How do I write my degree on a resume if I didn't graduate?

List the school name, program, and years attended. Add a note like '72 units completed' or 'Coursework in [Program Name].' Do not list the degree title without a qualifier, as this implies you graduated.

Should I include my GPA or GWA on my Philippine resume?

Include your GWA only if it is strong (generally 1.75 or better on the Philippine 1.0-5.0 scale, where 1.0 is the highest). For fresh graduates, a high GWA can strengthen your application. For experienced professionals with 3+ years of work history, GWA is typically omitted.

Do I need to include elementary and high school on my resume?

If you have a college degree, no. Only include your highest relevant qualification. Exception: if the employer specifically asks for complete educational background (common in government applications), include all levels. For resumes (not biodata), focus on tertiary education.

Should I write the full degree name or just the abbreviation?

Write the full degree name first, then the abbreviation in parentheses: 'Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).' This is both ATS-friendly and clear to human readers. Avoid using only the abbreviation, as not all recruiters are familiar with every acronym.

How do I list multiple degrees on my resume?

List degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Give each degree its own entry with the full details. For example, list your MBA first, then your bachelor's degree below it. If you have both a TESDA NC and a college degree, include both with the most relevant to the job listed first.

What if I transferred schools during college?

List only the school where you earned your degree. If you did not complete your degree at either school, list the school where you completed the most units and note 'X units completed.' You do not need to list every school attended unless your work history at the earlier school is relevant.

How to Write Your Degree on a Resume in the Philippines

Quick Answer

On a Philippine resume, write your degree in this format: Degree Title, School Name, Graduation Year. For example: "Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, De La Salle University, 2024." Use the full degree name (not just abbreviations), list education in reverse chronological order, and include only your highest relevant qualification unless the employer requests otherwise.

Filipino Resume Format vs International Format

Philippine resumes share most conventions with international formats, but there are a few differences worth noting:

Philippine conventions:

Personal information section is more detailed (address, contact number, sometimes civil status)
Education section often appears before work experience for fresh graduates
The term "resume" and "biodata" are used somewhat interchangeably (though biodata has a more traditional format)
GWA (General Weighted Average) is the standard GPA equivalent

International conventions (used by multinationals and BPOs):

Minimal personal information (name, contact, LinkedIn)
Work experience typically appears before education (unless you are a fresh graduate)
No personal details like age, civil status, or religion
GPA reported on a 4.0 scale or percentage (if at all)

Which should you use? For Philippine companies, government applications, and traditional industries, follow Filipino conventions. For multinational companies, BPOs, and tech firms, use the international format. When in doubt, use the international format -- it is accepted everywhere.

Education Section Formatting Rules

Rule 1: Reverse Chronological Order

Always list your most recent or highest qualification first:

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration
Ateneo de Manila University, Makati City
2023 - 2025

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Cum Laude
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
2018 - 2022

Rule 2: Use the Full Degree Title

Write the complete degree name, not just the abbreviation:

Correct: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)
Incorrect: BSCS
Incorrect: Computer Science

Including the abbreviation in parentheses after the full name is the best practice. It satisfies both ATS systems (which may search for "Bachelor of Science") and human recruiters who recognize the abbreviation.

Rule 3: Include Key Details Only

For each education entry, include:

Degree title (with honors if applicable)
School name and location (city is sufficient)
Years attended or graduation year
Relevant details (honors, GWA, relevant coursework, thesis topic) -- only if they strengthen your application

You do not need to include:

Full school address
Dean's name
Student ID number
Complete list of subjects taken

Rule 4: Placement on the Page

Fresh graduates (0-2 years experience): Place education before work experience. Your degree is your strongest qualification at this stage.

Experienced professionals (3+ years): Place work experience before education. Your track record matters more than where you studied.

Career changers: Consider placing education first if your new degree is more relevant than your previous work experience.

Examples for Every Degree Level

Senior High School Diploma (K-12)

For SHS graduates entering the workforce or applying for TESDA programs:

EDUCATION

Senior High School Diploma - STEM Strand
Philippine Science High School, Quezon City
Graduated: 2025

Always include your track and strand -- it communicates your academic focus to employers. For a detailed breakdown of SHS tracks and their career implications, see our high school degree guide.

TESDA National Certificate

TESDA qualifications should be presented with the same formality as academic degrees:

EDUCATION

National Certificate II in Computer Systems Servicing
TESDA Technology Institution, Taguig City
Completed: 2025

Senior High School Diploma - TVL Track (ICT Strand)
Taguig City National High School, Taguig City
Graduated: 2024

Include the NC level (I, II, III, or IV) as it indicates competency tier. If you hold multiple NCs, list the most relevant to the job first. Explore available programs at our TESDA vocational hub.

Associate Degree

Two-year programs are legitimate CHED-recognized qualifications:

EDUCATION

Associate in Computer Technology (ACT)
AMA Computer College, Makati City
2023 - 2025

Bachelor's Degree

The most common format for Filipino job applicants:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)
Mapua University, Manila
2020 - 2025
Relevant Coursework: Structural Analysis, Construction Management, Surveying

For engineering and other five-year programs, showing the full date range (5 years) is normal and expected. See our bachelor's degree guide for details on program options.

Bachelor's Degree with Honors

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Magna Cum Laude
University of Santo Tomas, Manila
2020 - 2024
GWA: 1.32

Philippine Latin honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) are significant achievements that should always be included. Each school sets its own GWA cutoffs for honors.

Incomplete Bachelor's Degree

Be honest about incomplete degrees:

EDUCATION

Coursework in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
2020 - 2022 (72 units completed)

Alternative phrasings:

"96 units in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology"
"3 years completed, Bachelor of Arts in Communication"

Never write the degree title alone if you did not graduate -- this implies completion and can be grounds for termination.

Master's Degree

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Asian Institute of Management, Makati City
2023 - 2025
Concentration: Business Analytics

Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM)
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
2017 - 2021

For more on master's programs in the Philippines, see our master's degree guide.

Doctoral Degree

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City
2020 - 2025
Dissertation: "Impact of K-12 Implementation on Higher Education Enrollment Patterns"

Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
Philippine Normal University, Manila
2016 - 2018

Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), Cum Laude
Philippine Normal University, Manila
2012 - 2016

Doctoral candidates may include their dissertation title if it is relevant to the position. See our doctorate degree guide for details on PhD programs.

Multiple Qualifications (TESDA + College)

Many Filipino professionals hold both vocational and academic credentials:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT)
FEU Institute of Technology, Manila
2021 - 2025

National Certificate II in Computer Systems Servicing
TESDA Regional Training Center, Taguig City
Completed: 2021

List the qualification most relevant to the target job first, regardless of chronology, if the employer values one over the other.

Common Mistakes on Philippine Resumes

1. Listing Every Seminar and Webinar Under Education

Short trainings, webinars, and certificates of attendance do not belong in the education section. Create a separate "Trainings and Certifications" section for these.

2. Including Elementary School When You Have a College Degree

Unless specifically asked (as in government PDS forms), only list your highest completed educational level. A bachelor's degree holder does not need to list elementary school.

3. Using Inconsistent Formatting

If you bold the degree name in one entry, bold it in all entries. If you include the city for one school, include it for all schools. Consistency signals attention to detail.

4. Misrepresenting Credentials

Writing "Bachelor of Science in Nursing" when you completed only 2 years of the program is a serious issue. Philippine employers routinely verify education through the school registrar and the CHED database.

5. Forgetting to Update After Passing Board Exams

If you hold a PRC professional license, create a separate "Licenses and Certifications" section:

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Mechanical Engineer
PRC License No. 00XXXXX
Issued: November 2025

6. Using an Outdated School Name

Some Philippine schools have changed names. Use the name the school had when you attended (or your diploma was issued), or note the change: "Far Eastern University (formerly Far Eastern College)."

ATS-Friendly Formatting Tips

Many Philippine companies, especially BPOs and multinationals, use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before a human sees them. To get past ATS filters:

1. Use standard section headings. Label your section "Education" or "Educational Background" -- not creative alternatives like "Academic Journey" or "Where I Studied."

2. Spell out degree names. ATS may search for "Bachelor of Science" as a keyword. Writing only "BS" might not match.

3. Include the school's full official name. "UP Diliman" might not match a search for "University of the Philippines."

4. Use plain text formatting. Avoid tables, text boxes, or images in your education section. ATS often cannot parse these correctly.

5. Include relevant keywords. If the job posting mentions a specific degree or qualification, make sure your education section uses the same terminology.

6. Save as PDF or DOCX. Most Philippine ATS systems handle both formats. PDF preserves formatting; DOCX is more ATS-parseable. When in doubt, submit both if allowed.

When Education Matters Most in the Philippines

Education carries significant weight in Philippine hiring, but its importance varies:

Education-heavy roles: Government positions (CSC eligibility often tied to education level), teaching (LET and education degree required), healthcare (PRC board exam required), engineering (PRC license required), accounting (CPA board exam required).

Experience-heavy roles: BPO operations, sales, digital marketing, freelancing, creative roles. While a degree may be listed as preferred, demonstrated skills and experience often matter more.

Skills-heavy roles: IT and software development, graphic design, content creation. Many tech companies in the Philippines hire based on portfolio and technical assessments rather than degree.

Tailor your resume format to match what the role values most. If education is critical, give it prominent placement and detail. If experience is king, keep education concise and let your work history shine.

Final Checklist

Before submitting your resume, verify your education section:

Degree title matches your TOR/diploma exactly
School name is spelled correctly and completely
Dates are accurate (graduation year or years attended)
Entries are in reverse chronological order
Honors and relevant achievements are included
No claims of degrees you did not complete
Formatting is consistent across all entries
Section heading is clear ("Education" or "Educational Background")

A well-formatted education section tells Filipino employers that you are precise, honest, and professional -- qualities valued in every industry.