Overview
Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) is a private medical school in the Bajada district of Davao City, on the southern island of Mindanao. It was set up in 1976 by a group of Davao institutions, including Ateneo de Davao University, Brokenshire Hospital and San Pedro Hospital. Besides medicine it runs colleges of dentistry, nursing, biology and midwifery. Its College of Medicine is accredited by PAASCU and has produced top scorers in the Philippine licensure exam.
DMSF has long had the largest group of Indian students of any Philippine medical school. Because the MD admits only graduates, Indian students usually take a BS first (DMSF itself runs a four-year BS Biology) and then sit the NMAT. DMSF says students in its BS Biology get priority for its medical programme.
The NMC does not count the BS. The MD alone must meet every FMGL 2021 condition, including at least 54 months of study and eligibility for a Philippine licence. In September 2025 a group of students alleged to the NMC that DMSF had stretched clinical rotations for Indian students to reach 4.5 years without a formal curriculum change. This is an allegation, not a finding, but it shows why families must get the MD structure in writing.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1976, by a consortium of Davao colleges, hospitals and a foundation |
| Type | Private, non-stock foundation |
| City | Davao City, Mindanao |
| Degree awarded | Doctor of Medicine (MD), after a separate bachelor's degree (BS) |
| Duration from Class 12 | About 6 years or more: a BS of about 2 years for most Indian students, then the MD and a 12-month internship |
| Medium | English |
| Intakes | Usually once a year, around June to August; confirm with the College of Medicine |
| NEET-UG | Must be qualified before admission (NMC rule for Indian students) |
| Entry test for MD | NMAT at the 40th percentile or above, plus the CHED Certificate of Eligibility for Admission |
| WDOMS listing | Listed as F0001304 (Davao Medical School Foundation College of Medicine) |
| Tuition / year (indicative) | About USD 4,000 (not published by the school; a fee rise for 2026–27 was announced) |
| Hostel / year (indicative) | About USD 1,000–2,000 (private housing near campus) |
Address: Dr. A. Gahol Avenue, Barangay 19-B, Bajada, Davao City, Philippines
Highlights
- Founded in 1976; College of Medicine accredited by PAASCU (WDOMS records accreditation on 22 November 2013)
- Listed in WDOMS (F0001304) with an ECFMG note for graduates from 1979
- Own 100-bed tertiary hospital on campus, plus training in large Davao hospitals
- Ranked 5th among top-performing schools in the Philippine physician licensure exam, according to DMSF (October 2026)
- FMGE 2025: 399 of 2,424 graduates passed (16.5%), below the Philippine average (SchoolFinderPH, citing NBEMS)
- Simulation centre, Anatomage table and cadaveric dissection
Courses offered
- Doctor of Medicine (MD), College of Medicine
- BS Biology (four years), College of Biology, used by many students as the pre-medical stage
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Postgraduate studies (the school lists MCH, MPD and MHPEd programmes)
For Indian students the main programme is the Doctor of Medicine (MD), after a pre-medical BS, taught in English over 6 years.
Facilities
DMSFI Hospital
A 100-bed tertiary hospital inside the DMSF compound in Bajada, used for clinical teaching.
Simulation Center
Standardised patients, task trainers, virtual reality and human patient simulators for clinical skills training.
Anatomy resources
Cadaveric dissection, plastinated specimens, an Anatomage virtual dissection table and Body Map tools.
Library
About 600 seats, more than 16,000 print books, over 1,000 online books and more than 600 journal titles, according to the college.
Team-based learning classrooms
Classrooms set up for team-based learning, with paperless examinations and a skills laboratory.
Community training
Mobile clinics take students into communities around Davao for primary care practice.
Why choose Davao Medical School Foundation?
- One of the most established private medical schools in Mindanao, running for about 50 years.
- PAASCU accreditation for the College of Medicine, recorded in WDOMS.
- A hospital on campus and access to large public hospitals in Davao.
- Strong results in the Philippine licensure exam for Filipino graduates.
- A large Indian student community, with Indian food and housing widely available.
- Davao City is generally calmer and cheaper than Metro Manila.
Eligibility criteria
- NEET-UG qualified before taking admission, as the NMC requires.
- Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English; at least 50% in PCB for general category (40% for SC/ST/OBC).
- For the MD: a bachelor's degree in science or the humanities.
- NMAT at the 40th percentile or above.
- CHED Certificate of Eligibility for Admission, a notice of acceptance, a student visa and police clearance for international applicants.
- A short essay (up to 100 words) on why you want to be a doctor, and an interview with the admission committee.
Admission process
- Qualify NEET-UG and read the latest NMC notices and the Embassy of India, Manila advisory.
- Ask DMSF in writing for the length of its BS and MD, how its internship for foreigners works, and a fee schedule for every year.
- Apply to the BS (for example BS Biology) with the commitment fee and receive the notice of acceptance.
- Get your Indian documents apostilled, pay only into DMSF's own bank account and keep the receipt.
- Travel to Davao and convert to a 9(f) student visa through DMSF's Foreign Students Unit; get your ACR I-Card.
- Sit the NMAT in the final BS year and apply to CHED for the eligibility certificate.
- Apply to the MD with your transcript, diploma, NMAT result, essay and IDs, and attend the interview.
- Make the Bureau of Immigration annual report each January through the Foreign Students Unit.
Fee structure
| Tuition (USD) | Hostel (USD) | Approx. in rupees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-medical BS (about 2 years for most Indian students), per yearIndicative. DMSF does not publish tuition on its website; BS tuition is often lower than MD tuition. | US$4,000 | US$2,000 | ≈ ₹5.5 lakh |
| MD years 1–4, per yearIndicative. DMSF announced in February 2026 that it intends to raise fees for 2026–27. | US$4,000 | US$2,000 | ≈ ₹5.5 lakh |
| Estimated total (6 years) | US$36,000 | ≈ ₹33.1 lakh | |
DMSF does not publish tuition amounts on its website. It announced on 3 February 2026 that it intends to increase tuition and other fees for 2026–27, without giving figures. The amounts above are our indicative estimates. Agent sites quote roughly ₹3.6–4 lakh a year for tuition (about USD 4,000–4,500) and about ₹0.9 lakh a year for housing (Careers360, April 2025; Moksh16, September 2026). DMSF lists its own bank accounts, including a US dollar account, on its Finance page; pay only into those and keep the bank-validated receipt. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want the official fee letter?Our counsellor will share the current fee schedule for Davao Medical School Foundation and a budget in rupees.
Recognition and accreditation
- World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS)Listed as F0001304 (Davao Medical School Foundation College of Medicine). The listing carries an ECFMG note for graduates from 1979 and records PAASCU accreditation on 22 November 2013. WDOMS says a listing is not accreditation.
- PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities)The College of Medicine states it holds PAASCU Level II accreditation.
- Commission on Higher Education (CHED), PhilippinesDMSF is a CHED-recognised institution; CHED issues the eligibility certificate foreign students need for its MD.
- National Medical Commission (NMC), IndiaThe NMC does not approve foreign universities and does not count the BS. No NMC notice names DMSF, but a September 2025 student complaint reported by Medical Dialogues alleged that DMSF extended clinical rotations for Indian students instead of formally lengthening the MD. Ask DMSF for its official curriculum length.
- Licence to practise in the Philippines (PRC)Foreigners can sit the Physician Licensure Examination only where reciprocity applies. The Embassy of India, Manila said in June 2026 that Indian guidance on this is awaited.
NMC eligibility depends on you, not only the university
Teaching hospitals
- DMSFI Hospital, Bajada, Davao City (100 beds, on campus)
- Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City
- Brokenshire Hospital, Davao City (a founding member of DMSF)
- San Pedro Hospital, Davao City (a founding member of DMSF)
- Anda Riverview Medical Center, Davao City
- Davao Regional Hospital, Tagum City
Hostel and campus life
Davao City is one of the largest cities in the Philippines but feels calmer than Metro Manila. Most Indian students live in private boarding houses, apartments or condominium units around Bajada, often run for Indian students with an Indian mess. Indian festivals are celebrated by a large student community. DMSF's Foreign Students Unit handles visas, ACR I-Cards and the yearly immigration report, and announces deadlines through its Facebook group. The MD is demanding, with quizzes, OSCEs and long clerkship hours.
Cost of living in Davao City
| Per month | In USD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room in a boarding house or flatA one-bedroom flat outside the centre is about ₱10,800 (Numbeo, October 2026) | US$80–180per month | ≈ ₹7,360 – ₹16,560 |
| Food (Indian mess or self-cooking)An inexpensive restaurant meal is about ₱300 (Numbeo) | US$100–170per month | ≈ ₹9,200 – ₹15,640 |
| Electricity, water and internet (shared)Basic utilities for a flat are about ₱6,750 a month before sharing (Numbeo) | US$25–60per month | ≈ ₹2,300 – ₹5,520 |
| Local transport (jeepney, tricycle, ride-hailing)A monthly transport pass is about ₱850 (Numbeo) | US$10–30per month | ≈ ₹920 – ₹2,760 |
| Mobile phone and data | US$10–20per month | ≈ ₹920 – ₹1,840 |
| Rough monthly total | US$225–460 | ≈ ₹20,700 – ₹42,320 |
About Davao City
Davao City is the main city of Mindanao, on the Davao Gulf in the south of the Philippines. It is known for being orderly and relatively affordable, with Mount Apo, the country's highest peak, nearby. People speak Cebuano (Bisaya), Filipino and English. There is no direct flight from India; students usually fly via Manila or another hub. The US State Department excludes Davao City from its warning about much of Mindanao; students should still avoid the restricted parts of the island.
Ranking
DMSF is not in the major global rankings. It does not appear in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, which included 35 Philippine universities. Nationally, DMSF says its College of Medicine ranked 5th among top-performing schools in the October 2026 physician licensure exam.
Scholarships
DMSF runs a scholarship programme, but its pages do not say that international students can apply. Treat any fee discount as a bonus and get it in writing from DMSF itself.
Documents required
- Passport valid for the full course where possible
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and passing certificates
- NEET-UG scorecard
- Notice of acceptance from DMSF with its dry seal
- Proof of payment into a DMSF bank account
- Parents' affidavit of support, apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs
- Police clearance certificate (NBI clearance if converting the visa six months or more after arrival)
- Ten 2x2 photographs with a white background (for the visa)
- Medical report with chest X-ray and Bureau of Quarantine stamp
- For the MD: BS diploma and transcript, NMAT result (40th percentile or above), CHED Certificate of Eligibility for Admission
- Two valid IDs and a short essay on why you want to be a doctor
Ready to apply?Our counsellor will check your documents and NEET score and guide you through the admission letter and visa.
Other medical universities in Philippines
| University | City | Tuition / year |
|---|---|---|
| University of Perpetual Help System DALTA | Las Piñas, Metro Manila | US$5,000 |
| Our Lady of Fatima University | Valenzuela City, Metro Manila | US$7,000 |
| AMA School of Medicine | Makati, Metro Manila | US$4,000 |
| Lyceum-Northwestern University (Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Medical Foundation) | Dagupan City, Pangasinan | US$4,600 |
FAQs
Is the DMSF MD valid in India?
Not automatically. The NMC does not count the BS, so the MD alone must meet every FMGL 2021 condition: at least 54 months of study, a 12-month internship at the same institution, and eligibility for a licence in the Philippines. The licence condition is unresolved for Indian graduates as of October 2026. Ask DMSF for its official MD length in writing.
What was the 2025 complaint about DMSF?
In September 2025 Medical Dialogues reported a student complaint to the NMC that alleged DMSF had extended clinical rotations so Indian students stay 4.5 years, without changing the official curriculum. It is an allegation, not an NMC finding. It is a good reason to ask DMSF for its CHED-approved curriculum.
How do DMSF graduates do in the FMGE?
In 2025, 399 of 2,424 candidates passed (16.5%), according to SchoolFinderPH's summary of NBEMS data. The rate was 54.5% in 2019 and has fallen since, in line with the overall FMGE trend.
Does DMSF have its own BS course?
Yes. DMSF runs a four-year BS Biology and says its students get priority for the medical programme. Many Indian students complete a shorter pre-medical BS; ask DMSF exactly which BS route it offers foreign students and how long it takes.
What does DMSF charge?
DMSF does not publish fees online, and it announced a fee increase for 2026–27. Agent sites quote around ₹3.6–4 lakh a year for tuition. Get a written fee schedule from DMSF and pay only into its listed bank accounts.
Is Davao safe?
Davao City is generally considered safe and is excluded from the US State Department's warning on much of Mindanao. Avoid the restricted parts of Mindanao and register with the Embassy of India, Manila.
Sources
- DMSF: College of Medicine (admissions, facilities, accreditation, PLE results) (opens in a new tab)
- DMSF: home page (colleges, hospital, address) (opens in a new tab)
- DMSF: Foreign Students Unit (visa and immigration steps) (opens in a new tab)
- DMSF: College of Biology (BS Biology) (opens in a new tab)
- DMSF: notice of intended tuition increase for AY 2026–2027, 3 Feb 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- WDOMS: Davao Medical School Foundation College of Medicine (F0001304) (opens in a new tab)
- Edge Davao, Aug 2019: DMSF turns 43 (history and affiliated hospitals) (opens in a new tab)
- Medical Dialogues, Sep 2025: students allege Philippine MD not compliant with FMGL rules (opens in a new tab)
- Embassy of India, Manila: Advisory on Medical Education in the Philippines, 17 Jun 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- SchoolFinderPH, Sep 2026: FMGE pass rates for Philippine medical schools (citing NBEMS) (opens in a new tab)
- Careers360 (agent/aggregator), Apr 2025: medical universities in the Philippines (opens in a new tab)
- Numbeo: cost of living in Davao, Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.dmsf.edu.ph (opens in a new tab)
Fees and rules change