University of San Carlos
Cebu City, Philippines • Founded 1595 • World Rank #4665
Overview
Established in 1595, the University of San Carlos is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Cebu City (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Central Visayas.
Officially recognized by the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, University of San Carlos (USC) is a large-sized coeducational Philippine higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. University of San Carlos (USC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 429-year-old Philippine higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
USC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where University of San Carlos sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for University of San Carlos — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Academic Structures
How University of San Carlos structures its academic side — by faculty, school, and unit — is detailed below. The structure affects everything from credit transfer to cross-faculty modules.
Unit 7 items
- College of Architecture and Fine Arts
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- School of Business and Economics
- School of Health Care Professions
- School of Law and Governance
Degrees
University of San Carlos's degree range. Credit-recognition across borders depends on the level and the qualification framework; check whether your home system accepts University of San Carlos's credits.
Doctoral 13 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Curriculum
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational Research
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Management
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Science Education
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines.
Architecture and Fine Arts (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Advertising and Publicity
- Architecture
- Fine Arts
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Painting and Drawing
Common Career Paths
- Architect
- Urban Planner
- Interior Designer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Arts and Sciences (College) 24 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Applied Physics
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Computer Science
- Data Processing
- Economics
- Environmental Studies
- History
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Multimedia
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (College) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art Education
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Civics
- Communication Arts
- Cooking and Catering
- Dietetics
- Education
- Ethics
- Mathematics Education
- Music Education
- Nutrition
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Religious Education
- Science Education
- Secondary Education
- Special Education
- Textile Design
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (College) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmacy (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business and Economics (School) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Economics
- Finance
- Hotel and Restaurant
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
- Secretarial Studies
- Statistics
- Taxation
- Tourism
- Transport Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Graduate (School) 66 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Anthropology
- Architecture
- Biology
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child Care and Development
- Civil Engineering
- Community Health
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Curriculum
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Foreign Languages Education
- Geological Engineering
- History
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- Landscape Architecture
- Library Science
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microelectronics
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Philosophy of Education
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Religious Education
- Science Education
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Special Education
- Structural Architecture
- Taxation
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Thermal Engineering
- Urban Studies
- Water Management
- Water Science
- Zoology
Health Care Professions (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
Law and Governance (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Government
- Law
- Political Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Below: University of San Carlos's programme list by level. Programme intakes vary — some offer multiple entry points per year (Sep, Jan, May), others a single annual intake.
Bachelor's Degree
48 programmes
At undergraduate level, University of San Carlos offers 48 programmes. These bachelor's degrees typically open both direct employment pathways and routes into postgraduate specialisation.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Education & Teaching
BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management Tourism & Leisure
Bachelor of Tourism Management Tourism & Leisure
BS in Architecture Architecture
BS in Landscape Architecture Architecture
Bachelor in Culinary and Textile Arts Culinary Arts
Bachelor Of Fine Arts Visual Arts
BS in Interior Design Applied Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising Arts Advertising & Digital Marketing
BS in Accountancy Accounting
BS in Accounting Technology Accounting
BS in Business Administration Business Administration
BS in Economics Economics
BS in Entrepreneurship Business Administration
BS in Management Accounting Accounting
Bachelor of Library and Information Science Information Systems & Technology
BS in Chemical Engineering Chemistry
BS in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
BS in Computer Engineering Computer Sciences
BS in Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering
BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering Robotics & Automation
BS in Industrial Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
BS in Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
AB in History History
AB in Linguistics and Literature Linguistics & Language Studies
AB in Linguistics and Literature with Professional Education Courses Linguistics & Language Studies
AB in Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Bachelor of Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
BS in Computer Science Computer Sciences
BS in Information and Communications Technology Communication Studies
BS in Information Technology Information Systems & Technology
BS in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy
BS in Nursing Nursing
BS in Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition & Dietetics
BS in Pharmacy Pharmacy
BS in Applied Physics Physics & Astronomy
BS in Biology Biological Sciences
BS in Chemistry Chemistry
BS in Marine Biology Biological Sciences
BS in Mathematics Mathematics
AB in Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
AB in Political Science Politics & International Relations
AB in Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
BS in Psychology Psychology
Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education-Montessori Education Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Education in Special Education Special Education
Bachelor of Elementary Education Education & Teaching
AB in Religious Education Religious Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
76 programmes
University of San Carlos lists 76 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Juris Doctor
Master in Public Management and Development Business & Management
Master of Fine Arts major in Cinema Studies Film & Animation
Executive MBA Business & Management
MA in Economics Economics
Master in Economics Economics
Master of Accountancy Major in Internal Audit Accounting
Master of Accountancy Major in Taxation Accounting
Master of Management Accounting (non-thesis) Accounting
MS in Accountancy Accounting
MS in Accountancy major in Management Accounting Accounting
MS in Accountancy major in Master of Internal Audit Accounting
MS in Accountancy major in Master of Taxation Accounting
Master in Library and Information Science Information Systems & Technology
MS in Library and Information Sciences Information Systems & Technology
Master of Arts in Mathematics Education Mathematics
Master in Engineering Program Computer Engineering Computer Sciences
Master in Engineering Program Computer Engineering Major in Computer Networks Computer Sciences
Master in Engineering Program Computer Engineering Major in Digital Systems Design Applied Design
Master in Engineering Program Computer Engineering Major in Software Engineering Software Engineering
Master in Mathematics Mathematics
MS in Information Technology Information Systems & Technology
MS in Mathematics Mathematics
MA in Science Education Major in Biology Biological Sciences
MA in Science Education Major in Chemistry Chemistry
MA in Science Education Major in Physics Physics & Astronomy
MAEd in Educational Management Business & Management
MAEd in Physical Education Physics & Astronomy
MAEd in Religious Education Religious Studies
MAEd in Special Education Special Education
Master in Education major in Special Education Special Education
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering
Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering major in Control Systems Option Electrical Engineering
Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering major in Energy Management Option Electrical Engineering
Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communications Engineering Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communications Engineering major in Computer and Communications Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communications Engineering major in Control Systems Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics and Communications Engineering major in Microelectronics Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering major in Computer and Communications Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering major in Control Systems Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Electronics Engineering major in Microelectronics Option Robotics & Automation
Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Master of Engineering major in Chemical Engineering Chemistry
MS in Chemical Engineering Chemistry
MS in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
MS in Civil Engineering Major in Water Resources and Environment Civil Engineering & Construction
MS in Civil Engineering specializing in Structural and Geotechnical Civil Engineering & Construction
MA in Applied Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
MA in History History
MA in Literature Literature
MA in Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Master of Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
MAEd in English Language Teaching English Language Studies
MA in Nursing Nursing
MA in Nursing Major in Clinical Supervision Nursing
MS in Nursing Nursing
MS in Pharmacy Pharmacy
Master of Biology Biological Sciences
Master of Chemistry Chemistry
Master of Physics Physics & Astronomy
MS in Biology Biological Sciences
MS in Chemistry Chemistry
MS in Environmental Science Environmental Sciences
MS in Marine Biology Biological Sciences
MS in Physics Physics & Astronomy
MA in Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
MA in Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology
MA in Guidance
MA in Psychology Psychology
MA in Psychology major in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Psychology
MA in Psychology major in Social Psychology Psychology
Master in Political Science Politics & International Relations
Master of Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master of Business Administration
1 programme
University of San Carlos lists 1 programme awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Master in Business Administration Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
12 programmes
These 12 programmes make up University of San Carlos's doctoral catalogue, where candidates work closely with supervisors to produce publishable, original research.
Doctor of Engineering General Engineering
PhD in Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
PhD in Education Education & Teaching
PhD in Science Education Education & Teaching
PhD in Biology Biological Sciences
PhD in Chemistry Chemistry
PhD in Physics Physics & Astronomy
PhD in Science Education major in Physics Physics & Astronomy
PhD in Business Administration Business Administration
PhD in Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
PhD in Information Technology Information Systems & Technology
PhD in Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to University of San Carlos
What applying to University of San Carlos typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Use the programme finder to browse University of San Carlos's 137 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Programme-level requirements at University of San Carlos typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Submit your application
University of San Carlos processes applications through usc.edu.ph. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +63 (32) 253 1000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of San Carlos
Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about University of San Carlos, drawn directly from institutional records.
How old is University of San Carlos?
The institution opened in 1595 (approximately 431 years ago).
In which city is University of San Carlos?
University of San Carlos is based in Cebu City, Philippines.
What is University of San Carlos's control type?
University of San Carlos operates as a private institution.
How many students study at University of San Carlos?
University of San Carlos has approximately 20,000-24,999 students.
Where does University of San Carlos stand in university rankings?
University of San Carlos is ranked #4665 globally and #14 in Philippines.
What degrees does University of San Carlos offer?
Programmes at University of San Carlos cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is University of San Carlos's religious tradition?
University of San Carlos operates within the Christian-Catholic tradition.
How is University of San Carlos organised academically?
University of San Carlos has 7 academic units.
Is University of San Carlos officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.
How do I find University of San Carlos online?
You can find University of San Carlos online at usc.edu.ph.
Top-Ranked Universities in the Philippines
Ranking methodologies vary across the Philippines — national rankings, subject-specific rankings, and international tables can each tell different stories about the same universities.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Joint research grants among International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) members create funded collaborations that often extend to graduate-student opportunities. The network listed below collaborates regularly with University of San Carlos.
Other Philippine, Filipino Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Dietary accommodation reflecting Christian-Catholic dietary norms is usually robust at affiliated institutions. The campus catering at peers listed below is often comparable to what you would expect at University of San Carlos.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Within easy reach of University of San Carlos, these institutions host comparable faculties and admissions structures — useful for regional shortlisting. Regional universities often coordinate on credit transfer and joint programme delivery.
Where Else to Study Accounting
Alumni outcomes data publication varies across Accounting programmes in the Philippines. Where available, post-grad employment and salary data is the best signal of programme quality beyond marketing claims.
Universities Often Compared with University of San Carlos
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending University of San Carlos often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
