University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is a private Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded in 1611, it is widely known as the oldest existing university in Asia and one of the Philippines' most recognisable higher-education institutions.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, UST offers a large-city campus experience in Sampaloc, Manila, with more than a hundred undergraduate programmes and specialisations across health sciences, engineering, computing, architecture, business, education, humanities, law, sciences and the arts.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Institution type	Private Catholic research university
Location	España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Founded	1611
Campus size	About 21.5 hectares
Popular intake	September 2026
Student population signal	Around 42,000+ students in THE 2026 data
International student share	About 6% in THE 2026 data
Student-faculty ratio	About 15.1 students per staff in THE 2026 data
Known for	Medicine and health, education, architecture, engineering, business, law, sciences, humanities and Catholic formation

Why UST Can Be A Good Fit

UST suits students who want a large comprehensive university in the centre of Manila, with strong brand recognition across the Philippines and a long history in professional education.

The university's scale matters. Students can explore many fields, join active student organisations, access a lively campus culture and build networks in a capital-city environment. UST is especially attractive for students comparing Philippine options for health sciences, medicine-related pathways, architecture, engineering, computing, business, education and communication.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

UST tuition varies by college, programme, year level, laboratory load and miscellaneous fees. The university directs applicants to check the official tuition-fee pages by faculty or college, so students should not rely on a single generic amount.

Cost area	What to check for 2026 planning
Tuition	Faculty or college fee table for the exact programme
Laboratory and clinical fees	Important for medicine, pharmacy, nursing, science, engineering and computing-related courses
Application fee	2026 USTET fees vary by applicant category; international credentials and international testing centres have separate fee categories
Out-of-state fee	Graduate foreign students may have a separate out-of-state fee depending on degree level
Living costs	Manila housing, food, transport, visa/immigration costs, health insurance and personal expenses

Before budgeting for the September 2026 intake, students should confirm the live tuition table for their faculty, because professional and laboratory-heavy programmes can cost more than classroom-based courses.

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Main route	UST Entrance Test (USTET) or applicable international-credentials route
College application cycle	The 2026 cycle listed college processing from August 2025 to January 2026, with results expected in the second quarter of 2026
Programme choices	College applicants can normally select a priority programme and an alternative programme
International applicants	Non-Filipino applicants from schools abroad submit passport, grades/records and required clearance documents
Additional screening	Some programmes may require interviews, talent tests, drawing tests or other assessments
English requirement	Some international/graduate routes may require proof such as TOEFL, IELTS or similar certification
Visa planning	Foreign students should prepare financial proof, authenticated academic records and student-visa documents early

Campus And Student Life

UST's Manila campus is active, dense and urban. Students are surrounded by student housing, food options, transport links, hospitals, review centres and professional networks across Metro Manila.

Campus life includes student councils, recognised organisations, community-development activities, faith formation, cultural activities, athletics and academic societies. For international students, the main value is the combination of a recognised Philippine university name with day-to-day exposure to a major Asian city.

Who Should Consider UST?

UST can be a strong option for students who want:

• A September 2026 start at a major Manila university
• A large Catholic university with deep history and national recognition
• Professional pathways in health, science, engineering, computing, business, education, architecture, law or humanities
• A campus where student organisations, faith life and community work are visible
• A Philippines-based degree with urban internship and networking access

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising UST, students should confirm:

• Exact programme availability for 2026 entry
• Whether the programme requires USTET only or extra screening
• Faculty-level tuition, laboratory and miscellaneous fees
• International credential requirements and Registrar clearance steps
• Student visa timeline and financial-document requirements
• Housing options around Sampaloc, España, Lacson and nearby Manila districts

The University of Santo Tomas is popular with students who want a historic Manila university, strong professional programmes, a large campus community and recognised rankings visibility in the Philippines and Asia.

Key Highlights

Popular for	Why students choose it
Historic reputation	Founded in 1611 and widely known as Asia's oldest existing university
Manila location	Urban access to hospitals, firms, schools, media organisations and professional networks
Health and medical fields	Long-standing strength in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, rehabilitation sciences and health-related disciplines
Broad programme range	More than a hundred undergraduate programmes and specialisations across major academic clusters
Rankings visibility	QS 2026 listed UST as the fourth highest-ranked university in the Philippines
International outlook	THE Asia University Rankings 2026 highlighted UST as No. 2 in the Philippines and strong in International Outlook
Student life	Large organisation culture, councils, campus events, faith formation and community-development activities
Catholic identity	Strong fit for students who value faith-informed education and service orientation

Why Students Choose UST

Students choose UST because it combines scale, history and professional recognition. A student can study in a large university environment while still joining programme-specific societies, councils, research groups and service initiatives.

For international students, UST also gives a clear city advantage. Manila offers hospitals, schools, corporate offices, creative agencies, hospitality businesses and public-sector institutions that can support internships, volunteering and future career exploration.

Best Fit For September 2026

UST is a good match for September 2026 applicants who want:

• A comprehensive university in the Philippines rather than a small specialist college
• Strong options in health sciences, medicine-related pathways, architecture, engineering, computing, business, education or communication
• A campus culture with visible clubs, student leadership and community-service activity
• A recognised university name for Philippine professional networks
• An urban student life close to transport, food, housing and employer districts

Useful To Know

UST is competitive for many programmes, and some courses require additional screening beyond the standard admission route. Students should shortlist their priority and alternative programmes carefully, then check faculty-specific requirements before applying.