“Anak, sa Pilipinas ka na muna mag-college ha. Maiwan lang kami ng tatay mo dito para patuloy magtrabaho.”
One of the family concerns I’ve heard one too many among Filipino parents in the UAE is where to send their kids for college. More often than not, we hear conversations about sending them to top universities in the Philippines. In addition to better education, this option also presents economical value as tuition fees are more affordable in the Philippines than in the universities here in Dubai or elsewhere. But obviously, it leads to a situation where families have to live apart – far away and far apart.
Parents stress and worry even more when they’re away from their children. The kids, on the other hand, may experience culture shock because the environment is different from what they grew up into. There’s an emotional price to pay just to see our kids get a good education from those reputable institutions back home.
Just like UP, Ateneo, or La Salle, Southville is a popular option among parents who plan to send their kids to the Philippines when they reach university level.
All roads lead to South(ville) RAK
That dilemma may soon be a thing of the past with the opening of Southville International School and Colleges in Ras Al Khaimah. The school, known amongst the top Philippine academic institution opens the first Filipino higher education institution in the UAE, in time for the beginning of the school year Fall 2021.
Parents need not worry anymore, and children need not be uprooted, enjoying what the institution categorically affirms, “the most affordable fees with the highest educational quality.” This is easily achieved given the inherent discipline, intelligence, and talent of the globally competitive Filipinos.
Probably you’re asking a lot of questions right now. So, here’s everything you need to know about Southville-RAK
Q: What are the courses available in Southville-RAK
Initially, there are 6 bachelor’s degree courses
- BS Psychology
- BS Accountancy
- BS Marketing Management
- BS Financial Management
- BSBA Entrepreneurship
- BSBA Human Resources
Q: Are there master’s degree offering as well?
Yes, currently Master’s in Business Administration is open
Q: How many semesters are there in one school year?
There are 2 semesters. The student has the option to enroll for Summer.
Q: Assuming that the pandemic is not completely over in the coming school year, will the classes be in the campus, online or blended?
Southville-RAK will comply to the directives from the Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs. Whatever it will be, the school has the facility for all platforms.
Q: How much is the tuition fee per semester?
Southville offers an accessible schedule of fees. The cost per semester is AED550 per unit, excluding the miscellaneous fees. Each subject has 3 units in general.
The number of courses/units lessen as the student approaches year 4.
Q: Is there a payment installment?
There are payment installations. The first one is 40% and is paid during enrollment. Succeeding fees are scheduled a week before the major exams.
Q: What are the payments modes available?
Payment can be done either in cash or credit card. Cheque is not accepted.
Q: What are the requirements for admission?
Freshmen must submit the following documents:
- Original report card
- Photocopy of birth certificate
- Certificate of good moral character
- Medical certificate
- Recommendation letters from 2 sources
For transferees:
- Transcript of records
- Photocopy of birth certificate
- Certificate of good moral character
- Transfer credentials
- Course description
- Medical certificate
Q: Are there scholarships or discounts available?
For the opening, 2 types of discounts and scholarships will be offered:
- Early bird – First 10 registered students will get 10% discount
- Academic scholarship – Top 2 students from high school will receive 20% and 10% discounts respectively
Q: Can I avail of more than one scholarship?
No, but the highest type of scholarship is given to qualified students.
Q: Can I transfer from another university to Southville-RAK?
Yes. Crediting the subject would depend on the syllabus assessment between the previous university and Southville.
Q: Is there a transportation service going to and from the campus in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes. Transport is provided by a third-party service.
Q: Is there a particular hostel arranged by the school?
Yes. Hostel is arranged with a third-party provider.
Why Southville
In addition to offering the best option for families to stay together, Southville-RAK ensures to offer the same excellence in education it is known for over the years:
Philippine Quality Awardee
- Only 5 schools out of 15,000 awarded by Malacanang, with RA 9493 awarded exclusively to Southville – an act recognizing Southville as a school with international character
- 2 schools recognized as international by Philippine Law
- 4x higher than National Passing rate on average in Accountancy
- Highest percentage of passing in Psychology – South of Manila with topnotchers
International accreditation and certification
- Microsoft (USA)
- TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language)
- TOEIC (Test Of English for International Communication)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (USA)
- ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System (USA)
- Investors in People Gold (UK)
- International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
The brains behind Southville-RAK
Four years ago, a group of academicians and finance people gathered with an idea: establish a higher education institution in the UAE to address the problem of separation for families living together overseas.
Individually distinguished in their respective fields, they put their talents and resources, pouring every effort to make the noble idea a reality. These gentlemen are all Dakilang Bayani (noble hero) Awardees, and one is a Presidential Awardee.
Rommel Pilapil Sergio, Ph. D.
- Post-doctoral in Management and Marketing certificate – Tulane University, Louisiana, USA
- Ph. D. in Management (with concentration in Human Resouce Management with Distinction) – Liverpool University, UK
- Ph. D. in Counselling Psychology (with concentration in Community Counselling, with High Distinction, Gold Medalist) – De La Salle University, Philippines
- Recipient of Presidential Award and Dakilang Bayani Award among others
Rex Bacarra, Ph. D.
- Ph.D. in Management Research (with concentration in Organizational Development and Human Resources Management) – King’s College London, UK
- Ph.D. in Philosophy (with Distinction) – De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines
- Recipient of Dakilang Bayani Award among others
Ben Lebig, Jr., Ph. D.
- Ph.D. in Strategy and International Business – King’s College, London, UK
- Recipient of Dakilang Bayani Award among others
Francis Errol Medina, MBA
- Master’s in Business Administration – University of Strathclyde-Glasgow, UK, UAE Campus
- Recipient of Dakilang Bayani Award among others
About Southville
Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) was founded in 1990 as Southville International School located in a simple single-storey building (Elizalde campus) meeting the basic requirements of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS). With 2 students and 5 teachers, SISC was initially recognized as a “special school for intellectually gifted.”
Today it is the academic institution of choice by diverse learners including celebrities, actors and actresses, and scholars. Current celebrity students and alumni include Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Jodi Sta. Maria, Gabbi Garcia, Nash Aguas, Khalil Ramos, and Heaven Peralejo among others.
Contact Southville RAK
For more information and updates, visit southville.ae or follow @SouthVilleUAE on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
You can send your inquiries to info@southville.ae or you can call them at 050-5302931.
