Best MBBS Colleges in Philippines – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus based on 2022 – 23 Rankings and Reviews

Updated on 15 March 2023

Best MBBS Colleges in Philippines – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus based on 2022 – 23 Rankings and Reviews

MBBS Philippines:

With an approximated population of 100.6 million and 7,641 islands, the Philippines is considered to be one of the most popular tourist destinations around the world. But the pictorial ambiance and biodiversity aren’t the only things worth noting about the archipelagic country.

In recent years, the Philippines has grown to become a focal point for exceptional medical studies. While Indians flying to countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and China to do their MBBS was a known trend, the Philippines has risen to be a viable alternative since 2012.

The fact that it is their largest speaking English country in the world coupled with the climate being similar to India, students from over here seamlessly adapt to the new surroundings.

Doing an MBBS and becoming a doctor is a prestigious accolade to have. Every doctor deserves a pat on their backs, solely because they may have gone through hell to achieve a goal many give up on due to its intimidating requirements.

Becoming a doctor in India has more hurdles than you can imagine. First of all, if you aren’t born in a family with fat stacks of cash then medical education could be a big burden on your financial foundation. You can get scholarships or seats reserved for high-performing candidates, but for that to happen, you’d have to be a prodigy of sorts.

Doing an MBBS in India will require you shell out a lot of cash and you may even get burnt out soon enough – physically, mentally and financially. There is now a way to avoid all the aforementioned struggles. Just do the MBBS from a foreign country, and for the purpose of this article, we’d be focusing on the land that gave us Manny Pacquiao – one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Why do MBBS in the Philippines?

Doing an MBBS abroad has its pros and cons. The benefits, however, easily overshadow the minor negatives that are a part and parcel of it.

Philippines offers a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), which is equivalent to an MBBS in India. It should be noted that the Philippines M.D. course will be referred to as MBBS throughout the article for better understanding. Don’t be confused, an M.D. from the Philippines is a Bachelor level degree and not a PG degree as it is in India. M.D. in Philippines = MBBS in India.

Studying an MBBS in the Philippines too has its perks and at the end of the day, provides a much better experience than doing an MBBS from India. Don’t believe me? Check out the reasons why:

• No need to clear IELTS/ TOEFL
• All Filipino medical institutes are recognized by statutory bodies and organizations such as the Medical Council of India (MCI), World Health Organization (WHO), FAIMER, and International Medical Education Directory (IMED), etc.
• Students who pass out from Filipino universities are eligible for most screening tests in a majority of the countries
• Low cost of living and affordable housing and accommodation
• Hospitable Locals who are fluent in English
• A large Indian community
• Easily available Indian food
• Better infrastructure and facilities than Indian institutes – which are mostly outdated
• High-quality coursework with an experienced faculty
• Favorable climate with average temperatures of around 23 Degree Celsius
• Easy and quick procedure to get a Visa due to the cordial bilateral relations between India and the Philippines
• United States education system which enabled students to migrate to countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, etc.
• Following the US system means that students can attempt both parts of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and move to America after the completion of the course
• Exciting culture, engaging extracurricular activities and many beautiful locations to visit

Ticks all boxes, doesn’t it? Here’s a brief rundown on the Philippines

Also Checkout: Best MBBS Colleges in Russia – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus, etc.

Know more about the Philippines:

It takes about 6 and a half hours to reach the Philippines without stops from India. Despite Manila being the capital of the country – which is a beautiful city – Quezon City is the largest both in terms of area and population. While Christianity is the most commonly followed religion, Filipinos welcome immigrants of diverse classes, ethnicities, backgrounds, faiths and cultural upbringings.

Filipino and English are the dominant languages apart from the 19 other local dialects. The economy of the Philippines is thriving as the Filipino market is regarded as an emerging entity that has the potential to be one of the healthiest in the coming years.

The Philippines is one of the founding members of the United Nations and World Trade Organization among other international and continental governing bodies. The Philippines has a say in matters of international importance and is one of the more powerful countries in the Asian continent.

Filipinos love powerful flavors. Indians love the same. Popular Filipino dishes include Adobo, Sinigang, Kare-Kare, and Lechon.

MBBS Philippines Duration:

An MBBS in the Philippines is 6 and a half years long, with the final year majorly focused on clinical postings. Now you may be wondering, why 6.5 years when Indian universities have 5.5-year courses and the maximum time in other countries is 5.8?

Philippines provides a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) programme, which as stated earlier, is the same as MBBS. However, before signing up for the 4-year course, candidates have to complete an 18-month foundation Bachelor’s course in science, such as a B.Sc. In Biology for example.

The 18-month pre-medical course is followed by an entrance test called the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). After your clear NMAT, your 4-year core medical course begins which is then followed by a 1-year clinical internship period.

Given below is the breakdown:

Candidates who have completed their B.Sc. In India don’t need to go through the pre-medical phase in the Philippines.

The initial phase deals with the basics of medicine and the subsequent years delve deeper into the different facets and areas of a doctor’s job.

Candidates are assigned to a hospital in the final year of the course where they are required to complete a prescribed number of hours of clinical posting under the supervision of doctors.

Also Read: Best MBBS Colleges in Ukraine – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus, etc.

MBBS Philippines Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidate must have completed 10+2 from the Science stream.
• Candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate score of 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) and English as compulsory subjects.
• For reserved category candidates, the cut-off is a little more relaxed at 40%.
• Candidate must be at least 17 years old
• Clearing NEET is mandatory. General Category students need to score 119 out of 720 while the reserved category candidate just has to go beyond 96.

MBBS Philippines Admission Process:

• The first step is to get a good score in 10+2 followed by an equally high number in NEET exam.
• Next step would be to get the admission forms from the medical universities of the Philippines.
• Download, fill and submit the application back along with the required documents.
• After careful verification, a letter of confirmation will be sent to you.
• Apply for a student visa and get the date of commencement of the course from the college.
• Pay a certain part of the total course fee.
• The 18-month pre-medical course will begin.
• After you complete the preparatory programme, you would have to apply for NMAT.
• After you clear your NMAT, your actual medical course starts.

The admission process for getting into a medical university in the Philippines is the most complicated when compared to other countries such as China, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland.

The fact that students have to go through an 18-month pre-medicine course and another entrance exam after it adds to the burden.

Nonetheless, Filipino medical education is comprehensive and getting admission isn’t as easy as you expect. That’s where you would need out help. Contact us at 080-6116-0468 and we’ll simplify the complete process without any extra cost.

Be careful of bogus agencies and consultancies that rip candidates off by charging lakhs for medical seats abroad. You don’t need to pay a single penny apart from the course fee. Educate yourself and don’t get duped.

Breakdown of Expenditure (Fees, Accommodation charges, Cost of Living):

When you compare the expenditure incurred in India and the Philippines, the latter is the more economical option when all the expenses are rounded up.

The top medical universities in the Philippines charge an approximate total of $35,000 for the entire course. That comes up to around 24.38 lakhs.

Additionally, food and accommodation would charge you $300 per month, Visa renewal will cost $350 per year and other extra expenses could come around to $500.

It should be noted that this is the maximum it can get. There are colleges that offer the entire course for a total of between 13 – 19 lakhs as well. The living costs would vary based on your lifestyle habits. Living in a hostel will cut down the expenses drastically and you would end up saving a lot of money in the process.

MBBS in the Philippines Syllabus and Course Structure:

A yearly breakdown of the MBBS course provided by most medical universities in the Philippines has been given below:

Teaching methods include:

• Theory lectures
• Seminars
• Practicals
• Lab Demonstrations
• Clinical postings
• Classroom activities and projects

Jobs and Career Scope:

There are different career pathways for candidates who complete their MBBS in the Philippines. Doing a PG course is a must if you wish to become a successful doctor. You have options. Choose to study in the Philippines itself. As the Philippines follows the United States education system, many students divert their attention towards pursuing a higher education medical course in the USA. Candidates can prepare for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams.

Doing a PG course in the USA is highly advantageous as you can earn a stipend and balance out the costs incurred for the course. You have a wide range of specializations to choose from as well…

• Cardiology
• Dermatology
• Hematology
• Internal Medicine
• Neurology
• Plastic Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Oncology
• Pathology
• Psychiatry
• Endodontics
• Orthodontics
• Prosthodontics
• Hepatology
• EENT
• Anesthesiology

The decision lies in your hands. You can return to India and be a part of the fruitful medical industry. There are jobs galore. Government hospitals, private multi-specialty clinics, nursing homes, research centers, and diagnostic clinics need a large number of doctors and medical professionals.

No country has a sufficient amount of doctors, especially India and the Philippines, who have always faced an issue with a mounting population. So there’s no need to panic, high-paying jobs are always available.

However, having a lengthy and prosperous career would require unwavering dedication, presence of mind, mental toughness, skill and the ability to work tirelessly. Nobody said becoming a doctor was child’s play, but I guess you already know that.

Salary and Payscale:

The average salary of Doctors in the Philippines is 52,000 Philippine Pesos per month, which comes to around Rs. 70,000.

Just like any other professions, salaries increase as you advance in your career. Doctors with extensive experience can earn up to Rs. 6 lakhs per month. The specialty also matters as doctors in niche fields get paid more. The pay scale is even better in countries like America, where doctors take home nearly $294,000 per year (Rs. 2.5 crores).

Higher Studies after MBBS in the Philippines:

As stated earlier, candidates can choose to pursue a postgraduate medical course from the country of their choice. Philippines, US, India, Russia, Canada, Ukraine, Poland, and China are some of the most common choices these days.

MBBS graduates can specialize in a specific discipline in either surgery or medicine. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Master of Surgery (M.S.) are notable choices.

Best MBBS Colleges in the Philippines for Indian Students:

1. Our Lady of Fathima University College of Medicine, Valenzuela
2. University of Perpetual Help, Las Pinas
3. Bicol Christian College, Legaspi
4. Davao Medical School Foundation, Davao
5. AMA College of Medicine, Metro Manila
6. Cebu Doctor’s Medical University, Cebu
7. Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao
8. Angeles University Foundation, Angeles
9. Manila Central University, Caloocan
10. South Western University, Cebu City

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Best MBBS Colleges in Philippines – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus based on 2022 – 23 Rankings and Reviews

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Best MBBS Colleges in Philippines – Course Details, Eligibility, Syllabus based on 2022 – 23 Rankings and Reviews