The façade of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Manila Campus on July 14, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Finishing a degree as a parent is now more feasible with state universities offering tertiary education through Open University systems. 

Programs by Polytechnic University of the Philippines and University of the Philippines do not require regular physical attendance and use distance learning where students and professors interact virtually on flexible schedules.

Open University education is also more affordable than traditional schooling because of lower transportation costs.

PUP initiated its Open University System in 1990 to bring the school to “economically disadvantaged students, out-of-school youths, professionals.” 

Degree programs that parents can take include:

• • Bachelor in Public Administration (BPA)
• • Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting (BABR)
• • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management (BSBAMM)
• • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Management (BSBAHRM)
• • Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSENTREP)
• • Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA)
• • Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM)

Interested learners can submit their online application for the PUP College Entrance Test-Open University System until June 3, 2025.

The test is open to first-time college applicants and those not previously enrolled in vocational programs.

Learners who have previously enrolled in tertiary education may apply through the PUP Open University System Academic and Admission Evaluation for Transferees (PUPOUSAET).

The Oblation at the UP Open University in Los Baños, Laguna. Florentino Floro, public domain

UP OPEN UNIVERSITY

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Open University System established on 1995, aims to “provide Filipinos everywhere access to quality higher education through innovative methods of teaching and learning.”

UPOU has the following degree programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Studies (BAMS)

• Bachelor of Education Studies

UP offers online learning programs for Filipinos in Japan

Aside from these courses, learners can also take their Massive Open Distance Learning (MODeL), which is part of the universities’ Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

This program offers a wide variety of certificate courses topics such as Business Analytics, Sustainable Development, designs, and many more that are open and free for everyone. 

This certificate courses can be included in resumes and CVs.

Student-parents and UP OUS applicants can apply by taking UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) while the UP Massive Open Distance Learning (MODeL) is open for everyone upon registration to their portal.