University of Northern Philippines 2026 MBBS Fees, Eligibility & Admission Process
Are you searching for an MBBS degree at an affordable price with a NMC recognition? The University of Northern Philippines is the oldest and first State University in Northern Luzon, established in 1906, in Vigan City. It provides English medium education without any capitation fee and the entire 6 years BS-MD course is about Rs. 22.05 Lakhs for Indian students. UNP's MD programme is recognized by NMC under the FMGL Regulations, thus the students of the course are eligible to appear for FMGE or NExT exam and practice in India. This information guide provides details on eligibility, fees, the process of admission and exam results. This will help you to make informed decisions easily, not guesses.
INR 22.05 Lakh
English
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University of Northern Philippines: Quick Facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Northern Philippines (UNP) |
| Location | Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Established | 1906 (College of Medicine: 1996) |
| University Type | State-funded Public University |
| Degree Awarded | BS-MD (Equivalent to MBBS for Indian students) |
| Course Duration | 6 Years (BS + MD + Clinical Clerkship) |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
| Total Tuition Fees | Rs.14.75-15.50 Lakhs (Approx.) |
| NEET Requirement | Qualified NEET-UG |
| NMAT Requirement | Required (50th percentile or above recommended) |
| Minimum PCB Marks | 50% (General), 40% (Reserved) |
| NMC Eligibility | Meets NMC FMGL Regulations (2021) |
| WHO/WDOMS Listed | Yes |
| Host Country License | Eligible to appear for Philippine Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) under current law |
| Intake | September |
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?
No. The NMC does not keep a fixed list. It checks whether a program meets the FMGL criteria above. UNP satisfies all four, which makes its MD degree eligible for FMGE and the newer NExT exam in India.
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 |
40th
CHED Minimum NMAT Percentile
The minimum percentile stated for admission eligibility.
50th
UNP Recommended NMAT Percentile
The recommended target for a more competitive application.
University of Northern Philippines Admission Process
- 1
Confirm NEET eligibility
Confirm your NEET-UG qualifying score and keep the scorecard ready.
- 2
Prepare for NMAT
Solve the NMAT test and work towards 50 percentile or higher.
- 3
Submit the application
Submit Application form along with Academic and Identity documents to the UNP College of Medicine.
- 4
Receive admission confirmation
Please check with the Registrar's office for your Notice of Acceptance (NOA) and invitation letter.
- 5
Apply for the student visa
Apply for a visa from the Embassy of the Philippines in India.
- 6
Complete enrollment
Go to Vigan City and do on-campus enrollment.
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 INR 30 lakh. That makes it one of the more affordable routes to a compliant medical degree.
| Academic Year | Course Component | Approx. Fee (USD) | Approx. Tuition (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year I | Pre-Medicine (BS) | $8,000 | Rs. 6,96,000 |
| Year II | MD Year 1 | $3,300 | Rs. 2,87,100 |
| Year III | MD Year 2 | $3,300 | Rs. 2,87,100 |
| Year IV | MD Year 3 | $3,300 | Rs. 2,87,100 |
| Year V | MD Year 4.5 Year | $4,950 (3,300 + 1,650) | Rs. 4,30,650 |
| Year VI | Clinical Clerkship (Internship) | $2,500 | Rs. 2,17,500 |
| Total Tuition | Full Program | $25,350 | Rs. 22,05,450 |
1 USD = Rs.87
Estimated Full Program Tuition
Rs.22.05Lakh
Approximate six-year BS-MD pathway tuition based on the 2026-27 page figures.
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)
visa and registration costs
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 |
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
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% |
59.76%
PLE first-time pass rate
UNP graduates had a 59.76% pass rate in the first time taking the PLE, compared with the national average of 49.70% in March 2025.
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
Why Choose University of Northern Philippines (UNP)?
- A government university with a long history of education and a government-funded medical degree, which provides students with a secure learning environment and a widely accepted degree.
- With English-medium MBBS you are able to study and communicate with confidence from the get-go.
- US-based medical curriculum provides a solid foundation in preparation for USMLE and international careers. It has ECFMG accreditation.
- If all the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate (FMGL) Regulations are met, Indian licensure becomes possible after completion of NMC-compliant MBBS.
- UNP Philippines is a smart choice for pursuing MBBS abroad due to good exposure in Clinicals, Indian student support and lower living costs.
- Low MBBS in Philippines fees at UNP also means that the overall financial burden on the families is significantly less when compared to many private medical colleges in India.
Contact and Verification
Address
University of Northern Philippines College of Medicine, Quirino Boulevard, Barangay Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 2700, Philippines


