
The University of Santo Tomas improved in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject but still failed to secure a rank in the majority of the disciplines covered by the assessment.
The University ranked in two out of 11 fields, better than the single discipline ranking it obtained previously.
It ranked anew in the medical and health subject (formerly clinical and health) after placing within the 601-800 bracket, higher than last year’s 800-1000. For the first time, the University also earned a spot in the education studies (formerly education) within the 501-600 band.
“These results reflect our commitment to enhancing research output and educational quality, despite the challenges posed by a competitive global landscape,” UST Office of QS/THE Deputy Director Asst. Prof. Nestor Ong told The Flame.
However, the España campus failed to meet THE’s criteria in the other disciplines: business and economics, computer science, engineering, law, life sciences, physical sciences and psychology.
The arts and humanities and social sciences, areas that the Faculty of Arts and Letters specialize in, also failed to satisfy the ranking system’s eligibility requirements.
At least 250 publications from 2019 to 2023 with at least a 5% proportion of academic staff or 50 faculty members must be achieved to meet the arts and humanities criteria.
In the medical and health discipline, universities must publish at least 500 works over the same period and academic staff must have at least a proportion of 5%. At least 100 publications and a 1% minimum proportion of academic staff (20 faculty members) must be fulfilled by the education studies category.
Institutions must publish over the past five years at least 500 papers to qualify for the subject rankings in the computer science, engineering, life sciences and physical sciences; 200 papers in business and economics and social sciences; 150 papers in psychology; and 100 papers in law.
Meanwhile, academic staff must have at least a proportion of 5% in business and economics, life sciences and physical sciences; 4% (40 faculty members) in engineering and social sciences; and 1% in computer science, law and psychology.
THE’s individual subject rankings are based on 18 performance indicators divided into five core pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry and international outlook.
Ong said the University aims to advance its research quality and expand its international collaborations to continue making strides in the fields of medical and health and education studies while also exploring opportunities in other disciplines.
“To meet these objectives, UST plans to invest in faculty development programs, promote interdisciplinary research initiatives, and strengthen partnerships with industry and other academic institutions. Additionally, we will encourage faculty and students to publish in high-impact journals, thereby enhancing our global academic reputation,” he added.
The España-based campus placed within the 1501+ band globally in the 2025 THE World University Rankings, maintaining its spot as the third-best academic institution in the country. It was bested by Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines and was tied with De La Salle University. F — with reports from Ma. Alyanna Selda