Written by Shobhit Jayaswal – MBBS in Philippines and MBBS in Ukraine are two of the most popular destinations among Indian students for studying MBBS in abroad. We have sent 300+ students to both these countries combined. I have visited the Philippines and Ukraine on multiple occasions. Both countries have their own pros and cons. Through my own experience and from the reviews I have gathered from our students, I can give you the best and most genuine MBBS in Philippines vs Ukraine comparison.

MBBS in Philippines vs Ukraine

Few facts you must know –

  • there is no country which can be termed as ‘best country for MBBS abroad’
  • each country for MBBS abroad has its own pros and cons and you need to see what works for you
  • you must choose a country based on factors such as – duration, required budget, weather conditions, patient inflow, language, climate
  • Just like in India, every country has good colleges, average and bad medical colleges
  • check the FMGE result or thee MCI screening test passing percentage before choosing any college abroad
  • choose a college where the FMGE passing percentage is above 25%
  • college and country wise data is available of FMGE passing percentage from 2012–18 now
  • don’t choose a college based on the world ranking, while it is a good indicator, it is not true that better world ranking means that the university is good for MBBS abroad for Indian students
  • please note that in non-English speaking countries, the faculty for international students and local students in different
  • in the end, no one will ask you the ranking of the college or anything else, all that matters is whether you clear the screening test or not

Eligibility for MBBS abroad

Before we dive into the comparison of MBBS in Philippines vs Ukraine, make sure that you are eligible for studying MBBS in abroad –

Entrance Exam in India There are no entrance examinations in India like IELTS/SAT, etc. NEET qualification is a must for Indian students.
Age The student must be at least 17 years old as on 31st December of the year in which the admission is being taken.
Board The candidate must have completed class 12th from a regular and recognised board.
Marks for General Category students The student must have an aggregate of at least 50% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and must have English as a compulsory subject.
Marks for Other Category students The candidate must have an aggregate of at least 40% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and must have English as a compulsory subject.
NEET You need to qualify NEET exam for admission in any of the MCI approved medical universities of Ukraine. NEET result is valid for 3 years for MBBS abroad from 2018 onwards.
Passport The student must hold a valid passport.

Note –

  • This is the minimum eligibility criteria for the Philippines and Ukraine as well.
  • Some colleges will have their own eligibility criteria.
  • However, fulfiling these criteria will ensure admission in any of these 2 countries.

MBBS in Philippines vs Ukraine

Criteria Philippines Ukraine
Direct Admission after 12th in MBBS? No, after class 12th, you get admission in the pre-medical of BS course. Yes, after class 12th, you will get direct admission in the MBBS course.
Qualifying NEET required? Qualifying NEET is required for admission MBBS. However, since you first have to do a pre-medical course, you can get admission in this without qualifying NEET. However, you need to qualify NEET before admission in the MBBS course. Yes, without qualifying NEET, admission is not possible in any MCI recognised medical university in Ukraine.
Name of degree MD Physician MD Physician
Duration 1-2 years of pre-medical followed by 4 years of the medical course 6 years of the medical course
Entrance exam After the pre-medical course, you need to qualify NMAT exam which is held in the Philippines itself. You will get 1-3 chances to qualify NMAT during your pre-medical program. Some colleges will give you admission in the medical course even if you have not cleared NMAT, however, you will be required to clear it in the next 2-4 attempts. For clearing NMAT, you need to score 40 percentile. NEET qualified students should clear it with ease. We will provide you with NMAT books after your arrival in the Philippines. NMAT happens twice every year. There is an entrance exam for admission in each and every medical university in Ukraine. However, it is more of a formality and no student fails in this except for one university which is Taras Shevchenko National University. In all of the other universities, you need not bother to prepare for this exam. Another thing to note is that you need to clear an exam called KROK-1 after the end of 3rd year and KROK-2 after the end of the 6th year. You will get multiple attempts to clear KROK-1. If you don’t clear this exam then you won’t go to the 4th year and you will have to repeat 3rd year. Similarly, if you don’t clear KROK-2, you will have to repeat your final year.
Climate Similar to that of Mumbai or Kolkata. There are no winters in the Philippines. The average temperature is 26 degrees C. The temperature will be below 0 degrees C for about 3 months and it will be around 20-25 degrees C for the rest of the year. There will be snowfall. Indian students adjust to the climate in a few months. Also, there is a heating system installed in every building and thus, the winters are not much of a problem. You will feel cold only when you are in the open.
Disease pattern/clinical practice Due to the similar weather, the disease pattern is the same and therefore, the clinical practice in the Philippines is more suitable for an Indian student than the clinical practice in Ukraine, Russia, Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan. No language barrier during clinical. The disease pattern is different from that of India. However, you will be taught about all the diseases and the clinical exposure is still good here. During vacations after the 3rd year, you are required to get clinical exposure in Indian hospitals as well.
Language English is one of the 2 official languages in the Philippines. About 92% of the population speaks English. There is no requirement to learn a new language. It is compulsory to learn the local language. You will be given classes from the 1st year itself as the language classes will be a part of your curriculum. During clinical training and patient interactions, you will have to speak the local language.
Population 10.67 crore 4.2 crore
Pattern of Education US Pattern. The studies are a lot tougher in the Philippines when compared to Ukraine, Russia. The passing percentage is higher and the studies are more fast-paced here. The MBBS course is of 4 years only. Not for average students. European pattern and follows ECTS. The syllabus is set in a way which is much more comfortable and well-paced. As the course is spread out in 6 years, the students get more time to study. Even hard-working students with average performance can thrive and hope to clear the studies and licensing exam.
Budget required More than ₹25 lakh including tuition fees, hostel fees and Indian food More than ₹25 lakh including tuition fees, hostel fees and Indian food
Indian food available Yes Yes
Type of universities Mostly private Mostly government
Travel time from Delhi to the capital of the other country 10-12 hours to Manila. Only connecting flights with 1 stop. Direct flight to Kyiv. Takes 6-7 hours.
Number of MCI recognised colleges 40 16
FMGE result between 2015-18 (only current MCI recognised universities records taken into account) 26% passed 17% passed
Which country do more students go to? ❌ ✅
Visa process There is a visa interview. Visa needs to be renewed every year. No visa interview, easier to get a visa. Visa is converted for 6 years after reaching Ukraine.
Indian Embassy Yes, in Manila. Yes, in Moscow
Dominant Religion Christianity Christianity

Above, we have compared MBBS in Philippines vs Ukraine against various criteria. If you can tackle NMAT, then the Philippines is a better overall option. Ther are various challenges of studying MBBS in the Philippines as well as in Ukraine. Both are good options. I will again repeat that there are good average and bad universities in both these countries. If you are still confused between which to select then continue reading –

Some more points that will help you decide between MBBS in Ukraine vs Philippines –

  • On average, the budget required for a good medical university is going to cost you more than a good medical university in Ukraine. If you have a good budget, go to the Philippines.
  • Don’t be afraid of NMAT, it is not very difficult. Every student who cleared FMGE also cleared NMAT. More than 95% of our students who went to the Philippines also cleared NMAT. In Ukraine, you have to clear KROK too. Also, if you can’t clear NMAT or KROK, forget that you will ever clear FMGE/NEXT. Medical students shouldn’t be afraid of exams.
  • If you want to get admission in a government medical college then go for Ukraine.
  • MBBS course is just 4 years in the Philippines. Studying the pre-medical is basically a waste of time as well. Therefore, studying MBBS in Ukraine makes a lot of sense.
  • There are many colleges in the Philippines where the hostel facility is not provided by the university. In comparison, all the medical universities in Ukraine provides hostel facility to the new students.
  • Both countries are safe for Indian students.
  • If you select a good university in any of these two countries, then clearing FMGE it won’t be a problem.

Here are the top medical colleges in the Philippines –

Here are the top medical universities in Ukraine –

This is an unbiased review. Please note that those agents who promote do not promote any of these two countries will never be able to tell you the right facts. They will give their biased opinions.

In case there is any confusion about which country is most suitable for you, you can get in touch with us for the right information and for counselling.

Resources –

Know more about the Philippines.

Know more about Ukraine.

Contact Global Medical Foundation