The University of the Philippines Cebu is offering a PhD in Data Science program that requires no master’s degree for bachelor’s degree holders, the university announced through an official post on Facebook.

“ENROLL NOW IN STRAIGHT PhD,” the announcement post on Wednesday said.

According to UP Cebu, the program is “predominantly online, with occasional face-to-face sessions” at their campus, while the degree and diploma shall be conferred by UP Diliman.

The program, with the affordances of its setup, will allow students to “earn the qualification without relocating to Manila.”

UP’s doctorate program in Data Science, according to the university’s official website, aims to “produce PhD graduates equipped with a good scientific mindset, with adequate technical skills, and a professional perspective of expanding the science of data, with data as carriers of information.”

Under the program, there are three options that would-be learners can choose from: an option that allows a holder of a bachelor’s degree (in the sciences and engineering, or in other fields related to data science) to go straight to PhD.

“Under this program track, students are required to take graduate courses in mathematical, computational, and statistical methods.”

The second option is a regular Ph.D. track, intended for those who already hold a master’s degree.

Another offering is a Ph.D. program through research, which caters to students with a graduate degree and are “proven capable of doing independent research in data science or related disciplines.” Under this track, the student is mandated to have a research plan prior to entering the program. 

The deadline of application is on March 15, 2025. More details through UP Cebu’s official Facebook page and the program’s website.