Overview
Established in 1611, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is one of Asia’s oldest universities and the Philippines’ largest Catholic university. Founded by Spanish Dominican friars, UST is well known for combining long-standing academic traditions with strong programs in health sciences, engineering, and the humanities. It also holds a unique historic distinction as the only university visited by two popes—Paul VI and Francis.
2. General Information
| Name | University of Santo Tomas |
| Motto | “Veritas in Caritate” (Truth in Charity) |
| Established | April 28, 1611 |
| Type | Private Pontifical University |
| Location | España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila |
| Website | UST official website |
3. Fee Structure (2024-2025)
Note: Fees can vary by program, college, and year level. Always confirm the latest tuition and payment details directly with UST’s official announcements.
| Program Level | Tuition (PHP/semester) | Estimated Annual Fees (PHP) |
| Undergraduate | 50,000-100,000 | 120,000-220,000 |
| Graduate | 30,000-70,000 | 80,000-160,000 |
| Professional (Med/Dentistry) | 120,000-180,000 | 280,000-400,000 |
4. Academic Faculties
UST offers a wide range of degree programs across multiple colleges and faculties, making it a common option for students comparing Catholic university offerings in the Metro Manila area, alongside Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (Est. 1871)
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Arts and Letters
- Faculty of Civil Law
- College of Science
- College of Education
- Conservatory of Music
- College of Architecture
- Graduate School
5. Historic Campus Features
- Main Building (National Cultural Treasure)
- Archives of the 17th-19th centuries
- UST Museum (Oldest in the Philippines)
- Santísimo Rosario Parish Church
- Central Library (1.8 million volumes)
- Quadricentennial Pavilion
- España Botanical Garden
For students who prefer campuses with distinctive history and museum-style academic spaces, UST’s heritage facilities are often highlighted in campus tours—especially for those interested in research-heavy programs and long-established student traditions.
6. Student Life
- On-campus dormitories (PHP 10,000-18,000/month)
- Over 200 student organizations
- Annual “Thomasian Welcome Walk”
- Varsity teams (UST Growling Tigers)
- The Varsitarian (Oldest student paper)
- UST Symphony Orchestra
Beyond academics, UST student life is supported by student-led organizations and long-running performing and media groups. If you’re building a comparison list of universities in Manila—especially for students who value student organizations and campus culture—you may also want to check Adamson University and Far Eastern University.
7. Contact Information
- Phone: +63 2 8786 1611
- Email: info@ust.edu.ph
- Address: España Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila 1015
Before submitting requirements or scheduling visits, confirm the latest contact details on the UST official website, since offices and public-facing channels may change by academic year.
More Universities in Philippines
- University of the Philippines
- Ateneo de Manila University
- De La Salle University
- Mapúa University
- Far Eastern University
- University of San Carlos
- Silliman University
- Adamson University
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