PhD Admission

All PhD Program applicants are required to: [1] Fill out the online form, [2] take an entrance examination, and [3] submit application documents. A Google account is needed to upload the required documents. 
Before proceeding with your application, please visit the frequently asked questions page.

IMPORTANT ADMISSION DATES

Deadline for submission of all Application documents AY 2025-26   31 March 2025

Deadline of payments   31 March 2025

Doctoral Program Admission Test (DPAT)       6 April 2025

Interview Period     May 2025

Results of Application Released (through email)     June 2025

Read the VSB PhD Student Handbook HERE.

The Application Process


Online Application Form


To start the online application process, send an email to phd.cba@up.edu.ph with "Application Form Request" in the subject box. A link to the online application form will automatically be sent to you by email.

Note: (a) Avoid typographical errors in the subject box or the link will not be sent.

 (b) Users of email filters like Boxbe have to make their own adjustments to receive the link.


Do the following upon receipt of the email:

Documents Required for Admission


The documents and materials required for admission are as follows:


From the Applicant


Instructions to upload a copy of these documents will be sent to you once you have submitted the online application form. 


From Two Referees


To start the refereeing process, the referee must send an email to VSB.application@gmail.com with "Recommendation Form Request" in the subject box. A link to the recommendation form and instructions on file uploading will be sent to the referee upon receipt of the email.

The Admission Tests and Test Fees


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

Doctoral Program Admission Test (DPAT)

The DPAT 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 DPAT is Php 2,500 (inclusive of VAT) and is non-refundable once paid. The examination is scheduled on April 6, 2025 and will be held at the Virata School of Business (VSB) Building in UP Diliman. Deadline of exam payment is on March 31, 2025. The following options are available for payment of the DPAT 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 "DPAT 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 end of May 2023. 

Application Fee


Applicants can pay the 150.00 application fee online or make a direct deposit to the UPD Cash Office's Landbank account.


The following links show alternative modes of paying the application fee:

Land Bank Account Number: 3072-1006-96

(UPD Revolving Fund)


Print/save the online application response email beforehand and use it to serve as the bill of payment. After the payment using any of the 3 modes, the applicant must email proof of deposit: 


TO: cashoffice.upd@up.edu.ph

CC: rpdavid@up.edu.ph


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

Additional Requirements for International Applicants