MEDICAL DEGREE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What qualifications are needed to enter Medical Degree course?
All applicants must have completed the 10+2 or equivalent examination, and scored 50 per cent or more in each of the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English.

Q: Do I have to sit for an entrance level examination before taking the course?
No entrance level examination is required for this course.

Q: What is the total duration of the course?
The Medical course comprises four and a half years, followed by a compulsory one year internship.

During the internship, emphasis will be laid on practical “hands-on” experience. The concerned departments will be encouraged to develop a diary / log book which gives details of tasks / cases to be seen by the interns.

Q: Where will be the internship conducted?
For Indian students, as per requirements of the Medical Council of India (MCI), internships will be done in India.

For other students, internships will be done in the Philippines at affiliated hospitals of the Universities

Top Students of the courses for Universities may also have the opportunity to work in our USA-affiliated Hospitals.

Q: Is a stipend provided during the internship period?
No stipend will be paid during the internship period

Q: What is the medium of instruction?
English is the medium of instruction for all the universities and English is widely spoken throughout the country. Students can communicate easily in English even with patients during the internship.


Q: What is the method of teaching?
The syllabus will be taught based on the US style of teaching.

The medical curriculum can be taught in many ways. Different learning methods suit different students, so diversity is supported among all our participating universities.

A wide range of teaching techniques are employed from traditional lectures and clinical attachments to problem based learning, small group work, clinical skills training, communication skills training and research projects.

Q: Which are the participating Universities?

• Cagayan State University
• Cebu Doctors’ University
• Davao Medical School Foundation
• Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Our Lady of Fatima University
• Ramon Magsaysay Technological University
• Southwestern University
• Tarlac State University
• University of Northern Philippines
• University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
• University of the Visayas

Q: Why choose a university in Philippines?

• Cutting edge curriculum
• Integrated problem-based learning approach
• English speaking country
• Affordable tuition fees
• Screening test preparation
• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) test preparation
• Safe environment
• Well established infrastructure and the universities and hospitals
• Excellent boarding and lodging provided by the universities
• International exposure

Q: Are the medical degrees from the Philippines Universities recognized worldwide?
Each country will have its own medical governing council or authority, which regulates the country’s healthcare standards and practices.

No matter where you do your degree, you will need to apply for registration with the appropriate country’s medical board and pass the licensing requirements before being allowed to practice medicine in that country.

No medical degree will entitle you to “automatic” recognition in any country.

However, our graduates are eligible to apply for licensing in places including the USA, the UK, Australia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, most parts of the European Union (EU) and many other parts of Asia.

Q: After completing the medical course, what is the career path for me?
There are a large number of specialty career paths in medicine, with over 50 career options available. Some of these options include becoming a surgeon, a general practitioner, a geneticist, a psychiatrist, a medical lecturer at medical school, a medical researcher, or a public health physician.

Upon graduation, you can utilize the services provided by our job matching division HCMII. Via this global recruitment network, you will be able to embark a rewarding career as a medical professional in any part of the world.

Alternatively, as our Universities are recognized by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) in the United States, you can participate in the United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE) after graduation in order to practice in the United States. Other choices would include the regions listed above (previous question).

Q: Where will I stay when I get there?
Dormitory facilities are available at all participating universities which offer high quality dormitories for both male and female students.

Upon request, HCMI will liaise with the respective schools to ensure boarding and lodging requirements are met prior to your arrival. This is one of the value-added services which we provide.

Alternatively, should the student decide not to stay in the hostels, there are other accommodations in vicinity (surrounding areas) of the school.

Q: Is there separate hostel accommodation for girls?
Yes, all of the universities provide separate dormitory facilities for females.

Q: What about laundry facilities?
Laundry facilities are available at the hostels to allow students to do their own laundry.

Q: What are the facilities offered by the Universities for HCMI students in the international hostels?
The hostel is as per international standard. General facilities – 1 bed, 1 study table, 1 cupboard, and 1 fan. There will be a minimum of 2 people per room. Bathrooms are usually attached. This is a general guideline. It may differ from university to university. Please check with the university that the student has enrolled.

As is the common practice in most parts of the world, No pillow case, linens etc provided. As such, students are required to bring those items themselves or to purchase them in Philippines themselves.

Please also be informed that for hostel facilities, HCMI Education does not operate the hostels, but merely acts as a facilitator to assist students in arranging for suitable accommodations according to the students’ needs and budgets as a value-added service. HCMI Education does not profit in any way from the hostel arrangements.

Q: Will the internet, library facilities be available at the universities to HCMI Education students during the weekends and will it be offered free without any deposit amount?
Internet is available in the boarding facilities. The school library also has available terminals for usage. If the student has a laptop, he would need to purchase a data/network card to use the internet.

Q: Is the canteen in the University open during the weekends?
Opening hours of canteen varies from university. Please check with the university that the student has enrolled. However, food is easily attainable in the vicinity of the campus even when canteens are closed.

Q: Who will make travel arrangements and bear the cost of the flight tickets?
HCMI can assist the students in obtaining the air tickets as well as other travel arrangements as a value-added service. However, the students will pay for the ticket themselves. Alternatively, the students can buy the ticket on their own.

HCMI will organize an airport pickup to the university should HCMI be requested to assist in making travel arrangements for the student.

Q: Do I need a passport?
Yes, you should have a passport with at least 6 month validity at the time of applying for a Visa.

Q: When does the academic year start?
The start of the academic year differs among the Universities. Generally, Universities will commence their courses in the period between September to November. Please consult an authorized HCMI employee for advice on this.

Q: Will there be a local coordinator from HCMI Education inside the campus to assist me if I need help?
No, each university will have its own student services office to provide students with support, counseling and guidance during the course of their degree.

There will be an HCMI Representative in Manila to guide you and solve any of your problems which might require outside help.

HCMI also has an office in Manila which students can contact if they require assistance.

Q: Can I come back to my home country during the holidays? What is the holiday period?
Yes, if you buy your own ticket, you will be able to go home for semester break.

The semester break starts from April to end of May. Universities may differ. Please refer to the academic calendar from the universities for exact dates.

Q: How is the Visa application procedure going to be like? Do I need to apply for a Visitors visa or Student visa?
The type of VISA issued will depend on when the student enrolls into the course. This is because the Philippines embassy usually requires time to process the student visa. In general:

At least 10 weeks or more – Student VISA

Less than 10 weeks (Last minute registration) – Visitor Visa, which will then be converted to Student Visa after arrival in the Philippines.

However, it should be noted that processing of the student visa from a student’s home country will require the applicant to present himself/herself at the Philippines embassy in Delhi. If the applicant does not wish to do so, he/she may then get a visitor visa, which will later be converted to a student visa.

Q: Where can I take the medical tests needed for applying for Visa in my home country?
The only clinic that is authorized by the Philippines Embassy is located in Delhi. Hence, it is recommended that the student take the medical tests required upon arrival in the Philippines. HCMI Education will assist the student in this respect.

Q: For the authentication of education certificates from the Philippines Embassy, it is mandatory to first attest the certificates from the Home department of the concerned state from the Regional Authentication Centers. Is this done by the students or by HCMI Education?
This is to be done by the students themselves.

Q: Who will bear the costs of Visa processing fees and the fees for authentication?
The student will bear the costs for Visa processing fees and the fees for authentication. HCMI may facilitate and advise as a value-added service, but these extra costs paid to third parties have to be borne by the student.

Q: Regarding the purchase of medical books for study and reference and certain medical instruments and name plate, is it advantageous for the students to bring it over to the Philippines? Is there a Dress code which is followed in all the universities?

The students will bear the costs of the textbooks. However, the school library is an informative centre whereby students can find reference books and use the facilities available. It might be more advantageous to bring over your own dissection box, textbooks etc from the student’s home country as it might be cheaper. However, textbooks or study materials required are subjected to the requirements of the professors which is not under the control of HCMI Education.

Yes, there is a dress code for all doctor students. Students are usually expected to wear the Physician’s uniform to maintain an image of professionalism.

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