The 天美视频 has released the much-awaited UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) results for Academic Year 2025鈥�2026, with 17,996 qualifiers鈥攊ncluding those who are waitlisted鈥攔eceiving their admission notices for a degree program in the university. The successful examinees comprise 13% of the 135,236 UPCAT applicants, indicating improvements from the previous years. These figures and key insights were presented by UP officials at a media briefing held at the Executive House in UP Diliman on April 22.
According to UP President Angelo Jimenez, data from the Office of Admissions showed a 6.74% increase in the number of qualifiers compared to that of 2024. There was also a notable increase in the number of qualifiers from public schools compared with data from 2022 to 2024 test results.
鈥淥f the 17,996 who received admissions notices, 55% came from public schools鈥攂oth public non-science and public science schools鈥攚hile 45% came from private schools. Thirty percent of the total number of applicants are from Metro Manila while the rest are from the regions and overseas. Sixty percent are female and 40% are male,鈥� the Office of Admissions revealed.
鈥淭hree years ago, there were more [qualifiers] from private schools than public schools: only 44% came from public schools, while 56% were from private schools. The share of non-science public schools also increased from last year鈥檚 29.8% to 31%,鈥� Jimenez said.
He added that the number of first-generation college students doubled from 6.6% last year to 13%. He noted that this indicates that UP鈥檚 efforts to reach more students from underserved communities are finally yielding positive results.
鈥淭his is significant because first-generation college students in UP get a stronger fighting chance to uplift their family from poverty,鈥� Jimenez emphasized.
UP boosts support for incoming first-year students
Support programs for incoming first-year students and possible entry points for non-UPCAT qualifiers were also highlighted during the briefing as part of the UP administration鈥檚 thrust to democratize students鈥� access to education.
Among the initiatives cited for the increase of UPCAT qualifiers was the expansion of testing and information centers across the country. 鈥淔or example, in Davao de Oro, we typically have fewer than 10 qualifiers. After we opened a testing center in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro for UPCAT 2025, we now have 31 qualifiers,鈥� Jimenez said. In 2024, UP announced that it had designated at least 113 UPCAT testing centers across the nation and in key locations in the Middle East for overseas Filipinos.
Dr. Francisco De Los Reyes, director of the Office of Admissions encouraged eligible students and qualifiers to apply for scholarship and financial assistance programs. Deserving public high school graduates should also apply for the program under the Iskolar ng Bayan Act (Republic Act No. 10648).
Recognizing that many UP students face daily expenses for food, internet access, books and other necessities, Dr. Leo Cubillan, vice president for academic affairs, presented the Lingap Iskolar Program as a key support initiative. The program targets incoming first-year students from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) and low-income backgrounds to help them pursue their chosen degree programs in UP. There is also a 鈥渂ridging program鈥� that students can apply for to address learning gaps in high school and to help them prepare for college life in UP.
Dr. Tristan Nathaniel Ramos, director of the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS), added that this program can provide financial assistance of around PhP80,000 per semester to each of 300 students this year. Students from GIDAs can also join the mentoring program for guidance in adjusting to life in UP. Applicants should also contact the OSDS and the Office of Student Affairs in their campus for more information on the University鈥檚 many programs.
Ma. Shari Ni帽a Oliquino, assistant vice president for student affairs, said UP’s comprehensive and holistic assistance includes providing support for mental health needs and increasing allowances for student assistants. She added that UP alumni are also being tapped to provide additional support through donations, scholarships, and grants for deserving UP students.
Oliquino said the University recently increased the salaries of student assistants (SAs) and graduate assistants (GAs), and that this was the first salary hike for SAs and GAs in a decade. SAs will now earn PhP81 per hour, a 35% increase from the previous rate; GAs with a Master鈥檚 Degree will earn PhP145 per hour representing a 45% increase; and GAs with a PhD will receive PhP210 per hour, marking a 50% increase. (Read more: UP BOR Approves First Salary Hike in a Decade for Student, Graduate Assistants)
Alternative entry points for non-UPCAT qualifiers
Cubillan added that deserving students who are non-UPCAT qualifiers may opt to enroll in associate degrees offered by various UP campuses, or spend one year in another school then transfer to UP.
Additionally, the UP Open University also offers undergraduate programs to applicants who pass the Undergraduate Assessment Test (UgAT).
鈥淭o our students, current and future: UP is your University. It is your home, your platform, your training ground鈥攁nd one day, it will be your legacy, and duty, to carry the tradition of Honor, Excellence and Service forward,鈥� Jimenez concluded.
Watch the livestream of the event here:
Read more about the UPCAT results here: /admission-offers-now-sent-to-18000-upcat-2025-qualifiers/
Read more about the Lingap Iskolar Program here:
/up-announces-program-for-brilliant-minds-from-far-flung-communities/
