Truth About Medical Colleges in Philippines

The Philippines has become a popular study abroad destination for Indian students looking to study MBBS. With more than 10,000 Indian students currently enrolled in various medical colleges throughout the country, it is clear that the Philippines offers a good medical degree. An MBBS in Philippines is considered budget-friendly and offers courses in English. The annual cost of studying MBBS in the Philippines ranges from INR 2.5 lakhs to 6 lakhs, making it a much more appealing option compared to private medical colleges in India. However, some recent developments have sparked concerns about the recognition of medical degrees from the Philippines in India. The National Medical Commission (NMC) of India has put out advisories questioning the recognition of certain medical courses from the Philippines, especially the Bachelor of Science (BS) courses that are required before the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. In the latest development by NMC, an MBBS from the Philippines is not valid in India. As a result, students and parents are feeling uncertain about the future of their medical careers. The following sections will reveal the truth about medical colleges in the Philippines and their recognition in India.

This Story also Contains

1. NMC Guidelines to Study MBBS Abroad
2. MBBS in the Philippines 2025
3. Truth About Medical Colleges in the Philippines in 2025
4. Options for MBBS Students from the Philippines

Note: NMC does not support any specific list of foreign medical institutions or universities for MBBS or equivalent courses. However, the MBBS program offered by the university should meet the NMC guidelines for its students to be eligible to practice in India.

NMC Guidelines to Study MBBS Abroad

NMC has laid out some important guidelines for Indian students who want to pursue their MBBS abroad. These guidelines fall under the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) Regulations 2021 and cover several key points:

• NEET Qualification: To be eligible for admission, students need to pass the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

• Course Duration: The MBBS program should last at least 54 months, excluding the internship.

• Internship: A 12-month internship is mandatory and must be completed at the same institution where the student studied.

• Course Structure: The curriculum should encompass subjects like General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, and Community Medicine.

• Recognition: The medical college must be included in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).

NMC guidelines for MBBS abroad are designed to ensure that Indian students receive a high-quality medical education abroad and are well-prepared to practice medicine back in India.

MBBS in the Philippines 2025

In the Philippines, medical education is structured differently from that in India. Students start by completing a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, which takes about 2 years. After that, they move on to a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, which is similar to the MBBS degree in India. Classes are taught in English, and the curriculum is crafted to align with international standards. The medical colleges in the Philippines are recognized by various global organizations, and the cost of education is generally more affordable compared to many other countries. However, the 4-year MD program, which is equivalent to an MBBS degree, is not recognized by the NMC. This is because NMC requires an MBBS course of 54 months, which is 4.5 years.

Truth About Medical Colleges in the Philippines in 2025

The NMC has raised some questions regarding the recognition of medical degrees from the Philippines. This news came through an official publication called the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiates (FMGL) in 2021.

Duration of MBBS in Philippines

The NMC has made it clear that the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, which used to be seen as equivalent to the MBBS degree in India, will now be recognized as two separate degrees. Previously, the MBBS course in the Philippines was a 6-year program that included:

• 2 years of BS (Bachelor of Science)

• 4 years of MD (Doctor of Medicine)

This combined program was accepted as equivalent to the MBBS degree in India. However, with the new guidelines, only the MD degree (4 years) will be acknowledged, and the BS course will no longer contribute to the MBBS duration. The NMC guidelines clearly state that a valid MBBS degree obtained from abroad must have a minimum duration of 54 months (4.5 years). Since the MD program in the Philippines lasts only 4 years, it is no longer recognized in India. Hence, students enrolled in this program will not be eligible to practice medicine in India.

Exception by NBEMS for Students Who Enrolled Before November 18, 2021: According to the FMGE performance report 2024 released by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, some students who studied in the Philippines were still permitted to take the FMGE exam, which is necessary to practice medicine in India. This is because the NMC advisory took effect on November 18, 2021. Therefore, students who were already enrolled in the BS+MD program before this date were allowed to continue their studies based on the previous regulations.

Mandatory 12-Month Internship in Philippines

According to the NMC’s regulations, every Indian student must complete 12 months of internship after finishing their course in the country where they studied. This requirement can be quite challenging for students in the Philippines, especially since the internship regulations there can be quite challenging. As per the Commission on Higher Education in the Republic of the Philippines, medical graduates must pass a licensing exam to secure a clinical internship in hospitals throughout the country.

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Options for MBBS Students from the Philippines

Once you complete your MBBS Degree in the Philippines, other career opportunities open up for you. You can choose to practice medicine as a general practitioner or a specialist in hospitals and clinics, but first, you will need to pass the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE). In addition, if you are dreaming of practicing internationally, you can take the necessary licensing exams, like the USMLE for the United States.

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