Must-Read Before Departure ④ | Studying in the Philippines: How Much Does It Cost to Live for a Month?

Hello, this is Awork Academy.

In previous posts, we've shared that studying English in the Philippines is popular because, just like in English-speaking countries, you can learn English efficiently, while the cost of living is relatively low.

This time, we'll introduce something many people wonder about: "How much does it cost to live in the Philippines for one month?"

< Exchange Rate in the Philippines>

As of January 26, 2023,

• 1 USD = approximately 1,230 yen

• 1 Philippine peso = approximately 22 yen

That's the current exchange rate.

Exchange rates fluctuate, but rarely change drastically, so when comparing tuition and living costs to English-speaking countries like the US and UK, the Philippines tends to be considerably more affordable overall.

< Tuition and Other Costs >

When studying a language abroad, there are costs required in addition to tuition.

Main Costs Not Included in Tuition

• Airfare

• Overseas travel insurance

• School registration fee

• Local visa extension fee

• Textbook/materials fee

Insurance Premium

If it's a short-term study period of 12 weeks or less, you can take out travel insurance.
The cost is relatively low, and since the school sometimes handles the procedures on your behalf, it won't be a major burden.

School Registration Fee

Generally around 100,000 yen.

Visa Extension Fee (Estimate)

• 4-week stay: approximately 150,000～200,000 yen

• 12-week stay: approximately 500,000 yen

*Varies depending on the school and region.

Tuition

This varies depending on the number of class hours, but
approximately 1,000,000 yen per month (± around 300,000 yen) is a general guide.

At many schools, dormitory fees are required separately from tuition, but in many cases the dormitory fee includes meals.
Rooms are typically shared with multiple people.

< Personal Spending Money Is Needed Separately>

In addition to tuition, be sure to prepare personal spending money for local use.

This is used for things like:

• Eating out

• Cafes

• Shopping

• Weekend trips

• Buying souvenirs

Even if you don't make any big purchases,
it's reassuring to budget around 200,000～300,000 yen per month as a guide.

Of course, this will vary depending on your spending habits, but preparing with a bit of extra room will let you spend your time with peace of mind.

You could also bring a credit card that can be used overseas, but since ATM withdrawals may incur fees, planning your currency exchange in advance is recommended.

On Awork Academy's official website, we've organized easy-to-understand information about working holidays and language study abroad by country.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us anytime.