MBBS in Philippines Eligibility 2025 for Indian Students

Are you interested in studying medicine, but could not secure admission to MBBS in India? No worries. Now, you can study for an MBBS university in the Philippines easily. All you need to do is check out the eligibility for MBBS in the Philippines for Indian students.
There are multiple MBBS Universities in the Philippines that offer MBBS courses to Indian students. Interested students can simply apply to universities/colleges if they fulfil certain eligibility criteria for admission. This blog gives a detailed overview of the eligibility for MBBS in the Philippines.

Recognition of Medical Universities in the Philippines

One of the perks of choosing MBBS in the Philippines is that almost all the universities have attained all the necessary recognition across the globe. This makes MBBS in the Philippines a great option for Indian students. The universities in the Philippines are recognised by:

• World Health Organisation or WHO
• National Medical Commission or NMC
• Educational Commission for Foreign MBBS Graduates
• WFME
• FAIMER

Not only this, the curriculum is at par in the Philippines, but it is also based on the American curriculum and is designed in such a way that prepares students to outperform in the international licenses USMLE & FMGE. The curriculum closely aligns with the Indian MBBS syllabus, helping students stay on track with medical standards in India.

Eligibility for MBBS in the Philippines

The Philippines universities have a very simplified admission procedure for Indian students. Indian students can easily apply to MBBS in the Philippines, by fulfilling a few eligibility criteria which are much more flexible than any other country offering the same education as top countries like the UK, USA, Russia & more. The students need to fulfil some basic criteria to become eligible for MBBS in the Philippines:

1. Education background: Students should have completed a 12th class in the Science stream with Biology as a compulsory subject. Students should have completed 12th with an aggregate of 50% in Physics, Chemistry & Biology. For SC/ST/OBC students, the 12th percentage aggregate is 45% only. Some universities don’t even have minimum percentage criteria. The educational system is also similar to the Indian MBBS syllabus, making it easier to adapt.
2. NEET Exam: Interested Indian students who need to qualify for the National Entrance Eligibility Test or NEET Exam must appear for the NEET exam and qualify for the minimum cutoff to become eligible. NEET is essential for Indian students applying for MBBS in the Philippines.
3. Age: Students must be 17 years or more in age.
4. Duration: MBBS in the Philippines takes 6 years, with 5 years of degree and 1 year internship. Whereas in India it's 5.5 years. The course structure is quite similar to the Indian MBBS syllabus and training style.
5. Additional Exam: Students who are willing to be admitted to MBBS in the Philippines must know that apart from the NEET Exam, universities make it mandatory for you to qualify for the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test). However, they are not competitive, unlike the NEET exam, and can be easily qualified.
6. Although the entire education is done in English in the Philippines, qualifying TOEFL/IELTS is not a compulsory eligibility requirement for MBBS in the Philippines, unlike in other countries.
7. Medical Licensing: MBBS graduates have to go through the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE) to legally practice in India with an MBBS from the Philippines. The academic structure and subjects are largely aligned with the Indian MBBS syllabus, which helps in preparing for FMGE.

Admission Process for MBBS in the Philippines

If you fulfil all the eligibility criteria for MBBS in the Philippines required as an Indian student, then you only need to complete a few admission procedures to secure admission to the MBBS course. The admission process is quite simple and hassle-free:

1. Apply: To gain admission to the MBBS in the Philippines, you need to first apply for the National Medical Admission Test or NMAT as students must qualify for this exam. As soon as you get an NMAT Score, apply to your chosen university directly through their website. If selected, the university will send you the letter of acceptance.
2. Submission of Documents: If you get selected by the university for MBBS in the Philippines, you need to submit your documents. Scan your 10th and 12th mark sheets & print of NEET scorecard and NMAT Scorecard, along with other identity proofs.
3. MBBS Fees: After successful submission of the documents, students need to pay the required fees to the university to confirm their admissions.
4. Visa Application: After all this process is done, students can begin with their visa procedures. You can apply for a Philippines visa through an online portal and complete the due process. And you are good to go for your MBBS in the Philippines journey!

Read More :MBBS in Philippines Admission 2025

Top Medical Universities for MBBS in the Philippines

The Philippines has several colleges and universities that offer MBBS in the Philippines courses to international students with top-notch academic facilities in a pocket-friendly way. The list of these Top Medical Universities for MBBS in the Philippines is in the table below:

Many of these institutions follow a course design that matches the Indian MBBS syllabus, easing the academic journey for Indian students.

Read More :M.B.B.S. Universities in Philippines

Why choose MBBS in the Philippines?

Choosing the MBBS in the Philippines is a great alternative for those Indian students who are willing to pursue an MBBS degree. The MBBS in the Philippines comes with a lot of perks.

1. Affordability: Pursuing an MBBS overseas can be hard on your pocket. But not for the Philippines, as the cost of the course is about $3500 - $6000 or INR 15 - 20 lakhs. So it becomes a much more affordable option than in any other country. Many colleges offer quality education aligned with the Indian MBBS syllabus, ensuring continuity in learning.
2. Global Recognition: Almost all the universities & colleges have been recognized by global institutes like WHO, FAIMER, FMGE, and others. The course curriculum is also at par with the American MBBS curriculum, making it a good substitute. Additionally, many universities also integrate elements of the Indian MBBS syllabus, preparing students well for FMGE and practice in India.
3. Living Conditions: The Philippines is an island country with a cozy, warm environment, making it suitable for Indian students too. With the country's hospitable nature, it ensures a secure place for foreign students, which is a concern for many. Both countries—the Philippines & India—are located in Asia and share similar cultural backgrounds, which makes it easier for Indian students to pursue MBBS in the Philippines comfortably.
4. Quality Education: Since the educational curriculum is inspired by the American curriculum, it provides students with a great learning experience with excellent facilities, teaching hospitals, clinical training, and top-notch classroom experiences. At the same time, the education system complements the Indian MBBS syllabus, making it easier for students to adapt when they return to India.

Read More :How to Choose Best Medical University in the Philippines

Conclusion

Studying MBBS has been a dream of many students, but due to some restraints, they can’t fulfil that dream. Studying MBBS in the Philippines is a great option. MBBS in the Philippines is more budget-friendly than other countries, offers a great environment, is hassle-free, and all the universities are recognized by the WHO and MCI. You can easily choose from a wide list of colleges. Deciding on a good college for you is an important decision for the future, so you must choose wisely. Universities also follow aspects of the Indian MBBS syllabus, which is an added benefit for Indian aspirants.

FAQs

1. What qualifications must Indian students have to be eligible for MBBS in the Philippines?

Indian candidates are required to pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and score no less than 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/OBC). Applicants must appear and pass NEET and be at least 17 years old prior to application.

2. Do students need to have cleared the NEET for admission into MBBS programs in the Philippines?

According to National Medical Commission regulations, Indian students must have an NEET qualification to apply for MBBS in the Philippines.

3. Do students have to take the NMAT before starting MBBS in the Philippines?

The majority of medical universities in the Philippines ask applicants to appear for the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test). Although it is required to apply, the competitiveness of the NMAT is considerably less than that of NEET.

4. What is the difference between the MBBS duration in the Philippines and India?

Studying MBBS in the Philippines requires 6 years, with 5 years focused on study and 1 year on the internship, instead of 5.5 years in India. Being quite close to the Indian MBBS syllabus, it makes the shift and exam preparation much easier for students.

5. Do doctors with an MBBS from the Philippines have the chance to practice in India?

Yet, Indian students must sit for and pass the FMGE examination before they can practice medicine in India. Because the MBBS program in the Philippines uses an Indian-like syllabus, students find it simpler to prepare for the FMGE exam.

6. Is TOEFL or IELTS required for MBBS admission at medical universities in the Philippines?

Because the whole MBBS course in the Philippines is taught using English, Indians are not required to sit for the TOEFL or IELTS exams.

7. Do Philippine universities offering MBBS have global recognition?

Philippine universities that offer MBBS are recognized by WHO, NMC (MCI), FAIMER, ECFMG, and WFME, so that their graduates are accepted worldwide.

8. Is the material taught in MBBS courses in the Philippines the same as that taught in India?

Primarily, the medical curriculum in the Philippines is based on American education, but the inclusion of the Indian MBBS syllabus by several colleges helps Indian learners adapt easily.

9. How much do Indian students spend on MBBS in the Philippines?

The tuition charges per year are between $3500 and $6000, so an MBBS in this country costs about ₹15 to ₹20 lakhs in total, making it a favourable choice for Indian students.

10. What papers are required to apply for MBBS in the Philippines?

Document requirements are the 10th and 12th mark sheets, the NEET scorecard, the NMAT result, and officially recognized ID proofs. University acceptance does not permit you to study in the Philippines until you have a visa.