The medical schools in the Philippines can be a great choice, especially for international students, the tuition is cheap, the quality of education is acceptable, and you get to enjoy the overall experience and benefits that come with studying abroad like learning a new language and culture.
It is common knowledge that medical schools are very expensive and this alone has crushed the dreams of many who wish to pursue a career in medicine. This article isn’t about the cheapest medical schools but about the medical schools in the Philippines which are cheaper compared to the medical schools in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and other top study hubs.
The Philippines is a beautiful country with a beautiful culture, great cuisine, and many other attractions. The Philippines education system is one of the best in Asia, ranking 46th in the first edition of the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings. As for the medical schools in the Philippines, they are also ranked among the best in Asia, attracting students from far and wide to enjoin in its top-notch quality medical education.
The medical schools in the Philippines are easy to enter with easy entry requirements. The main language of instruction is English, so, there are no language barriers for international students who wish to join them.
How Much is Medical School in the Philippines?
Tuition for medical school in the Philippines ranges between 140,000 to 152,000 Php per semester. That’s about 2,800 in USD. This is cheaper compared to tuition fees at medical schools in Canada, the UK, or other top study destinations.
How Can I Study Medicine in the Philippines?
To enroll in a medical school in the Philippines, you first have to enroll in a BSc program. This takes between one to one and a half years to complete or 2-3 semesters. When you graduate from the BSc program you will be eligible to take the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) and enroll for the 4-year MD course. This NMAT is a prerequisite for every student who wants to enter a medical school in the Philippines.
Best Medical Schools in the Philippines
Here is a list of the top medical schools in the Philippines with further details on each of the schools:
- The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
- De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute
- The University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
- The University of the Philippines College of Medicine
- St. Luke’s College of Medicine
- Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
- Cebu Institute of Medicine
- Ateneo de Manila University School of Medicine and Public Health
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine
- Davao Medical School Foundation
- Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine
- AUF School of Medicine
- West Visayas University College of Medicine
- Zamboanga Medical School Foundation
- Mindanao State University – College of Medicine
1. The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, is the medical school of the University of Santo Tomas. The faculty is recognized as one of the best medical schools in the Philippines and is a part of the Commission of Higher Education Center of Excellence. The medical school was specifically established in 1871 and has produced some of the best medical practitioners in the country and still doing so.
International students are admitted into the various medical programs offered at the university. The application requirements are just as easy but international students from non-English speaking countries must satisfy the English language proficiency requirements along with the general requirements.
Before applying for any of the medical programs offered here, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree in any science-related course and then proceed to fill out the online application form. You will submit all academic transcripts, NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) scores, references, and CV or resume demonstrating extra-curricular activities in the online application form.
2. De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute
De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmarinas, Philippines, was established in 1979 and it is one of the top medical schools in the Philippines. To apply to any medical program here, you must have completed and earned a bachelor’s degree in a science program from an accredited university or four-year college.
To apply, you will fill out the online application form and pay a non-refundable fee of PHP 2,000 for domestic applicants and $250 for international applicants. The online application should go with the following requirements:
- NMAT results
- Transcripts of all academic records or certification of grades
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of GWA or GPA
- Recommendation letters from previous professors
- 2×2 color pictures on a white background
- Certificate of graduation and
- Notarized sworn statement
3. The University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
The University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center was established in 1956 and houses the College of Medicine responsible for educating students and equipping them with top-notch medical skills and knowledge in a wide variety of medical courses. It is also one of the medical schools in the Philippines which is also part of the Centers of Excellence as awarded by the Commission on Higher Education in the country.
It also goes on to house a College of Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Allied Rehabilitation Sciences. To get into this medical school, you will need to fill out an online application form and send scanned copies of the following documents;
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of Secondary Scholastic Record signed by the Principal or Registrar or Report cards from grades 9 to 12, whichever is available.
- Diploma or certificate of graduation
- Certificate of good character.
The application fee is PHP 3,000.
4. The University of the Philippines College of Medicine
The University of the Philippines located in the capital, Manila, houses one of the best medical schools in the Philippines. The College of Medicine at the university is its medical school and has taught students a range of medical education since 1905. The medical school is directly affiliated with the Philippine General Hospital and this is where students will gain hands-on practical skills related to the program of their choice.
The entry requirements to enter the medical school are pretty much the same as the others, don’t also forget that you must provide proof of English language proficiency if you are an international student from a non-English speaking country as the language of instruction is in English. So, you can take the TOEFL ESL, or IELTS and submit the test scores during your application.
5. St. Luke’s College of Medicine
Established in 1994 and located in Quezon City, the St. Luke’s College of Medicine holds both international and national prestige in medical teaching. It is one of the best medical schools in the Philippines offering an intensive 5-year M.D. program including a hospital internship in St. Luke’s Medical Center.
It is also one of the medical schools in the Philippines that does not admit many students into the program, admitting as many as 500 students per academic year. This makes St. Luke’s College of Medicine an ideal place to gain quality medical education as it has a low student-faculty ratio.
Gaining admission here requires you to take the NMAT and submit scores during application which is usually done online. International students must take an English language proficiency test, that is, if they are from a non-English speaking country. See the application process by following the link below.
6. Far Eastern University Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
The Far Eastern University houses the Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation which serves both as a healthcare facility and medical school. It delivers medical education via its Institute of Medicine which was founded in 1952 and has the Center of Excellence seal of approval for continuously providing high-achieving graduates in the medical profession.
The Institute of Medicine at Far Eastern University is one of the medical schools in the Philippines and offers students a Doctor of Medicine program as well as other specializations such as Nursing and Physical Therapy.
7. Cebu Institute of Medicine
Established in 1957 and located in Cebu City, the Cebu Institute of Medicine is one of the medical schools in the Philippines and is affiliated with Velez College. According to its motto, the med school delivers training to create “Physicians with a Heart”. The school delivers research-intensive medical education which has been conducted in collaboration with prestigious universities like Cornell University, Pennsylvania State University, etc.
Interested in applying here? Requirements include having a bachelor’s degree in any field of interest from an accredited college or university and also taking the NMAT with an average score of 70% for domestic applicants and 90% for international applicants.
Other required documents include a transcript of all academic records, reference letters, and an accomplished application form. The application fee for local students is PHP 1,500 and $100 for foreign students.
8. Ateneo de Manila University School of Medicine and Public Health
The School of Medicine and Public Health at Ateneo de Manila University is one of the medical schools in the Philippines and a catholic post-secondary institution. It is situated in Pasig and has a partner hospital next door, The Medical City. It opened in 2007 and pioneered an innovative curriculum to form outstanding clinicians, dynamic leaders, and social catalysts.
Application requirements to apply for this school are;
- Completed a bachelor’s degree
- Take the NMAT with an average score of 90% or higher
- Online application form and pay the application fee. PHP 3,000 for domestic students and $300 for international students.
- Official transcripts records
- English language proficiency tests for international applicants
- Certificate of General Weighted Average (GWA) or Quality Point Index (QPI)
- Certificate of good moral character
- Recommendation letters
- Photo 2×2
With these documents, proceed online via the link below to begin the application process.
9. Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Saint Louis University School of Medicine was founded in 1957 as the medical school of Saint Louis University. It is a private catholic institution based in Baguio and the med school offers a range of academic programs that lead to MD and Ph.D. degrees. The partner hospital, the Saint Louis University-Hospital of the Sacred Heart is where students practice hands-on experiential learning.
The entry requirements are the common ones and the same as the medical school above, but this time, you are required to submit two recommendation letters and three 2×2 ID pictures taken within sixty days of the date of application.
10. Davao Medical School Foundation
Established in 1976 and located in Davao del Sur, the Davao Medical School Foundation is one of the medical schools in the Philippines. The med school aims to support the development of physicians in rural communities, especially in the urban centers of Mindanao. The school partners with four hospitals that offer practical education to students from this school, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to become better physicians.
Other units in the institution are the College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, College of Midwifery, IGSR, Hospital, and IPHC. The med school also accepts international students into its various medical programs.
11. Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine
Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine is the medical school of Xavier University and one of the medical schools in the Philippines, named after the Philippines’ national hero and skilled doctor, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Applying for admission here requires you to hold a bachelor’s degree in sciences or arts from an accredited post-secondary institution and also take the NMAT with a minimum score of 60% or higher.
The steps to apply for admission can be found in the link below, the entry requirements as the same as those of other medical schools in this list.
12. AUF School of Medicine
This is the medical school of the Angeles University Foundation established in 1983 and recognized among the top medical schools in the Philippines and internationally. The school sets itself as a center for quality and important medical education as evidenced by its programs and services recognized locally and internationally. The institution is driven by its commitment to producing quality and compassionate physicians with a social conscience and dedication to the service of Filipinos.
The AUF School of Medicine accepts international students but does not accept transfer students and clearly states that applicants should not apply if they already got their MD started elsewhere. The requirement for application is pretty much the same as the other schools.
13. West Visayas University College of Medicine
This is one of the public medical schools in the Philippines located in Iloilo City and ranked among the top medical schools in the country. The medical school was established in 1975 and continues to thrive as a citadel of quality medical education, producing students to advance the medical profession nationally and internationally.
The entry requirements here are common, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree, take the NMAT, apply online, submit transcripts, etc.
14. Zamboanga Medical School Foundation
Zamboanga Medical School Foundation is the medical school of Ateneo de Zamboanga University and one of the medical schools in the Philippines. It is recognized as the 15th best medical school in the country and holds national prestige. It provides a wide range of academic programs including Nursing, Mid-wifery, Dentistry, and more.
International students are welcome to apply here.
15. Mindanao State University – College of Medicine
This is the final school on this list of medical schools in the Philippines. The college was opened in 1984-1985 to offer medical practitioners for the underserved medically depressed areas in rural regions. It also aims to provide opportunities for Muslim students and other members of the cultural communities of MINSUPALA to become Doctors of Medicine and serve other areas.
It accepts international and domestic students who meet the admission requirements.
Conclusion
These are the medical schools in the Philippines and this should be a great source of help for those looking to study a medical program in the Philippines. If you are looking for where to study medicine without breaking the bank, you may also consider these medical schools in the Philippines since they are cheaper and accept international students.
FAQs
How many years is medical school in the Philippines?
Med school in the Philippines requires 4 years to complete after which you be awarded the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Degree. With this degree, you will be qualified to take the licensure exam for medical doctors in the Philippines. The four-year professional medical degree does not include the years it took to get a bachelor’s degree.
Is med school free in the Philippines?
There aren’t any free medical schools in the Philippines, you can only find cheap medical schools.
How much is a medical school in the Philippines?
The cost of medical school in the Philippines varies by institution and whether you are an international or domestic student. However, it costs around PHP 151,000 per semester which is equal to $3,000.57.
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this is so true, there are no free med schools but there are definitely cheaper ones but still with quality education