Medical courses have an impressive pay scale globally. For this reason, it is been most popular career/course among Filipino parents and students alike. If you are one of these students at the end of his/her school years looking forward to studying the best Medical Courses for Filipino students, this is a blog for you. Don’t wait anymore! In this guide, we are diving deep into some of the top Medical Courses for Filipino students that are highly sought after in the job market. 

Medical courses have a big scope and continued technological advancements in this medical field keep evolving year after year. Besides, this is the right time to venture into this field, as the demand for medical professionals is increasing rapidly around the globe. 

What is the scope of Medical Courses for Filipino students?

Millions of students each opt for Medical Courses making it one of the most sought-after programs in the Philippines. The scope for medical courses for Filipino students is widening as the medical field is flourishing with the help of new technologies. Besides, healthcare demand has been growing rapidly in the last ten years. 

Graduating students can either work as researchers, with doctors or independently by setting up a clinic. The job opportunities in the medical field are abundant, and you can easily find jobs at hospitals or clinics. The scope for medical courses for Filipino students is sure to multiply in the coming years as hospitals are creating awareness among people about health and fitness. 

Best Medical Courses List For Filipino Students

1. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Medical Courses for Filipino students)

Course Duration: 5 years

Career Options: Junior doctor, Physician, Researcher, Medical writer, and Scientist

As per the data from WHO, the ratio of doctors to population must be ideally 1:1000, which means there should be one doctor for every 1000 people, which applies to all countries globally. 

More doctors are required to meet the demand in the healthcare industry around the globe. MBBS is one of the most preferred Medical Courses for Filipino students; the career scope is bright for the MBBS program as it is one of the high-paying courses and regarded as the best course for Filipino students.

2. Bachelor of Biomedical Science - Medical Science

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Biotechnologist, Biomedical Scientist, Clinical Research Associate and Forensic Expert. 

Students studying this course will develop knowledge and critical thinking in pre-clinical scientific specialisations using theory and practical lab experiments. Hence, Biomedical science is one of the top Medical Courses for Filipino students. 

As a biomedical student, you ought to learn in 3 specialities: life sciences, physiological sciences, and bioengineering. This field of study focuses on areas such as chemistry and biology, which are related to healthcare. 

3. Bachelor of Health Sciences (Therapy Studies)

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Family Therapist, Marriage Therapist, Counsellor, and Psychologist.

Therapists are licensed and authorised to help patients with mental illness or emotional issues. They usually offer guidance with a non-judgemental ear and initiate non-pharmaceutical treatments for patients. 

As a Therapist, you will develop immense knowledge in physiology and anatomy. Therapy studies lay a strong foundation for students in traditional and emerging therapy areas. Therefore, Therapy Studies is one of Filipino students' most popular Medical Courses.

4. Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy (Honors)

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Speech and Language Therapist, Voice Coach and Communication Coach.

Speech and language therapists treat patients who have speech disorders. Speech and language therapy is an ideal career choice for people who want to treat children with difficulty in speech for many reasons. Hence, it is one of the most sought-after Medical Courses for Filipino students. 

This program will help you qualify as a speech and language therapist in a span of 3 years. As a Speech and Language Therapist, you will offer guidance on communication impairments and issues with eating, drinking and swallowing. You will also study a range of subjects such as linguistics, psychology and speech pathology. 

Read More: Best Medical Courses in U.K.

5. BDS (Honours) Dental Surgery (Best Medical Courses for Filipino Students)

Course Duration: 5 years

Career Options: Dentist, Dental Consultant, and Dental Educator

Dental surgery is one of the top medical courses for Filipino as people are more aware and serious about dental care, which creates a huge demand for dental surgeons in this field. As a Dentist, you will deal with a wide range of dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, sensitive teeth, oral cancer and broken teeth.

Over thousands of Filipino students graduate annually in dental courses. In order to become skilled in this profession, students should try to gain more practical clinical experience in the dental hospital along with other dental professionals. 

6. Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy and Hygiene)

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Dental Therapist and Dental Hygienist

As an Oral Health student, you will develop immense scientific, clinical and theoretical skills in oral health therapy and hygiene. There is a shortage of dental professionals in this area of specialisation and stepping into this field is a valuable contribution to dental healthcare.

Oral health professionals are skilled clinicians who deal with periodontal tissues and teeth diseases. These professionals primarily focus on early diagnosis and treatment and offer routine restorative and periodontal care for dental patients. Therefore, Oral Health is one of the best Medical Courses for Filipino students.

7. Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours)

Course Duration: 4 years

Career Options: Orthotist and Orthotist Educator

Orthoptics is one of the in-demand Medical Courses for Filipino students. People around the globe are prone to vision damage due to exposure to increased screen time on television and mobiles. Being an Orthoptics student, you learn to detect, diagnose and manage vision and eye issues in adults and children.

The curriculum focuses on misalignments, eye diseases, and disorders and will help you understand and perform Orthoptics in patients. You will develop excellent knowledge of the human visual system and eye disorders and learn to investigate decreased visual function.

Read More: Best Medical Courses in USA

8. BSc Optometry (Honours)

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Optometrist, Optometry Researcher, Optometry Educator and Vision Consultant.

Optometry is one of the best courses in the medical field as it is a very unique specialisation with scope for more job opportunities after graduation. An optometrist is a highly skilled healthcare professional who is well trained to offer eye care services in addition to eye tests.

There is a rising demand for eye care professionals as people are prone to eye defects due to high screen time on television and phones. With the right mix of theoretical and practical experience, Optometry students can gain immense knowledge in this field.

9. Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

Course Duration: 4 years

Career Options: Pharmacist, Drug Inspector, Analytical Chemist, and Health Inspector.

The primary goal of studying this course is to enhance positive healthcare results and improve the quality of life of patients with minimal risk. Pharmacy is one of the best Medical Courses for Filipino students as it is one of the emerging sectors globally, and the market size has reached a whopping $486 billion in 2021. 

As part of the course, you will learn subjects such as physiology, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutics. You need to apply your cognitive skills and knowledge to excel in the pharmacy practice.

10. Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology)

Course Duration: 3 years

Career Options: Psychologist, Counselor and Psychotherapist.

Psychology is one of the most sought-after Medical Courses for Filipino students. It is a study of mental health, which is very vital to stay active and do our day-to-day activities promptly. As a psychology student, you will be studying the functions of mental characteristics of a person to understand them better.

You need to develop a good understanding of personality, behaviour, consciousness and human brain development to excel in this program. There are abundant opportunities for you to work at hospitals and clinics or even work independently by setting up a clinic. 

Read More: Best Medical Courses in New Zealand

Best Medical Courses for Filipino students - Medicine

1. B.Sc Emergency Medical Services
2. Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours)
3. Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Honours)
4. Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours)
5. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Best Medical Courses for Filipino students - Dentistry

1. B.Sc Dental Hygiene
2. BDS (Honours) Dentistry
3. Bachelor of Dental Surgery
4. Bachelor of Oral Health Science
5. Bachelor of Dental Health Science

Best Medical Courses for Filipino students - Psychology

1. B.A. Clinical Psychology
2. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
3. Bachelor of Forensic Psychology
4. Bachelor of Psychological Science
5. B.Sc Applied Psychology (Honours)

Best Medical Courses for Filipino students - Nursing

1. B.Sc Adult Nursing
2. Bachelor of Nursing
3. Bachelor of Nursing Science
4. Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
5. Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing

Best Medical Courses for Filipino students - Health Studies

1. Bachelor of Health Studies
2. B.A. Health, Fitness and Wellness
3. B.A. Health and Social Care (Honours)
4. Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences
5. Bachelor of Health Services Management

Medical Diploma Courses for Filipino Students in Canada

Medical diploma courses have a shorter duration than degree courses. Most of these diploma courses have a 1–2-year course duration. These courses focus on particular fields of medical science and will make you employable. 

A few popular medical courses list - Diploma:

• Diploma in Health Information Management
• Diploma in Development Services Worker
• Diploma in Acupuncture
• Diploma in Practical Nursing
• Diploma in Dispensing Optician
• Diploma in Auxiliary Nursing Science
• Kinesiology Diploma
• Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Quality Control Diploma Program
• Clinical Research, Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Diploma Program
• Advanced Diploma in Medical Radiation Technology
• Diploma in Pharmacy Technician
• Diploma in Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant
• Advanced Diploma in Dental Hygiene
• Diploma in Paramedic
• Diploma in Biotechnology-Health (BIOT)
• Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care
• Cardiology Technologist
• Chemical Addictions Worker Diploma
• Medical Office Administrator Diploma Programme
• Diploma of Phytotherapy
• Diploma of Holistic Nutrition

Medical Courses for Filipino Students in Canada - Medical Without Maths

Though Maths is mandatory to secure admission in many courses that fall under the Medical Science faculty in Canada, there are many options for the students who didn't opt for Maths in school specialisation. A few medical courses that you can pursue in Canada without studying Maths but have subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Public Health
• Bachelor of Physical and Health Education
• Associate of Science in Biology
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
• Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Bachelor in Medical Lab Technology

Short Medical Courses in Canada

Short-term medical courses allow students to gain knowledge in related fields and pursue a career in the healthcare sector. Usually, the duration of these courses is a few months; however, a few of them take a year or a little bit more time to complete. 

A few short courses in Medicine & Health in Canada are:

• Medical Device Reprocessing Technician Program
• Hospital Unit Co-Ordinator Program
• Dental Assistant Program
• Animal Care Aid Certificate Program
• Massage Therapy Diploma Program
• Certificate in Gerontology
• Human Psychology Program

MBBS in Canada for Filipino Students

For those who finished school, Canada offers a medical program called the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). It holds the same value as Philippines's MBBS. More than 60 colleges and universities in Canada offer Doctor of Medicine courses. Pursuing MD in Canada has many advantages, such as high teaching quality, best infrastructure, experienced faculty, worldwide recognition, etc. The duration of M.D. ranges between 3-5 years and varies with students' backgrounds and the university. In most universities, the first year is called the preparatory year, and it's for those students who apply without a science degree. For these students, the course duration will be 5 years. If you already have a bachelor's degree in Science or Biology, you can enrol for the 4-year programme. After completing M.D. in Canada, students can apply for Medical Residency there. Or they can return to the Philippines and start their medical practice.

Top Medical Colleges in Canada

BSc Nursing in Canada

BSC Nursing has a course duration of 4 years in Canada. Those students who have completed at least two years at a university are eligible to apply for accelerated BSc Nursing Programmes. But during those two years, the students must have studied human anatomy and physiology. Though for regular BSc Nursing, school graduation is the basic eligibility, certain universities like the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia accept only transfer students in their BSc Nursing.

After BSc Nursing, students can become registered nurses in Canada. To become registered nurses, students should pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination conducted by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). It's the common examination to become a registered nurse in all provinces of Canada, except in Quebec.

Top universities for BSc Nursing in Canada

• University of Toronto
• McMaster University
• McGill University
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia

BDS in Canada for Filipino Students

Canada is home to several prestigious dental schools. Admission and application requirements for these dental schools differ from one institution to another. Hence, it's essential to contact the respective dental school admissions office to check their admission requirements. To get admission to most Canadian dental schools, the candidates should produce a valid Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) score, conducted by Canadian Dental Association (CDA).

Usually, the course duration of BDS is 4 years in Canada, and the popular BDS programmes are:

• Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry
• Doctor of Dental Surgery
• Doctor of Dental Hygiene
• Doctor of Dental Medicine

TOP Universities for BDS in Canada

• McGill University
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• Western University
• Dalhousie University

BHMS in Canada

Homeopathic treatment is in demand across Canada, and students who graduated from school can pursue homeopathic programmes in Canada. Different institutes offer different programmes, and their names vary from one college to another. 

However, major subjects included in the undergraduate level of homeopathic programmes are:

• Principle of homeopathic
• Human Anatomy
• Philosophy
• Immunology
• Pathology
• Organon of Medicine
• Embryology

TOP Universities for BHMS in Canada

• Ontario Colleges of Homeopathic Medicine
• The School of Homeopathy
• Montreal Institute of Classical Homeopathy
• Canadian College of Homeopathic Medicines
• The Canadian Academy of Homeopathy

Medical Courses for Filipino Students in Canada - Non-Medical

Canada is not just a favourite destination for medical science studies. There are many excellent universities in Canada that offer non-medical courses as well. That means the students who studied Commerce and Humanities can also pursue their higher studies in Canada.

A few best non-medical bachelor/diploma courses available in Canadian universities are:

• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Management
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Laws
• Diploma in Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate in Project Management
• Graduate Certificate in Organisation Management
• Professional Certificate in Management
• Bachelor of Applied Management in Hospitality Management
• Graduate Diploma in Disaster and Emergency Management
• Diploma in Asia Pacific Management
• Graduate Certificate in Business Intelligence Analytics
• BSc in Accounting & Finance
• BSc in Money, Banking, & Finance
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
• BSc Management
• BSc Building Surveying
• BSc International Business
• Bachelor of Interior Design
• Bachelor of Architectural Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Film