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Type "AMA School of Medicine fees" into Google and you'll get answers ranging from roughly ₹14 lakh to over ₹55 lakh for the same program, a spread so wide it stops being useful. That gap alone tells you something most Philippines MBBS blogs don't say out loud: this isn't a simple, single-number degree the way an MBBS in Georgia or Uzbekistan is, and treating it like one is where a lot of these comparison pages go wrong.
AMA School of Medicine was established in 2008 as part of the AMA Education System. The same group runs AMA Computer College, and it's based in Makati City, Metro Manila's business and diplomatic district, dense with multinational offices rather than a quiet academic enclave. It also runs a second campus in Cavite, a detail that appears in official materials but rarely appears on third-party blogs.
Here's the structural point that actually matters and gets glossed over constantly: the Philippines doesn't run a straight six-year MBBS the way most other MBBS-abroad destinations do. It's a two-stage system: a Bachelor of Science pre-medical phase of roughly 1.5 to 2 years, followed by a national exam called the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test), and only then four years of the actual Doctor of Medicine program, plus a final internship year. Miss the NMAT cutoff, typically a 40th percentile minimum, though some schools set it higher, and you don't progress into medical school on schedule. Most Philippines-focused blogs mention NMAT in a single throwaway line, if at all, and treat the whole thing as a generic "6-year MBBS," which understates a real checkpoint students need to prepare for from day one.
There's also a piece of regulatory history worth noting: MCI (the NMC's predecessor) effectively removed most Philippine medical colleges from its approved list around 2009, largely due to concerns that the two-stage BS-plus-MD structure wasn't equivalent to the Indian MBBS. AMA and several other Philippine colleges are back on the NMC's current approved list, and current-year sources confirm that recognition, but the pathway's history is more chequered than competitors like Georgia or the Central Asian republics, where recognition has been continuous. That's not disqualifying, but it's context a page selling you the decision should give you, not bury.
What the Cost Actually Looks Like
This is the widest fee spread currently in circulation for any college in the Philippines. Annual tuition figures range from about USD 3,800 to USD 4,500 depending on the source and year quoted, and total program cost estimates range from roughly INR 14 lakh (an outlier-low figure, likely tuition-only at an old exchange rate) to INR 55 lakh (likely including a fully loaded private apartment lifestyle). The table below reflects a realistic middle estimate built from the most internally consistent recent sources, but get AMA's own current fee schedule before you commit; the range here is too wide to trust any single number unquestioningly.
Cost Item | Per Year (USD / INR approx.) | 6-Year Total (INR approx.) |
Tuition Fee | USD 3,800–4,500 | INR 3.27–3.87 lakh | INR 16–19 lakh |
Hostel & Accommodation | USD 800–1,500 | INR 69,000–1.29 lakh | INR 4–7.7 lakh |
Food & Living | INR 1.2–2.16 lakh/year | INR 6–13 lakh |
Insurance | INR 20,000–50,000/year | INR 1.2–3 lakh |
NMAT & Documentation | One-time, roughly INR 15,000–30,000 | Included above |
Total Estimated (course + living) | — | INR 22–35 lakh approx. |
Note: INR conversions assume roughly 86 INR per USD. No donation or capitation fee is reported by AMA or by independent consultancies for NEET-based admission.
Why AMA Gets Flattened Into a Generic "Philippines MBBS" Listing
Most Philippine MBBS roundups list AMA in a table alongside UV Gullas, Davao Medical School Foundation, and Our Lady of Fatima, with identical bullet points about affordability and English-medium teaching, and no real attempt to distinguish one from the others. The NMAT checkpoint deserves far more attention than it gets; a student who breezes through NEET but underestimates the NMAT can lose a full admission cycle waiting to retake it. Almost nobody plans for that possibility going in.
The 2009 recognition history is the second thing worth bringing to light. It doesn't mean anything is currently wrong; AMA is on the NMC's active list as of the most recent sources, but a program with a more turbulent recognition history deserves a slightly more careful read of current-year NMC status than one that's never had an interruption. Checking the NMC website directly before enrolling costs nothing and takes five minutes.
And the fee-figure chaos deserves its own callout. A INR 40-lakh spread between the cheapest and most expensive quoted totals for the same college is not normal variation; it usually means different sources are quoting tuition-only, tuition-plus-hostel, or a fully loaded package with private housing, without saying which. Ask explicitly what's included before comparing any two quotes.
No hidden charges, no donation. The full picture of costs at MBBS In AMA School of Medicine.
Tuition Fee
approximately USD 3,800–4,500/year (INR 3.27–3.87 lakh), with figures varying meaningfully by source and intake year
approximately USD 3,800–4,500/year
Hostel Fee
approximately USD 800–1,500/year (INR 69,000–1.29 lakh); separate accommodation for male and female students
approximately USD 800–1,500/year
Food & Meals
roughly INR 1.2–2.16 lakh
/year
Insurance
INR 20,000–50,000
/year
Donation
No Donation
No Hidden Fees
Total Estimated Cost
INR 22–35 lakh
total 6 year
25–35%
Average FMGE first-attempt pass rates for students from many overseas medical universities. Students from structured programs consistently score higher.
Students returning to India need to clear the FMGE/NExT exam. MBBS In AMA School of Medicine integrates exam-oriented coaching into the regular curriculum so students are prepared from day one.
A structured program that takes you from foundational sciences to clinical mastery.
● In addition, students sit the NMAT toward the end of this phase to qualify for the MD program
● First, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and English form the foundation over roughly 1.5 to 2 years
● Furthermore, Medical Ethics and Histology round out the foundational coursework
● Next, Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry form the core of the first MD year
● Moreover, early hospital orientation begins at AMA's affiliated teaching hospitals
● Then, Pathology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology are added to the coursework
● In addition, Pediatrics and the allied specialties are introduced through dedicated postings
● After that, rotations cover Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynecology
● Furthermore, licensure-prep coursework for the Philippine system runs alongside FMGE/NExT-oriented study for Indian students
● Subsequently, advanced clinical rotations continue with greater patient responsibility
● Also, this year is typically when Indian graduates concentrate their FMGE or NExT preparation
● Finally, a 12-month rotating internship covers Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynecology
Furnished hostel rooms with Wi-Fi, laundry, 24/7 security, and Indian mess on or near campus.
Indian restaurants and mess facilities serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian home-style food daily.
Strong Indian community with cultural events, festival celebrations, and peer support groups.
Students get hands-on clinical training in government and private hospitals affiliated with the university.
Practical information for students planning to study at MBBS In AMA School of Medicine.
Prepare for all seasons. Thermal wear for winters, light clothing for summers. University provides heating in hostels.
Student visa processed with university invitation letter. Direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities.
Health insurance included in fees. Medical facility on campus plus city hospitals easily accessible.
Local SIM cards available. WhatsApp and video calls keep you connected with family back home.
Average monthly expenses of $150–$250 covering food, transport, and personal needs.
University library, online databases, and study groups. Seniors mentor juniors through academic challenges.
Our team guides you through every step — from application to arriving on campus.
The first step is to have a free phone counselling session. This is not a sales promotion or sales pitch. Here, we analyse all the universities mentioned side by side. We go through FMGE rates, total fees, city life, and whether the USMLE or NExT path better suits your goals. Most students walk out of this call with a clear first choice and a backup.
Once you pick a university, we will hand you a Philippines-specific document checklist. It is not a generic list. Every item on it is there for a reason, either for the university application, the 9(f) visa conversion, or the ACR I-Card registration. We check everything before a single paper goes anywhere.
Your application goes directly to the university through our partner channel. Most students get an acceptance letter within 10 to 21 days. However, December intake applications move faster than June ones, so timing matters. We follow up on all applications and will be in touch if there is any delay.
Once you receive your offer letter, we will have an in-depth discussion with you on the fees charged. The first instalment of fees will be deposited without any ambiguity. What you pay, when you pay, and what it covers, all of it is clear before any money moves.
Indian students do not need a pre-departure visa for the Philippines. You enter visa-free for 30 days. However, the 9(f) Student Visa conversion must start within the first week of arrival; it is time-sensitive. We also advise on the best flight route, whether Cebu or Manila, depending on your university.
About a week before you fly, we do a full pre-departure briefing. We cover accommodation options, campus location, Indian food sources near your university, how to transfer money from India, which SIM card to buy, and what the first week on campus actually looks like—students who attend this briefing land in the Philippines significantly less stressed than those who skip it.
On arrival day, our local team in the Philippines meets you at the airport, whether in Cebu or Manila. You are not landing in a new country alone. Someone who knows the ground is there from the first minute.
Within the first week, the 9(f) visa conversion process starts. Our team submits your documents to the Bureau of Immigration and closely tracks your application. The ACR I-Card, your official alien registration card, is processed at the same time. This step is strictly managed because delays here cause real problems later.
By the end of Week 2, your university enrollment is complete, your hostel room is confirmed, and your BS pre-medical orientation is done. You know your timetable, your faculty, and where everything is. Furthermore, our team has already flagged your NMAT preparation schedule, so there will be no surprises at the bridge stage.
After enrollment, our on-the-ground team in the Philippines stays in contact throughout all six years. If there is a university issue, a hostel problem, a visa renewal, or a health concern, there is a local contact to call. Moreover, from Year 3 onward, our FMGE and USMLE coaching track begins, because academic support does not stop at the airport.
Admission Helpline — Contact our counsellors for step-by-step assistance.
“The faculty here is incredibly supportive. The clinical training during hospital rotations has given me real confidence in patient care.”
“Affordable fees without compromising on quality. The campus facilities and hostel life made my transition abroad very smooth.”
“English medium instruction and WHO-recognized curriculum were the deciding factors for me. No regrets so far — excellent experience overall.”
“The university helped with everything from visa to accommodation. Hospital exposure from year three has been invaluable for my FMGE prep.”
“Just cleared my licensing exam on the first attempt. The structured coaching and mock exams during final year were a game-changer.”
“Safe campus, good food options, and a strong Indian student community. The teaching methodology is very practical and hands-on.”
Yes. Considering the more chequered track record of Philippines schools since 2009, it would be prudent to double check the school's listing status on the official NMC website.
NMAT is a national examination, that Philippine pre-medical students are required to clear, generally achieving a minimum of the 40th percentile before advancing from the BS stage to the actual MD program. The NMAT is an actual hurdle, not a mere formality, and not clearing it may cost you another full exam cycle in terms of time.
Realistic contemporary estimates come out in the region of INR 22 to 35 lakh for the entire course of studies. Prices significantly above or below this range generally represent tuition-only figures (low end) or fully catered housing (high end) – always inquire about the specifics.
Yes. Apart from clearing the NMAT of the Philippines for the MD program, candidates from India are expected to have NEET UG qualification score.
Generally takes about 5.5 to 6 years in total: 1.5-2 years of BS pre-med, 4 years of MD program, and 1 year of internship – that's longer and structurally different from the straight 5+1 or 6-year courses found in other MBBS abroad destinations.
Hospital rotations are introduced in the second year of MD studies and full clinical rotations in the third year.
The AMA graduates are eligible to practice in India provided they have passed their FMGE/NExT, which is the exam organized by MCI to test the knowledge of foreign medical graduates.
Yes, the program is delivered entirely in English and follows an American-style academic curriculum which some Indian candidates appreciate as useful preparation for USMLE.
No. Admissions depend on NEET score and document verification and there is no donation/capitation fee reported by the university or consultancies.
Makati is a dense urban business area with excellent transport connections and an expatriate community, and a good environment in terms of daily life. That said, Makati differs from the quiet university towns of other MBBS abroad destinations.
Our expert counsellors will guide you through the complete admission process — from documents to airport pickup.
