University of the Philippines College of Medicine

The University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM) is the medical school of UP Manila, based at 547 Pedro Gil Street in Ermita, Manila. It is one of the oldest medical schools in the Philippines, founded in 1905, and its students train closely with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the national university hospital.

For students planning the Academic Year 2026-2027 intake, UPCM is most relevant if you want a highly selective public medical education route, a strong hospital-based learning environment and a curriculum shaped around community-oriented medical service. It is not a generic study-abroad medical college; admission is competitive, Filipino citizens are prioritised, and all applicants are required to sign a Return Service Agreement.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Institution type	Public medical college under the University of the Philippines Manila
Location	Ermita, Manila, Philippines
Main campus address	547 Pedro Gil Street, Ermita, Manila
Teaching hospital	Philippine General Hospital
Popular intake	Academic Year 2026-2027
Main medical route	Doctor of Medicine through Learning Units III-VII
Direct-entry route	INTARMED, a seven-year Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine program
Curriculum model	Organ Systems Integrated curriculum
Recognition	CHED Center of Excellence in Medical Education
Best fit	High-achieving students focused on medicine, public health, clinical training and service

Why UPCM Can Be A Good Fit

UPCM is a strong choice for students who want a serious medical-school environment linked to a major teaching hospital. PGH supports training across service, research and clinical education, so students are exposed to a wide range of patient needs and healthcare realities in Manila.

The academic model is also distinctive. UPCM uses an Organ Systems Integrated curriculum, which connects basic sciences, clinical skills and community-oriented sessions instead of treating each subject as a separate block. This is useful for students who want medicine to feel connected to patient care from the early years.

UPCM is especially suited to students who understand the service expectation attached to the program. The college's Return Service Agreement means applicants should be ready to connect their medical education with public service and healthcare needs in the Philippines.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

UPCM publishes fees by learning unit and notes that fees are subject to change. For the AY 2026-2027 planning cycle, students should confirm the latest assessment directly with the college before payment.

Cost area	Published planning detail
Application fee	PHP 1,500, non-refundable and subject to change
Learning Unit I, INTARMED	Free tuition for State Universities and Colleges under CHED-DBM policy
Learning Unit III tuition	PHP 1,500 per unit x 29.25 units
Learning Unit III tuition amount	PHP 43,875
Learning Unit III total published assessment	PHP 50,649.50 including listed miscellaneous, student fund, laboratory, ENT/DEP and ID fees
Scholarships	Private scholarships may include tuition support and/or stipends for qualified students

Students should also budget for immunisation, local transport, study materials, living costs in Manila and clinical-year expenses.

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should know
Application period	November 10, 2025 to February 06, 2026 for AY 2026-2027
Main medicine-proper entry	Learning Unit III for applicants with a bachelor's degree
Degree requirement	Baccalaureate degree completed by the end of school year 2025-2026 or earlier
NMAT requirement	Valid NMAT score not lower than the 90th percentile, from accepted test windows
Selection	Academic record, admission criteria and faculty-panel interview for highest-ranking applicants
Citizenship priority	Filipino citizens are given priority in admission
Required agreement	Return Service Agreement for all applicants
Health requirement	Immunisation certificate and catch-up immunisation are required for enrollment
Transfer policy	Medical students from other medical schools are not eligible for admission to any learning unit

Campus And Student Life

UPCM is based in the heart of Manila, close to UP Manila's health-sciences environment and PGH. Students use lecture rooms, multidisciplinary laboratories, computer facilities, clinical skills spaces and departmental facilities across the college and hospital setting.

This is a dense city-campus experience. Students should expect a professional, hospital-linked routine rather than a residential campus lifestyle. The main advantage is proximity to clinical departments, public health institutions, libraries, transport and medical networks.

Who Should Consider UPCM?

UPCM can suit students who want:

• An AY 2026-2027 medical intake in the Philippines
• A highly selective public medical school
• PGH-linked clinical exposure
• A curriculum with integrated basic science, clinical and community medicine
• A medical pathway connected to public service
• Strong preparation for healthcare work in the Philippine context

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising UPCM, students should confirm:

• Whether they are eligible for Learning Unit III or INTARMED
• The exact AY 2026-2027 application instructions and document deadline
• Accepted NMAT test windows for their application year
• Return Service Agreement obligations
• Updated tuition and miscellaneous fees
• Immunisation and enrollment requirements
• Whether international or overseas-alumni-child rules apply to their case

UPCM is popular with medical applicants because it combines a selective public medical-school environment with hospital-based training at the Philippine General Hospital.

Key Highlights

Popular for	Why it matters
Medicine proper	UPCM focuses on Doctor of Medicine training through structured learning units
Philippine General Hospital access	Students learn in a national university hospital setting with broad patient exposure
INTARMED	The seven-year route allows selected high-school graduates to enter an integrated medicine pathway
Organ Systems Integrated curriculum	Basic science, clinical skills and community medicine are connected by body systems and year-level themes
Public health orientation	The college has a strong service and community-health identity
CHED recognition	UPCM is designated as a Center of Excellence in Medical Education
Return service culture	The program is built around responsibility to Philippine healthcare needs
Manila location	Students are close to hospitals, government health institutions and urban clinical exposure

Best Academic Fit

UPCM is best for students who are academically strong, comfortable with a competitive admissions process and serious about medicine as a public-service profession. It is especially relevant for applicants who want clinical learning, research exposure and community-oriented practice rather than a purely classroom-based medical degree.

Student Takeaway

The strongest reason to consider UPCM is not just the UP name. It is the combination of selective admission, PGH-linked clinical training, integrated medical curriculum and service-focused medical education in Manila.