More Filipino students are choosing to study overseas than ever before. Industry estimates put the number currently studying abroad at around 53,000, with growth of 8 to 10 per cent projected annually. Other sources place the figure closer to 49,000. Regardless, the Philippines remains one of the largest outbound student markets in Southeast Asia.
Behind these numbers are thousands of individual stories: students trading jeepneys for the London Underground, sari-sari stores for Melbourne cafes, and provincial university towns for campus towns abroad.
Why Filipino students are looking abroad
Career development, education quality and the chance to build in-demand skills consistently rank as the top motivations for Filipino students studying overseas. Canada draws students partly for its post-study employment pathways, while Australia is favoured for the strength of its qualifications; both are regarded as safe destinations for international students. The UK’s Graduate Route adds a further incentive, letting international graduates stay on and work after their degree, and Europe is gaining ground among Filipino students for its high standard of living, strong social benefits and clearer route to permanent residency after graduation.
Business-related courses, health services and hospitality remain the most popular fields of study, reflecting sectors where Philippine graduates already hold a strong global reputation.
The decision to study abroad is rarely just an academic one. It is also a lifestyle choice, and one made easier by the size of the established Filipino communities already living in these destinations. Canada is home to close to 960,000 people of Filipino descent, Australia to more than 400,000, and the United Kingdom to over 160,000, according to national census data.
For prospective students, this means built-in support networks: Filipino churches, associations and family friends who can help newcomers settle in, navigate part-time work, and find the nearest source of home-cooked adobo.
StudyIn Global University Fair 2026
StudyIn Philippines, part of the Global StudyIn network, will host the StudyIn Global University Fair 2026 on Saturday, September 26, 26th from 12 noon to 5:00 PM at Makati Diamond Residences. The event is free to attend and open to all students and parents exploring study options in the United Kingdom, Australia, Europe and Canada.
For prospective students and their families, it offers:
- Direct access to admissions teams from more than 25 universities and institutions, spanning three continents
- The chance to ask course-specific questions and get a head start on applications
- A first real glimpse of daily life abroad: the neighbourhoods they might live in and the food culture they will adapt to
- Insight into part-time jobs and internships available on a student visa
- A look at the communities of fellow Filipinos already thriving in these cities
“We created this fair to give Filipino students direct access to the universities and destinations they are considering, without having to navigate it all on their own,” said StudyIn Philippines Country Manager Isabella Brotonel.
“Whether someone is just starting to explore their options or is ready to apply, our advisors and university partners will be on hand to help them take the next step with confidence, not just academically, but in picturing what life abroad will actually look like.”
Event details
StudyIn Global University Fair 2026
- Date: Saturday, 26th September 2026
- Time: 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
- Venue: Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City
- Admission: Free
- Co-presented by: Pearson PTE Academic, with British Council IELTS and Chevening
Participating Universities and Institutions
| Australia – Education Centre for Australia (representing Victoria University and University of the Sunshine Coast) – University of Wollongong – Navitas – La Trobe University – University of Canberra – University of Newcastle – Torrens University – Edith Cowan University – James Cook University | United Kingdom – Mander Portman Woodward – University of Sunderland – University of Essex – University of Portsmouth – Teesside University – University of Northampton – St George’s University – University of South Wales – Nottingham Trent University – Cardiff Metropolitan University – Sheffield Hallam University – Leeds Beckett University – OnCampus |
| Europe – Berlin School of Business and Innovation – Business & Hotel Management School | Canada – Oxford International Education Group – Fairleigh Dickinson University |
Since 2006, StudyIn has helped over 1.3 million students apply to the world’s leading universities. As global higher education experts, StudyIn offers professional support at every stage of the application journey, helping students secure offers from top institutions in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States.
Trusted by more than 300 of the world’s best universities, StudyIn’s experienced advisors across over 40 countries help students bring their study abroad goals to life, wherever they aspire to go. Whether a student is applying to a university abroad, preparing for an English language test, or looking for funding support, StudyIn is there to help.
Services include:
- University and application support: helping students select the right course and institution, craft a compelling personal statement, and submit a strong application to top global universities.
- Visa guidance: simplifying the student visa process with step-by-step support to help students meet requirements and deadlines with confidence.
- Scholarship advice: identifying scholarship and funding opportunities to make studying abroad more accessible.
- Pre-departure support: working with trusted partners to help students find suitable housing and prepare for a smooth transition to student life abroad.
Interested participants can sign up here.
