Over the last 15 to 20 years, the Philippines has become the most preferred destination to study MBBS abroad by students from all over the world.
The medical universities in Philippines have consistently proven themselves as the leaders in the field of medical education and research. They have brought in some of the most advanced learning methodologies in the MBBS programs worldwide. This has enabled all the major medical organisations in the world such as WHO, FAIMER, ECFMG and our India’s MCI have given recognitions to the medical colleges/universities in the Philippines.
Studying MBBS in the Philippines gives a truly international experience for Indian students, at the same time maintaining a little bit of familiarity because the Philippines is almost close to India in terms of climate characteristics and kind people.
Let us look at some of the major pros and cons to choosing the Philippines to study MBBS abroad for Indian students.
Pros to choosing Philippines to study MBBS abroad:
There are several great advantages to choosing the Philippines to study MBBS abroad. Here are some of the most important ones that make the Philippines stand apart from other countries offering MBBS degrees to Indian students.
The best thing about studying MBBS in the Philippines is that you don’t have to learn a new language. The Philippines is the 3rd largest English speaking country in the world.
All the classes will be in English and 99% of the population of the Philippines speak English. Indian students applying for MBBS in the Philippines need not learn any new language. They also do not have to write any English language qualifying exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
Indian students can communicate with and understand their teachers very easily and very clearly. Also it’d be easy for them to communicate and move around on the campus and in the country. They won’t feel alienated like in other countries.
It starts from 16 lakhs INR for the entire course duration of 5 to 5.5 years. Depending on the university the cost goes up to 24 lakhs.
The cost of living, accommodation and food cost very less in the Philippines, unlike countries like the UK, Russia, China, etc where the living cost is really high. The food and accommodation expenses in the Philippines would be almost equal to the expenses you would spend in a private college in India.
Here is a table of the expenses in the Universities in Philippines to study MBBS:
Name of the University in Philippines | Total Tuition Fees (INR) | Total Living Cost (INR) | Total Expenses for 5 years |
UV Gullas College of Medicine | 22,28,000 | 10,00,000 | 30,00,000 |
Davao Medical School Foundation | 17,83,000 | 9,24,000 | 28,74,000 |
University of Northern Philippines | 11,45,000 | 12,16,000 | 24,02,500 |
Lyceum Northwestern University | 15,95,000 | 12,16,000 | 24,02,500 |
All the universities listed in the above table are institutions with a legacy of 40 to 100 years in the field of medical education and research.
The Philippines has tropical weather conditions that are similar to India. Students feel like it is almost like living in India. This helps them become accustomed to a foreign country easily. They don’t get sick like the cold countries. Indian students studying MBBS in the Philippines find it easier to focus on their studies better because of the mild and pleasant climate conditions there.
Also, since the tropical climate of the Philippines is the same as in India, the disease patterns learned in the Philippines and their treatment is the same as in their home country. This helps our Indian MBBS students to complete the course and start practicing in the home country almost immediately, without any trouble in adapting to the patients in India and their patterns of illnesses.
Indian students studying MBBS in the Philippines get complete support from their universities. They have dedicated guidance counselors for a [articular number of students with whom they can communicate at any time for their needs. Universities in the Philippines also provide veg and non-veg Indian food for Indian students. In most other countries, the accommodation will be separate. Philippines medical universities provide in-campus accommodation with spacious, air-conditioned rooms and 24/7 security, to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for the students. This helps the students save time in travelling, housekeeping, etc and focus completely on their studies alone.
Philippines include advanced digital tools in the learning methodologies. They are equipped with new-age digital infrastructure like Anatomage table, Simulation labs, etc, that will give the students an exposure to truly world-class educational experience.
These days, careers in hospitals worldwide and post-graduation offers for MBBS graduates prefer students with extensive practical clinical training. Most universities in the Philippines follow a very practical-based medical education system. To make available a complete real-world experience in clinical training, universities in the Philippines enter in tie-ups with some of the most reputed hospitals in the Philippines. This kind of extensive clinical training helps our students get job offers easily from hospitals in the US, UK, Australia and India.
Cons of Studying MBBS in Philippines
Here are the biggest disadvantages of studying MBBS in Philippines:
The medical degree in the Philippines is divided into two parts. The 5.5 years duration M.D course is divided into two parts:
- 1.5 year BS or pre-medical course followed by
- 4 year M.D (Doctor of Medicine) course
You first have to enrol in the pre-medical or BS program which is 1-2 years long, depending on the college. After completing the BS course and clearing NMAT, you can start the actual MBBS course.
This can also be seen in a positive manner. As the stress of education is not high, it will give you plenty of time to settle down in a new country. It also helps students who did not perform well in their 11th and 12th in India get a second chance to refresh all the subjects during the B.S (Bachelor of Science) pre-medical course.
NMAT is an entrance exam which is required to be qualified for admission in the MBBS course in the Philippines. The exam is not difficult and for most of the universities, the qualifying criteria is 40 percentile only. If a student cannot qualify NMAT then the student won’t be able to qualify the licensing exam in India. Also, if a student has qualified NEET, then he/she won’t have any problem with clearing NMAT. You can appear for NMAT while you are in the M.D. course. This means that you will get anywhere between 1-4 chances to clear NMAT before you complete the BS program. In many colleges, you will be given admission in the MD course even if you haven’t cleared NMAT. However, you are still required to score 40 percent and clear NMAT, hence, you might get 2-4 more chances.
The universities in the Philippines train their students well enough for everyone to clear the NMAT. 100% of students clear NMAT and go on to finish their M.D. program and become successful doctors.
There will be a VISA interview for every student who wishes to study in the Philippines. Clearing the VISA interview is not at all difficult. They only ask very basic questions After reaching the Philippines, the VISA gets converted into a student visa. All these are fine. Only thing is that this VISA has to be renewed each year and you’d have to pay a small amount of money for the renewal. Compared to the money you save by joining MBBS in the Philippines, this VISA renewal fee is only a negligible amount. Almost all study abroad options have this VISA renewal expenses anyway.
Despite some minor disadvantages, studying MBBS in the Philippines is still the best option. The advantages of doing MBBS in the Philippines outweigh the disadvantages by a big margin! Philippines has become the no.1 destination and choice of Indian and international students.
What are you waiting for? All these advantages make MBBS seats in Philippines most lucrative and in-demand. The seats are limited. It is always first-come, first-serve. Make the smart choice about your future. Good luck!
Browse through this website to find out all about the medical universities in the Philippines based on your budget. You can also call us at +91 91767 89889 for support & enquiries about studying MBBS in the Philippines. We would be happy to help.
