10 Best Medical Colleges in Philippines for Indian Students (2026)

The Philippines is one of the best countries to study MBBS for Indian students since it has several medical schools that offer an MBBS-equivalent Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, with English-medium instruction and a US-modelled medical education system.

The 10 best medical colleges in the Philippines are: 

1. Manila Central University
2. Emilio Aguinaldo College-School of Medicine
3. UV Gullas College of Medicine
4. Davao Medical School Foundation
5. Liceo College of Medicine
6. Our Lady of Fatima University
7. Cebu Institute of Medicine
8. University of Santo Tomas
9. Central Philippine University
10. Angeles University Foundation

We assessed these colleges based on NMC eligibility requirements, course duration, and the quality of infrastructure and clinical exposure offered through affiliated hospitals.

Let’s look at each of these medical colleges in detail below.

Manila Central University

MCU is the first Pharmacy school run by Filipinos and the first Nursing school that offered the 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme in the Philippines. Founded in 1904, Manila Central University is one of the former members of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Emilio Aguinaldo College-School of Medicine

The Emilio Aguinaldo College School of Medicine in the Philippines provides an educational and scientific environment that prepares students to become professionally competent, socially relevant, and compassionate physicians with a strong commitment to lifelong learning. It requires an NMAT score of 40 or above for admission.

UV Gullas College of Medicine

The University of Visayas Gullas College of Medicine ranks among the top medical universities in the Philippines and is a strong choice for students who want an affordable medical education in Cebu City.

Davao Medical School Foundation

Established in 1976, Davao Medical School Foundation was among the first medical colleges in the Philippines to build a dedicated international student base. Its Davao City campus houses one of the country's largest Indian student communities, which has strengthened its FMGE preparation support over the years.

Liceo College of Medicine

Liceo College of Medicine, established in 1955 in Cagayan de Oro, built its reputation on advanced learning infrastructure, including ultra-realistic simulation mannequins and virtual reality anatomy labs, offered at a comparatively low tuition fee.

Our Lady of Fatima University

Our Lady of Fatima University is known for its allied medical sciences programmes. The Fatima University Medical Centre functions as its institutional teaching hospital, giving students hands-on clinical exposure from an early stage.

Cebu Institute of Medicine

Cebu Institute of Medicine has a long track record of producing doctors for national and international health services. It runs well-equipped laboratories for core subjects alongside organised classroom facilities.

University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas is a private Catholic research university in Manila. Founded on 28 April 1611, it holds the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and Asia, and it ranks among the world's largest Catholic universities by enrollment on a single campus.

Central Philippine University

Central Philippine University is an NMC-recognised medical college established in 1905 through a grant from American industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. It consistently features in rankings of the best medical colleges in the Philippines.

Angeles University Foundation

Angeles University Foundation is one of the top medical colleges in the Philippines for Indian students. It is committed to undertaking relevant reforms in medical education in response to changing national and global health needs, scenarios, and newly generated medical information.

The National Medical Commission's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations set some key requirements that your Philippine medical colleges must meet for you to qualify for medical registration in India. These requirements apply regardless of which medical college in the Philippines you choose.

• Course Duration: The medical programme must include at least 54 months of medical education, followed by a 12-month internship as required under the applicable NMC regulations.
• Medium of Instruction: The entire course, both theory and practical, must be taught in English.
• Internship: Complete a 12-month internship at the same medical college and its affiliated hospitals in the Philippines. Transferring colleges partway through voids this requirement.
• Second Internship in India: After clearing the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) or the upcoming National Exit Test (NExT) licensing exam, complete an additional 12-month supervised internship in India (if not fully equivalent or completed abroad as mandated) before a State Medical Council grants permanent registration.
• Prescribed Subjects: Your curriculum must cover the subjects listed in the NMC's Schedule-I, including General Medicine and Surgery, Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Anaesthesia, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Here are the eligibility criteria for pursuing an MBBS at medical Colleges in the Philippines.

• NEET-UG Qualification: Pass NEET-UG with a qualifying percentile, not a specific cutoff score. NEET result serves as your Eligibility Certificate and stays valid for three years from the date of result declaration. 
• Class 12 Academics: An aggregate of at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for the general category, relaxed to 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates, with English as a compulsory subject. 
• Age at Admission: Most Philippine medical colleges set a minimum age of 17 years as of 31 December in the year of admission.
• Passport Validity: Your passport needs at least 18 months of validity remaining at the time you apply for your Philippine student visa. 
• Medical Fitness Certificate: Colleges typically require a certificate confirming you are free of contagious disease at the time of admission. 

Course duration, curriculum and compliance with the applicable NMC requirements should form the first screening criteria while choosing a medical college in the Philippines. Once those requirements are verified, compare the colleges based on clinical exposure, student support, fees and available performance data.

• NMC Requirements and Programme Details: Check the specific medical programme against the current NMC requirements, including course duration, medium of instruction, curriculum and internship structure.
• FMGE Performance: Check available FMGE performance data for the college and compare it with other shortlisted institutions. Treat college-reported pass rates cautiously and look for verifiable data before using them to judge academic performance.
• Indian Student Community: An established Indian student community can make it easier to access familiar food, accommodation support and guidance from senior students.
• Hospital Affiliation and Patient Load: Check the hospitals used for clinical training and internship, along with the range of departments and patient exposure available. Strong clinical exposure can make a significant difference to practical medical training.
• Fee Transparency: Compare the complete fee structure, including tuition, hostel, registration charges and other mandatory expenses. Obtain the fee breakdown directly from the college before paying any deposit and account for annual increases where applicable.
• Location and Living Costs: Compare the cost of accommodation, food, transport and other living expenses across cities such as Manila, Cebu and Davao. A college with lower tuition may not always have the lowest total cost of attendance.

Choosing the best medical college in the Philippines requires more than comparing tuition fees or university rankings. Before applying, verify compliance with the applicable NMC requirements and the college's track record with Indian students.

Yocket Premium connects you with expert counsellors who can shortlist colleges based on your NEET score and budget. With the right research and preparation, you can make a more informed decision about where to pursue your medical education abroad.