Source: Video13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Changes made: converted to WEBP
Cebu is home to many beloved schools and universities. This year, one notable Manila institution is opening its doors to Cebuano students: National University.
Yes, you read that right—NU Cebu is coming.
As the university celebrates its 125th anniversary, the Sy-backed institution will expand its reach by opening two new campuses: one in Las Piñas, and the other in the Queen City of the South.
The two new locations bring the total number of NU campuses to 14.
What does NU have to offer? Why Cebu?
NATIONAL U IN A NUTSHELL
National University is the country’s first private nonsectarian university. As of writing, it currently has over 10 campuses.
The NU main campus is located in Sampaloc, Manila, along with the Nazareth School.
Other locations include NU MOA (Pasay City), NU Fairview (Quezon City), and NU East Ortigas (Pasig City).
There are also National University locations outside of Metro Manila. There’s NU Laguna (Calamba), NU Lipa (Batangas), NU Dasmariñas (Cavite), NU Baliwag (Bulacan), NU Clark (Pampanga), and NU Bacolod.
NU is home to the National University Bulldogs, the school’s varsity team. The men’s teams are tagged as the Bulldogs, while the women’s teams are called the Lady Bulldogs.
Both NU’s men’s and women’s collegiate volleyball teams recently clinched their fifth consecutive and third championships, respectively, in the now-concluded UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament.
Both repeated a rare golden double (where both the men’s and women’s teams secure championships), a feat they achieved in Season 86.
THE HISTORY OF AN ESTEEMED UNIVERSITY
Founder Mariano F. Jhocson established the institution on August 1, 1900 as Colegio Filipino in Quiapo, Manila. He also served as a teacher, director, and janitor, just to help the school grow.
In NU’s first five years, the institution offered business courses in Accounting and Bookkeeping to teach students financial security (alongside basic education levels). This led to a name change: Colegio Mercantil.
Don Mario worked with the Lacson brothers to establish the Philippine Law School. This happened because he believed it would help people become advocates for a self-governing Philippines.
Another name change happened in 1916. During this time, the school was called the National Academy. Growth continued, adding Liberal Arts programs and other courses.
21 years later (January 17, 1921, to be exact), the school’s board of trustees applied for and asked permission from the Department of Education (then called the Department of Public Instruction) to change the name to National University. They also installed former Senator Camilo Osias as the institution’s president on the same day.
The same year saw the Colleges of Commerce and Education being offered. Pharmacy and Dentistry followed a year later, and Engineering was offered in 1925.
In the 90s, the university began offering courses responding to modern needs: Computer Science (1990), Computer Engineering (1994), and Electronic and Communications Engineering (1994).
However, NU was struck by tragedy in 1998. On January 1st of that year, a fire destroyed four of the university’s buildings.
Doors reopened after three weeks of restoration. But with the fire came a challenge: dwindling enrollment.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the school struggled to get students to study.
Come 2008, a major change steered NU in its present direction.
SM acquired majority ownership of the university in line with its expansion into real estate and education. This ushered in NU’s growth; not only did infrastructure improve, but so did the number of enrollees and the quality of education.
Fast forward to today, and National University is over 50,000 students strong across all of its active campuses, and that growth isn’t slowing down any time soon.
NU’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE
If you’re wondering why a National University campus is in the pipeline, here’s your answer: wider access to more inclusive and affordable quality education.
The Cebu campus is particularly significant. The expansion bolsters NU’s Visayan presence and stays true to its mission of spreading learning opportunities throughout the country.
With regard to the Cebu campus, NU will stick with its open admission policy. This paves the way for a level playing field, giving students from various backgrounds a shot at enrollment.
WHAT STUDENTS CAN LOOK FORWARD TO
As of press time, on-campus enrollment is currently underway for the Cebu campus. It’s located at SM City Cebu’s Northwing Expansion.
Slots for the senior high school are available and will mark the start of AY 2025-2026.
Offered strands include ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management), HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences), and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The Cebu campus also offers degree programs. Enrollees can choose from the following options:
- Accountancy
- Architecture
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Medical Technology
- Tourism Management
Athletics may not be the priority now, but with the school’s recent success in that department, it may be a part of the future. And since the SM Seaside Arena is only seven kilometers away from the campus, game venues won’t be a problem.
***
The campus may be a fish out of water upon its opening. But if NU’s track record is anything to go by, it may go toe-to-toe with some of the best schools in Cebu.
NU Cebu awaits eager students ready to take on the world. Interested enrollees shouldn’t pass up the chance.
National University – Cebu Campus
Location: Lower Ground Floor, Northwing Expansion, SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Mabolo, Cebu City
Enrollment Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact Number: +632 8712-1900
Email Address: admission@nu-cebu.edu.ph
REFERENCE:
Mago, Jason. 2025. “NU Volleyball Reigns Supreme.” Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/05/18/nu-volleyball-reigns-supreme.
