With its mild climate, relaxing beaches, and welcoming people, the Philippines is a popular tourist destination. It has also become a destination for international students pursuing medical education, supported by local universities, teaching hospitals, research facilities, and continuing efforts to maintain the quality of higher education.
Many students are also attracted by the relatively low costs of studying and accommodations, English-language communication in many academic settings, and travel opportunities across the country. In this article, we will be looking at the best medical schools in the Philippines!
Top Medical Schools in the Philippines
1. University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas was established in 1611. Its Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is the oldest medical school in the Philippines, with its beginnings as the Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia, formally opened on May 28, 1871.
The faculty had nine students in its first group of enrollees and has grown significantly since then. Its Doctor of Medicine program is a four-year postgraduate program consisting of three years of academic instruction and one year of clinical clerkship at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital.
2. University of Cebu
Founded in 1964, the University of Cebu offers a wide range of programs from basic education to graduate study. Its School of Medicine is much younger; the official UCSM site states that it was established in 2015 in synergy with the newly opened University of Cebu Medical Center.
As a newer medical school, UCSM emphasizes innovative and transformative medical education, clinical skills, research, and service. Its connection with UC Medical Center supports hands-on clinical learning for students.
3. University of the Philippines Manila
The University of the Philippines was established in 1908, while the Philippine Medical School, the forerunner of the UP College of Medicine, was established on December 1, 1905, and opened on June 10, 1907. Today, the UP Manila College of Medicine is part of the country’s national university system.
UP Manila’s Doctor of Medicine is listed as a five-year program, including four years of medicine and one year of internship. Students benefit from UP Manila’s health sciences environment and its close relationship with the Philippine General Hospital.
4. St. Luke’s Medical Center – College of Medicine
St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial was established in 1994 and is located in Quezon City. The school offers the Doctor of Medicine program and, as of Academic Year 2025–2026, also reports enrollment in its MS Molecular Medicine program.
Applicants should check the school’s current admissions page before applying. Current admissions materials list requirements including the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) result and other supporting documents.
5. Emilio Aguinaldo College
Emilio Aguinaldo College is located in Manila and is widely known as the “Urban Oasis.” Its School of Medicine provides medical education in an urban setting and welcomes both local and international applicants.
The School of Medicine is an active member of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Foundation, Inc. (APMCFI) and has been granted government recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Applicants and transfer students should review EAC’s current requirements, which include proof of NMAT for relevant applicants.
6. Davao Medical School Foundation
Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. (DMSFI) was established in 1976 as the first medical school in Mindanao and opened its doors to its first batch of medical students on June 1, 1977. It was created to help address the need for health care providers in Mindanao and nearby underserved communities.
DMSFI’s College of Medicine emphasizes community-oriented primary care, research, and clinical training. Its affiliated hospitals include DMSFI Hospital, Davao Doctors Hospital, San Pedro Hospital, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Metro Davao Medical and Research Center, Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, and other partners.
7. Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
Far Eastern University was incorporated in 1934, and the Institute of Medicine was formally born in 1952. In 1970, the Institute of Medicine, School of Medical Technology, and hospital were converted into the nonstock, nonprofit educational foundation now known as Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Inc.
FEU-NRMF continues to offer medical and health sciences education in Quezon City. Its official history highlights its long record of medical education, licensure performance, accreditation efforts, and clinical training through its medical center and partner health facilities.
8. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
Still looking for more leading medical schools in the Philippines? So far, we have covered seven universities, including Emilio Aguinaldo College, the University of Santo Tomas, and many more. Now, let’s take a look at the next university on our list, the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC).
UERM’s College of Medicine opened in 1956 with its first class of 168 first-year students. In the same year, the institution was named the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center as a tribute to President Ramon Magsaysay Sr.
The UERMMMC College of Medicine aims to provide high-quality medical education, pursue relevant medical research, and produce competent, compassionate, ethical, and socially responsible physicians. Its College of Medicine page also provides details on program descriptions, clinical and hospital affiliations, international partners, and tuition fees.
9. Ateneo de Manila University
Aspiring doctors who want to make a difference in the world can find a great start at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Medicine and Public Health (ASMPH) as well. ASMPH opened in 2007 and is known for integrating medical education with public health, leadership, and management training.
ASMPH offers a five-year MD-MBA program, including internship. Its curriculum integrates management subjects from the first year to the fourth year, and graduates are awarded the Doctor of Medicine and Master in Business Administration degrees after completing the professional phase.
With a faculty community of clinicians, researchers, public health professionals, and management experts, ASMPH’s curriculum is designed for students who want clinical training alongside leadership and health systems education.
10. De La Salle University Medical and Health Sciences Institute
De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) is a medical and health sciences institution in Dasmariñas, Cavite. It provides medical and allied health education, health care, and research services in a Lasallian environment.
The DLSMHSI Doctor of Medicine program is a four-year post-baccalaureate program consisting of basic science and clinical courses in an integrated curriculum that is outcome-based, problem-oriented, and community-oriented.
Today, DLSMHSI is recognized for its commitment to medical education, research, service, and health professions training. Its Medicine applicants should review the current College of Medicine and admissions pages for updated requirements and deadlines.
11. Mindanao State University
The Mindanao State University College of Medicine (MSU-COM) was established to provide opportunities for Muslim students and poor but deserving students from cultural minority communities to become competent physicians serving medically underserved areas of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan.
The college opened its doors to its first batch of 25 students in June 1984, with classes initially held at Omairah Hospital in Marawi City. Its official page also describes the development of a community-based curriculum and the integration of problem-based learning in the 1990s.
12. Our Lady of Fatima University
Another notable medical school in the Philippines is Our Lady of Fatima University College of Medicine (OLFU-CoM), whose official materials describe it as one of the university’s flagship colleges. The College of Medicine has been educating doctors since 1979.
The OLFU College of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as a currently operational private medical school, with instruction having started in 1979 and access to clinical teaching facilities. Students who plan to practice abroad should verify licensing and eligibility requirements directly through the relevant medical council or through the World Directory’s sponsor notes.
13. University of Perpetual Help
As the final university on our list, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA’s JONELTA Foundation School of Medicine stands out as a medical school in Las Piñas City. The JONELTA Foundation School of Medicine was established in June 1996 and offers the Doctor of Medicine program.
The school’s mission is to develop professionally competent, holistic, and socially responsive physicians. Students interested in medicine should use the official JONELTA Foundation School of Medicine page, rather than the general Medical and Allied Health page, for program-specific information.
FAQs: Studying Medicine in the Philippines
Can International Students Enroll in Medical Schools in the Philippines?
Yes. Several Philippine medical schools accept international applicants, although requirements vary by institution and may include academic records, identity documents, immigration documents, application fees, interviews, and NMAT-related requirements. Applicants should always check each school’s official admissions page before applying.
English is one of the official languages of the Philippines for communication and instruction, alongside Filipino. This helps many international students adapt to academic and daily communication, although students should still review each university’s language and admissions requirements.
What Is the Medical Curriculum Like in Medical Schools in the Philippines?
Medical education in the Philippines generally requires applicants to hold a baccalaureate degree before admission to the Doctor of Medicine program. The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is also required for admission, and the score must meet the school’s or Commission’s current requirement.
Many Doctor of Medicine programs are structured around four years of medicine, with academic, laboratory, community, and clinical training. Some schools describe their programs as five years because they include internship in the overall program structure, so students should check the official curriculum page of each school.
To recap, the Philippines is becoming a meaningful destination for students who want to pursue medical education in Asia. Its medical schools operate under national higher education and medical education rules, and many are connected with hospitals or community health programs that support clinical learning.
Life in the Philippines is especially attractive to many international students because of the climate, location, English-language environment, and relatively reasonable costs compared with some other study destinations. As with any country, students should compare tuition, housing, safety, visa rules, and licensing outcomes before choosing a school.
We hope that this article on Best Medical Schools in the Philippines was helpful. Don’t forget to explore the range of program options available for international students in the Philippines on our Available Courses for International Students! For more insight into studying in the country, visit our Study in the Philippines Page!
