Philippines | Est. 1871Philippines | CHED-recognized; PAASCU Level III (initial accreditation May 2009); WDOMS-listed | English medium
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Walk through the arch at UST's Sampaloc campus and you're standing on ground that has trained doctors since before germ theory was settled science. The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery here is the oldest medical school in the Philippines. For Indian families weighing where to send a child for MBBS-equivalent study abroad, that kind of institutional depth is genuinely rare on the shortlist.
The founding year for the university is 1611. The Dominican friar Miguel de Benavides established it, and that makes it Asia's oldest existing university, holding the oldest extant university charter on the continent. Medicine came much later. The Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia opened its doors on May 28, 1871, by government decree, at a time when the Philippines had barely a dozen practicing physicians. José Rizal, the country's national hero, studied medicine here from 1878 to 1882 before switching paths entirely, a detail every UST medical student learns early on.
Today the faculty operates as a degree-granting body under the Commission on Higher Education, offering the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, the Philippine equivalent to MBBS. It carries Level III accreditation from PAASCU, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, first granted in May 2009. That's the top tier for basic medical education. CHED has separately named it a Center of Excellence.
Clinical training happens at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, which runs in two linked divisions: a charity/clinical service handling high patient volumes, and a private division that helps fund it. Bed-count figures vary between sources, from around 460 up to a combined figure closer to 800, so any single number quoted should be treated as approximate rather than exact.
Manila sits within direct flight range of most major Indian cities, which helps. The compact Sampaloc campus keeps lecture halls, labs, dormitories, and the hospital a short walk apart, genuinely useful once clinical rotations begin and the schedule gets less forgiving. Indian students form a visible minority on campus, and some nearby accommodation caters specifically to South Asian dietary needs.
UST is a Catholic, Dominican-run institution. Its Pontifical University status, granted by Pope Leo XIII in 1902, isn't just ceremonial. Religious studies and community service thread through campus life even for science students, though the curriculum itself stays secular and is taught entirely in English.
The figures below come mainly from MBBS-abroad consultancy sources rather than a single official UST fee schedule, so treat them as a planning range and confirm exact numbers with the admissions office before committing.
Cost Item | Per Year (USD / local currency) | Total Programme Cost (approx.) |
Tuition (Year 1, MD) | Approx. $15,000 (~₹12.5 lakh) | Approx. $15,000 |
Tuition (Years 2-4, MD) | Approx. $3,000/year (~₹2.5 lakh) | Approx. $9,000 over 3 years |
Hostel/Accommodation | Approx. $200/month (~₹2.4 lakh/year) | Varies by duration of stay |
Food (Indian mess options available) | Approx. ₹1.26 lakh/year (~₹10,500/month) | Varies by duration of stay |
Application Fee | Not consistently published | Confirm with UST FMS admissions |
Donation/Capitation Fee | None reported | None reported |
Total Estimated (4-year MD) | — | Approx. $27,000 (~₹18-21 lakh), excluding living costs |
Consultancy websites quote somewhat different tuition figures for UST. One lists roughly ₱331,000 (about ₹5 lakh) per year; another breaks it down as a higher first-year charge followed by lower annual fees. Read the numbers above as an estimate range, not a locked-in schedule.
Why UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Deserves a Harder Look Than You've Given It
What's genuinely rare here is the combination. A 150-year-old medical faculty attached to a 415-year-old university, still functioning as a live, degree-granting institution rather than a museum piece. Most Philippine medical schools marketed to Indian students opened in the last few decades. UST's faculty predates the Philippine Republic itself, and its PAASCU Level III accreditation backs that history with active status, not just a founding date printed on a brochure.
Cost transparency is the real weak spot, honestly. Unlike newer Philippine medical colleges that publish one clean fee table for foreign applicants, UST's figures come filtered through consultancy sites that don't always agree with each other, and there's no authoritative schedule covering application or hostel costs. Get fee confirmation in writing from the FMS admissions office before wiring any money. That's sound advice anywhere, but especially true here.
Program length is a real tradeoff too. UST commonly runs a combined track of 5.5 to 6 years for students without a prior bachelor's degree, since the MD itself is technically a four-year post-baccalaureate program. Pre-medical work comes first for most Indian applicants, and that stretches total time abroad well beyond a straight 4-year MBBS. Not a flaw exactly, but it changes the budget and timeline math considerably.
Weigh all of that against the actual payoff. A WDOMS-listed degree, NMC recognition status that consultancies consistently cite, and a teaching hospital with genuine patient volume rather than a boutique setup. For a family that values pedigree, UST earns a serious look on those grounds alone.
It isn't the cheapest option in the Philippines. It isn't the newest or the most aggressively marketed either. What it offers instead is institutional weight, the kind that shows up decades later when a hospital or licensing board recognizes the name without a second glance.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS in University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Tuition Fee
Approx. $3,000-$15,000 depending on year
Approx. $15,000(1 year), Approx. $3,000/year(Years 2-4)
Hostel Fee
Approx. $200/month
Approx. $200/month
Food & Meals
Approx. ₹10,500
per month
Insurance
$200 to $500 USD
per year
Donation
No donation fee
No hidden fee
Total Estimated Cost
Approx. $27,000 (~₹18-21 lakh)
4-year MD
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS in University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
Early clinical exposure and small-group sessions introduce patient interaction alongside lecture-based teaching
Human anatomy, histology, physiology, and biochemistry form the academic core
The faculty blends traditional lectures with problem-based learning modules introduced in the early 2000s
Pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and immunology build the diagnostic and treatment foundation
Students work directly with attending physicians across both hospital divisions
Internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics rotations begin at UST Hospital
Graduating students sit UST's internal qualifying assessment (locally termed the revalida) before MD conferral
Full-time clinical clerkship across major specialties, with case presentations and ward responsibilities
Indian graduates return home to sit the required FMGE or NExT exam, the actual gate to practicing in India, not a UST-issued qualification
A one-year rotating internship follows the MD degree before Philippine licensure eligibility
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS in University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
The first step is to have a free phone counselling session. This is not a sales promotion or sales pitch. Here, we analyse all the universities mentioned side by side. We go through FMGE rates, total fees, city life, and whether the USMLE or NExT path better suits your goals. Most students walk out of this call with a clear first choice and a backup.
Once you pick a university, we will hand you a Philippines-specific document checklist. It is not a generic list. Every item on it is there for a reason, either for the university application, the 9(f) visa conversion, or the ACR I-Card registration. We check everything before a single paper goes anywhere.
Your application goes directly to the university through our partner channel. Most students get an acceptance letter within 10 to 21 days. However, December intake applications move faster than June ones, so timing matters. We follow up on all applications and will be in touch if there is any delay.
Once you receive your offer letter, we will have an in-depth discussion with you on the fees charged. The first instalment of fees will be deposited without any ambiguity. What you pay, when you pay, and what it covers, all of it is clear before any money moves.
Indian students do not need a pre-departure visa for the Philippines. You enter visa-free for 30 days. However, the 9(f) Student Visa conversion must start within the first week of arrival; it is time-sensitive. We also advise on the best flight route, whether Cebu or Manila, depending on your university.
About a week before you fly, we do a full pre-departure briefing. We cover accommodation options, campus location, Indian food sources near your university, how to transfer money from India, which SIM card to buy, and what the first week on campus actually looks like—students who attend this briefing land in the Philippines significantly less stressed than those who skip it.
On arrival day, our local team in the Philippines meets you at the airport, whether in Cebu or Manila. You are not landing in a new country alone. Someone who knows the ground is there from the first minute.
Within the first week, the 9(f) visa conversion process starts. Our team submits your documents to the Bureau of Immigration and closely tracks your application. The ACR I-Card, your official alien registration card, is processed at the same time. This step is strictly managed because delays here cause real problems later.
By the end of Week 2, your university enrollment is complete, your hostel room is confirmed, and your BS pre-medical orientation is done. You know your timetable, your faculty, and where everything is. Furthermore, our team has already flagged your NMAT preparation schedule, so there will be no surprises at the bridge stage.
After enrollment, our on-the-ground team in the Philippines stays in contact throughout all six years. If there is a university issue, a hostel problem, a visa renewal, or a health concern, there is a local contact to call. Moreover, from Year 3 onward, our FMGE and USMLE coaching track begins, because academic support does not stop at the airport.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes. It's CHED-accredited, carries PAASCU Level III accreditation, and appears in the World Directory of Medical Schools, which is what international licensing bodies actually check. Consultancies also list it as NMC-recognized, though it's worth double-checking current status on the NMC website directly.
The university dates to 1611. Medicine came 260 years later, when the Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia opened in 1871 as the first medical school in the Philippines, decades before most other Philippine institutions existed at all.
Every Indian applicant needs it, no exceptions. NEET qualification is required by Indian regulation for any citizen pursuing medicine abroad, not a UST-specific rule, but it applies here just the same.
Plan for roughly 5.5 to 6 years total. The MD runs four years as a post-baccalaureate program, so students without a prior bachelor's degree complete a pre-medical or bridging phase first, lasting one to two years.
The Philippine National Medical Admission Test, or NMAT. It's UST's own screening exam, and it expects a strong score on top of whatever NEET score got the applicant into the pipeline in the first place.
At the University of Santo Tomas Hospital, split between a charity/clinical division and a private division. Reported bed capacity differs across sources, running roughly 460 to over 800 depending on how the two divisions get counted, so confirm exact figures with the hospital directly.
Not automatically. Every foreign medical graduate has to clear India's FMGE or NExT screening exam first, UST included. The MD is a necessary credential here, not a substitute for that step.
It lands somewhere in the middle by most consultancy estimates, with total tuition across the four-year MD landing around $27,000, though quoted figures vary. Not the cheapest option marketed to Indian students, and not the priciest either.
Not academically. The MD curriculum stays entirely secular and gets delivered in English throughout. Campus life carries a visible religious and community-service character given the Dominican tradition, but no requirement ties to a student's own faith.
No specific application fee figure turned up from an official UST source, and no capitation or donation fee appeared anywhere in research for this program. Ask the FMS admissions office for a written, current fee breakdown before trusting any number quoted online.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
