Atty. Alberto Rafael L. Aportadera
President of the Davao Medical School Foundation, leading the institution and its pre-med, medical and health-science programmes.
Davao Medical School Foundation
The first medical school in Mindanao, founded in 1976, with an English-medium Doctor of Medicine, its own teaching hospital and a large, long-established Indian student community.
5000+ Students trust us
Philippines
Country
Davao City
City
Est. 1976 · #1 PLE 2026
Heritage & Results
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
Davao Medical School Foundation
- Study program:Pre-medicine (BS) + Doctor of Medicine (MD), English
- Language:English
- Duration:~5.5–6 Years total (pre-medicine + 4-year MD)
- University type:Private, non-stock, non-profit medical school
- Per academic year fees:MD tuition approx. US$5,000 · ₹4.30 Lakh (indicative)
- Entrance examination:NMAT for MD entry; NEET also required for Indian students
- Application deadline:Annual intake via the DMSF Office of the Dean
- International students:Around 800, with a large Indian community
A modern building at the Davao Medical School Foundation
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Recognition & Prestige
Rankings & Recognition
The Davao Medical School Foundation is a CHED-recognised private medical school with a strong record in the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination, including ranking first nationally in March 2026. As a specialist medical school it is not ranked in the QS or THE world rankings; its standing rests on its licensure results and its degree's international recognition.
#1 in PLE
ranked first nationally in the March 2026 Physician Licensure Examination
WDOMS
listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
The medical degree is recognised internationally. The Davao Medical School Foundation is recognised by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), its graduates qualify for the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination (PRC), and it is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). Graduates are eligible to pursue ECFMG certification for the USMLE in the United States, and Indian graduates can qualify for practice in India through the NMC screening/exit examination (FMGE, transitioning to NExT). The Philippines is not an EU member, so there is no automatic EU-wide recognition.
Accreditations and Recognition
NMC/MCI
Eligible for Indian licensing via the NMC screening examination (FMGE/NExT) for graduates who qualify NEET and meet the FMG Licentiate Regulations 2021
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools; graduates eligible to apply for ECFMG certification
Complete Information About the Davao Medical School Foundation
Get complete information about the Davao Medical School Foundation, including admission, the pre-med + MD pathway, recognition and the FMGE route for Indian students.
Success stories
Student Success Stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
Why Study Medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation
The Davao Medical School Foundation offers an English-medium Doctor of Medicine with a genuine Class-12-entry pathway for Indian students, a top licensure record, its own teaching hospital and a large Indian community, in one of the safest cities in the Philippines.
A Class-12-Entry Pathway
A Top Licensure Record
A Large, Established Indian Community
Taught Entirely in English
Its Own Teaching Hospital
A Strong Route to the USMLE
One of the Philippines' Safest Cities
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How to Apply
Admission Process for the Pre-Med + MD Pathway
Indian students enter DMSF after Class 12 into a pre-medicine (BS) stage, then take the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) to progress to the 4-year Doctor of Medicine. A valid NEET qualification is required for future licensing in India. Applications are made through the DMSF Office of the Dean, and international students obtain a 9(f) student visa.
Admission Timeline
- 1After Class 12Enter Pre-Medicine (BS)
Indian students who have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology apply to the pre-medicine (BS) stage, which builds the science foundation needed for the MD.
- 2Before the MDQualify NEET
Indian applicants should hold a valid NEET-UG qualification, required by India's NMC for licensing after a foreign medical degree.
- 3Before the MDTake the NMAT
To progress to the Doctor of Medicine, students take the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), the standard Philippine medical entrance test.
- 4ApplicationApply to DMSF
Applicants submit the application to the DMSF Office of the Dean with academic records, the NMAT result, two reference letters and the application fee, and receive a Notice of Acceptance and Certificate of Eligibility for Admission.
- 5Before travelDocuments & Visa
Students submit transcripts, a notarised affidavit of support with bank statements, passport, police clearance and birth certificate, and obtain the 9(f) Philippine student visa.
- 6IntakeClasses Begin
Students begin their studies in Davao City, joining the school's large international community.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
Applicants must have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology and English. For Indian students, the NMC requires a minimum aggregate of 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (40% for reserved categories) plus English, and a valid NEET qualification, for licensing in India.
Subjects:
PhysicsChemistryBiologyEnglish
Age Requirement
Candidates should be at least 17 years old by 31 December of the admission year, in line with NMC rules for studying medicine abroad.
- Minimum 17 yearsRequired age at the time of admission (NMC rule)
Requirements
Entry to the pre-medicine stage is based on the Class 12 science record; progression to the MD requires the NMAT. Indian students also need a valid NEET result for future Indian licensing. Applications are made through the DMSF Office of the Dean.
Pre-Med then NMAT
Indian students enter the pre-medicine (BS) stage after Class 12 and then take the NMAT to progress to the 4-year MD; there is no direct Class-12 entry straight into the MD.
NEET & English
Indian students need a valid NEET qualification for future Indian licensing, and the programme is taught entirely in English, so no separate language test is generally required for Indian applicants.
Entrance Examination (NMAT)
Progression from pre-medicine to the Doctor of Medicine requires the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test), the standard Philippine medical entrance test.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class 12 | Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English |
| Pre-medicine (BS) | Entry stage taken after Class 12 before the MD |
| NMAT | National Medical Admission Test — required to progress to the MD |
| NEET (Indian students) | Valid NEET-UG qualification for future licensing in India |
Required Documents
To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:
- Completed application to the DMSF Office of the Dean, with two reference letters and the application fee
- Class 12 mark sheets and certificates (legalised/apostille); NMAT result for MD entry
- NEET scorecard, valid passport and passport photographs
- Notarised affidavit of support with bank statements, police clearance and birth certificate
- + More (medical certificate, 9(f) student-visa documents)
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
Pre-Med, MD Curriculum & Internship Structure
The Davao Medical School Foundation pathway begins with a pre-medicine (BS) stage in the basic sciences, followed by a four-year, English-medium Doctor of Medicine that moves from pre-clinical sciences to clinical clerkship in the Davao teaching hospitals, then a 12-month internship and the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination.
Pre-Medicine (BS) + Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Total Duration:
~5.5–6 Years (pre-medicine + 4-year MD), plus 12-month internship
Degree:
Doctor of Medicine (MD), equivalent to MBBS
Curriculum Phases at the Davao Medical School Foundation
Pre-Medicine (BS)
Foundation Sciences
Indian students first complete a pre-medicine (BS) stage covering the biological and physical sciences that prepare them for the MD and the NMAT:
BiologyBotanyZoologyMicrobiologyBiochemistryGeneticsCell BiologyPhysiologyMD Years 1–2
Pre-Clinical Sciences
The first two years of the MD cover the basic medical sciences through lectures, laboratories and early clinical skills:
AnatomyPhysiologyBiochemistryHistologyMicrobiologyPathologyPharmacologyMD Years 3–4
Clinical Clerkship
The final two years are clinical clerkship in the affiliated Davao teaching hospitals across the core specialties:
Internal MedicineSurgeryPaediatricsObstetrics & GynaecologyPsychiatryFamily & Community MedicineElectivesAfter the MD
Internship & Licensure
Graduates complete a 12-month post-graduate internship and then sit the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) for licensure:
12-month internshipPhysician Licensure Examination (PLE)
Clinical Rotations
Clinical training is based at the school's own DMSF Hospital and major Davao teaching hospitals, including the Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital and Brokenshire Memorial Hospital. An indicative pattern:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| MD Years 1–2 | Pre-clinical sciences and early clinical skills |
| MD Years 3–4 | Clinical clerkship across Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Family Medicine |
| After the MD | 12-month post-graduate internship, then the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) |
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Legacy
Leadership and People of the Davao Medical School Foundation
The Davao Medical School Foundation was built by a consortium of Davao institutions and is led today by experienced administrators and clinicians, with around 125 faculty teaching across the pre-med and MD programmes.
Dr. Marie Aimee Hyacinth V. Bretaña
Dean of the College of Medicine, overseeing the Doctor of Medicine programme and its clinical training in the Davao teaching hospitals.
Faculty
The Davao Medical School Foundation is led by its President, Atty. Alberto Rafael L. Aportadera, with Dr. Marie Aimee Hyacinth V. Bretaña as Dean of the College of Medicine. Its roughly 125 faculty combine full-time academic staff in the basic sciences with practising consultants at the DMSF Hospital and affiliated Davao hospitals, so students learn from both scientists and working clinicians — a structure that supports preparation for the Philippine licensure exam, the USMLE and India's FMGE/NExT.
Academic Expertise
First medical school in Mindanao (1976)
#1 in the March 2026 licensure exam
Own DMSF Hospital
Practising consultants in the Davao hospitals
Student Support & Mentorship
English-taught pre-med + MD
Large Indian community since ~2005
Clinical supervision in the teaching hospitals
Strong US-residency tradition
About University
History Information
Founded in 1976
Opening to the World
Its Own Hospital
A Top-Performing School Today
Get all information about the Davao Medical School Foundation in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can study medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation.
Role in medicine
Role in medical education
Mindanao's First Medical School
A Licensure and USMLE Track Record
An International Medical School
Get all information about the Davao Medical School Foundation in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can study medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation.
Cost of living
Living Cost in Davao City
Davao City is a large, orderly city in the south of the Philippines with lower living costs than Manila or Cebu. Here is the approximate monthly breakdown for an Indian student.
Monthly Living Cost
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (dormitory / shared flat) | ₹12,000 – ₹28,000 |
| Food | ₹11,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Transportation | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 |
| Other Expenses (Utilities, Internet, Leisure) | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 |
Get Free MD Guide
Average monthly living cost
₹30,000 – ₹55,000
Housing
Accommodation
The Davao Medical School Foundation is on its own campus in the Bajada area of Davao City, and international students live in nearby dormitories, condominiums and shared flats, many of them run for or by the international student community.
Near the Campus
DMSF sits on Medical School Drive in the Bajada area of Davao City, and dormitories, condominiums and boarding houses are available within a short distance of the campus and the teaching hospitals.
Student Dormitories & Boarding Houses
A range of dormitories and boarding houses cater to students, offering furnished rooms with internet and security; many are used by DMSF's large international community.
Monthly Cost
A shared room or dormitory bed typically costs around PHP 6,000–14,000 per month (roughly ₹9,000–₹21,000), with private studios and condominium units higher, depending on the area and standard.
A Supported First Year
New international students are encouraged to arrange accommodation close to the campus for their first year, which keeps them near classmates and the hospital and eases settling into a new country.
A Ready-Made Community
Because DMSF has hosted Indian and other international students for two decades, incoming students can often join existing student communities and shared houses, easing the move to Davao.
Private Flats & Condominiums
Many students share condominiums or flats around the Bajada and city-centre areas, budgeting for a deposit and monthly utilities on top of rent; listings are found through local platforms and student groups.
A Well-Connected City
Davao is a large, spread-out city with jeepneys, buses and ride-hailing apps, and Francisco Bangoy International Airport is close by, so students can get around and travel easily.
A Tropical Climate
Davao has a warm, humid tropical climate year-round and, being outside the main typhoon belt, is one of the calmer parts of the Philippines weather-wise, though students should still plan for the heat and rain.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
100% Veg Options and Indian Food, Always Available
Because of DMSF's large, long-standing Indian community, Indian and vegetarian food is genuinely easy to find in Davao City, in restaurants, grocery stores and student kitchens.
Davao has affordable canteens, cafés and restaurants across the city, and DMSF's international community means campus-area eateries cater to Indian and vegetarian tastes, alongside the city's malls and food courts.
Location
How to Reach the Davao Medical School Foundation
Address
Davao Medical School Foundation, Medical School Drive, Bajada, Davao City 8000, Mindanao, Philippines
Nearest Airport
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO), Davao — with a direct link to Singapore and frequent domestic flights to Manila and Cebu; Indian students route one-stop via Singapore, Manila, Cebu or a Gulf hub (there is no direct Davao–India flight)
Local Transport
Davao City is served by jeepneys, buses and ride-hailing apps, so students can reach the campus, the teaching hospitals and the rest of the city easily and cheaply
Your Roadmap to Success
Career Pathways After Medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation
Graduates who wish to return home appear for the Indian screening examination, currently the FMGE and transitioning to the NExT, complete the required internship and register with the NMC or a State Medical Council. A valid NEET qualification is required under the NMC's 2021 FMG regulations.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
FMGE & NExT Details
To practise medicine in India after graduating from the Davao Medical School Foundation, Indian students follow the licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). DMSF teaches an English-medium MD and is WDOMS-listed, and students should qualify NEET-UG before joining.
Step 1
National Exit Test (NExT)
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. At present this is the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which the NMC plans to replace with the National Exit Test (NExT).
Step 2
Clinical Internship (CRRI)
After qualifying, students complete the required one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India, which builds hands-on experience in Indian clinical settings under the NMC's framework.
Step 3
Medical Registration
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council. Once registered, the graduate holds a full licence to practise medicine in India.
Student Life Style
Student life at the Davao Medical School Foundation
Life at the Davao Medical School Foundation combines a demanding, English-taught medical pathway with life in Davao, one of the safest and most orderly cities in the Philippines, and a large, welcoming Indian student community.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol in the Philippines
Academics
A tropical island lagoon in the Philippines
Campus and City
Challenges and Growth
The Banaue rice terraces in the northern Philippines
Social Life
Overall Experience
Scholarship & Financial
Scholarship & Financial Aid
Honest note first: fee-paying international medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation has limited scholarship support, so families should plan as fully self-funded, though total costs are moderate compared with Western destinations.
DMSF offers some scholarships and financial-aid schemes, but these are primarily aimed at Filipino students and specific categories rather than fee-paying international MD students; check current eligibility directly with DMSF.
- School-administered scholarships
- Mostly for Filipino/specific categories
- Apply through the DMSF Office of the Dean
Ratings
Reviews & Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at the Davao Medical School Foundation.
4.4
168 reviews
Academics4.5
Infrastructure4.2
Hostel4.1
Campus Life4.5
Value for Money4.4
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Compare the Davao Medical School Foundation with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
Davao Medical School Foundation vs CMC Vellore
| University | Davao Medical School FoundationDavao City, Philippines | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Private, non-stock, non-profit | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course | Pre-medicine (BS) + 4-year MD (after Class 12) | MBBS (5.5 years, direct entry) |
| Admission | Class 12 (PCB) + pre-med + NMAT (+ NEET for Indians) | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | CHED; WDOMS; ECFMG/USMLE; NMC-eligible via FMGE/NExT | NMC-recognised |
| Fees (per year) | ~₹4.3 lakh (MD tuition, indicative) | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Licensure record | #1 nationally in the March 2026 licensure exam | High NEET-PG / INI-CET performance |
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Our blog
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about studying medicine at the Davao Medical School Foundation.