Student admission in Arellano University is governed by Article XIII, Section 60 of the Revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools, which provides for the basic requirements of eligibility for admission to any collegiate educational program or course.

Arellano University adopts an "open admission, selective-retention" policy. Consistent with its statement of mission and vision, the University welcomes all students interested in the pursuit of scholarly learning, regardless of race, creed, religion and personal circumstances. Everyone desirous of education within the framework, atmosphere and standards set by the school is assumed to possess the minimum intellectual, emotional and physical requirements ordinarily expected of a student. Once admitted to any of the programs of the University, the student has the responsibility to maintain a minimum level of achievement to be allowed continuous enrolment in the school. 

Graduates from a secondary level program recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd), as evidenced by Form 138 (High School Report Card), shall be allowed enrolment in the school. Graduates of foreign secondary schools who may not fully satisfy the specific requirements of certain collegiate programs or courses may be admitted, provided that such deficiency is corrected during their initial school term.

The school also requires all student-applicants or new students to submit a certificate of good moral character from the principal of the school last attended and/or from the barangay authorities of the community he lives in. (A new student is either a Freshman or a Transferee who is enrolling in the University for the first time.)

The following minimum standards and specific policies must be observed:

Freshmen

1. Form 138
2. Certificate of good moral character (issued by the high school principal, head of the school last attended or a barangay official in the community where the student resides)
3. Certificate of eligibility for admission to college from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in cases where the student-applicant cannot reasonably secure his/her school credentials for reasons beyond his/her control, such as:

• Closure of the school last attended and
• Damage of documents due to fire or natural calamities.

Transfer Students

Transfer credentials from the school last attended, such as the following documents:

1. Honorable dismissal
2. Transcript of Records or Certification of Subjects Taken duly issued by the school last attended
3. Certificate of good moral character

Sophomore, Junior, Senior and Higher Level Students

Before a student of the University gets promoted to the next academic level, he or she must satisfactorily comply with the requirements of the curriculum for the previous year level. This entails completion of the prescribed subjects in the previous year level, such as those in Level 1, prior to promotion to Level 2; satisfactory completion of Level 2 requirements before getting promoted to Level 3, and so on.

Foreign Students

• Authenticated Transcript of Records
• Two (2) photocopies each of the student's Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) and Certificate of Residence for Temporary Students (CRTS)
• Two (2) photocopies of Student's Visa
• Two (2) copies of I.D. pictures, size 1.5" x 1.5"
• Other requirements that the University may deem necessary

Cross Enrollees

Cross enrollees (students of other schools seeking admission to the University after the first term in any given school year) must submit a permit to cross-enroll from the school of origin, stating therein the subjects to be taken and reason for cross enrolment.

Trainees and Seminar Participants

Trainees and seminar participants should comply with the requirements specified in the agreement, contract, or similar instrument of authorization regarding their training in any unit of the University or participation in any seminar conducted at the University.