Table of Content
- University of Northern Philippines Fees (2026-27)
- University of Northern Philippines MD Curriculum Structure
- University of Northern Philippines Clinical Training Network
- University of Northern Philippines Licensing Exam Performance (PLE and FMGE)
- University of Northern Philippines Campus Safety and Student Life
If you require MBBS degree and your pockets are tight, then check this university. The University of Northern Philippines is a state-funded medical University in Vigan City. The whole MBBS course fee is INR 14.75 to 15.5 Lakh for Indian students. The degree is in compliance with NMC FMGL Regulations and the graduates can take the FMGE or NExT and practice in India. UNP is for the students who wish to study in the English medium in a public university without capitation fee and with low fees. You will find details on eligibility, fees, admission process, and exam results in this guide. This will make it easy to make an informed choice rather than a guess one.
What Is the University of Northern Philippines?
UNP started as a small school in 1906. The Philippine government made it a state university in 1965. Its College of Medicine opened in 1996 and has trained doctors for almost three decades. Because of its long heritage, it is a popular name for MBBS Abroad.
The university holds these credentials:
CHED accreditationfrom the Commission on Higher Education, the government body that approves Philippine colleges
Recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO)
Listing with FAIMER, the group that verifies medical schools worldwide
Level IV status, the highest ranking a Philippine state university can hold
Because UNP runs on public funds, it charges no capitation fee and no donation on top of tuition. Your fee stays fixed once you enroll.
Is UNP MBBS Valid in India?
This is the question every parent asks first. The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India verifies a foreign medical degree against a rulebook called FMGL Regulations which was issued in November 2021. Each requirement is addressed in UNP's MD program.
| FMGL Requirement | How UNP Meets It |
|---|---|
| Minimum 54 months of medical study | UNP restructured its MD track to hit 54 months, separate from the pre-med phase |
| 12-month internship at one campus | Clerkship happens entirely within UNP's own hospital network |
| English as the medium of instruction | All classes, exams, and patient care run in English |
| Right to practice in the host country | The Philippine Medical Act amendment (late 2024) now lets foreign graduates sit the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) |
Does the NMC publish a list of approved universities?
Why did the fourth requirement need a legal fix?
The Philippine Medical Act of 1959 originally limited the local licensure exam to Filipino citizens, which meant foreign graduates could not legally practice inside the Philippines itself, even with a valid degree. The NMC's host-country practice rule flagged this gap. Lawmakers closed it with the late-2024 amendment, and UNP degrees now clear this condition as well.
University of Northern Philippines Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
You need to clear three checkpoints before UNP accepts your application.
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Class 12 marks | 50% aggregate in Physics, Chemistry, Biology for General category; 40% for Reserved category |
| NEET-UG | Valid qualifying score; the scorecard works for up to three years |
| NMAT | CHED requires the 40th percentile; UNP applicants should aim for 50th or higher to secure a seat |
A NEET qualifying score alone will not get you in. You also need to clear the National Medical Admission Test after landing in the Philippines or through an approved testing center. The Philippines ranks as the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, so you attend lectures, sit exams, and speak with patients in English from day one, with no local language requirement.
University of Northern Philippines Admission Process
Each step depends on the one before it, so start your NEET and NMAT prep early. A delayed NMAT score can push your intake by a full term. Most Indian students begin document collection right after their NEET results, since the passport and police clearance steps alone can take several weeks.
University of Northern Philippines Documents Required
| Category | Document | Verification Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Records | 10th and 12th mark sheets and passing certificates | Indian State Board or National Board |
| National Entrance | Valid NEET-UG scorecard | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Identification | Passport valid for 18-24 months | Ministry of External Affairs, India |
| Medical Clearance | Medical fitness certificate and HIV negative report | Registered government practitioner in India |
| Legal Status | Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | Regional Passport Office / MEA |
| Admission Confirmation | Notice of Acceptance and invitation letter | UNP Registrar's Office |
| Travel and Visa | 9F Student Visa | Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, India |
University of Northern Philippines Fees (2026-27)
The total University of Northern Philippines fees for the six-year BS-MD pathway sit at roughly PHP 10.7 lakh, which converts to INR 14.75 to 15.5 lakh. That makes it one of the more affordable routes to a compliant medical degree.
| Academic Year | Course Component | Tuition (PHP) | Tuition (USD) | Tuition (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year I | Pre-Medicine (BS) | PHP 2,70,000 | $5,500 | Rs.4,10,000 - 5,95,000 |
| Year II | MD Year 1 | PHP 2,00,000 | $4,000 | Rs.3,00,000 |
| Year III | MD Year 2 | PHP 1,50,000 | $3,000 | Rs.2,10,000 |
| Year IV | MD Year 3 | PHP 1,50,000 | $3,000 | Rs.2,10,000 |
| Year V | MD Year 4 | PHP 1,50,000 | $3,000 | Rs.2,10,000 |
| Year VI | Clinical Clerkship | PHP 1,50,000 | $3,000 | Rs.2,10,000 |
| Total | Full Program | PHP 10,70,000 | $21,500 | Rs.14,75,000 - 15,50,000 |
These figures use standard conversion rates. Actual cost may shift slightly with the exchange rate at the time of payment. If you are looking for MBBS in Philippines, this is the most cheapest option available with quality education.
Cost of Living in Vigan City
Vigan City costs far less than Manila or Cebu, and your monthly budget stays predictable.
Hostel: PHP 61,200 to 93,000 per year (about INR 84,000 to 93,000)
Food (Indian mess): PHP 5,000 to 7,000 per month (about INR 7,500 to 10,000)
One-time visa and registration costs: INR 50,000 to 1,25,000
University of Northern Philippines MD Curriculum Structure
UNP follows a two-tier academic pathway built on the US model, with heavy use of problem-based learning.
| Phase | Duration | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Medicine (BS) | 1.5 to 2 years | BS Psychology or BS Biology; organic chemistry, human anatomy, physics, genetics, public health basics |
| MD Years 1-2 (Pre-Clinical) | 2 years | Gross Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology; simulation labs |
| MD Year 3 (Clinical Integration) | 1 year | Diagnostics, radiology, legal medicine, epidemiology, specialized therapeutics |
| MD Year 4 (Clinical Clerkship) | 12 months | Full-time hospital rotations across Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and OB-GYN |
You finish the BS phase, sit the NMAT, then move straight into the four-year MD program. The final year runs entirely inside teaching hospitals, not classrooms.
University of Northern Philippines Clinical Training Network
UNP does not send clerks to a single hospital. The clinical rotation network spans five public facilities, each covering a different case mix:
Ilocos Region Training and Medical Center (IRTMC): the main tertiary referral hospital, handling complex and advanced cases
Candon General and City Hospital: emergency medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics
Candon General and City Hospital: emergency medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics
Salcedo District Hospital and St. Lucia District Hospital: rural and maternal health, plus tropical disease cases
Central Ilocos Sur District Hospital: community-level care across specialties
Rotating through five sites, instead of one, gives clerks exposure to a wider patient population before graduation.
University of Northern Philippines Licensing Exam Performance (PLE and FMGE)
Exam results tell you more about a program than any brochure. Here is UNP's recent record.
Philippine Licensure Examination (PLE): UNP graduates had a 59.76% pass rate in the first time taking the PLE, outperforming the national average of 49.70% in March 2025.
FMGE (transitioning to NExT)
| Exam Period | Appeared | Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2023 (Aggregate) | 1,559 | 499 | 32.01% |
| 2022 Session | 388 | 112 | 28.87% |
| 2024 Session | 300 | 72 | 24.00% |
| 2025 Session | 111 | 27 | 19.57% |
UNP graduates topped the FMGE nationally twice, in 2013 and 2017. The recent sessions show a downward trend, so treat FMGE prep as a serious, separate track once you finish your MD, rather than an afterthought.
University of Northern Philippines Campus Safety and Student Life
Vigan City holds UNESCO World Heritage status, and its low crime rate makes daily life easier for students living away from home.
- Hostels: Gender-segregated, with 24/7 security guards, gated entry, and CCTV coverage
- Rooms: Furnished, with high-speed Wi-Fi, reverse-osmosis water, and air conditioning options
- Support: Dedicated counseling services for academic and cultural adjustment
- Indian food: On-campus mess serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian meals; independent Indian cafes sit within walking distance
- International student desk: A dedicated office handles visa renewals, local security concerns, and day-to-day coordination for students from India and other countries
Hostels: Hostels: Gender-segregated, with 24/7 security guards, gated entry, and CCTV coverage
Rooms: Furnished, with high-speed Wi-Fi, reverse-osmosis water, and air conditioning options
Support: Dedicated counseling services for academic and cultural adjustment
Indian food: On-campus mess serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian meals; independent Indian cafes sit within walking distance
International student desk: A dedicated office handles visa renewals, local security concerns, and day-to-day coordination for students from India and other countries
Contact and Verification
Address: University of Northern Philippines College of Medicine, Quirino Boulevard, Barangay Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 2700, Philippines
Website: unp.edu.ph
Medical College Portal: unp.edu.ph/collegeofmedicine
Registrar Email: admissionservices@unp.edu.ph
College of Medicine Office: cmed@unp.edu.ph
Phone: +63 (77) 722-2810 or +63 (77) 674-0644
Admissions Desk (Mobile): +63-905-434-3043