How Much Does It Cost to Study English in the Philippines for Three Months?

Twelve weeks of General English on Boracay, with a shared room in our student dorm, the registration fee and the Special Study Permit, costs $3,695 in 2026. Three months is a serious investment in your English, and in the Philippines it costs far less than a similar stay in an English-speaking Western country. This guide shows the full budget, the visa steps for a long stay, and what three months can do for you.

All prices are our current rates in US dollars and update automatically when our price list changes.

Three months, three times a month

Here is the simple rule behind our prices: they fall up to 4 weeks, and after that each extra week costs a fixed weekly rate at the same low level. So a three-month stay costs about three times our one-month budget, not more per week. For General English, each week after the fourth costs $205; a shared dorm room costs $77 per extra week.

The one-time fees, registration and the Special Study Permit, are spread over 12 weeks instead of one or two. That is why long stays give you the most English for your money.

1. Tuition for 12 weeks

• Budget English: 2 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, 15 lessons a week: $1,791.
• General English: 4 group classes and 1 one-to-one class a day, 25 lessons a week: $2,441.
• Intensive English: 5 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day, 35 lessons a week: $3,057.
• True Beginner English: 2 group classes and 3 one-to-one classes a day: $2,917.
• IELTS, TOEIC & Business: 2 group classes and 2 one-to-one classes a day: $2,387.

Over three months, you may want to start with one goal and add another, such as exam preparation once your general English is stronger. Talk to us about your plan when you book, and take our free level test first so we know where you start.

2. Twelve weeks of accommodation

• Student dorm, shared standard room: $924. Air-conditioned, with a private toilet and hot/cold shower, a 3-minute walk to school.
• Student dorm, single standard room: $1,428.
• Student dorm, deluxe room (maximum 2 people, with its own fridge): $1,512.
• Home stay: shared room $2,815, single room $3,250. 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 $3,210.
• 4-star resort: from $6,650.

For a long stay, comfort matters more. The single dorm room gives you your own space while you stay close to school and classmates. The deluxe room has its own fridge. The home stay costs more but includes most of your meals, so compare it with the dorm plus food. Photos and details on our accommodation page.

3. Fees

• Registration fee: $130, paid once.
• Special Study Permit (SSP): about $200, required for every student. Our office prepares the documents.
• Textbooks: $16 per book. Over three months you may use more than one book, depending on your course and progress.

4. Visa: two extensions to plan for

Twelve weeks is 84 days. If you arrive on the free 29-day tourist visa that many nationalities receive, you extend twice:

• First extension: another 29 days, about $85.
• Second extension: usually 60 days, which covers the rest of your stay.

Longer stays can involve other immigration requirements and fees, which depend on your passport and the current rules. Our office organises visa help every week and will tell you what applies to you, and there is an immigration office on Boracay, so you don't have to leave the island. Read our SSP and visa guide, and check the rules for your passport before you book.

The 12-week budget, side by side

Add your visa extensions and the costs below. For other combinations, use the calculator on any course page or see our 2026 price list.

5. Meals and extras

• Lunch at school: $185 for weekdays over a month, so about $555 for three months.
• Caticlan airport pickup and drop-off: $48.
• Extra classes: add group or one-to-one lessons whenever you want more practice.

6. What is not included

• Flights: your international flight to Manila or Cebu and the short domestic flight to Caticlan or Kalibo. Prices depend on the season and how early you book.
• Meals outside school: Boracay has food for every budget, from street stalls to beach restaurants.
• Weekend trips and activities: island hopping, diving or a day trip off the island.
• Local transport, a local SIM card and personal shopping.
• Travel insurance: strongly recommended for any stay abroad.

Over three months, your own living costs are the biggest unknown. Keep a simple weekly budget for food, weekends and transport, and use the dorm's shared kitchen.

What three months can do for your English

We won't promise a score or a level, because that depends on you. But twelve weeks gives you something short stays can't: time.

• Time to move through a level rather than just refresh it, with one-to-one lessons every day that follow your progress.
• Time for an exam plan: build your general English first, then focus on test practice. See how many weeks to prepare for IELTS.
• Time to live in English. After a few weeks, English stops being a subject and becomes the language you shop, joke and make plans in.

Living on Boracay for three months

• Expect more than one season. Twelve weeks can include both calm and windy months. Our guide to the best time to study on Boracay explains each season.
• See more of the Philippines. A long stay leaves weekends for trips off the island; plan your routes with our guide on getting to and from Boracay.
• Stay safe and healthy. Read is Boracay safe for students, and get travel insurance for your whole stay.
• Not sure about Boracay? Compare it with other study destinations in Boracay vs Cebu vs Baguio.

Thinking a little shorter? See what two months costs.

FAQ

How much does it cost to study English in the Philippines for three months?

At Paradise English, 12 weeks of General English with a shared dorm room, registration and the Special Study Permit costs $3,695 in 2026. Add visa extensions, flights, meals and personal spending.

Is three months cheaper per week than one month?

About the same per week: after 4 weeks, each extra week is charged at a low fixed rate ($205 for General English). Both are much cheaper per week than a one- or two-week stay.

How many visa extensions do I need for 12 weeks?

Usually two, if you arrive on the free 29-day tourist visa: a 29-day extension (about $85) and then a 60-day extension. Our office helps with both on Boracay.

Can I combine General English and IELTS preparation?

Talk to us about your plan when you book. Our IELTS, TOEIC & Business course combines group classes with two one-to-one lessons a day on your exam.

Ready to plan three months? Send us your dates and we'll reply within one working day with a free personal quote.