University Overview

Overview

At present, Bicol University (BU) offers 67 degree programs with varying number of specializations. These are spread into 14 academic units: Agriculture and Forestry (CAF); Arts and Letters (CAL); Business, Economics and Management (CBEM); Education (CE); Engineering (CENG); Graduate School (GS); Industrial Technology (CIT); Nursing (CN); Open University (OU); Polangui Campus (PC); Science (CS); Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP); Tabaco Campus (TC); and the Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR).

Among these, five units are service colleges that offer general colleges that offer general education courses to all academic units in the University. These are CAL, CS, CSSP and IPESR. However, even if they are service colleges, the said academic units also offer professional degrees. The other collegs - CAF, CE, CBEM, CENG, GS, CIT, CN, OU, PC and TC - are classified as professional colleges.

 These various academic units, in turn, are found in six campuses in the province of Albay. These are the Main Campus (the flagship campus offering the most degree programs). Legazpi East Campus (engineering and industrial technology), Daraga Campus (social sciences and business), Guinobatan Campus (agriculture and forestry), Tabaco Campus (fisheries), and Polangui Campus (technology).

An extension program in Sorsogon province also offers degree programs. BU also has elementary and high school departments. These serve as the laboratory school of the College of Education.

BU's passing level in licensure examinations in all programs is greater than the national average. BS Social Work and Midwifery usually attain a 100 percent passing rate. The university has strong research programs especially in fisheries and agriculture. This is shown by the number of research grants awarded and national awards garnered by faculty-researchers and the university.

As a state university with a combined land area of more than 1.7 million square meters and has a total of 59 buildings. BU serves the educational needs of students all over the Bicol Region. Its enrolment at the undergraduate level accounts for 10 percent of the total enrolment in the province. To provide access and equity, scholarship grants and loan assistance are given to poor but deserving students.