Study in Philippines

Overview

Since 2012, there has been a constant increase in the number of Indian students pursuing higher education in the Philippines, especially MBBS. Over 95% of the people in the Philippines speak English, and pursuing MBBS has been seen as an advantage for international students. Students aiming to pursue an MBBS in the Philippines have the advantage of obtaining a globally recognised degree and exploring different cultures. There are numerous top-ranked medical universities in the Philippines offering high-quality medical education. Students who complete an MBBS course in the Philippines can find job opportunities anywhere across the globe as the degree programme is recognised by bodies like the WHO, NMC-India, FAIMER etc.

According to a recent survey, MBBS graduates from medical universities in the Philippines have witnessed a 100% success rate. Medical universities in the country are equipped with the latest technology, infrastructure, well-qualified & experienced faculty, global recognition etc. Therefore, pursuing an MBBS course in the Philippines is a better option for international students.

Highlights About Philippines

The following table depicts the major highlights of studying in the Philippines:

Why Study in The Philippines?

Are you facing a tough time deciding which country will be the most suitable and affordable for you to pursue a medical course abroad? Here are some of the main reasons why the Philippines can be the right choice for you for higher education in the field of medicine.

Support from the Philippines Government

The government of the Philippines promotes its country as a centre for education in the Asia-Pacific region. For this, the authorities and officials of the Higher educational institutions work tirelessly and encourage international students to study in the Philippines. They continuously develop an awareness of the educational system of the Philippines among the international students, especially in neighbouring countries like India, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc. The Philippines’ government also allows duly accepted foreign students to avail of the facilities of the Philippine education system.

Ample Opportunities

Foreign students studying in the Philippines have also witnessed excellent opportunities after the completion of their studies. The government has recognised the importance of students of foreign nationality in boosting the economy of the Philippines.

Accredited & Recognised Institutions

Most higher education institutions that accept international students applications are accredited by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP), the Commission of Higher Education (CHED)-  the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI)- the Philippines and is also recognised by various foreign bodies like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the National Medical Commission (NMC)- India and more. 

Low Cost of Study

MBBS is one of the most popular courses opted by international students studying in the Philippines. One of the reasons why they choose to pursue MBBS in the Philippines is the availability of quality education at a low cost of study. The tuition fees at medical colleges in the Philippines commonly ranges between Rs. 3.00- 8.00 Lakhs per year. The cost of living in the Philippines is also quite affordable, usually ranging between Rs.15,000 to 20,000 per month (including the food expenses).

Advantages of Pursuing MBBS in the Philippines

Some of the other benefits of pursuing MBBS in the Philippines is as follows:

Medical universities in the Philippines offer high-quality education and are listed in the IMED medical directories and the WHO (World Health Organization).

• The faculty members at Philippines medical universities are highly experienced. Expert faculty members from countries such as the USA, India and others also present or teach in medical universities of the Philippines.

• For Indian medical aspirants, the climate of the Philippines is an added advantage. The temperature is moderate in the country, and it varies from 23 to 32 degree Celcius throughout the year.

• The medical universities in the Philippines follow the US education system. MBBS graduates from these universities can make a bright career in English-speaking countries such as Canada, the US, the UK, Australia etc.

• Compared to major European countries, the living expenses and the cost of living in the Philippines is less.

• Indian food is also available in some of the restaurants across the Philippines, which is also an advantage for Indian students.

• Employment scope after graduating from an MBBS course offered by one of the colleges in the Philippines is high.

• If you are planning to migrate to the US after earning an MBBS in the Philippines, you can do so by cracking the USLME Parts I & II in the Philippines under the supervision and guidance of medical professors.

• The Philippines Embassy in India is student-friendly. The visa process is easy and requires the candidates to submit all the required documents. If all the documents are relevant and correct, the Visa application shall be processed easily.

Education System in Philippines

The education system in the Philippines is highly influenced by the education system in the United States. The courses and academic programmes are comprehensive and taught by professionals with relevant and extensive knowledge in the specific field. Both formal and informal education systems are followed in the Philippines.

• The structure of education in the Philippines is (6+ 4+ 4) i.e 6 years (Primary Education) + 4 (Secondary School Education) + 4 years (Higher Education).

• The Academic Year (AY) in the Philippines begins in June and ends in March of the succeeding year.

• A higher education programme is divided into the Fall Semester, Winter Semester and an optional Summer Semester.

• The MBBS courses offered at medical colleges in the Philippines are usually a 5.5-year course. It is a BS + MD programme. The first 1.5 to 2 years is a BS programme after which the student gets enrolled in the MD (Doctor of Medicine) programme. To get enrolled in the MD programme, students will have to clear the NMAT examination before the completion of the BS programme (pre-medical programme). Clearing the NMAT is mandatory to finally be enrolled in a Doctor of Medicine (MD) course at the institution.

MBBS Education System in the Philippines

Pursuing medical education in the Philippines is quite popular among Indian medical aspirants. The most popular medical programme in this field is the Doctor of Medicine (MD) which is similar to the MBBS degree in India, the UK, and the other Commonwealth nations. While pursuing an MBBS course in the Philippines, a student must study medical theory and go through practicals and clinical rotation to gain better exposure.

The MBBS course offered in the Philippines is split into a (BS + MD) programme. All students who complete their Class 12th studies and meet the specified criteria can apply for an MBBS course in the Philippines. Initially, students are enrolled in the BS course which is a three-semester programme that runs for 18-24 months, depending on the credits earned. A BS programme is also referred to as a pre-medical course, which upon completion renders the students eligible to enrol for a medical degree. The duration of the MBBS course in the Philippines is 5 ½ years.

The Philippines medical education system is slightly different from other popular countries for medical education like Russia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan etc. Unlike other countries, the Philippines conducts an entrance test for which a student must qualify to be considered during the BS programme to finally be enrolled in a medical course. Students will have to clear the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) for getting admission to the MD programme.

The medical courses offered in the Philippines along with other details in given in the following table:

Types Of Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines

Higher education in the Philippines is offered at colleges and universities which also are known as Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) which can either be private or public. Every year, CHED releases the list of distribution of Higher Education Institutions by Institution type in the Philippines. Check the following table for the list of the types of higher education institutions in the Philippines for the academy year 2019- 20:

Note: A satellite campus is also recognised as a branch campus of a university or college. The satellite campus is usually located in a different city, state, or country, and is smaller than the main campus of the university or college.

List Of Higher Education Organisations in Philippines

As per the data of CHED for the AY 2019-20, there are a total of 2,396 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines including the satellite campuses. The list of some of those popular institutions in the Philippines is given below:

On-Campus Student Life, Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities In Philippines

One of the best experiences for international students enrolled in one of the higher education institutions in the Philippines is that they get a chance to stay at the on-campus residence. The stay is not only affordable but also beneficial in many ways like getting involved with people from different cultures and backgrounds, developing one’s personality, involvement in extracurricular activities, sports etc.

The college campuses in the Philippines provide an apt environment for students opting for such living options. The administrators of each institution ensure the safety and security of all students within the premises. WiFi and Security cameras are available 24/7 within the campus.

Moreover, most universities and colleges in the Philippines have a separate office or a team to assist international students. Meeting the needs and comforts of students from a foreign nation is the top priority of the institution. Thus, any students who face challenges during their stay can directly contact the concerned person for assistance and help.

Curriculum And Degrees Offered In Philippines

Pursuing medical education in the Philippines is quite popular among Indian medical aspirants. The most popular medical program in this field is Doctor of Medicine (MD) which is similar to the MBBS degree in India. However, there are other medical courses offered by Medical Universities in the Philippines to which the candidates can apply after completing their school education.

NOTE: The eligibility criteria for the courses mentioned above can differ for different universities across the Philippines.

Academic Grading System In the Philippines

The colleges and universities in the Philippines follow a 4-point or 5-point Scale grading system, either in percentage or Letter grades or both. Equivalent to grade points are used while scoring an individual. The passing grades vary university-wise and are defined to meet the minimum academic standard of an institution.

It is not easy to interpret academic grading systems in the Philippines, since different universities follow different scales for scoring. While in some universities, 4.0 is recognised as the highest rating on a scale of 1.0 - 4.0, other universities consider 1.0 as the highest rating and 4.0 as the lowest rating.
 

Top 3 Places To Study in Philippines

The higher educational institutions in the Philippines can be found across the country. However, places like Manila, Cavite, and Davao have some of the best universities in the Philippines. It should be noted that the cost of living as well as the environment at these 3 places in the Philippines is quite suitable for an international student. 

Some of the popular higher education institutions located at these places are Emilio Aguinaldo College - Manila, National University - Manila, St Paul University Manila,  Davao Medical School Foundation INC, Emilio Aguinaldo College - Cavite, University of Perpetual Help, Cavite etc.
 

Cost of Studying in the Philippines

The Philippines provides a variety of opportunities for international students to study an English-taught programme at an affordable cost of study. The Philippines attracts thousands of students from across the globe to a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the higher educational institutions in the Philippines because of the low tuition fees, especially in the case of advanced courses like MBBS (BS+ MD) courses.

The tuition fees at the medical colleges in the Philippines ranges between Rs. 3.00 - 8.00 Lakhs per year. Additionally, the cost of living in the Philippines is quite affordable. The expenses can range between Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per month (including food).
 

Life in Philippines

The Philippines is a Southeastern Asian Nation and has emerged as one of the most popular destinations among Indian students seeking medical degrees. The Philippines offer international students with a high-quality education, safe study environment along with an affordable fee structure. One of the biggest reasons for international students opting for higher education in the Philippines is because the cost of living and other associated expenses are comparatively cheaper than other countries. In addition, there is not much of a difference between the Philippines currency and Indian currency, making it a budget-friendly country among the students.
Students in the Philippines can lead a very good and comfortable life on a low budget which is just not possible in other international countries such as Canada, Australia and the USA.  Life of an Indian student in the Philippines provides them with a great opportunity to explore beautiful places such as Cebu and Bicol, also named God’s little paradise.

Various popular medical colleges are also located in the friendly heart of the Visayas region, which is one of the most attractive and visited tourist destinations in the country. The food culture of the country also plays an influential role in Indian students opting for the Philippines as there are a large number of Indian restaurants that offer delicious Indian delicacies and home-cooked Indian food at very cheap rates.

The Philippines comprises various ethnicities offering many great experiences to Indian students. Life in the Philippines is very similar to India as it has multiple ethnicities and cultures just like India. Along with the traditional side, the country shares a great kinship with the western world and is an amalgamation of both the worlds just like ours that makes it very easy for Indian students to adjust themselves in the country. Hence, a similar cultural background is one of the reasons that Indian parents believe that the Philippines is the right destination for their children to pursue higher education as it offers global exposure along with quality education.

The Philippines is one of the friendliest countries when it comes to students and the Filipinos are great hosts. The locals take extensive efforts to make the students feel home. It is an ideal low-cost destination for higher education in the medical field and others with various job opportunities. Not only is it a popular destination among Indians but various students from other nationalities are pursuing their higher education from the country. The country is extremely safe for both male and female students.