Enrolling in Higher Education Institutions
The nationwide implementation of Senior High School caused significant impact to the cohort of students eligible to proceed in college starting Academic Year 2016-2017. Further, the enhancement of the basic education curriculum led to the revision of the higher education curricula, which will initially be implemented nationwide starting Academic Year 2018-2019.
To provide guidance and clarity to higher education institutions in the admission of students affected by the implementation of the K to 12 Program and the New General Education Curriculum, the Commission on Higher Education issued CHED Memorandum No. 10, series of 2017. According to the said policy, and consistent with DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2015, the following types of students are eligible to enroll in colleges and universities, provided that they fulfill the admission requirements of the colleges and universities:
CHED Memorandum Order
CHED Memorandum Order No. 10, s. of 2018
Policy on the Alternative Learning System Completers and Passers of the A & E Test in Relation to the Implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
CHED Memorandum Order No. 10, s. of 2017
Policy on Students Affected by the Implementation of the K to 12 Program and the New General Curriculum
CHED Memorandum Order No. 105, s. of 2017
Policy on the Admission of Senior High School Graduates to the Higher Education Institutions Effective Academic Year 2018-2019
Memo from the Chair, June 13, 2017
Accommodation of Lifelong Learners in College for SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are high school graduates of the old basic education curriculum eligible for college?
Yes. Students who graduated in high school under the old basic education curriculum, and who have yet to complete their undergraduate degrees, are eligible to enroll in college. These students are encouraged to do so before 2018, prior to the implementation of the new higher education curriculum.
| Example A: In 2014, Jericho graduated from high school under the old basic education curriculum. However, he was not able to proceed to college immediately due to financial concerns. He may proceed to college for AY 2017-2018 as a first year student in any program he may desire, as long as he fulfills the admission requirements of the admitting institution. |
While these students are still eligible to enroll beyond 2018, they may be asked to undertake bridging programs, or may undergo special assessments in order to comply with the new higher education curricula, subject to the internal policies of the admitting institution.
2. What happens to high school graduates of the old basic education curriculum who intend to enroll by AY 2018-2019 onwards?
High school graduates of the old basic education curriculum who did not go through Senior High School may enroll for AY 2018-2019 under the new higher education curricula. However, given that the Revised General Education Curriculum in college will be implemented nationwide starting AY 2018-2019, these students may need to undergo bridging programs as implemented by the admitting colleges and universities.
Those who have previously taken college units may have these units credited subject to the relevant HEI policies. Those who have work experience may have their competencies assessed under existing CHED rules and regulations through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).
3. What are Senior High School “Early Adopter Schools”?
Senior High School “Early Adopter Schools” are schools that have been authorized by DepEd to open Grades 11 and 12 in their schools prior to the full nationwide implementation of the K to 12 Program in AY 2016-2017. In line with DepEd Order No. 42, series of 2015 these schools are:
- Private schools that submitted a K to 12 Transition Plan
- Public and private schools that took part in the Senior High School Modeling Program in AY 2012-2013 and AY 2013-2014
- Public and private schools which did early implementation of Senior High School in AY 2014-2015
As such, these schools already have graduates under the enhanced basic education curriculum, otherwise referred to as K to 12 Graduates.
4. What happens to high school graduates of Senior High School Early Adopter Schools who enroll in college by June 2017?
High school graduates from Senior High School Early Adopter Schools who enroll in colleges implementing the current General Education Curriculum may have their Grades 11 and 12 courses credited under the institutional policy of the admitting institution, as guided by CMO No. 34, s. 2016.
| Example C.1: Aubrey graduated from Grade 12 from a Senior High School Early Adopter School last AY 2014-2015. She was admitted to proceed to college as a first year student starting June 2017. The college she intends to enroll in is implementing the current General Education Curriculum. In order to ensure that there shall be no duplications in Senior High School subjects and those of the General Education Curriculum, the courses Aubrey took in Grades 11 and 12 shall be considered for unit crediting following the college’s internal policies.
For the guidelines of Selective Crediting of Units Earned in Grades 11 and 12 to the General Education Courses in the Baccalaureate Programs for AY 2016-2017 and AY 2017-2018, please refer to CHED Memorandum Order No. 34, series of 2016. |
However, some colleges and universities have implemented the Revised General Education Curriculum prior to its nationwide implementation in AY 2018-2019. High school graduates from Senior High School Early Adopter Schools who enroll in colleges or universities that are early implementers of the Revised General Education Curriculum by June 2017 shall proceed as first year college students, without having their Grades 11 and 12 subjects credited.
| Example C.2: Joshua finished high school from a Senior High School Early Adopter School last AY 2014-2015. He intends to enroll in a university that implemented the revised General Education Curriculum starting AY 2017-2018. Since he will be studying new courses under the revised General Education Curriculum, the subjects he took in Grades 11 and 12 will not be similar to the courses he will take as a first year college student. Given this, the courses Joshua took in Senior High School will not be credited in college.
For more details on the Revised General Education Curriculum, please refer to CHED Memorandum Order No. 20, series of 2013. |
5. What happens to those who are enrolled in college by AY 2017-2018 and will not graduate before 2018?
Those who are currently enrolled in college will not be affected by the changes in curricula, regardless of whether they graduate before 2018 or after. They will not be required to re-enroll in Senior High School.
| Example D: Bianca is currently (AY 2017-2018) in her second year of architecture in college, and expects to graduate in AY 2020-2021. She will not be affected by the changes in curriculum or admission requirements, and can continue her studies as usual. |
6. What happens to college students who stopped schooling and intend to re-enroll by June 2018?
College students who stopped schooling are still eligible to enroll in college in AY 2018-2019 onwards. Given that these students underwent the old higher education curricula, and shall go through the revised general education curriculum starting AY 2018-2019, they may re-enroll in any college following the admission requirements of the institution or go through additional bridging programs.
| Example E: Barbara, who dropped out of college in 2007, after completing one semester of first year college, aims to go back to college in 2018. However, by then, the revised General Education Curriculum shall be in place, which are different to the courses available to Barbara last 2007. Upon re-enrollment, Barbara may undergo bridging programs or take courses under the new General Education Curriculum.
The very best decision for Barbara would be to return to college by AY 2017-2018, where the revised general education curricula is not yet implemented, and where she is not required to undergo bridging programs. |
Other than general education courses, professional or major courses taken by these students may be credited, consistent with the systems and policies of the admitting institution.
| Example F: In 2007, Michael finished three years of civil engineering, where he was required to take major subjects under the old college curriculum. In 2021, Michael intends to continue his college education, which he is still eligible to do so. Given that professional or major courses will adjust due to the implementation of K to 12, he shall be required to fulfill the admission requirements or crediting policies of his admitting institution. |
Accommodating HEIs
In order to aid potential students in looking for HEIs accommodating lifelong learners, the Commission conducted a survey last April 2016, and again this April 2017.
Notes for Students
- The information on the database were the results of the surveys conducted by the Commission. The information reported by the institutions are non-binding, and the schools reserve the right to change the courses opened for a certain school year without informing the Commission. The date when the information was gathered is in the column with the header “Information gathered as of”.
- The Commission recommends that interested students and parents contact the school to confirm the availability of a specific course under a cited discipline. Check the second sheet, “Disciplines & Courses” to preview the courses that are under a certain discipline.
Notes for HEIs
- Inclusion in the database is dependent on the responses given by the institutions through the data collection efforts of the Commission. If your institution is not on the list and would like to be included, HEIs are enjoined to update their information through bit.ly/LLSurvey2017.
- If you wish to correct information on the database, kindly email the correction to k12interagency@ched.gov.ph with the subject: “Accommodating HEIs – [Title of Inquiry]”
For other inquiries or concerns, email k12interagency@ched.gov.ph with the subject: “Lifelong Learning – [Title of Inquiry]”
Update your institution’s information
Is your institution’s information currently up-to-date? You may update your information through a quick survey.
CHED K to 12 Transition Program 