MBBS in Philippines from Top Medical Universities
About Philippines
The Philippines or Filipinas officially the Republic of the Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The capital city of the Philippines is Manila and the most populous city is Quezon City, both within the single urban area of Metro Manila. Philippines was a colony of the USA for around 50 years and thus the country follows the American system of education.
The Philippines is a founding member of the United Nations, World Trade Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the East Asia Summit. The Philippines is considered to be an emerging market and a newly industrialized country, which has an economy transitioning from being based on agriculture to being based more on services and manufacturing. The country also hosts the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank. The Philippines has shown a great transition in the economy from agriculture to the one with services and manufacturing. In addition to membership in the United Nations, the Philippines is also a founding and active member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
The tropical climate of the Philippines is usually hot and humid. The temperatures usually vary from 21 °C (70 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F) with January being the coolest and May being the warmest months of the year.
The Philippines offers the American system of medical education and the Primary Medical qualification is an M.D. degree (MBBS). This qualification is globally recognized including the Medical Council of India.
The medical course in the Philippines is called the MD program [Doctor of medicine]. The MD program is equivalent to MBBS of the UK, India, Pakistan, and other Commonwealth countries. This degree comprises medical theory, practical and clinical rotation giving better exposure to the students. The degrees obtained from medical universities in the Philippines are recognized by the World Health Organization and Medical Council of India. The higher level of practical sessions and experienced teaching staff in the Medical colleges of the Philippines has gained significant popularity around the world. The infrastructure of the medical universities, the curriculum, and the atmosphere in the colleges of the Philippines makes it a preferred location of education for international students. The cost of the complete MBBS course in the Philippines is much lower as compared to other countries. The medium of teaching is English which breaks the major barrier of communication for international students.
Benefits Of Studying MBBS In The Philippines
- The MD in the Philippines is recognized and approved as an equivalent course to the MBBS by the MCI - Medical Council of India that sets and maintains uniform standards of medical education.
- Philippines medical universities are widely renowned in many countries for the superior standard of education and also have listed in the WHO, IMED, and ECFMG medical education directories.
- Professors in the Philippines universities are coming from different countries, including the USA and India who are highly qualified and experienced in the allied field.
- Philippine’s medical colleges are regulated by the Philippines ministry of education and that is why Philippines colleges do not have any capitation fees as well as no donations to be paid for enrollment.
- Another advantage of an Indian student is the climate of the Philippines. Philippines climate varies from 23 °C to 32 °C throughout the year, which is very alike to the Indian climate helps Indian students in settling with no trouble.
- There is no donation required to enroll in the Philippines medical college.
- Philippines follows the US education system that opens numerous opportunities to make a career in English speaking countries inclusive of the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, etc.
- The English medium of instruction diminishes the barrier of learning the native language and helps to concentrate only on the study.
- All the medical colleges in the Philippines emphasis on practice over theory and give you a greater extent of practical experience that helps you during practice.
- The entire faculty of the Philippines medical colleges are co-operative and ready to help you in every query.
- The M.D. degree of the Philippines is recognized by every major country, that proffers you the great career opportunity of working in the US, Canada, Australia, and other developed countries without any extra course.
- There is a large number of messes and a team of Indian chefs to make all the Indian dishes available for Indian students at affordable rates.
- Listed on the 12th as the most populous country in the world, hence you will have a greater opportunity to practice with a varied and large number of patients.
- You can easily communicate with the patient and a local as the Philippines is the 3rd largest English speaking country where almost 94% of Filipinos speak English.
- If we look at the data of past years and today, the number of Indian students enrolling for MBBS in the Philippines has drastically increased.
- Excellent flight connectivity from India offers easy travel throughout the year
- Philippines embassy is very liberal, which means it is easy to obtain a student visa and quick processing of documentation.
- In the Philippines getting admission in Manila would be the best for foreign students as it is the most secure city in the world in terms of crime.
MBBS in Philippines
In the Philippines, the present education system for their nationals is 10 + 4 where the school education finishes after class 10 and is followed by a BS course for 4 years which is a degree course. After completion of 14 years, they are admitted to the MD course if he/she wishes to pursue medicine.
An Indian student who has studied in India under the 10+2 system and wishes to study MBBS in the Philippines, therefore, needs to do the BS Course before enrolling for MD. However, some additional credits for the BS course are given for +2 which the Indian student has done and the remaining credits of the BS course have to be obtained during the three semesters before he is granted a BS degree. Thereafter he is eligible for the MD course. In short, an Indian student does a BS + MD course of 5.6 years approximately, among which the BS course is for 1.6 years and the MD course is for 4 years respectively.
The BS courses mainly include majors such as biology, psychology, medical technology, biochemistry, microbiology, and physical therapy. Anyone major should be selected and the course duration will be 1.5 years. Students will be awarded a B.S degree and can join their 4 year MD course. Before joining MD courses students must take the NMAT exam.
NMAT Exams
What is NMAT EXAM?
National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is a common eligibility entrance exam conducted by the government of the Philippines for every student who applies for medical education in the Philippines. These NMAT exams are conducted twice a year and the questions are based on the pre-medical degree courses. Students on passing these exams will be given admission into their preferred college in the Philippines.
Why Indian Students Should Take NMAT Exams?
Every student who wishes to study MBBS in the Philippines must have to clear NMAT exams. These exams are mandatory to study in the Philippines like NEET exams in India. Students can attend classes even if they haven’t cleared the NMAT exams in their first attempt. It is advised to clear the exam before completing the course.
NMAT Pattern
The test consists of Part I and Part II. Part I is a 200-item test with four subdivisions, which are on Verbal, Inductive Reasoning, Quantitative and Perceptual Acuity Skills, and is a three-hour exam. Part II is a two-hour-30-minute test in the field of basic sciences such as Biology, Physics, Social Sciences, and Chemistry, all of which form 200 items. Qualified test takers are graduates and graduating students of degree programs. So that is 5 hours and 30 minutes exam in a day. Generally, its results come in about 15 working days, and a candidate can get admission as per college requirements. The grading system is percentile ranking from 1- to 99+ and marks are given ranging from 200 to 800.
Top Universities for MBBS In Philippines
- University of Northern Philippines
- UV Gullas College of Medicine
- Davao Medical Foundation
- University of Perpetual Help
- AMA School of Medicine
- Our Lady of Fatima University
- Emilio Aguinaldo College of Medicine
University of Northern Philippines (UNP)
The University of Northern Philippines, also known as UNP, is a university in Barangay Tamag, in the City of Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the first and most established state university in Northern Luzon. UNP Hospital is a foundation that resounds the transitioning of medicinal services in Vigan City, Philippines. May it be a day to day regular ailment or an ailment that requires specialty services and care, it would all be found here. A group of master specialists with many years of experience profoundly trained nursing and ancillary staff, the latest equipment and machines handled by skilled technical staff. Strong support service has raised UNP Hospital to a premier health care institute.
UNP Hospital gives a wide scope of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and diagnostic services with an integrated group of skilled and compassionate physicians, medicinal services experts, and staff. It has developed and extended to give new and advanced services, the latest technology and modern facilities to address the issues of the community. At present, the UNP is a top evaluated general education institution in the Philippines. Besides medicine, the university offers advanced education in accountancy and engineering, communication and information technology, arts and science, business administration, criminology, and teacher education.
UNP has four campuses:
- Vigan Campus – It houses most of its 14 core colleges.
- The Upland Research and Development Center is present at Sinait Campus.
- The Environmental Research and Training and Agricultural, Fishery, Research are conducted at Quimmarayan Campus.
- The Marine Research and Development Centre is present at Santa Maria Campus.
With these world-class campus facilities, the university gives a fully air-conditioned building facility. It offers in-house academic grant and other government-supported grant programs which make the student's academic life easy to manage. The importance is given to project and research proposals on high-quality research. UNP leads in the biggest number of foreign students enlisted throughout the previous three years, particularly in the course of Doctor of Education and Doctor of Medicine. With four campuses spread over the state, it's been the leader and incredible influence on other educational institutions in the whole nation.
The university furnishes its students with comfortable housing facilities for both male and female student occupants. These quarters are given computer centers for speedy internet service, athletic oval, and gymnasium for sports and recreational activities, kitchen and laundry areas, laboratory facilities, a wide variety of simulations, audio-visual materials, and models for research and experimentation.
University of Northern Philippines (UNP) - Fees Structure

UV Gullas College of Medicine
The college was established in the year 1919 in the Cebu city of the Philippines. For more than 100 years the college is offering quality education and guidance for people from across the world to become successful physicians. UV offers provide world-class infrastructure with experienced professors from top hospitals delivering quality education to international students
In 1994, four of the university programs were recognized by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation. Earlier in 1994 the Gullas Medical Center and the College of Medicine were opened in Banilad.
There are two campuses in Cebu City, the main University campus located in the downtown Cebu City area and the laboratory high school in Pardo. The main campus in Cebu City is a multi-storied building that is equipped with several facilities for the students. Living spaces are fully air-conditioned with attached bathrooms. Students also have access to free Wi-Fi, Play areas, and other entertainment. Constant CCTV surveillance and the presence of 24 / 7 campus guards ensure high levels of student security. Clinical training is imparted by a highly-trained and experienced faculty who have demonstrated capabilities in their respective fields.
Campus Location
The university has nine campuses:
- Main Campus along Colon Street, Cebu City
- Banilad Campus along Gov. Cuenco Ave., Brgy. Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu
- Minglanilla Campus along N. Bacalso Ave. (Cebu South Road), Brgy. Poblacion Ward I, Minglanilla, Cebu
- Toledo Campus along S. Osme単a St., Brgy. Poblacion, Toledo City, Cebu
- Pardo Campus along E. Sabellano St., Brgy. Poblacion Pardo, Cebu City
- Mandaue Campus along Demetrio M. Cortes St., Brgys. Alang-alang and Cambaro, Mandaue City, Cebu
- Danao Campus along P.G. Almendras St., Brgy. Poblacion, Danao City, Cebu
- Dalaguete Campus along Pedro Calungsod St., Brgy. Poblacion, Dalaguete, Cebu
- Compostela Campus along P. Cabatingan St., Brgy. Poblacion, Compostela, Cebu
UV Gullas College of Medicine - Fees Structure

Davao Medical School Foundation
The Davao School Medical School Foundation, Inc. (DMSFI) started in July 1976 to tackle the shortage of doctors in rural areas and specialists in the urban sectors. It was the first-ever medicine college to be established in Mindanao and its main aim is to provide quality medical education and training so that the medical facilities can develop in both the rural and urban areas.
A consortium made up of Ateneo de Davao University, Brokenshire Memorial Hospital, Development of People’s Foundation, San Pedro College and the San Pedro Hospital, the school operates as a non-stock, non-profit organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). In addition to the College of Medicine, the foundation operates the College of Dentistry, the College of Nursing, the Institute of Primary Health Care, the DMSF Hospital, and the Institute of Primary Health Care, the DMSF Hospital and the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research.
The College of Medicine is located on a 6.18 acre (2.5 hectares) land near the commercial hub of Davao City. The Unique geographic location of the city within the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East Asia Growth Area (BIP – EAGA), enhanced by its modern infrastructure, stable peace and order and socio-economic prosperity has made DMSFI an attractive option for study by foreign students. Congruent to its stated vision and mission, the school has made contributions to the alleviation of the health problems of the people in Mindanao and produced numerous doctors who have made names for themselves in their chosen fields. Such achievements were made possible through the dedication of its more than two hundred competent faculty members and support staff, affiliated teaching hospitals, government health units, and its modern infrastructure and facilities.
The curriculum of the University promises to imbibe in students the core knowledge of the course with sufficient practical aspects attached to it. Each curriculum is developed with a focus on the future trends of the corporate world and an understanding of the skills and expertise that would be expected from future professionals.The core curriculum emphasizes applied learning and encompasses the basic concept of experiential learning. The core modules are structured to give an impressive and broad grasp of the essentials that a successful professional must- have. These modules balance hard, statistical abilities with the softer but no less important abilities to inspire and managing people. The taught curricula also take learning beyond the classroom, making case analysis and class discussions more than academic exercises. The University ensures that the curriculum is as per international as well as industry standards and that they are properly maintained. To help achieve these objectives, the University has specifically started some practices few of which have been mentioned below:
Faculty Department Academic Committee (FDAC)
To look after the curriculum and pedagogy of the University, a committee called the Faculty Department Academic Committee has been constituted. The Committee ensures that the curriculum and pedagogy in the University are viable enough to impart quality education to the students.
Board of Studies
The curricula are revised every academic session under the Board of Studies (BOS) which considers the inputs of teaching experts, participants from the industry, other academic institutions, and the students. The suggestions given after the review are incorporated in the curriculum to ensure that the curriculum is all the better to impart contemporary teaching to the students.
Course Co-ordination
For synchronized teaching, the teachers regularly meet and discuss the advancements in their course and provide inputs and updates which are beneficial for them in terms of delivering knowledge to the students.
Professional Learning Committees (PLC)
To pave the way for the teachers to come together and discuss new and innovative ways of teaching a particular topic, Professional Learning Committees (PLCs) have been formed. For example, CSE teachers may sit together and discuss recent developments in teaching techniques. This approach followed by the University helps the teachers to learn new ways of teaching which are easier for the students to understand and implement. Apart from the above, the academicians of the University are involved in regular interaction with the higher authorities, reviewing the curricula and making additions in existing teaching practices.
The students give feedback about the teachers and the teaching techniques at the end of the session This helps in finding out the requirements of a student which assists in developing easy methods of teaching.
Davao Medical School Foundation - Fees Structure

University of Perpetual Help
The University of Perpetual Help System is located in Dalta, Las Piñas Philippines. It is a catholic based university, with campuses in Las Piñas, Bacoor, Cavite, and Calamba City, Laguna in the Philippines. Perpetual Help College of Rizal (PCHR) was founded on Feb 5th, 1975 by Dr. Gen. Antonio Laperal Tamayo and Dr. Daisy Moran Tamayo. Initially, PCHR offered only one degree, Bachelor of Nursing, in which 700 students enrolled. It established its Molino and Calamba campuses in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Finally, in 1997, it received its university status from the Commission of Higher Education (CHED). In 2017, CHED conferred upon the university its autonomous status.
It has about 1,500 academic staff and over 18500 students. UPHSD has attracted various students from across the globe with its quality education and state-of-the-art facilities. It is the destination for creativity, education, discovery, hospitality, and innovation. It has six departments namely, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business and Social Studies, Faculty of Language and Culture, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Science and Technology.
There is an over-300 bedded hospital named the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Centre. UPHSD has one of the highest MCI and USMLE exam passing rates. It has affiliations with hospitals in the United States and also has faculty from reputed universities like Harvard, UCLA, UC Davis, University of London, etc. The university also believes that economic backwardness should not stop one from reaching their full potential. For that reason, it provides a bunch of scholarships like the Go Clean Scholarship, BrokenFish International Student Scholarship, Global Study Award, Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship, and much more.
The University of Perpetual Help - Fees Structure
