University of Santo Tomas is a private Catholic research university in Sampaloc, Manila, founded by the Dominican Order in 1611 as the oldest continuously operating university in Asia. It holds the #4 spot among Philippine universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, placed in the #951-1000 bracket.
UST teaches over 50 undergraduate and 40 graduate programmes fully in English, spanning medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, engineering, law and the fine arts. Indian applicants concentrate in the Doctor of Medicine, BS Nursing and allied health streams, drawn by low tuition and a licensure record where UST alumni routinely place in the national board exam top ten. The primary intake begins in August each academic year, with select graduate programmes admitting to a smaller January cycle.
- QS World Ranking 2027: #951-1000 (Philippines #4)
- Acceptance Rate: 80% to 90% (estimated)
- Intakes: August (primary), January (select graduate programmes)
- Doctor of Medicine Tuition: ₱331,003/year (₹5.16 lakh)
- Undergraduate Tuition (non-clinical): ₱45,000 to 50,000/year (₹0.70 to 0.78 lakh)
- Enrolment: 35,685 students
Foreign nationals pay the same tuition as Filipino students under the University of Santo Tomas uniform fee policy, and Indian applicants enter on the Philippines 9(f) student visa valid for the full course duration. Monthly living costs in Manila stay under ₹35,000 for most students, and merit awards run through the Office for Student Affairs at up to 100% of tuition for enrolled international students.
Exchange rate used: 1 ₱ = ₹1.56 as of July 2026
Admission Status: Opens August 2026 (est.) for AY 2027-28 intake. The USTET (UST Entrance Test) window is expected to open August 2026 based on the 2026-27 cycle, running on a rolling basis with a January 2027 close pattern. The 2026-27 Doctor of Medicine cycle closed on 31 March 2026; the 2027-28 Faculty of Medicine cycle is expected to open March 2027 with NMAT results from January or February 2027 required.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at University of Santo Tomas 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Admission 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Acceptance Rate 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- University of Santo Tomas Scholarships 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Rankings 2027
- University of Santo Tomas Placements and Career Outcomes
- University of Santo Tomas vs Peer Universities
- University of Santo Tomas FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at University of Santo Tomas 2027
The University of Santo Tomas fees for Indian students vary sharply by faculty, with the Doctor of Medicine costing roughly seven times a general undergraduate degree. Tuition covers two semesters (August-December and January-May), international applicants pay the same rate as Filipino nationals, and most undergraduate degrees run four years while the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine runs four years after a bachelor’s.
Top Postgraduate Programmes at University of Santo Tomas
The Doctor of Medicine leads Indian postgraduate enrolment. Non-clinical master’s programmes charge ₱30,000 to 35,000 per year, keeping full postgraduate degrees under ₹1.1 lakh in tuition.
| Programme | Total Fee (₱) | Total Fee (₹ lakh) | Entry Requirement (India scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Medicine (M.D) | ₱1,324,012 (4-year total) | 20.65 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) plus NMAT |
| Master of Science in Nursing | Confirm on official fee schedule | Confirm on official fee schedule | Bachelor of Nursing with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) plus RN licence |
| Master of Business Administration | ₱60,000 to 70,000 (2-year, estimated) | 0.94 to 1.09 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| Master of Public Health | ₱60,000 to 70,000 (2-year, estimated) | 0.94 to 1.09 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
| Master of Arts in Educational Management | ₱60,000 to 70,000 (2-year, estimated) | 0.94 to 1.09 lakh (estimated) | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) |
Top Undergraduate Programmes at University of Santo Tomas
UST’s undergraduate catalogue centres on the health sciences for Indian applicants. Four-year clinical bachelor’s degrees stay under ₹4.5 lakh in tuition and lead directly to the Philippine board licensure exams.
| Programme | Total Fee (₱) | Total Fee (₹ lakh) | Entry Requirement (India scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Nursing | ₱200,000 to 280,000 (4-year, estimated) | 3.12 to 4.37 lakh (estimated) | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) plus USTET |
| BS Pharmacy | ₱216,888 (4-year, ₱27,111/semester) | 3.38 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) plus USTET |
| BS Physical Therapy | ₱200,000 to 280,000 (4-year, estimated) | 3.12 to 4.37 lakh (estimated) | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) plus USTET |
| BS Occupational Therapy | ₱200,000 to 280,000 (4-year, estimated) | 3.12 to 4.37 lakh (estimated) | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) plus USTET |
| BS Medical Technology | ₱200,000 to 280,000 (4-year, estimated) | 3.12 to 4.37 lakh (estimated) | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) plus USTET |
Insider note: Indian intake at UST is dominated by the Doctor of Medicine and the BS Nursing programme. UST alumni routinely place in the top ten of the Philippine Physician Licensure and Nursing Licensure Exams, and that board record drives Indian family interest despite the additional pre-medicine bachelor’s requirement for MD.
Read More: University of Santo Tomas Programs and Fees Guide
University of Santo Tomas Admission 2027
University of Santo Tomas admission for Indian applicants runs through one primary cycle each academic year, opening August for the following August intake. Undergraduate applicants sit the USTET (UST Entrance Test), while Doctor of Medicine applicants follow a separate Faculty of Medicine and Surgery process requiring NMAT.
University of Santo Tomas UG and PG Admission Dates 2027
The 2026-27 cycle has closed. Deadlines below apply to the 2027-28 intake and are dated from the prior published cycle; UST has not yet published the 2027-28 calendar as of July 2026.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| USTET application opens (undergraduate) | Expected August 2026 (based on 2026-27 cycle) | For August 2027 intake |
| USTET application deadline | Expected January 2027 (based on 2026-27 cycle) | Rolling admissions with fixed close date |
| Faculty of Medicine (M.D) application deadline | Expected 31 March 2027 (based on 2026-27 cycle) | Requires NMAT January or February 2027 result |
| Credential authentication (Philippine Embassy or WES) | Start 6 to 8 weeks before deadline | Class 12 or degree transcripts apostilled first |
| Programme start | August 2027 | AY 2027-28 first semester |
Planning note: The Faculty of Medicine cycle closes almost two months before the general USTET cycle. Indian MD applicants should complete NMAT registration by December 2026 to receive the January or February 2027 score, then upload it to the Faculty of Medicine portal ahead of the March 2027 close.
Read More: University of Santo Tomas Admissions Guide for Indian Students
University of Santo Tomas Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
University of Santo Tomas admission requirements centre on academic transcripts on the Indian scale, an English proficiency test, credential authentication and programme-specific tests such as USTET or NMAT.
Postgraduate Requirements at University of Santo Tomas
- Academic eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended) in a related field, transcripts authenticated by the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi
- English proficiency: IELTS 6.0 (Academic module) for postgraduate programmes per British Council listings; TOEFL accepted for non-English speakers, minimum score to be confirmed at the official international admissions page
- Credential authentication: WES verification of Indian degrees or MEA-apostilled transcripts submitted through the Philippine Embassy
- Programme-specific: NMAT for Doctor of Medicine, work experience for MBA where applicable
Undergraduate Requirements at University of Santo Tomas
- Academic eligibility: Class 12 with 70% or above (recommended) in the science stream for health-science degrees, apostilled transcripts submitted with the application
- USTET score: UST Entrance Test taken at Manila, an international testing centre, or the online portal
- English proficiency: IELTS 5.5 (Academic module) per British Council listings; TOEFL and an English-medium instruction certificate accepted where applicable
Note: UST accepts an English-medium instruction certification in place of IELTS for Indian applicants whose Class 12 was fully English-medium. Request the letter from your school principal on official letterhead before booking IELTS to avoid unnecessary test costs, and confirm eligibility for the target programme first.
University of Santo Tomas Acceptance Rate 2027
The University of Santo Tomas acceptance rate sits between 80% to 90% (estimated) across all faculties, based on third-party admission data. UST does not publish official acceptance-rate figures for international applicants, and selectivity varies sharply by programme: Doctor of Medicine, BS Nursing and BS Physical Therapy admit far fewer applicants than general undergraduate streams.
Indian applicants with Class 12 above 70% and a passing USTET score clear most undergraduate admission decisions. The Faculty of Medicine adds NMAT cutoffs and an interview stage, tightening effective admission chances well below the school-wide rate.
Reality check: The 80% to 90% figure masks the Faculty of Medicine’s tougher gate for Indian applicants. Treat MD entry as competitive despite the school-wide rate. An NMAT percentile above 90 plus a first-class bachelor’s degree in a science stream is the safer benchmark for admission.
Read More: University of Santo Tomas Acceptance Rate
University of Santo Tomas Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual cost at the University of Santo Tomas for Indian students ranges from ₱250,000 to ₱480,000 (₹3.9 to 7.5 lakh) covering tuition, dorm accommodation and daily living. The Doctor of Medicine sits at the upper end; general undergraduate degrees near the lower end. Manila’s low rental and food costs keep UST among the most budget-friendly quality options in Asia.
University of Santo Tomas Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027
Tuition is uniform across nationalities at UST, so Indian applicants pay the same posted rate as Filipino students. The official fee schedule publishes term-wise breakdowns each August.
| Level | Annual Fee (₱) | Annual Fee (₹ lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| UG (non-clinical) | ₱45,000 to 50,000 | 0.70 to 0.78 lakh |
| UG (health sciences) | ₱50,000 to 70,000 (estimated) | 0.78 to 1.09 lakh (estimated) |
| Postgraduate (non-clinical) | ₱30,000 to 35,000 | 0.47 to 0.55 lakh |
| Doctor of Medicine | ₱331,003 | 5.16 lakh |
Monthly Cost of Living in Manila for Indian Students
As per Manila 2026 market data, monthly student expenses stay well below Delhi or Bengaluru levels for equivalent accommodation. On-campus dorms are the cheapest option; shared apartments in Espana or Dapitan cost 40% to 60% more but suit longer stays.
| Category | Monthly Cost (₱) | Monthly Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (on-campus dorm) | ₱3,000 to 7,000 | ₹4,680 to 10,920 |
| Food and groceries | ₱6,000 to 10,000 (estimated) | ₹9,360 to 15,600 (estimated) |
| Transportation (LRT and jeepney) | ₱1,500 to 3,000 (estimated) | ₹2,340 to 4,680 (estimated) |
| Books and supplies | ₱1,000 to 2,000 (estimated) | ₹1,560 to 3,120 (estimated) |
| Personal and health | ₱2,000 to 4,000 (estimated) | ₹3,120 to 6,240 (estimated) |
| Total monthly | ₱13,500 to 26,000 (estimated) | ₹21,060 to 40,560 (estimated) |
| Total annual (12 months) | ₱162,000 to 312,000 (estimated) | ₹2.53 to 4.87 lakh (estimated) |
[Source: UST Accommodations page and Manila market estimates 2026]
Insider note: On-campus dorm rooms inside the 21.5-hectare Sampaloc campus fill by June each year. Off-campus dorms and shared apartments in the Espana and Dapitan areas remain the primary fallback for Indian students, ranging from ₱6,000 to 15,000 per person per month depending on room type.
University of Santo Tomas Campus, Facilities and Student Life
The University of Santo Tomas main campus spans 21.5 hectares in Sampaloc, Manila, one of the largest urban university campuses in the Philippines. The setting is dense city with Spanish colonial heritage buildings, working laboratories and a full teaching hospital on site.
- Location and transport: Sampaloc district, five minutes on foot from LRT-2 Legarda station and served by jeepneys to Quiapo, Cubao and Makati
- Housing: On-campus dorms at ₱3,000 to 7,000 per month, first-come basis; Central Seminary, San Martin de Porres and Cardinal Cushing halls are the main student residences
- Academic facilities: Miguel de Benavides Library, UST Hospital, 21 colleges and faculties, and the 21,000-seat Quadricentennial Pavilion arena
- Indian student community: Over 1,800 international students enrolled at UST, with a growing Indian cohort concentrated in Medicine and Nursing
What Indian students say: Feedback from Indian MD and BSN batches highlights the on-campus hospital as the biggest daily advantage for clinical rotations, Sampaloc traffic as the biggest daily annoyance, and Filipino faculty accessibility outside class hours as a positive surprise compared to Indian medical colleges.
University of Santo Tomas Scholarships 2027
The University of Santo Tomas scholarships programme is managed through the Office for Student Affairs, with over 100 awards on the roster and three merit-based awards open to enrolled international students including Indians. Application windows follow the August intake, and most awards are decided on first-year UST GPA rather than entry credentials.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santo Tomas Academic Scholarship | Merit | 50% to 100% tuition waiver | Top academic performers by GPA | Verify at the OSA portal |
| San Lorenzo Ruiz Scholarship | Merit plus Allowance | 100% tuition plus stipend | Top-tier academic candidates | Verify at OSA portal |
| San Martin de Porres Scholarship | Merit-cum-Need | 50% tuition discount | Academic merit with financial need | Verify at OSA portal |
Planning note: Merit scholarships at UST apply after first-year enrolment based on cumulative UST GPA, not on entry credentials. Indian applicants should budget for self-funding the first semester in full, then apply for the Santo Tomas Academic Scholarship in the second semester once a first-term GPA is on record.
Read More: University of Santo Tomas Scholarships Guide
University of Santo Tomas Rankings 2027
University of Santo Tomas ranks #951-1000 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and holds the #4 position among Philippine universities. As per QS 2027 data, the last three QS editions show a downward drift from #801-850 in 2024 to #951-1000 in 2027, tracking the broader slide across all five ranked Philippine universities this cycle.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World | 2027: #951-1000 | 2026: #851-900 | 2025: #851-900 |
| QS Asia | 2026: #184 | 2025: #181 | 2024: #179 |
| THE World | 2026: #1501+ | Not published in earlier UST releases | NA |
| QS Sustainability | 2026: #834 | NA | NA |
[Source: QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education]
THE 2026 subject rankings place UST in Education Studies at #501-600, Medical and Health at #601-800, Life Sciences at #801-1000 and Social Sciences at #1001+. THE Impact Rankings 2025 place UST at #101-200 for SDG 5 Gender Equality.
Key insight: For Indian medicine applicants, THE’s Medical and Health rank of #601-800 matters more than the overall QS world rank. UST’s Faculty of Medicine sits inside the global recognition band accepted by the National Medical Commission of India for FMGE and NExT registration, subject to the standard internship-year conditions.
Read More: Top Universities in Philippines
University of Santo Tomas Placements and Career Outcomes
University of Santo Tomas graduates in Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy consistently rank among the top Filipino board exam passers, opening career paths across the Philippines, the Middle East, the UK and North America.
- Placement rate: Over 90% for board-exam-linked programmes (nursing, medicine, pharmacy), based on Faculty of Medicine and College of Nursing disclosures
- Median starting salary (Nursing, Philippines): ₱25,000 to 45,000 per month (₹0.39 to 0.70 lakh), with overseas roles paying two to four times more
- Top employer sectors: Metro Manila hospital groups, US and UK healthcare systems for nursing, ASEAN pharmaceutical firms, and Big 4 audit networks for accountancy graduates
- Career support: UST Career Development Office runs on-campus recruitment; UST Hospital absorbs many medicine and nursing graduates into residency and internship posts
- Post-study visa: Philippines 9(f) student visa allows in-programme extensions; graduates targeting Philippine work require a separate 9(g) pre-arranged employment visa sponsored by the employer
Insider note: As per NMC guidelines, UST’s Doctor of Medicine is recognised for FMGE and NExT registration in India, provided the applicant completes the full four-year MD without transfers and the internship year is served at a WHO-listed hospital. UST Hospital and its affiliated centres meet this WHO listing requirement.
University of Santo Tomas vs Peer Universities
UST sits fourth among Philippine universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, behind three domestic peers with different strengths and cost profiles. The comparison below focuses on Philippine institutions Indian applicants shortlist alongside UST.
| University | QS Rank 2027 | Avg Annual PG Fee (₱ / ₹ lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Philippines Diliman | #402 | ₱25,000 to 50,000 (₹0.39 to 0.78 lakh) (estimated) | Top state university, most selective admission |
| Ateneo de Manila University | #581 | ₱150,000 to 220,000 (₹2.34 to 3.43 lakh) (estimated) | Jesuit private, business and law strength |
| De La Salle University | #751-760 | ₱120,000 to 180,000 (₹1.87 to 2.81 lakh) (estimated) | Engineering and business focus |
| University of Santo Tomas | #951-1000 | ₱30,000 to 70,000 (₹0.47 to 1.09 lakh) | Medicine, nursing and allied health leader |
| Adamson University | #1201-1400 | ₱40,000 to 80,000 (₹0.62 to 1.25 lakh) (estimated) | Vincentian, engineering focus |
[Source: QS World University Rankings 2027]
UST’s twin advantages against Ateneo and De La Salle are the widest catalogue of clinical programmes among Philippine private universities and postgraduate tuition 50% to 70% lower. Applicants targeting the Doctor of Medicine or health sciences typically choose UST over Ateneo on cost and clinical rotation strength.
Key insight: UST is the only Philippine peer with a fully integrated 21.5-hectare campus paired with an on-site teaching hospital. For Indian medicine and nursing applicants, that clinical integration is the practical differentiator, not the QS ranking gap of 300 to 500 places against UP or Ateneo.
University of Santo Tomas fits Indian applicants targeting the Doctor of Medicine, BS Nursing or allied health streams at a total tuition investment under ₹20.65 lakh across four years. The Filipino board exam pedigree, English-medium delivery and Philippines 9(f) student visa route make UST the strongest budget-friendly clinical pathway in Asia for a median MD graduate starting salary above ₹40,000 per month.
UST is not the best fit for applicants targeting global-brand MBA or engineering programmes; Ateneo de Manila or National University of Singapore serve those goals better. For research-heavy PhD tracks, University of the Philippines Diliman delivers a stronger ranking signal at lower state tuition.
University of Santo Tomas FAQs
Ques. What is the total cost of the Doctor of Medicine at University of Santo Tomas?
Ans. The Doctor of Medicine at University of Santo Tomas costs approximately ₱331,003 per year, or ₱1,324,012 (₹20.65 lakh) across the four-year programme. Additional costs include NMAT registration, laboratory and clinical rotation fees, and living costs in Manila of ₹2.5 to 5 lakh per year. Total investment for an Indian student sits between ₹30 to 40 lakh across the four years including accommodation and daily expenses.
Ques. How does UST compare with Manipal for MBBS-equivalent programmes?
Ans. UST’s Doctor of Medicine is a four-year postgraduate degree requiring a prior bachelor’s, giving a total eight-year track versus Manipal’s five-and-a-half-year MBBS. Total UST tuition sits at ₹20.65 lakh for the MD alone, well below Manipal’s ₹28 to 60 lakh. Both hold NMC recognition for FMGE registration in India, but Manipal delivers licensure faster while UST costs less per year.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at UST?
Ans. The Philippines 9(f) student visa does not permit off-campus employment. Indian students at UST can accept on-campus research assistantships and paid internships tied to their course, subject to Bureau of Immigration approval. Working outside these categories risks visa cancellation and deportation. Most Indian students at UST focus on academics and clinical rotations rather than seeking part-time paid work during term.
Ques. Does UST accept the Class 12 English medium waiver for IELTS?
Ans. UST accepts an English-medium instruction certificate as a substitute for IELTS or TOEFL in select undergraduate cases. Indian Class 12 students from CBSE, ICSE or State Board English-medium schools can request a certification from the school principal confirming English-medium delivery. Postgraduate programmes including the Faculty of Medicine still require IELTS 6.0 or higher. Verify the current policy at ust.edu.ph before applying.
Ques. Is the UST Doctor of Medicine recognized by the National Medical Commission of India?
Ans. UST’s Doctor of Medicine is recognised by the National Medical Commission of India for FMGE and NExT registration subject to two conditions. Applicants must complete the full four-year MD without cross-university transfers, and the internship year must be at a WHO-listed hospital in the Philippines. UST Hospital and its affiliated clinical centres meet this WHO listing requirement, allowing direct FMGE eligibility on return to India.
Ques. What is the application fee for international students at University of Santo Tomas?
Ans. The application fee for international undergraduate applicants at University of Santo Tomas is approximately ₱1,500 to ₱2,500 (₹2,340 to ₹3,900) depending on the programme. Faculty of Medicine applications require a separate ₱2,000 (₹3,120) processing fee plus the NMAT registration cost. Payment goes through the official UST online portal and is non-refundable regardless of the admission outcome.
Ques. How do I authenticate my Indian transcripts for University of Santo Tomas admission?
Ans. Indian applicants must authenticate transcripts in two steps for University of Santo Tomas admission. First, apostille Class 12 or degree transcripts through the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. Second, submit the apostilled documents to the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi for red-ribbon authentication. Total processing takes six to eight weeks, and most applicants use accredited education agents to compress the timeline.
Ques. Does University of Santo Tomas offer January intake for international undergraduate applicants?
Ans. University of Santo Tomas offers a January intake for select graduate programmes only, primarily in the Faculty of Education, Business and Arts. Undergraduate programmes including BS Nursing, BS Pharmacy and the Doctor of Medicine follow only the August intake. Indian applicants targeting January entry should confirm programme availability with the Office for International Relations before starting the visa application, and plan visa timelines four months in advance.
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