How Long is MBBS in Philippines? Course Duration,

 Stages & Internship Explained

The total duration of MBBS in Philippines is in the range of 5.5 to 6 years, depending on the student’s academic background and the curriculum of the particular university.  Among the top destinations to pursue an MBBS from, the Philippines has gained some momentum since the admission season is here. MBBS aspirants from India are increasingly looking for good opportunities to pursue their MBBS, the kind that can provide them with a quality education without burning their pockets.

The Philippines comes across as one of the interesting destinations for Indian students since it provides affordable, US-based MBBS programs. The duration of MBBS in Philippines differs from other countries, including India, since it has a different structure from that of India. So, how does pursuing an MBBS in Philippines for Indian students stand as a worthwhile experience? Education Vibes will explain this further in detail.

The Duration of the MBBS in the Philippines

As compared to the duration of an MBBS program in Indian medical universities and colleges, the Philippines has a different structure. Since the Philippines follows the American pattern of education, the syllabus of the MBBS course matches that of US universities, focusing primarily on clinical training. The duration of MBBS in Philippines is 5.5-6 years, while Indian universities have a duration of 5 years and 6 months, including an internship.

Course Structure: Different Stages of the MBBS in the Philippines

The students who study MBBS in Philippines have a curriculum that is structured based on the educational pattern in the US education system. The entire curriculum is inclusive of three main components of the program: pre-medical program, main medical program, and internship. These components make up the entire duration of MBBS in Philippines:

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The first component of the program in the Philippines is the Bachelor of Science in the initial stages. The pre-medical program of the MBBS in the Philippines is in the range of 1.5-2 years. This pre-med course is meant for students who have cleared their 12th class and covers the essentials of subjects like chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics. The students who have a bachelor’s degree in science can skip this and directly enroll in the next phase of MD.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Doctor of Medicine (MD) is the main program of the MBBS in the Philippines, and is equivalent to the entire MBBS program offered by the National Medical Commission (NMC) of India to all the medical aspirants within India. The duration of MBBS in Philippines, particularly in this phase, is divided into 3 years of academic learning and 1 year for the clinical rotations/internships, rounding off the entire MBBS program of the Philippines. MD consists of areas of study, such as anatomy and physiology etc.

Clinical Rotation/Internship

In the final phase and year of the duration of MBBS in Philippines, students participate in the mandatory clinical rotations as part of their internship. These rotations provide students with real, practical clinical experience and training in the university-affiliated hostels. The clinical rotations are meant to cover all the main departments of a medical program for students, including but not limited to surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, etc.  

Conclusion

The complete MBBS program in the Philippines is valid for Indian students who want to both pursue higher education and practice medicine in the Philippines. Since there is a different curriculum for becoming a successful doctor as compared to India, the students graduating from the MBBS program can appear for the FMGE, Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, the official licensing exam within India. The colleges in the Philippines are offering good MBBS programs, and the duration of MBBS in Philippines is a maximum of 6 years.

Need advice to get admission to a globally recognized university in the Philippines? Contact Education Vibes and get your MBBS journey started! They will help you with admissions.