR is not yet available)
- must submit a certificate of candidacy for graduation (if still enrolled)
- must submit an original and a photocopy of a certification of good moral character from the Dean and the Guidance Counselor
- must submit 3 pcs. of 2×2 ID photos with white background
Testing Fee: PHP1,300
Tuition Fee: Around PHP63,000 per semester
University of San Carlos
Degree: Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam.
Requirements: An applicant must:
- submit an official transcript of records
- submit 1 pc. of 1×1 ID photo
Testing Fee: PHP250
Tuition Fee: Around PHP32,000 per semester
Ateneo de Davao University
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law school entrance exam. If he passes, he will be qualified for interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must submit an application form
- must submit a transcript of records
Testing Fee: PHP350
University of Santo Tomas
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam (includes essay writing) and undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree
- must have completed 18 units in English, 18 units in Social Science, and 6 units in Mathematics
- must submit the official transcript of records
- must submit the temporary transcript of records (if still enrolled)
- must submit 2 pcs. of 2×2 colored ID photos
- must submit 1 certificate of good moral character from the Dean or the Guidance Office (with the school seal embossed on the certificate)
- must submit a certificate of good moral character from the current employer (if working)
- must submit an application form (issued by the dean’s office upon submission of requirements)
- must submit all requirements 1 week prior to scheduled exam
University of Cebu
Degree: Juris Doctor
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam, write an essay, and undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must submit a transcript of records
- must submit a certificate of honorable dismissal
- must submit a certificate of transfer credential
- must submit 2 pcs of 2×2 ID photo
- must submit an original copy of the NSO birth certificate
Testing Fee: PHP200
Tuition Fee: Around PHP25,000
San Beda College – Alabang
Degree: Bachelor of Laws
Admission Process: An applicant must pass the law entrance exam. Based on the result of the exam, he may be qualified for enrollment, or he may need to undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must submit an application form
- must submit a recommendation from the Dean and instructor or guidance counselor
- must submit a certificate of good moral character from school or employer
- must submit transcript of records
- must submit photocopy of certificate of eligibility to transfer/transfer credential/honorable dismissal (if transcript of records not yet available)
- must submit certificate of candidacy for graduation (if transcript of records not yet available)
- must submit 2 pcs. of 2×2 ID photo with white background
- must submit photocopy of NSO birth certificate
- must submit photocopy of baptismal certificate
- must submit long brown envelope with applicant’s name printed on the upper left hand corner
Testing Fee: PHP1,200
Tuition Fee: Around PHP60,000
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
Degree: Juris Doctor
Admission Process: The applicant must pass the College of Law Admission Test and undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must have a general weighted average of at least 2.00 or 84% in the bachelor’s degree
- must have earned 18 units of English, 6 units of Mathematics, and 18 units of Social Science
- must be a resident of Manila and submit voter’s ID/certification and barangay certification (if applying for scholarship)
- must submit official transcript of records
- must submit a government-issued ID and/or community tax certificate
- must submit income tax return (if working)
- must submit income tax return of parents (if not yet working)
- must submit 2 pcs. of colored passport-sized photos
- must submit a letter of recommendation from the Dean or Head of school
Testing Fee: Around PHP700 – PHP1,000
Tuition Fee: Around PHP32,000
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
Degree: Bachelor of Laws (will offer Juris Doctor soon)
Admission Process: The applicant must pass the law entrance exam and may be required to undergo an interview.
Requirements: An applicant:
- must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree
- must have completed 18 units of English, 6 units of Mathematics, and 18 units of Social Sciences
- must submit 1 copy of 1×1 ID photo
- must submit an authenticated copy of the official transcript of records
- must have a percentile rank of 60% to be eligible for interview
- must submit 2 academic endorsement letters from a former professor, Dean or Administrative Head (after passing the law qualifying test)
- must submit 1 personal endorsement letter from a person of responsible position who is not a relative (after passing the law qualifying test)
- must submit 2 photocopies of NSO birth certificate (after passing the law qualifying test)
- must submit a copy of honorable dismissal (after passing the law qualifying test; if a transferee)
- must submit a recommendation letter for the Director of Student Affairs (after passing the law qualifying test; if a transferee)
- must submit a certificate for preliminary law course (after passing the law qualifying test; if a transferee)
- must submit 3 photocopies of marriage contract (after passing the law qualifying test; if a married woman)
- must submit 2 pcs. of 2×2 ID photos
Testing Fee: PHP300
Tuition Fee: Around PHP33,000 per semester
Are You Ready For Law School?
Are you ready for law school? Start your LAE Prep today. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Sources
ABS-CBN News. Top 10 Best Performing Law Schools in the Philippines. Retrieved on September 13, 2023. https://news.abs-cbn.com/image/nation/12/02/15/top-10-best-performing-law-schools-in-the-philippines-10/
Legal Education Board Facebook Posts. https://www.facebook.com/legal.education.board/
Philippine Star. UP College of Law Still Best Law School in Philippines – LEB. Retrieved on September 13, 2023. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/12/03/1528832/college-law-still-best-law-school-philippines-leb/
Supreme Court of the Philippines. Performance of Law Schools: 2022 Bar Examinations. Retrieved on September 13, 2023. https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/top-law-schools.pdf/
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