Davao Medical School Foundation

Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) is a private medical school in Davao City, on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. It publishes an admission notice for its Doctor of Medicine programme each academic year. Here is what Indian students should know for 2027-28.

Key facts for 2027-28

Location	Davao City, Philippines
Founded	1976
Type	Private medical school
Programme	Doctor of Medicine
Entry	Prior university study and NMAT
Intake	June – August 2027

Always check fees, dates and rules for your intake on the official university website before you apply or pay.

About DMSF

DMSF was founded in 1976 to train doctors for Mindanao. It is known for community-based medical education, with students working in rural and urban communities as part of their training. It has also admitted international students, including students from India.

The Doctor of Medicine programme

Like other Philippine medical schools, DMSF's Doctor of Medicine is a graduate-level programme. Its admission information asks for prior university study, NMAT evidence and documents for foreign applicants. The programme covers basic sciences, clinical sciences and a clinical clerkship in hospitals and communities.

Ask DMSF for the current programme duration, internship arrangement and the licensing conditions for foreign graduates in writing before accepting an offer. These details decide whether the course meets NMC rules for Indian students.

The NMC question

Because the Philippine MD follows a bachelor's degree, check how the full route matches the NMC FMGL Regulations 2021, especially the rule that the entire course is done at the same institution, the 54-month minimum, the internship and licence eligibility. Read the latest NMC and Indian Embassy (Manila) notices.

Why students consider DMSF

• A medical school with a strong community-health focus.
• English-medium teaching.
• Lower living costs in Davao than in Manila.
• Davao is known as one of the more orderly Philippine cities.

Things to think about carefully

• You need prior university study and NMAT.
• Get the duration, internship and licensing conditions in writing.
• Learn some local language for patient contact.

How admission works

DMSF publishes an admission notice for each academic year (for example, for 2026–2027). Check the 2027-28 notice for documents, NMAT requirements, interview dates and deadlines.

Fees and costs

Ask for the official fee schedule in pesos for each year. Add accommodation, food, books, uniforms, equipment, insurance, visa and travel.

Life in Davao City

Davao City is the largest city in Mindanao, known for its clean streets, durian fruit and Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines. Living costs are lower than in Metro Manila. The climate is tropical, and Davao lies outside the main typhoon belt. Flights connect Davao with Manila, Cebu and some international hubs.

The Philippine route, step by step

1. Class 12 and NEET: finish Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, and qualify NEET-UG if you want to practise in India.
2. Bachelor's degree: complete a pre-medical bachelor's degree (usually four years, sometimes shorter in special programmes).
3. NMAT: take the National Medical Admission Test and reach the score the medical school asks for.
4. MD programme: study the four-year Doctor of Medicine, including clinical clerkship.
5. Internship and licence: complete the post-graduate internship and the licensing steps that apply to foreign graduates.
6. Back in India: clear the licensing exam (currently FMGE) and the 12-month internship in India, if your course met NMC conditions.

Ask the university and our counsellors how each step applies to you before you commit.

Before you apply to Davao Medical School Foundation

To practise in India later, you need a qualifying NEET-UG result before you join, and the course must meet the NMC Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021: at least 54 months of study, a 12-month internship at the same university, teaching in English and eligibility for a medical licence in Philippines. NMC does not approve or list foreign universities, so ask Davao Medical School Foundation to confirm these points in writing and read the latest notices on nmc.org.in. After graduating you will need to clear the licensing exam (currently FMGE) and a 12-month internship in India. Our MBBS abroad guide covers eligibility, documents, FMGE preparation and careers in detail.

2027-28 intake timeline

• October 2026 – January 2027: shortlist Davao Medical School Foundation and other options, read the official 2027-28 admission rules and check that the course meets the NMC conditions.
• February – April 2027: register for NEET-UG 2027 and get your passport and documents ready.
• May 2027: appear for NEET-UG 2027 (NTA will announce the date; recent exams were on the first Sunday of May).
• March – July 2027: apply to Davao Medical School Foundation through its official international admissions channel.
• June – August 2027: admission letter, visa, travel and joining.

The MD is graduate-entry: you need a bachelor's degree and an NMAT score first. If you are applying after Class 12, you will start with the bachelor's stage.

Related guides

For the bigger picture beyond Davao Medical School Foundation, read these guides:

• MBBS in Philippines: living costs, visa, climate, student life and the full admission process in Philippines.
• MBBS abroad guide: eligibility, recognition in India, costs and choosing a country.
• Compare other universities by country, course and city.

How PSP Education can help

PSP Education has guided Indian students since 1992 and can help you decide whether Davao Medical School Foundation suits you and apply before the 2027-28 deadlines. Book a free counselling session using the form on this page.

Summary and official sources

Davao Medical School Foundation publishes a Doctor of Medicine admission notice for 2026–27. Its admission information includes prior university study, NMAT evidence and documents for foreign applicants. Obtain the current programme duration, internship and foreign-graduate licensing conditions in writing before accepting an offer.

Courses and official information

• Doctor of Medicine. Official programme information. Explore this course.

Visit the official university website for current admission rules, fees and application dates.

Indian medical applicants should check the current NMC requirements, NEET bulletin, internship structure and local licensing conditions before applying. Admission alone does not give permission to practise medicine in India.

For an Indian student considering return to India, the Indian Embassy’s June 2026 advisory highlights unresolved reciprocity guidance for local licensing. Check current NMC conditions for the exact MD and internship; do not assume admission establishes eligibility.

Additional official admission or programme information.