MBBS in Our Lady of Fatima University College of Medicine

Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) was founded in 1967 by Jose C. Olivares and his son-in-law, Dr. Vicente M. Santos Sr. It started its development in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila, which used to be just a hospital, then slowly developed to become a full-fledged university. The College of Medicine was founded in 1979, and its first graduating class came out of the program in 1983. From there on, OLFU became known as one of the most recognized private medical universities in the Philippines, with several campuses all over Metro Manila and even other neighboring provinces.

The main campus remains in Valenzuela City, situated directly adjacent to the Fatima University Medical Center, a 150-bed teaching hospital that serves as the primary clinical training ground for medical students. This proximity means students do not need to travel far for hospital placements, giving them continuous and convenient access to hands-on patient care from the clinical years onward. In 2009, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted OLFU autonomous status, making it the first private higher education institution in the CAMANAVA area; covering Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela; to receive this distinction. CHED further placed OLFU in Category A(t) under its Institutional Quality Assurance programme. Reflecting its commitment to maintaining strong educational standards, the College of Medicine holds ISO 9001:2015 certification on a university-wide basis.

The MD program provided by OLFU has been structured into three different levels in order to be in compliance with the FMGL Regulations of 2021 in India. The first level requires completion of a BS program in pre-medicine, which is a duration of one-and-a-half to two years. Subjects during this phase include General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English, Filipino, Social Sciences, and Physical Education. After completing the BS pre-medicine phase, students must sit the National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT), which is a Philippines-wide entrance examination testing aptitude, natural sciences, and social sciences. A valid NEET score is also required under NMC rules.

The second stage is the 54-month core Doctor of Medicine programme, taught entirely in English. Year 1 focuses on Biomedical Sciences I, covering Anatomy; including gross anatomy through cadaver dissection, histology, and embryology; along with Biochemistry, Physiology I, Introduction to Medicine, and Community Health I. Year 2 advances into Biomedical Sciences II, with Pathology (both general and systemic), Pharmacology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Physiology II, Medical Ethics, and Community Health II. The Philippine setting provides strong exposure to infectious and tropical diseases during this stage. Year 3 introduces Clinical Sciences, where students begin supervised clinical activities across Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology, Family and Community Medicine & Medical Jurisprudence. Year 4 and an extended semester constitute the clinical clerkship, during which students rotate through all major departments under attending physician supervision. This clerkship continues until the full 54-month core MD requirement is met. The third and final stage is a mandatory 12-month internship completed at the affiliated teaching hospital in the Philippines, which is required before graduates can sit either the NExT examination in India or the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination. This complete structure; BS pre-medicine, 54-month core MD, and 12-month internship; satisfies the NMC requirement of at least 54 months of core medical study at one institution plus a compulsory internship year.

OLFU has a distinguished record in international clinical training. It was the first Philippine medical school to establish a formal institution-to-institution Clerkship Training Program with foreign hospitals. More than 100 OLFU students have trained at hospitals in the United States, including Peninsula Hospital Center in New York, Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago, and Harbor Hospital in Baltimore. However, students planning to return to India after graduation should note that NMC rules require the entire medical education to be completed at the same foreign institution. International clinical rotations abroad may affect compliance with this requirement, and students must confirm current NMC guidelines at nmc.org.in before participating in any overseas clerkship.

OLFU is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDMS), is WHO listed, and is recognised by FAIMER/IMED, making graduates eligible for ECFMG certification and the USMLE pathway. The programme also supports the PLAB route for the United Kingdom and the AMC pathway for Australia. The MD degree is treated as equivalent to MBBS under the NMC's evaluation framework. Graduates who complete all three stages and meet NMC requirements are eligible to sit the NExT examination in India. The university's American-influenced medical education model also makes it a strong fit for students considering the United States licensing pathway.

Annual tuition for international students ranges from USD 5,500 to USD 7,000, equivalent to approximately ₹4.6 to ₹5.8 lakh per year. Total programme costs, inclusive of tuition across all stages, typically fall between approximately USD 33,000 and USD 42,000, or ₹27 to ₹35 lakh. When living expenses; including on-campus hostel accommodation at USD 150 to 300 per month, food at USD 100 to 200 per month, and health insurance; are factored in, the all-inclusive full programme cost is approximately USD 50,000 to USD 65,000, or ₹41 to ₹54 lakh. There is no donation or capitation fee.

Scholarships are available for international students. The Leonora Juzgaya Olivares Scholarship Grant offers full or partial tuition support based on academic performance at entry. Partial merit scholarships based on grades are also available throughout the programme.

Valenzuela City is well connected with easy transport access, inexpensive living expenses, and various Indian cuisines available inside & outside the campus. The International Student Office at OLFU offers specialized assistance for housing, visa & campus integration. The university library boasts more than 200,000 books and journals for the registered students. OLFU has produced between 30,000 and 40,000 medical and allied health graduates across all disciplines since its founding, establishing it as a significant institution in Philippine medical education with a strong international student community.