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Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
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Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
English-taught medical degrees at Asia's oldest medical schools, from a country where English is an official language, with a strong track record in the US and Indian licensing exams.
5000+ Students trust us
English (official) + Filipino
Spoken Language
Manila
Capital
1 PHP ≈ ₹1.6
Currency Value
105th
Global Peace Index
Top Universities
The Philippines' leading medical schools teach the English-medium Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme, are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and are recognised by India's National Medical Commission for the FMGE/NExT route.
Introduction
Medical schools here follow a BS plus MD structure, and CHED-recognised MD programmes have been restructured to meet the NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021, including a 12-month internship in the same institution. The Embassy of India in Manila has issued a positive advisory confirming this alignment. Philippine graduates have a strong record in both the Indian FMGE and the US USMLE, and total costs of roughly ₹20–32 lakh make it one of the more affordable English-taught routes.
A medical university in the Philippines
Get all information about MBBS in the Philippines
Download our free brochure for tuition, living costs, eligibility and the complete application process.
Academic Excellence
An English-taught, American-style medical degree with a strong record in the FMGE and USMLE, at affordable cost, in a country where English is spoken everywhere.
Get all information about MBBS abroad
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine in the Philippines.
Where You'll Study
From the capital Manila to Cebu in the Visayas and Davao in the south, each Philippine city offers its own mix of medical schools, affordability and student life.
Manila and the wider Metro Manila region are home to several leading medical schools, including the University of Santo Tomas, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, AMA School of Medicine and Our Lady of Fatima University. It is the country's largest city, with the biggest international student community and extensive teaching hospitals.
Cebu City, in the central Visayas, is home to the Cebu Institute of Medicine and other schools. It offers a slightly lower cost of living than Manila, a coastal setting and a large, friendly student community.
Davao City, in the south, is home to the Davao Medical School Foundation, one of the most popular choices for Indian students. It is known as one of the country's safest and most orderly cities, with a low cost of living.
Which Philippine city suits you best?
Get a personalised recommendation based on your budget, course and lifestyle.
Program Structure
The Philippines follows an American-style structure: a pre-medical (BS) foundation, followed by the four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD), and a 12-month clinical internship, delivered in English. For Indian students, CHED-recognised programmes are arranged to meet the NMC's requirements.
Total Duration:
~6 Years (BS/pre-med + MD + internship)
Degree:
MD (Doctor of Medicine, equivalent to MBBS)
Entrance Exam:
NMAT for MD entry; NEET for Indian eligibility
Pre-Med (BS foundation)
A pre-medical (BS) foundation in the basic sciences that prepares students for the NMAT and entry to the MD proper:
MD Years 1–3
The pre-clinical and para-clinical years of the Doctor of Medicine, bridging basic sciences and clinical medicine:
MD Year 4 + Internship
Clinical clerkship followed by a 12-month rotating internship in the same institution's affiliated hospitals, meeting the NMC's same-country internship requirement:
Important: The exact structure varies by university, but CHED-recognised MD programmes are arranged to meet the NMC's 54-month academic and 12-month same-institution internship requirements for Indian students; students should confirm the specific programme plan with the university.
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Recognition & Prestige
Medical degrees from CHED-recognised Philippine universities are recognised by the bodies that matter for Indian students, so graduates can pursue licensing and practice in India, the US and beyond.
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
WFME
Recognised under the WFME / WHO listing framework used by the ECFMG.
NMC
Arranged to meet the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021.
Is a Philippine medical degree right for you?
Get complete recognition, licensing and career details for Indian students from our experts.
Admissions
The student must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and a strong academic record.
Subjects:
Minimum aggregate percentage required in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, in line with NMC norms.
| Category | Min. % |
|---|---|
| General / EWS | 50% |
| OBC / SC / ST | 40% |
| PwBD | 45% |
Candidates must be at least 17 years old by 31 December of the admission year.
Indian applicants complete the pre-medical foundation and the NMAT for MD entry, hold a valid NEET qualification, and submit the standard documents.
NMAT (MD Entry)
The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is required to progress into the MD proper; the pre-medical foundation prepares students for it.
NEET (for Indian students)
A valid NEET score is mandatory for the NMC eligibility certificate to study MBBS abroad, and stays valid for three years for that purpose.
Important: A valid NEET qualification is required for Indian students to later pursue licensing (FMGE / NExT) and practise in India; NMAT is the Philippines' own entrance test for entry to the MD.
Check your eligibility for free
Share your marks and we'll tell you exactly which Philippine universities you qualify for.
Affordable Education
The Philippines offers an English-taught medical education at an affordable cost of living. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for a student in a city such as Manila, Cebu or Davao.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (dormitory or shared flat) | ₹12,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Groceries / meals | ₹10,000 – ₹16,000 |
| Utilities / internet | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Public transport | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 |
| Miscellaneous (books, etc.) | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 |
Total Monthly
₹29,500 – ₹56,000
How to Apply
Admission runs through each university's own procedure. Indian students enrol after Class 12, complete the pre-medical foundation, sit the NMAT for MD entry, and must hold a valid NEET qualification for the NMC route.
Choose your university, complete the application, and submit your Class 12 certificate and mark sheets, NEET result, passport and photographs.
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or step-by-step admission guidance from our experts.
Scholarships
Get all information in our free brochure
Discover how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine in the Philippines.
Accommodation
Get all information in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can build your medical career from the Philippines.
Your Roadmap to Success
Graduates earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from a CHED-recognised, WDOMS-listed university, opening licensing routes and career opportunities in India, the US and beyond.
To pursue residency in the Philippines, students generally must:
Medical Registration
Pass the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination and obtain registration.
Documentation and Licensing
Clear the required documentation and licensing formalities.
English Proficiency
English is the working language of Philippine hospitals, so no additional language test is needed.
Time Duration
Residency generally ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the chosen specialty.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Our Blog
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience studying MBBS in the Philippines.
4.6
158 reviews
Compare
Compare studying MBBS in the Philippines with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
University of Santo Tomas vs CMC Vellore
| University | University of Santo TomasManila, Philippines | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Private (Catholic) | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | ~6 years (BS+MD) | 5.5 years (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹3–6 lakh | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Admission | NMAT + NEET (for eligibility) | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | WDOMS / CHED; NMC-eligible via screening | NMC-recognised |
| Distinction | Asia's oldest medical school (1871) | Among India's leading medical colleges |
Compare Top MBBS Universities for Me
See key differences in fees, ranking, eligibility and recognition.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS in the Philippines.
