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.
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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.
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
- No Entrance test is required to study in Medical universities in the Philippines (Only NEET Qualification is enough).
- Wide range of possibilities and broad exposure to clinical practice due to highly equipped multi-profile hospitals.
- The tuition fee is quite low and affordable.
- Elite bodies like WHO and NMC acknowledge medical colleges in the Philippines.
- The cost of living for students is quite low too.
- Philippines’ MBBS courses follow the mode of the English language as it is one of the most spoken languages in the world.
- Hostel accommodations are comfortable and up to the mark for a student’s comfort.
Disadvantages of studying MBBS in Philippines For Indian Students
- As Filipino is the local language in the Philippines, students might feel the language is a barrier (outside the university campus).
- One might have to put extra effort into learning the Filipino Language after the class hour.
- The entire Visa process for the Philippines is callous as it takes more than two months after document submission to the concerned embassy.
- The climate of the country is cold most of the time. Therefore, it might be hard for students to adapt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Philippines MBBS degree valid in India?
After finishing the MD course, Indians who have obtained a medical degree from the Philippines come back to India and take a screening test. If they pass this test, they receive a license to practice medicine in India.
Does the MBBS syllabus in India differ from that in the Philippines?
The medical syllabus in the Philippines is mostly uniform across all colleges, with minor variations.
Is the Philippines a Good option for studying MBBS?
If you’re considering studying in Asia, the Philippines is a Good choice. Among the top colleges for MBBS in the Philippines are the University of Perpetual Help Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo College – School of Medicine, UV Gullas College of Medicine, and Davao Medical School Foundation.
Is MBBS in Philippines more affordable compared to India?
When considering the cost of living, is it generally lower in India compared to other developed nations, but higher than in the Philippines Additionally, Most Indian medical universities provide on-campus hostel facilities to students at a low cost.
