The real cost of studying abroad for Filipino students goes well beyond tuition fees, and typically includes visa costs, health insurance, show money, English test fees and living expenses, which together can add several hundred thousand pesos to your budget depending on your destination.
Tuition alone rarely tells the full story, and comparing destinations on tuition fees only can lead to underestimating what your family actually needs to prepare.
This guide breaks down the true total cost of studying in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Spain, so you can plan realistically from the start.
What Does Total Cost Actually Include When Studying Abroad
When Filipino students ask how much studying abroad costs, the answer usually needs to cover more than one line item. A realistic budget generally includes the following.
- Tuition fees for your course
- Student visa application fees
- Mandatory health insurance for the duration of your stay
- Show money, the funds you must prove you have access to before your visa is approved
- Accommodation and general living costs
- English language test fees, where a test is required
- Application costs and any deposit due after receiving an offer
- Foundation or bridging year costs, for some undergraduate applicants
All figures below are shown in the local currency with approximate Philippine peso conversions. Exchange rates move daily, so treat these PHP figures as a general guide rather than an exact amount, and always check the current rate closer to when you’re transferring funds.
Total Cost of Studying in the UK for Filipino Students
| Cost Item |
Amount (GBP) |
Approximate PHP |
| Tuition (per year, undergraduate) |
£13,000 to £25,000 |
Around ₱1.08M to ₱2.08M |
| Student visa application fee |
£558 |
Around ₱46,000 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) |
£776 |
Around ₱64,000 |
| Show money (living costs, outside London) |
£1,203 per month |
Around ₱100,000 per month |
| English test (IELTS or equivalent) |
£150 to £200 |
Around ₱12,000 to ₱17,000 |
If tuition is your main concern, our guide to the most affordable UK universities for Filipino students covers institutions with lower fees without compromising on course quality.
Total Cost of Studying in Australia for Filipino Students
| Cost Item |
Amount (AUD) |
Approximate PHP |
| Tuition (per year, undergraduate) |
AUD 22,000 to 45,000 |
Around ₱970,000 to ₱1.98M |
| Student visa application fee |
Around AUD 2,000 to 2,500 |
Around ₱88,000 to ₱110,000 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (per year) |
AUD 500 to 800 |
Around ₱22,000 to ₱35,000 |
| Show money (living costs, per year) |
Around AUD 29,710 |
Around ₱1.31M |
| English test (IELTS or equivalent) |
Around AUD 300 to 400 |
Around ₱13,000 to ₱18,000 |
For a full breakdown of budgeting for Australia, including accommodation and city-by-city living costs, see our guide to the cost of studying in Australia for Filipino students.
Total Cost of Studying in New Zealand for Filipino Students
| Cost Item |
Amount (NZD) |
Approximate PHP |
| Tuition (per year, undergraduate) |
NZD 22,000 to 40,000 |
Around ₱781,000 to ₱1.42M |
| Student visa application fee |
Around NZD 850 |
Around ₱30,000 |
| Mandatory health insurance (per year) |
Roughly NZD 600 to 1,000 |
Around ₱21,000 to ₱36,000 |
| Show money (living costs, per year) |
NZD 20,000 |
Around ₱710,000 |
| English test (IELTS or equivalent) |
Around NZD 400 |
Around ₱14,000 |
Expert View
“Families often prepare for tuition and forget that show money needs to sit in an account for a set period before the visa application, not be transferred in at the last minute. We always walk Filipino families through the full show money timeline early, since this is one of the most common causes of delay.” – Joanna Alejandro, Country Manager, StudyIn – Philippines.
Total Cost of Studying in Spain for Filipino Students
Spain is an emerging option for Filipino students, and its total cost structure looks noticeably different from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, particularly around tuition and the visa’s financial requirement.
| Cost Item |
Amount (EUR) |
Approximate PHP |
| Tuition, public university (non-EU rate, per year) |
€1,500 to €9,000 |
Around ₱107,000 to ₱639,000 |
| Tuition, private university (per year) |
€8,000 to €18,000 |
Around ₱568,000 to ₱1.28M |
| Student visa fee (Filipino applicants, at BLS Manila) |
Around PHP 4,544, paid directly in pesos |
₱4,544 |
| Show money (IPREM, for a 10-month academic year) |
Around €6,000, often shown as €8,000 to €10,000 for a comfortable margin |
Around ₱426,000 to ₱710,000 |
Spain’s student visa fee is paid directly in pesos at the visa application centre in Manila, which is one of the more straightforward parts of the process for Filipino applicants. Public university tuition also varies significantly by region, so a course in Madrid or Barcelona can cost considerably more than the same course in regions that apply the EU tuition rate to all students.
Comparing Total Costs at a Glance
| Destination |
Approximate Total First Year (PHP) |
| United Kingdom |
Roughly ₱2.3M to ₱3.6M |
| Australia |
Roughly ₱2.4M to ₱3.5M |
| New Zealand |
Roughly ₱1.5M to ₱2.2M |
| Spain |
Roughly ₱600,000 to ₱2M, depending on public or private university |
These ranges combine tuition, visa costs, insurance and show money for a single year, and are approximate rather than exact figures. Your actual cost will depend on your specific course, university, city and current exchange rates at the time you apply.
Can You Avoid English Test Costs? MOI vs IELTS Explained
Since education in the Philippines is predominantly delivered in English, many Filipino students look for ways to avoid paying for an English test. A Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate is a letter from your school confirming that your previous education was conducted in English, and some universities accept this in place of a formal test.
- Some UK and Australian universities accept an MOI certificate instead of IELTS or PTE, though this varies significantly by institution and course
- New Zealand universities are generally more likely to require a formal English test, though exceptions exist
- Spain’s English-taught programmes typically still require a formal English test or an MOI-style letter, while Spanish-taught programmes require a separate Spanish proficiency test such as DELE or SIELE
- Regulated courses, such as nursing, teaching, law and health sciences, generally require a formal English test regardless of MOI acceptance elsewhere
It’s worth checking your specific university’s policy before assuming MOI will be accepted, since relying on this without confirmation can delay your application if a test is later requested.
Foundation Year and Additional Study Costs for Undergraduate Applicants
Some Filipino undergraduate applicants may need to complete a foundation programme or an additional year of study before starting their bachelor’s degree, depending on their academic background and the destination’s entry requirements. This adds to both your timeline and your total cost, generally an extra year of tuition, living costs and, in some cases, a separate visa or enrolment process.
This is worth planning for early rather than treating as a worst case, since it directly affects your total budget and can concentrate undergraduate study among families with more financial flexibility if not accounted for from the start.
Scholarships, Discounts and Realistic Ways to Fund Your Studies
Scholarships and university discounts can meaningfully reduce your total cost, though most cover a portion of tuition rather than the full amount.
Some Filipino families also explore education loans through Philippine banks or financing institutions as part of their funding plan, alongside family contributions and savings. StudyIn does not provide loans or financing directly, but our counsellors can talk through realistic funding routes as part of your planning.
Get Expert Support and Advice
Understanding the true total cost, not just tuition, is one of the most important steps in choosing the right destination for your budget and goals. StudyIn’s counselling service is completely free, and our counsellors support Filipino students through the entire process, from choosing a course and destination through to financial planning, visa preparation and pre-departure guidance.
If you’d like a clearer picture of what your specific course and destination will actually cost, a free consultation is a practical next step.
FAQs
How much does it really cost to study abroad as a Filipino student?
Total costs vary by destination, but generally include tuition, visa fees, health insurance, show money and living expenses. Combined first-year costs typically range from around 600,000 pesos in Spain to over 3 million pesos in the UK or Australia, depending on the course and university.
What is show money and how much do I need?
Show money is the amount you must prove you have access to before your student visa is approved, used to demonstrate you can support yourself while studying. The amount varies by destination, from around 20,000 New Zealand dollars per year to around 29,710 Australian dollars per year, with the UK and Spain calculated on a monthly basis.
Are scholarships available for Filipino students?
Yes, though most cover part of your tuition rather than your full costs. Availability depends on the university, course and your academic profile, so it’s worth checking options specific to your shortlisted destinations.
Can I get a loan or financing to study abroad?
Some Filipino students explore education loans through local banks or financing institutions as part of their funding plan. StudyIn does not provide loans directly, but our counsellors can help you think through realistic funding options.
Do I always need to take IELTS, or can I use my Medium of Instruction certificate?
This depends on the university and course. Some universities accept an MOI certificate in place of a formal English test, while others, particularly for regulated courses, still require IELTS, PTE or an equivalent test.
