The Application Process

1. 1. Accomplish the online application form. All applicants are required to complete this form; otherwise, their application will not be considered.

   2. Submit the following documents:

A. Personal documents. Note that these documents are required to complete the application form above. 

• Transcript of Records. (Photocopy or PDF if submitting online) Those who will qualify for admission to the program must also submit the original copy. 

• Proof of Employment. Obtain a certificate indicating your duties and responsibilities. A minimum of 2 years' work experience is required.

• Curriculum Vitae with a 2x2 photograph.

• Statement of Purpose. The essay should be a 3 to 4-page double-spaced document written in English. It should be uploaded as a PDF or Word document.

B. The applicant is also required to have two (2) recommenders. Each recommender should complete the online referee evaluation form and submit a signed recommendation letter.

1. 3. Pay the application fee. Upon completion of the online application form (Step #1), the applicant will receive a SOA/bill of payment via email. The application fee is non-refundable once paid. 

   4. The applicant is required to take any one of the following examinations:

      • the Graduate Program Admission Test (GPAT)

      • the Graduate Records Examination (GRE)

      • the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

   5. More details about these examination providers can be found in 'The Admissions Tests' section below. Please visit their websites to learn about how to register and take the examination online.

The Admission Tests & Test Fees

All applicants are required to take an entrance/admission test. They can choose to take any one of the following alternative tests: GPAT, GRE, or GMAT.

Graduate Program Admission Test (GPAT)

The GPAT is administered by the Business Research Foundation (UP BRF). The examination covers logic, basic quantitative skills, and reading/language comprehension. It takes 4 hours to complete (including breaks). 

The cost of the GPAT is Php 2,500 (inclusive of VAT) and is non-refundable once paid. The examination is scheduled on February 22, 2026 and will be held at the Virata School of Business (VSB) Building in UP Diliman. Deadline of exam payment is on February 12, 2026. The following options are available for payment of the GPAT examination fee:

1. Online deposit

2. Direct deposit through any branch of Philippine National Bank

3. Pay cash directly at the UP BRF Office located at Room 202, 2nd floor of VSB.

Use the following details for Options 1 and 2

Bank Name: Philippine National Bank

Savings Acct No.: 1086 1002 1630

Acct Name: UP BUSINESS RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.

After payment using any of the first 2 options, the applicant must email proof of deposit:

TO: corazon.manalang@gmail.com; genidina_marty@yahoo.com 

CC: rpdavid@up.edu.ph

with "MBA/MS Finance GPAT Examination Fee" in the subject box (without the quotes).

Graduate Records Exam (GRE) 

Applicants who wish to take the GRE should contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the company which administers the GRE, at 60376283333 or visit their website at www.ets.org/gre and have their scores sent to the University of the Philippines Cesar E. A. Virata School of Business, (code 1607). For the GRE score report to reach us before the application deadline, applicants should take the GRE before February. The cost of the GRE is USD190.00. You can find the online examination information here.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Applicants who wish to take GMAT should register for the examination at www.mba.com and select the University of the Philippines Cesar E. A. Virata School of Business, (code DNQ-RM-65), as a score receiving school. The cost of the GMAT is USD250.00. You can find the online examination information here.

Application Fee

The following payment methods are available for the payment of the PHP500.00 application fee:

• Cash at the UP Diliman Cash Office

• Online via Landbank's Link.Biz Portal

• Online via GCash Bills Payment

View instructions here for online payment.

If the payment was processed at the UP Diliman Cash Office, submit/upload the proof of payment using this link: <Link C> 

If payment was processed online (via Landbank or Gcash), the applicant must email the (1) Proof of Payment and (2) SOA/bill of payment to cashoffice.upd@up.edu.ph for confirmation. Once payment is confirmed by the UP Diliman Cash Office, the applicant must submit/upload the (1) Proof of Payment and (2) Confirmation of Payment from UP Cash Office using this link.

Information for International Applicants

An international applicant/student is a citizen of a country other than the Philippines. The MBA & MSFin Programs welcome applications for admission from international applicants. Applicants should take the GRE, or GMAT, and TOEFL exams, in lieu of the GPAT.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

International applicants except those with bachelor's degrees from the US, UK, New Zealand and Australian Universities must demonstrate fluency in English by taking the TOEFL (code B151), also administered by ETS.

Visa & Immigration Information

https://immigration.gov.ph/student-visa-9f/