Updated at: 17-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

When deciding to pursue a career in medicine, one of the most important choices is which medical school to enroll in. Many things play a role in determining which schools we ultimately choose. Over sixty different medical institutions offer their services in the Philippines, each with its own set of pros and cons.

Our country, the Philippines, uses English as its primary language of instruction. Many of the patients, however, are trilingual in English and Filipino. Although the language and culture of a country with two official languages may seem daunting at first, especially to those who are not native to either language, they are actually quite simple to master.

Location, cost, and success on the licensing exam were all considerations when I picked my college. The lifestyles depicted in the stories I hear from others also played a role in my final decision. A number of the finest medical institutions in the Philippines are included below. Although this article does not include all of the excellent medical schools in the Philippines, I believe it provides a good overview of the field.

Best Medical Schools In Philippines

Best medical schools in Philippines

University of the Philippines – College of Medicine

As one of the country’s most prestigious institutions, UP commands respect and admiration throughout the Philippines. This means they expect a lot from their students and provide unique opportunities for those interested in medical careers. Their INTARMED program is the only one of its kind in the country, allowing recent high school grads to begin a 7-year medical degree program immediately after graduation. If you are interested in pursuing a career in research or a field closely related to medicine, they also offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine.

Their lessons focus on the body’s organs and how they work together. Specifically, we’ll talk about the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other aspects of each system as they pertain to it. The patients at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), which is located in the country’s capital city of Manila, come from a wide range of socioeconomic classes. You will be better equipped to identify and treat both the most common and rare diseases in the country as a result.

University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center

University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center

Although its full acronym, UERMMMC, may be difficult to say, it is actually a highly competitive medical school. Teaching at UE is primarily conducted through Problem-based learning, with an emphasis on student-initiated learning activities. In addition, their school is renowned for the extensive hospital training it provides its students. Preceptorships and bedside teaching begin early in a student’s education, typically in the second year. The students have access to a variety of online subscriptions for study resources, such as Lecturio.

Aurora Blvd is filled with student-friendly, low-cost housing options that are conveniently located for commuting to and from campus. After a long day of studying, students can unwind at one of the many nearby malls or shopping centers. The campus provides a natural setting for students from different medical disciplines to meet and learn from one another.

Cebu Institute of Medicine

CIM has one of the highest PLE pass rates among universities. In addition to being the best hospital outside of Metro Manila, it is also the largest. The school’s emphasis on independent study has earned it widespread renown. You won’t have a professor hovering over your shoulder the whole time; instead, you’ll have to set your own study schedule and stick to it.

Out in Cebu, you can relax in the great outdoors far from the hustle and bustle of the Metro. If you need to take a break from schoolwork, Cebu’s rural areas, mountains, and beaches are all within easy driving distance.

Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation

Medical professionals of the highest caliber have been graduating from FEU in Novaliches since the university’s founding in 1952. The curriculum at FEU follows the standard subject-based format found in most educational institutions. In most cases, the material covered determines the difficulty of a significant exam. There may be as many as one exam per subject per month. The teachers typically give their students one day of independent study per week so that the students can set their own learning goals and progress at their own pace.

The student community is highly valued at this institution. Their student council has developed a “transing system” (lecture transcripts annotated with student notes) that can be used to great effect in both the classroom and outside of it.

University of Santo Tomas medical school

University of Santo Tomas medical school

The University of Santo Tomas is the largest and oldest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines, and its medical school is known as the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. The faculty is the first medical school in the Philippines, having opened its doors in 1871.

University of the Philippines College of Medicine

In the Philippines, at the University The University of the Philippines Manila, the system’s founding institution, is home to the Manila College of Medicine (CM).

Being founded in 1905, long before the UP System was established, it is one of the oldest medical schools in the United States. The Philippine General Hospital, the country’s primary academic medical center, plays this role.

Saint Luke’s College of Medicine

A manifestation of Atty. William H. Quasha and the Board of Trustees at St. Luke’s Medical Center have a long-held goal of turning their institution into a world-renowned hub of medical learning and discovery.

Over time, the College’s guiding principles of stewardship, professionalism, integrity, and commitment to excellence have become central tenets of the academic and research emphases of the College’s curriculum.

The current curriculum at St. Luke’s Medical Center is intended to foster clinical competence along with the highest standards for ethics, integrity, compassion, and professionalism, all in service to the hospital’s mission to promote patient safety and a more patient-centered approach to clinical care.

Ateneo de Manila University

Ateneo de Manila University

On June 29, 1976, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially recognized Cebu Doctors’ College (CDC), which had been established on May 17, 1975.

In 1973, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) granted approval for the Cebu Doctors’ College of Nursing (CDCN) to open as a division of the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital (CDH).

Cebu Doctors’ College of Arts and Sciences opened in 1975, followed by Cebu Doctors’ College of Dentistry in 1980, followed by Cebu Doctors’ College of Optometry in 1980, followed by Cebu Doctors’ College of Allied Medical Sciences (CDCAMS) in 1982, followed by Cebu Doctors’ College of Rehabilitative Sciences in 1992, and finally by Cebu Doctors’ College of Pharmacy in 2004. In 1980, Cebu Doctors’ College started its graduate school.

De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute

With a focus on providing holistic, excellent, and premium medicine and health professions education, health care, and research services in a nurturing God-centered environment, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) is a full-service medical and health allied institution dedicated to fostering life.

The Institute’s primary functions are medical and health science education, patient care at the De La Salle University Medical Center, and scientific investigation at the De La Salle Angelo King Medical Research Center.

Its medical school has the Philippines’ most generous scholarship program for aspiring doctors, providing eligible students with not only full tuition coverage but also living expenses, textbooks, and a stipend for medical school.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Since its inception on June 19, 1965, the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Medical College has served the public as a government-supported hospital and medical school.

This school of medicine is widely recognized as a top academic program in the Philippines. In addition to being the first university in the Philippines with an official name in Filipino, PLM is also the first university to be funded entirely by a city government and the first to offer free tuition.

Davao Medical School Foundation

Davao City, Philippines, is home to the first Philippine medical college, Davao Medical School Foundation Inc, which was established there in 1976.

If you want to study medicine in the Philippines, this is the school to attend because of its excellent resources. Davao Medical School Foundation provides an excellent clinical education to its MBBS-seeking student body.

University of the Philippines, Manila – College of Medicine

University of the Philippines, Manila – College of Medicine

The College of Medicine at the University of the Philippines has been training Filipino doctors since 1905, making it one of the country’s longest continuously running medical institutions. Its claim to fame is that it functioned normally throughout both World Wars, so much so that its Dean eventually became the President of the University of the Philippines as a whole.

Because of its close relationship with the Philippine General Hospital, the University of the Philippines College of Medicine is an excellent place to study medicine. The National Training Center for the Health Professions in Manila, as well as the College of Dentistry, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Public Health, the College of Allied Medical Professions, and the College of Pharmacy, all offer cross-study opportunities through a joint collaboration system. The school has produced a sizable percentage of the health secretaries in the Philippines.

Davao Medical School Foundation

The Davao Medical School in Davao del Sur, Philippines, is the last and highest-ranked medical institution in the Philippines. Its goal is to encourage medical education and training in underserved areas, particularly in Mindanao’s major cities.

Davao Medical Center, the Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital, and Brokenshire Memorial Hospital are all within easy commuting distance of the school’s sprawling campus, located just outside of Davao City. The school first opened its doors to students in 1976. International applicants who score well on the NMAT and otherwise qualify for admission are warmly welcomed.

West Visayas State University

Established in 1975, the College of Medicine at West Visayas State University is the region’s first and the Philippines’ second publicly funded medical school.

It has produced over 4,000 graduates, the vast majority of whom are actively serving in various capacities across the archipelago.

Alumni now serve their communities as general practitioners, teachers, researchers, and clinicians in a wide range of fields across the United States and the world.

Silliman University

Dumaguete City, Philippines is home to Silliman University (SU), a private institution that includes the Silliman University Medical School (SUMS).

Established on March 20, 2004, with the mission of producing competent physicians guided by Christian ideals who will then go on to provide exceptional health care to the community.

Cagayan State University

Cagayan State University has a long history of providing students with a high-quality medical education at a relatively low cost. An impressive 95% of applicants are accepted, making it the 95th best-ranking country in the world.

It provides an MBBS degree that can be completed in six years for about 15–20 million rupees.

Angeles University Foundation School Of Medicine

The Board of Medical Education and the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports founded the Angeles University Foundation School of Medicine in June 1983 with the goal of making it a global leader in medical education through the quality and relevance of its programs and services, which are already widely regarded both domestically and abroad. Also, among the top medical schools in the Philippines, this one ranks high.

FAQs

What is the best school for doctors in Philippines?

Cebu Institute of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, are the best medical schools in the Philippines.

How long is med school in Philippines?

Philippine medical universities are postgraduate institutions that grant the MD degree. The Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is a professional degree earned after four years of study that prepares graduates to sit for the Philippine Medical Licensure Examination.

Is Philippines Good for medical school?

When considering where to go to college, the Philippines is an attractive choice due to its affordable tuition rates, reputable educational institutions, and pleasant student environment.

What is the cheapest medical school?

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth is connected to the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. Price of attendance for a Texas resident is $23,148 per year. It’s not surprising that the University of Texas School of Osteopathic Medicine has the lowest tuition rates of any DO program in the country, given that it is a public university.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Philippines is a preferred location for medical school because of the excellent value it provides. A medical degree can be earned in about five years, at which point the holder is eligible to sit for the licensing exam. If you are an international student thinking about applying to a university in the Philippines, it is in your best interest to learn about the entire process, from filling out the application to getting a visa, in advance. These and other suggestions can be found in the guide How to Study in the Philippines.