The college with more than 100 years of running, got its university accreditation in 1965. Operating over 50 years, the university offers courses in all major education sectors including medicine.
The University of Northern Philippines was started as Ilocos Sur School of Arts and Trades by the late Congressman FLORO S. CRISOLOGO in 1906. It is even older than the University of Philippines in this regard.The university status was established in 1965, making it the first government university in the northern Luzon. Since then the university has actively expanded the list of courses. The medical department under the University of Northern Philippines was founded in 1996.The golden jubilee university with all its glory continues to expand and improvise existing features to enhance the education quality through improved skill and advanced equipment.
In 2013 & 2017, UNP College of Medicine graduates ranked No. 1 in the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE/ MCI Screening Test) conducted by the Medical Council of India.In the recent FMGE conducted in December 2019, UNP graduates had a passing rate of 85% at the first attempt.
The public University of Northern Philippines is located in Barangay Tamag in the City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur Province. Vigan is a well-established city in the western coast of Luzon, which is the largest island of the Philippines.
Vigan, the capital of Ilocos Sur Province is well connected for transport. Laoag, 87 km from the city is the closest international Airport to Vigan. The City of Vigan is designated as one of the Heritage Sites of the World by UNESCO.