We will get to know about an MBBS college in Philippines. Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) in Valenzuela City, Philippines offers a Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. This course corresponds with the expectations of the National Medical Commission (NMC) for students who have qualified for NEET in India. The total cost of the 6-year BS-MD program is approximately Rs.57.83 lakh. This cost is inclusive of tuition, hostel, food and insurance fees. OLFU is accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has Category A(t) status as well as full ECFMG/Intealth recognition, which maintains its degree's validity for practice registration in other countries. Indian candidates should have obtained a valid NEET-UG score and obtained 50% marks in the Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects and should have no age gap. This guide provides Indian medical aspirants parents and students with information on OLFU compliance, fee structure, course details, admission and more.
Is Our Lady of Fatima University NMC-Approved for MBBS?
Yes. Our Lady of Fatima University fulfills all the requirements of Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate (FMGL) Regulations, 2021, of India. This question lingered for years but two events finally put it to rest. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of Philippines sent an announcement to Embassy of India, Manila on May 2025. That MD degrees from Higher Education Institutions are fully compliant with FMGL rules. Then on March 11, 2026 a Resolution No. 73 was adopted by the Philippine House of Representatives. This resolution establishes that MD programs at CHED recognized HEIs are compliant with Indian regulation.
OLFU meets the 5 requirements of the FMGL Regulations:
- Duration: Program exceeds 54-months of core curriculum.
- Internship: The medical internship is a mandatory 12-month Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) which students undertake within the university hospital system.
- Language: All classes and clinical rotations are conducted in the English language.
- Subjects: All 19 subjects as mentioned in Schedule-I of the Indian Gazette are covered.
- Practice rights: Resolution No. 73 states that graduates of schools recognized by CHED will be allowed to take full medical practice upon passing the Philippine Licensure Examination (PLE).
This combination removes the guesswork that used to surround Philippine medical degrees. A student who completes the OLFU MD program and passes the FMGE/NExT can register to practice in India, as long as they follow the compliance rules covered later in this guide.
Our Lady of Fatima University Global Accreditations
OLFU also holds accreditation from several international bodies. These matter if a student wants to sit for exams like the USMLE or pursue licensing outside India.
| Accrediting Body | Recognition Status | What It Enables |
|---|---|---|
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Listed in World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) | Global validity of the MD degree |
| Commission on Higher Education (CHED) | Category A(t), Autonomous Status since 2009 | High academic and operational standards |
| FAIMER / IMED | Institutional Directory Verification | Credential checks for international licensing |
| ECFMG / Intealth (USA) | Full Institutional Accreditation | Eligibility for USMLE and US residency |
| New York State Education Department (NYSED) | Approved for clinical training | Clerkship placement in New York hospitals |
| Illinois State Board of Education | Recognized Medical College | Licensing registration in Illinois |
Our Lady of Fatima University MBBS Structure: BS-MD Pathway & NMAT
MBBS in Philippines follows the American education model, not the Indian one. Before pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, the students obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. The full pathway runs: BS Pre-Medicine (1.5 to 2 years) → National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) → 4-year MD program → 12-month rotating internship.
The NMAT is the entry point into the MD phase. It runs twice a year, in March-April and October-November. The test has two parts. Part I will consist of a 3 hour aptitude Test on Verbal reasoning, Logical reasoning, Quantitative skills. Part II consists of a 2.5-hour science test in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Social Sciences. OLFU requires a minimum 40th percentile score for regular enrollment. Students who score lower can still enter the MD program on a provisional basis and retake the NMAT in later years.
Once inside the MD program, the curriculum builds year by year, moving from theory toward hands-on patient care.
| MD Year | Focus | Key Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Foundational sciences | Gross Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Community Health |
| Year 2 | Disease and treatment | Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Psychiatry |
| Year 3 | Clinical sciences | Internal Medicine, Surgery, OB-GYN, Pediatrics |
| Year 4 | Clinical clerkship | Full-time hospital rotations under licensed staff |
Gross Anatomy classes use a cadaver ratio of one to 25 students, close to global teaching standards. Year 2 introduces students to real clinical settings in small groups, where they learn physical examination and history-taking. By Year 4, students work full-time inside hospitals, rotating through major departments under direct supervision.
Our Lady of Fatima University MBBS Fees (2026-27)
Our Lady of Fatima University MBBS fees cover the full 6-year BS-MD program. The table below uses a projected exchange rate of 1 USD = 90 INR for the 2026-27 academic cycle.
| Academic Phase | Tuition (USD) | Tuition (INR) | Hostel (INR) | Food (INR) | Auxiliary & Insurance (INR) | Total Annual Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BS Phase (Yrs 1-2, total) | $14,000 | Rs.12,60,000 | Rs.1,40,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.2,70,000 | Rs.17,78,000 |
| MD Year 1 | $6,000 | Rs.5,40,000 | Rs.1,26,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.27,000 | Rs.8,01,000 |
| MD Year 2 | $6,000 | Rs.5,40,000 | Rs.1,26,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.27,000 | Rs.8,01,000 |
| MD Year 3 | $6,000 | Rs.5,40,000 | Rs.1,26,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.27,000 | Rs.8,01,000 |
| MD Year 4 (Clerkship) | $6,000 | Rs.5,40,000 | Rs.1,26,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.27,000 | Rs.8,01,000 |
| MD Year 5 (Internship) | $6,000 | Rs.5,40,000 | Rs.1,26,000 | Rs.1,08,000 | Rs.27,000 | Rs.8,01,000 |
| Complete Program | $44,000 | Rs.39,60,000 | Rs.7,70,000 | Rs.6,48,000 | Rs.4,05,000 | Rs.57,83,000 |
A few points matter beyond the table:
No donation fees
OLFU runs a direct-admission system. Families do not pay capitation or donation charges of any kind.
Installment payments
Tuition may be paid over the course of the year and not in full upfront, reducing the burden every year.
Scholarships available
OLFU provides tuition discount for students who have good academic records, particularly for students who have good scores during the BS phase.
Our Lady of Fatima University FMGE/NExT Pass Rate
A licensing exam pass rate matters more to Indian families than almost any other number. Official data from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) shows OLFU's FMGE/NExT pass rates over the last three cycles:
- 2025: 14.60% pass rate (20 out of 137 candidates)
- 2024: 16.23% pass rate (50 out of 308 candidates)
- 2023: 11.94% pass rate (43 out of 360 candidates)
These numbers sit close to regional averages. Davao Medical School Foundation posted a 19.58% pass rate, and UV Gullas College of Medicine posted 19.78%. No Philippine medical university, including OLFU, posts pass rates anywhere near what promotional material sometimes claims.
OLFU Philippines Clinical Training: Hospitals & the NMC Compliance Rule
Clinical exposure happens at Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC), a 150-bed tertiary hospital next to the main campus in Valenzuela City. FUMC runs departments in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, so students move between classroom and hospital without losing time.
OLFU also partners with more than ten government and private hospitals across Metro Manila for added clinical volume:
Quezon City General Hospital
emergency care and trauma surgery
San Lazaro Hospital
infectious disease and tropical medicine
Rizal Medical Center
obstetrics, pediatrics, and general medicine
Veterans Memorial Medical Center
geriatric and chronic disease care
One rule matters more than any hospital name on this list. OLFU has historically sent students to clerkships in the US, at hospitals like Brooklyn Medical Center and Jackson Park Hospital. Under the NMC FMGL Regulations of 2021, this creates real risk. The rules require that the entire medical education, including every clinical rotation, happen in one country and one institution. Students who plan to practice in India should complete all rotations inside OLFU's Philippine hospital network. Rotating abroad can invalidate the degree for Indian licensing purposes.
Our Lady of Fatima University Eligibility Criteria
Our Lady of Fatima University eligibility rules are straightforward for Indian applicants.
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Academic score | 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology (40% for reserved categories) |
| Entrance exam | Valid NEET-UG qualifying score |
| Age | At least 17 years by December 31 of admission year |
| Language proof | None required; IELTS/TOEFL not needed |
Our Lady of Fatima University Philippines Documents Required for Admission
Enrollment documents include the following:
- Original 10th and 12th Mark-sheets and certificates
- NEET-UG scorecard
- Valid passport
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) signed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Affidavit of Financial Support along with 6 months Bank statement from the sponsor with a minimum balance of Rs.5 lakh
- Medical health certificate (HIV test results included)
- A birth certificate issued in English or translated and notarized
- Previous school Certificate of Good Moral Character
Our Lady of Fatima University Admission Process
There are seven steps to getting into OLFU:
Pay tuition only to OLFU's official accounts. Routing payments through intermediary agents adds risk with no benefit.