How Much Does It Cost to Study English in the Philippines for a Month?

Four weeks of English classes on Boracay, with a shared room in our student dorm, the registration fee and the Special Study Permit, costs $1,439 in 2026 for our General English course. Add your flights, meals and spending money, and you have the full picture. Below we break down every part of the bill, so you can plan your month in the Philippines without surprises.

All prices in this article are our 2026 rates in US dollars. They update automatically when our price list changes, so what you read here is what you pay at Paradise English.

Why a month in the Philippines costs less

English is an official language of the Philippines, so you practise all day: in shops, on the street and with classmates from over 80 countries. Courses cost far less than in Canada, Australia or the US, and that difference pays for something those countries rarely offer: daily one-to-one lessons. Most of our courses include one-to-one time with a teacher every day.

Four weeks is also where our price list gets interesting. The longer you stay, the less you pay per week, and from 4 weeks most courses have their biggest discount.

1. Tuition: what 4 weeks of classes cost

Your tuition depends on how many classes you want each day. Here are our 4-week prices for 2026:

• Budget English: 2 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, 15 lessons a week, $591 for 4 weeks. Study in the morning or the afternoon and keep the rest of the day free.
• General English: 4 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, 25 lessons a week, $801 for 4 weeks. Our most balanced course and the choice of most students.
• Intensive English: 5 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day, 35 lessons a week, $1,017 for 4 weeks. The fastest way to improve.
• True Beginner English: 2 group classes and 3 one-to-one classes a day, $957 for 4 weeks. Built for students with very little or no English.
• IELTS, TOEIC & Business: 2 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day, $795 for 4 weeks.

Not sure which level you are? Take our free five-minute English level test before you choose.

2. Accommodation: where you sleep for a month

You can study without booking a room through us, but most students choose one of our options because they are close to school and simple to arrange. Here is what 4 weeks costs per person:

• Student dorm, shared standard room: $308. Air-conditioned rooms with a private toilet and hot/cold shower, a 3-minute walk to school.
• Student dorm, single standard room: $476.
• Student dorm, deluxe room (maximum 2 people, with its own fridge): $504.
• Home stay, shared room: $895. Single room: $1,050. Breakfast every day, lunch at school and dinner on weekdays are included.
• Paradise English Annex Hotel (3-star standard, pool, 1-minute walk to school): from $850.
• 4-star resort: from $1,930.

The dorm is the best value: a shared room for 4 weeks costs $308, and you live a short walk from class and from your classmates. The home stay costs more, but remember that it includes most of your meals, so compare the two with food in mind. See every room, photo and inclusion on our accommodation page.

3. Fees every student pays

• Registration fee: $130, paid once.
• Special Study Permit (SSP): about $200. Every student in the Philippines needs one, whatever the course length. Our office prepares the documents for you. Read our step-by-step guide to the SSP and visa extension.
• Textbooks: $16 per book.

4. Visa extension if you stay longer than 29 days

Many nationalities receive a free tourist visa on arrival, valid for 29 days. A 4-week course fits inside it, but if you arrive a few days early or stay to travel afterwards, you will need to extend it. The first extension costs about $85. There is an immigration office on Boracay, and our office organises visa help every week, so you don't need to leave the island. Visa rules differ by country, so check the rules for your passport before you book your flight.

The full 4-week budget, side by side

Here is what a month costs with a shared dorm room, including the registration fee and the Special Study Permit:

Want to try other combinations? Every course page has a price calculator: pick your course, number of weeks and room, and see your total instantly. Start with General English, or compare everything on our 2026 price list.

5. Optional extras

• Lunch at school: $50 for 5 weekdays, or $185 for weekdays over a month. Our cafeteria buys fresh food every day.
• Caticlan airport pickup and drop-off: $48. Handy on your first day; see how to get to Boracay if you prefer to travel on your own.
• Extra classes: if you want more lessons during your stay, you can add group or one-to-one classes. The prices are on our price list.

6. What is not included

Some costs depend on you, so we can't put a number on them:

• Flights: international flights to Manila or Cebu and the short domestic flight to Caticlan or Kalibo. Prices vary a lot by season and how early you book.
• Meals outside school: from street food to beach restaurants, Boracay has every budget. The dorm has a shared kitchen if you like to cook.
• Weekend trips and activities: island hopping, diving, kite-surfing or a day trip off the island.
• Local transport: e-trikes and the hop-on hop-off bus are cheap, and the dorm is a 3-minute walk from school anyway.
• Phone and personal shopping: a local prepaid SIM from Smart or Globe is inexpensive. The campus has free Wi-Fi.
• Travel insurance: strongly recommended for any stay abroad.

Prices are in US dollars; the island runs on Philippine pesos. ATMs all around the island accept foreign cards, though most charge a fee.

How to pay less for your month

• Stay 4 weeks or longer. The price per week falls the longer you study, and 4 weeks is where most courses have their biggest discount. Each extra week after that costs less again: $205 for General English.
• Choose a shared dorm room. It is our best-value room and the easiest way to make friends.
• Pick the right number of classes. If you also want time for the beach, Budget English gives you real progress with your afternoons (or mornings) free.
• Come outside peak season. Additional rates may apply at Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Holy Week. Read about the best time to study on Boracay.

Still planning? Our complete guide to studying English in the Philippines covers courses, visas, weather and daily life, and our post on what to pack helps you travel light.

FAQ

How much does it cost to study English in the Philippines for a month?

At Paradise English, 4 weeks of General English with a shared dorm room, registration and the Special Study Permit costs $1,439 in 2026. Flights, meals and personal spending are extra.

Is the Special Study Permit included in the course price?

No. The SSP costs about $200 and is paid separately. Every student in the Philippines needs one, and our office prepares the documents for you.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes. A $130 registration fee is paid once, and a 20% non-refundable deposit is required 4 weeks before your start date. Your personal quote explains how and when to pay the rest.

Are meals included?

Not with the dorm. You can add lunch at school for $50 a week, cook in the dorm's shared kitchen or eat out. The home stay includes breakfast every day and lunch and dinner on weekdays.

Want an exact price for your dates, course and room? Send us a message and we'll reply within one working day with a free personal quote.