University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila is one of the oldest universities in Asia. Its Faculty of Medicine and Surgery offers a graduate-entry Doctor of Medicine: you need a bachelor's degree and an NMAT score before you can apply. Here is what Indian students must understand before planning for 2027-28.

Key facts for 2027-28

Location	Manila, Philippines
Founded	1611
Type	Private Catholic university
Programme	Doctor of Medicine — graduate-entry
Entry	Bachelor's degree and NMAT
Language	English; Filipino needed for patient encounters
Intake	June – August 2027

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

About UST

UST was founded in 1611 by Dominican friars and is the oldest existing university in Asia by many accounts. Its Faculty of Medicine and Surgery has trained doctors for well over a century, and the university runs the UST Hospital in Manila, which supports clinical teaching.

The Doctor of Medicine programme

Philippine medical education follows the American model. At UST:

• Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree (often a pre-medical degree such as BS Biology or BS Psychology).
• Applicants must meet the university's NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) requirement.
• The MD is then studied over several years, ending with clinical clerkship, followed in the Philippines by a post-graduate internship.

Teaching is in English, but UST expects international students to learn Filipino for patient encounters. Confirm the current MD duration and internship arrangement separately with the faculty.

The NMC question

For Indian students, the graduate-entry route raises important NMC questions: the rule that the entire course must be done at the same institution, the 54-month minimum, the 12-month internship at the same institution, and licence eligibility in the Philippines. Read the latest NMC notices and any Indian Embassy (Manila) advisory, and ask UST to confirm in writing how an Indian student's full route meets each condition.

Why students consider UST

• One of Asia's oldest and best-known universities.
• English-medium teaching with an American-style curriculum.
• Its own university hospital in Manila.
• Useful preparation for students who aim for the USMLE later.

Things to think about carefully

• You need a bachelor's degree and NMAT first, so the total time is long.
• The NMC position on the full route must be checked.
• Manila is a large, busy city with higher living costs than smaller Philippine cities.

How admission works

Admission is managed by UST's medical admissions office. You will need your bachelor's degree records, NMAT score, passport and other documents for foreign applicants. Check the 2027-28 calendar on the official admission portal.

Fees and costs

Ask for the official fee schedule for each year in pesos. Plan for the bachelor's stage if you start after Class 12, plus rent, food, books, uniforms, medical equipment, insurance, visa and travel.

Life in Manila

Manila is the Philippines' capital, part of the large Metro Manila region. UST's campus is in the Sampaloc district, in the university belt. The city is lively and crowded, with heavy traffic. English is widely understood. The climate is hot and humid, with a rainy season and typhoons in some months.

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 University of Santo Tomas

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 University of Santo Tomas 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 University of Santo Tomas 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 University of Santo Tomas 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 University of Santo Tomas, 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 University of Santo Tomas suits you and apply before the 2027-28 deadlines. Book a free counselling session using the form on this page.

Summary and official sources

The University of Santo Tomas offers Doctor of Medicine through its Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Applicants must complete a prior bachelor’s degree and meet NMAT requirements. Teaching is in English, while international students are expected to learn Filipino for patient encounters. Confirm the current MD duration and internship separately.

Courses and official information

• Doctor of Medicine — graduate-entry; language: English; Filipino is needed for patient encounters. 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.