TL;DR: The Philippines is best known among Indian students for MBBS, but it offers strong English-medium programs in dentistry, nursing, IT, business, aviation, and hospitality too. NEET is only required for medicine — every other course is open without it. Expect tuition of roughly ₱40,000–₱600,000 per year plus living costs of ₱15,000–₱40,000 per month, and a 9(f) student visa for any degree program.
Beyond MBBS: A Wider Menu for Indian Students
When Indian families think of studying in the Philippines, MBBS is usually the first and only thing that comes to mind. That reputation is well earned — Philippine medical education is affordable, English-medium, and US-style. But limiting yourself to medicine means missing a much broader set of opportunities.
Indian students in the Philippines also pursue dentistry, nursing, IT, business, aviation, and hospitality. These programs share the same advantages that make medicine attractive: instruction in English, tuition far below Western universities, and a culture that is familiar and welcoming to South Asian students.
This guide focuses on the courses for Indian students in the Philippines beyond medicine. If MBBS is your goal, read our dedicated MBBS in the Philippines for Indian students guide instead. For the big-picture overview, see studying in the Philippines as an international student.
A Key Point About NEET
Here is something many Indian students do not realize: NEET only matters for medicine. If you are pursuing dentistry, nursing, IT, business, aviation, or hospitality, you do not need a NEET score to enroll. NEET qualification is relevant for MBBS because the National Medical Commission requires it for Indian students who later want to practice medicine in India. For all the non-medical courses below, your school-leaving results and the university's own entrance assessment are what count.
Popular Courses for Indian Students in the Philippines
Dentistry (DMD)
The Doctor of Dental Medicine is a strong alternative to medicine, with similar prestige and a clear professional path. Read the full dentistry in the Philippines for foreign students guide.
Nursing (BS Nursing)
Nursing is a smart choice for students aiming to work abroad after graduation. See nursing in the Philippines for international students and the best nursing schools in the Philippines.
IT and Computer Science
The Philippines has a thriving tech and BPO sector, and its IT and computer-science degrees are taught in English with industry-aligned curricula.
Business and Management
BBA, accountancy, and management programs are widely available and recognized across Asia.
Aviation
Flying schools and aviation-management programs attract international students, though licensing for pilots follows aviation-authority rules separate from academic degrees.
Hospitality and Tourism
With the Philippines' large tourism industry, hospitality-management degrees come with strong practical training.
| Course | Typical duration | NEET needed? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS / Medicine | 5.5–6 years | Yes (for India practice) | Future doctors |
| Dentistry (DMD) | ~5–6 years | No | Future dentists |
| BS Nursing | ~4 years | No | Working abroad as a nurse |
| IT / Computer Science | ~4 years | No | Tech and software careers |
| Business / Management | ~4 years | No | Corporate and entrepreneurial paths |
| Aviation | Varies | No | Pilots and aviation managers |
| Hospitality / Tourism | ~4 years | No | Hotel and tourism careers |
Where Indian Students Study
Most Indian students base themselves in major urban centers where international student support is strongest. Browse campuses in Manila and Cebu City, and see our list of universities accepting international students in the Philippines.
The 9(f) Student Visa for Indian Students
Whatever you study, a full degree program requires a 9(f) student visa from the Bureau of Immigration. You typically begin with the application through a Philippine embassy or convert from a temporary visitor visa after your school issues a Notice of Acceptance. Our Philippines student visa 9(f) guide walks through every step. Because rules change, always verify the current process with the Bureau of Immigration and CHED before paying fees.
Admission Requirements
Indian applicants should generally prepare:
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- A completed application plus the university's entrance assessment
- Passport valid for the study period
- Notice of Acceptance from the university
- Proof of financial capacity
- Medical and police clearance for the visa
- NEET score (medicine only)
The full document list is in our international student requirements guide.
Realistic Costs for Indian Students (2026)
| Expense | Lower range | Higher range |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (per year) | ₱40,000 | ₱600,000 |
| Accommodation (per month) | ₱5,000 | ₱20,000 |
| Food | ₱6,000/month | ₱15,000/month |
| Transport & utilities | ₱2,000/month | ₱5,000/month |
| Total living (per month) | ₱15,000 | ₱40,000 |
Non-medical degrees such as IT, business, and hospitality usually sit at the lower end of the tuition range, while dentistry and medicine sit at the top. Our cost of studying in the Philippines guide adds visa fees, insurance, and books.
Living in the Philippines as an Indian Student
Indian students tend to find the Philippines an easy place to live. English is an official language used in every classroom and clinic, so there is no language barrier. The cost of living is modest, the climate is warm year-round, and the food scene in Manila and Cebu includes plenty of Indian restaurants, vegetarian options, and grocery stores stocking familiar spices and ingredients.
There is also a sizeable Indian student community, particularly around the medical and dental schools, which makes the transition far less isolating. Cultural similarities — a love of family, festivals, and food — mean Filipinos and Indians generally get along well.
Practical advice for arriving Indian students:
- Book university accommodation first, then explore private options once you know your campus area.
- Carry attested copies of your Class 10 and 12 documents; you will use them for both admission and visa steps.
- Set up a local bank account and SIM in your first week.
- Keep your passport and visa documents organized for renewals.
Step-by-Step: From India to a Philippine Campus
- Choose your course and shortlist universities. Remember NEET is only needed for medicine.
- Apply and complete the entrance assessment at each school.
- Get your Notice of Acceptance, which anchors the visa application.
- Assemble documents — mark sheets, passport, financial proof, medical and police clearance.
- Apply for the 9(f) student visa via the Philippine embassy or convert after arrival, following the 9(f) visa guide.
- Arrange travel and housing, then enroll and attend orientation.
- Maintain your visa by staying enrolled and renewing on time.
Begin a few months ahead of your intake to allow for document and visa processing.
Licensure and Recognition
Academic degrees and professional practice are two different things. To practice a regulated profession — medicine, dentistry, nursing — you must pass the relevant Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) licensure exam in the Philippines, and to practice in India you must satisfy the corresponding Indian regulator (for example, the National Medical Commission for doctors, the Dental Council of India for dentists, or the Indian Nursing Council for nurses). For non-regulated fields like IT, business, and hospitality, recognition is generally simpler, but employers and any further study may still ask for credential evaluation. Always confirm recognition with both the PRC (for regulated professions) and your home-country regulator before you enroll.
