MBBS in Philippines for Indian Students 2024-25: Admission, Fees, Top Colleges etc.

MBBS in Philippines: The Philippines is widely known as a popular travel destination, and it’s also becoming a top choice for studying MBBS in 2024. The country offers an easy, affordable, and flexible medical education, with some of the best medical universities in the world. Many Indian medical students are now choosing the Philippines for their studies due to its top medical colleges’ high quality of education. The Philippines has a strong reputation in medical education, making it an attractive option for aspiring doctors from India. Graduates from Philippine medical universities are currently working in leading hospitals worldwide.

Studying MBBS in Philippines is a popular choice for international students due to the highly affordable fees provided by the Philippines Ministry of Health & Education, which are much lower than in many Western countries. The combination of high-quality education and low cost makes the top medical universities in the Philippines an attractive option. In this article, you will find information on various aspects of studying medicine in the Philippines, including MBBS admission procedures, course duration, fee structure for Indian students, eligibility criteria for Indian students, the MBBS syllabus in the Philippines, top MBBS colleges, and medical universities in the Philippines, and more.

Country Summary

The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, is a country made up of islands. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it has around 7,641 islands, which are divided into three main regions: Luzon in the north, Visayas in the middle, and Mindanao in the south.

Population	114,163,719
Area	343,448 km2 (132,606 sq mi)
Capital City	Manila
Language	Filipino, English (Official Language)
Climate	Temperatures usually range from 21 °C (70 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F). The most fantastic month is January; the warmest is May.
Literacy Rate	99.27%
Time Zone	UTC+08:00 (PhST)
Currency	Philippine peso (₱) (PHP)
Religion	Christianity, Islam, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Other Christians.

Quick facts

Before exploring the detailed information about MBBS in Philippines for Indian students, let’s take a quick look at some basic facts about the Philippines.

Course Offered	Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Course Duration	6 years (including 1 year internship)
Basic Eligibility	10+2 (PCB) with 50%  for General Category 40% for SC/ST Category
Entrance Exam	NEET Qualified (Only)
IELTS/TOEFL	Not Required
Medium of Teaching	English language
Universities Recognition	NMC, WHO, ECFMG & WFME
Minimum Course Fee	Rs. 2.5 Lakhs/Year
Maximum Course Fee	Rs. 6 Lakhs/Year
Cost of Living in the Philippines	Rs. 8,000 – 15,000/Month

Recognition of Philippines Medical College

The most important factors in determining a good or top medical college are checking its affiliation, recognition, and other related parameters. The best medical universities for MBBS in Philippines are associated with these governing bodies.

• Ministry of Education, Philippines.
• NMC (National Medical Commission)
• WHO (World Health Organization)
• ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates)
• WFME (World Federation for Medical Education)
• FAIMER (The Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research)

Why study MBBS in Philippines?

For many students worldwide, the Philippines has consistently been the preferred destination for studying MBBS. Here are the main reasons that make the Philippines the perfect choice for you:

• Studying MBBS in Philippines is dependable due to affordable tuition fees and a reasonable cost of living.
• Philippines medical universities follow the American-style Style Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Curriculum, which is beneficial for USMLE exam preparation.
• The Philippines ranks among the largest English-speaking nations globally, easing communication for international students.
• Continuous development processes through PAASCU accreditation enhance educational capabilities and programs.
• Since 2018, Philippines medical universities have shown higher FMGE passing rates compared to other countries.
• The medical education system emphasizes theoretical knowledge and practical skills development.
• The Philippines is one of the safest countries for women, making it an ideal destination for MBBS studies.
• Direct MBBS admission with globally recognized degrees and no donation or capitation fees.
• IELTS and TOEFL exams are not required for studying MBBS in Philippines.
• WHO, NMC, ECFMG, and WFME recognize top medical universities in the Philippines.
• It was approved by the NMC (National Medical Commission), enabling students to practice in India after passing the MCI screening test.

Eligibility Criteria

Many medical students in India aspire to become doctors, but financial Conditions often prevent them from affording the high fees of private medical colleges in the country. As a result, they opt to pursue their Medical degrees in countries like the Philippines where the costs are lower compared to Indian private medical colleges. However, they often wonder about the specific eligibility criteria for studying MBBS in Philippines. To address this, we’ll outline the eligibility requirements for MBBS in Philippines for Indian students. Let’s take a closer look.

Age	It would be best to be at least 17 years old on or before 31st December of the admission year. *No Upper Age Limit.
Qualification	Class 12th in Science, with PCB and English subjects from a board recognized by the authorities in India.
Minimum Qualifying  (%)	50% in 10+2 (UR) 45% (SC/OBC/ST)
Qualifying Entrance	NEET  (For Indian Students)
Medium of Teaching	English
Duration of Course	6 Years

Admission Procedure

To gain admission to a medical program in the Philippines, Indian students need to pass the National Eligibility Entrance Exam (NEET). It’s important to note that you just need to meet the eligibility criteria for the exam. Here are some useful resources to help you prepare for the NEET exam and improve your chances of success.

Documents Required

Before you enroll in a medical college for MBBS in Philippines, make sure you have all the necessary documents mentioned below with you.

• Passport (Minimum 18 months validity).
• Class 10th Passing Certificate & Mark sheet.
• Class 12th Passing Certificate & Mark.
• Birth Certificate.
• Ten passport-size Photographs
• Official Invitation letter from the Medical University of the Philippines.
• Authorization of all documents from the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
• Legalization of all documents from the Philippines Embassy.
• Visa fees.
• Bank receipt of University 1st year Tuition fee (required for some Universities).
• COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.

Top MBBS Colleges in Philippines

Here is the latest list for the academic year 2024-25 of all medical colleges for MBBS in Philippines. To access detailed information about each college, including fee structure, courses offered, admission procedures, placement statistics, cutoff marks, available facilities, and comprehensive college reviews. You can click the college link. Let’s take a closer look.

Name of the University	Name of the University
Remedios Trinidad Medical Foundation	University of Perpetual Help Rizal
Southwestern University Philippines	AMA School of Medicine Philippines
University of St La Salle Philippines	Baguio Central University Philippines
Lyceum Northwestern University Philippines	University of the Philippines Manila
St. Luke’s College of Medicine Philippines	Cebu Doctors University the Philippines
St Paul University the Philippines	Virgen Milagrosa University Philippines
Iloilo Doctors College of Medicine	MHAM College of Medicine Philippines
Cebu Institute of Medicine	West Visayas State University
De La Salle University Health Sciences Campus	Angeles University Foundation
PLM Philippines	University of the East Ramon Magsaysay
Xavier University	Central Philippine University
FEU Dr Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation	Davao Medical School Foundation
Bicol Christian College of Medicine	Our Lady of Fatima University
Ateneo de Zamboanga University	Silliman University
Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila	UV Gullas College of Medicine
Cagayan State University Tuguegarao	Saint Louis University
University of Northern Philippines	University of Santo Tomas
San Beda University	Manila Central University Philippines

MBBS Colleges in Philippines with Fee Structure

Here is the latest list for the academic year 2024-25 of all medical colleges for MBBS in Philippines officially approved by India’s Medical Council (NMC). Below are some of the top MBBS colleges in the Philippines.

Universities Name	Tuition Fee
University of Santo Tomas	Rs. 2,10,000/-
Emilio Aguinaldo College, Manila	Rs. 4,97,500/-
AMA School of Medicine	Rs. 3,75,000/-
University of Northern Philippines	Rs. 2,80,000/-
Cagayan State University Tuguegarao	Rs. 3,37,868/-
Davao Medical School Foundation	Rs. 3,50,000/-
St. Paul University, Philippines	Rs. 3,92,000/-
Ago Medical & Educational Center, Bicol Christian College of Medicine	Rs. 4,32,000/-
UV Gullas College of Medicine	Rs. 2,85,000/-
Saint Louis University Philippines	—–

MBBS Syllabus in Philippines

There is often confusion among students regarding the MBBS syllabus in the Philippines, especially concerning whether it’s the same for Indian students as it is for local students. To address these questions, we offer comprehensive information about the syllabus for Medicine degrees in comparison with the MBBS syllabus in India.

Year	Subjects Covered
1st Year	Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Preventive Medicine, Community health, Psychiatry and Medical Practice I
2nd Year	fundamental concepts in Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Pharmacology, Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatry II and Medical Economics.
Third and Fourth year	The main Focus is on studying specializations in both medicine and surgery during the clinical phase. This includes subjects such as Psychiatry, Dermatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics in the medical field, and Anesthesiology, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Orthopedics in the surgical field.
Internship	It offers students a chance to apply their acquired skills in real-life situations. The internship is compulsory and lasts for one year, after which students receive their MBBS degree. During this time, under the supervision of a senior doctor, students work alongside them in hospitals, gaining practical experience in various specialties such as Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gynecology, and more.

Comparison between MBBS in Philippines & MBBS in India

MBBS in Philippines	MBBS in India
The cost of studying medicine in the Philippines is relatively low.	The cost of studying medicine in India is quite high.
MBBS course duration in the Philippines is 6 years.	The duration of the MBBS course in India is 6 years.
An entrance test is mandatory in almost every university in the Philippines.	Entrance test required.
A donation is not required at the time of admission.	Various colleges in India take donations for admission to medical courses.
Degree awarded as MD in Medicine.	Degree awarded as MBBS in Medicine.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying MBBS in Philippines

Did you know that studying MBBS in Philippines is a popular choice for Indian students? Similar to studying MBBS in China or European countries, many medical colleges and universities in the Philippines are approved by the NMC. There are numerous advantages to studying in the Philippines, and here are some of them:

Advantages of studying MBBS in Philippines For Indian Students

1. No Entrance test is required to study in Medical universities in the Philippines (Only NEET Qualification is enough).
2. Wide range of possibilities and broad exposure to clinical practice due to highly equipped multi-profile hospitals.
3. The tuition fee is quite low and affordable.
4. Elite bodies like WHO and NMC acknowledge medical colleges in the Philippines.
5. The cost of living for students is quite low too.
6. Philippines’ MBBS courses follow the mode of the English language as it is one of the most spoken languages in the world.
7. Hostel accommodations are comfortable and up to the mark for a student’s comfort.

Disadvantages of studying MBBS in Philippines For Indian Students

1. As Filipino is the local language in the Philippines, students might feel the language is a barrier (outside the university campus).
2. One might have to put extra effort into learning the Filipino Language after the class hour.
3. The entire Visa process for the Philippines is callous as it takes more than two months after document submission to the concerned embassy.
4. The climate of the country is cold most of the time. Therefore, it might be hard for students to adapt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)