Study with Us
The University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines is the country's premier institution of higher learning. Founded in 1908, and with a new Charter granted by law (R.A. 9500) in 2008, UP leads in setting academic standards and initiating innovation through its graduate programs, research activities, and public service. UP's education has a distinctive flavor evident in our graduates who embody the University's commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and democratic access. UP is the highest ranked university in the Philippines, placing 65th in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings and 396th in the QS World University Rankings. UP has eight constituent universities in 21 campuses, with its main campus in Diliman, Quezon City occupying a sprawling 493 hectares and home to more than 23,000 students.
The UP School of Library and Information Studies
The UP School of Library and Information Studies (UPSLIS) is the first library school in Southeast Asia and the top performing library school in the Philippines
UP was the first university in Southeast Asia to offer courses in Library Science in 1914. Post-war, the Institute of Library Science was formed in 1961 to offer a graduate program. Now known as the UPSLIS, we continue to lead and reinvent information science education and practice in the region. With 14 full-time faculty members, 17 part-time subject experts from industry, and a low student-teacher ratio of 11:1, UPSLIS provides the best foundation for entering work in the information professions.
Our Programs
The BLIS program is an innovative and interdisciplinary program that aims to develop well-rounded graduates who are able to:
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The Bachelor of Library and Information Science is a four-year, 138 unit program that allows students to:
Through electives, students may choose to specialize in certain “tracks”:
Key InformationNew high school graduates can apply to the BLIS program through the UP admissions process (UPCAT) via https://upadmissionsonline.up.edu.ph/ College students from a different university may transfer to the BLIS program through the Office of the University Registrar |
The MLIS program offers a venue for intellectual and professional conversations on research-focused approaches and evidence-based practices, towards the advancement of professionals in information sciences. The program creates leaders in the profession who promote a sense of humanity and justice through critical and transformative practice, and embody the principles of honor and excellence towards nation-building as UP scholars. |
The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program provides the skills and knowledge to start a career in the information professions. Graduates learn to manage information sources and services in academic, public, research and special libraries, knowledge centers, as well as archives and records offices. Key Information
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The MSLIS is an interdisciplinary program that offers courses focusing on the creation, use, dissemination and preservation of information in relation to society and emerging technology, as well as theories connected to these information activities. By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:
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The Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) is a thesis-based program that prepares graduate students for advanced library and information work in academic institutions, government agencies, businesses and corporations, and various information and cultural environments. Students will be trained to conduct systematic and relevant research that will add to the body of knowledge and practice of LIS, and address diverse information problems and issues. This program creates leaders in the profession who promote a sense of humanity and justice through critical and transformative practice, and embody the principles of honor and excellence towards nation-building as UP scholars. Key Information
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Non-degree students, with credit
Students who are interested in taking courses offered by UPSLIS may apply as a non-degree student for no more than one semester. As there is no specific program of study, these students will not be eligible for graduation. The courses they have taken will be reflected in their Transcript of Records (TOR). Since they do not follow any organized program of study, non-degree students are not prospective candidates for graduation for any degree in the University. However, these courses may be credited towards MLIS should the student choose to apply and be accepted to the program within five years of earning the course credit.
Special Students, without credit
Mature students (such as retired librarians, pensioners who love books, or grandparents doing genealogical research) who want to keep updated or engage with the latest theories and principles in LIS may be admitted as special students without credit and may enroll in such courses for which, in the opinion of the course instructor and the Dean, they have the necessary background knowledge and ability to pursue profitably.
Special students shall not be allowed to enroll for more than 9 units a semester or to register for more than two (2) years, except by special permission of the Dean. They may register for particular subjects within a semester when permissible under the system of instruction adopted by the college. These students do not earn formal academic credit. However, subjects taken even though without credit may be reported at the end of each semester as “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory”. Special students pay the same fees as regular students and may register at any time without the payment of fine for late registration, subject to other regulations of the University.
Seminars and Trainings
UPSLIS regularly offers seminars and training programs on a wide array of subjects, free or at a minimal cost. Institutions may also request specific training for employees and we will work with them to deliver a program that best fit their requirements.
Student Life
Outside of classes, UP is host to about 200 student organizations for different academic subject areas, causes, regional affiliations, religions, sports, and other special interests. UP SLIS is host to two academic organizations, the Library and Information Science Students Association (LISSA) and the Future Library and Information Science Professionals of the Philippines (FLIPP), as well as a variety of special interest groups on different subject areas such as ICT and ARM.
The Office of Scholarships and Grants have a variety of financial programs available to suit different needs. Further, tuition is free for all new BLIS students following the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 (R.A. No. 10931). You can visit http://ovcsa.upd.edu.ph/student-services/osg/ for more details.
UP provides comfortable, accessible, and affordable accommodations for underprivileged students and students from far provinces through the Office of Student Housing (OSH). The OSH manages eleven (11) residence halls on campus: six (6) are co-educational: Kalayaan, which is exclusive for freshmen; Kamagong, exclusive for graduate students; Ipil, Molave and Yakal for upperclassmen; and the International Center for foreign students. Four (4) are exclusively for female students: Ilang-Ilang, Kamia and Sampaguita for undergraduates, and Sanggumay for graduate students. The Centennial Residence Halls are divided into Concordia B. Albarracin Hall for undergraduate male students and Centennial 2 for female undergraduate students. More details on the residence halls can be found at http://ovcsa.upd.edu.ph/student-services/osh/ .
Opportunities
Our alumni have gone on to pursue careers in the information professions as librarians, archivists, records managers, system administrators, programmers, knowledge management specialists, information systems designers, information architects, and researchers among others. We also have graduates who are now lawyers, doctors, and academics
Our alumni can be found across various leading public and private organizations in libraries, archives, and information centers here and abroad. The following companies have recently hired BLIS graduates from UP:
- Asian Development Bank
- McKinsey & Company
- Philippine Stock Exchange
- ABS-CBN, Ayala
- BPI
- PNB
- Accenture
- Baker & McKenzie
- US Embassy
- World Health Organization
- St. Luke’s Hospital
- World Bank