Common Questions – FAQs – Philippines

How is the quality of medical education in Philippines?

Philippines offers one of the best medical education in the world. This is attested by the fact that a large numbers of doctors in the USA are Filipinos. Almost 1 in 10 doctors in the United States have undergone their graduation from the Philippines.

How valid is my medical degree that I obtain from the Philippines upon graduation?

An undergraduate program in medicine is called the MD Program (Doctor of medicine) in the Philippines. This is equal to the MD in USA and MBBS in UK, India. The degree is recognized as equal to MBBS in India by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Upon completion, a person who wants to practice medicine in India will have to appear for a professional exam conducted by the Medical Council of India twice a year. On successfully clearing the exam, one is free to practise in India.

What are the admission requirements and my eligibility criteria for MBBS(MD)?

For undergraduate Medical program MD(MBBS), a class 12 or HSC with minimum 50% Marks is required with subjects chosen being Physics, Chemistry and Biology. For graduate programs (MS etc), a score of minimum 50% is necessary during the undergraduate period in medicine. Every university may have some unique criterion and that information is available on their respective websites.

Do I have to sit for an entrance level examination before taking the course?

No. There is no entrance level examination for the MD course.

What is the total duration of this course?

The total duration of this MD(MBBS) course is 5 years to 5 ½ year for students who have been educated till class 12 with a background in science. The first 12 to 16 months focuses on building foundation for a strong medical education and is called the Bachelor of Science program.

The next 4 years is the core medicine and clinical rotation. Towards the end of the programme, students will also undergo clinical rotations, in which they will be attached to selected hospital departments and treat live patients under the guidance and supervision of an experienced and presently practising doctor.

Post Graduation is for 3 years and is called residency training [Similar to that of USA]

Where will the clinical rotations be conducted?

Usually, the clinical rotations will be conducted in hospitals that are affiliated or associated with each university. Top students in some of the Universities may also have the opportunity to perform their clinical rotations in overseas hospitals, including those in the USA.

Is there any stipend provided during the clinical rotation period?

No. No stipend will be paid during the clinical rotation period.

What is the medium of instruction?

English is the medium of instruction for all the universities and English is widely spoken throughout the country (94% of the population in the Philippines speaks English). Students can communicate easily in English with the instructors, campus staff, locals, and even patients during the clinical rotations. Being an American colony for over 50 years, English is the official language for the government, communication in day to day living and all other affairs

What is the method of teaching?

The syllabus will be taught based on the US teaching methodology. A wide range of teaching techniques are employed from traditional lectures and clinical attachments to problem based learning, small group work, clinical skills training, communication skills training and research projects. This will also ensure that students are exposed to a variety of working conditions and allow them to acquire different skill-sets which will be useful in their future careers.

What is the total fee of this course?

The total fees vary from university to university. However, there is no donation or capitation fee of any sort.

Can a student avail loan facility, what are the procedures?

Yes. Students can avail an education loan from reputed banks.

What are the documents required for the admissions?

Photocopies or scanned copies of your class 10 and class12 mark sheet are required initially. Income proof, passport and other documents will be needed at a later stage. Please get in touch (hyperlink to contact us page) with us and we will give you the full details.

Are the degrees offered recognized by the World Health Organization and the MCI?

All the medical colleges and the awarded degrees are recognised by WHO (Word Health Organization), ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) and International Medical Education Directory (IMED).

How is the Weather?

The weather in the Philippines is tropical weather. There are 3 main seasons.

Rains: From June to September. Showers can be frequent and heavy.

Winter: October to February it is cooler and is supposedly winter time. But the temperature rarely drops below 25°C.

Summer: From March to May when temperatures can soar and be similar to a summer in India but of a lesser intensity.

Overall the climate matches nicely with Indian weather conditions. Hence heavy winter clothing is not essential.

Is there any Hostel facility available?

On campus accommodation for international students is available. Hostel rooms have attached bathrooms, with single, double or triple beds. Both Air-conditioned and non-air conditioned rooms are available as per the choice of the individual students.

Is there separate hostel accommodation for girls?

Yes, universities have separate dormitory facilities for female students.

Are facilities like laundry, canteens and internet available?

Yes. All the above facilities are available to students.

Are students allowed to prepare their own food?

No. Universities do not allow students to cook their food in room or in their dormitories. Students who hire apartments outside can cook at home.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available.

Who will make travel arrangements and bear the cost of the flight tickets?

We can assist the students in obtaining the air tickets as well as other travel arrangements as a value-added service. However, the students will pay for the costs of travel themselves. Alternatively, the students can buy the ticket on their own if they prefer to make their own travel arrangements.

Is there any dress code for college students?

Yes. There are uniforms for students and dress codes. Students are usually expected to wear the Physician’s uniform to maintain an image of professionalism.

For how many days is the vacation period? Can a student come home during holidays?

The vacation period is typically 6- 8 weeks in summer and during this time, students can go home.

How will a student pay tuition fees and other fees?

The fee can be paid directly to the university by bank transfer or through us, as we are the authorized Indian representative.

Will the University refund the fees in case the admission is cancelled?

Once the student reports to the university and joins the same, the university will not refund any of the educational fees and other expenses paid by the student.

Can a student earn while learning?

No. A student cannot be employed in any job while studying since he/she is having a student visa.

What is the cost of living in Philippines?

As a basic thumb rule, it costs between US $ 100 to 150 per month for an individual student. However, expenses vary and depend on individual spending habits.

How can I get or exchange money while I am in Philippines?

You may bring money with you, either in the form of cash or traveller’s checks. ATM machines are available in banks and cash advances can be drawn over the counter at most large banks for a transaction charge. Major hotels, most fine restaurants and stores now accept credit cards. Students enrolling for longer courses can open a bank account through the local bank on campus or down town and transfer funds from accounts in their home country