UST, Ateneo and De La Salle Admission Guide (Leading Private Universities in the Philippines)

Three long-established private universities in Metro Manila

The University of Santo Tomas (UST), Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University (DLSU) are three well-known, long-established private universities in Metro Manila. Each has its own campuses, entrance process and program strengths.

Rather than three near-identical pages, this guide covers all three together and points you to each official admissions site for the specifics. They are described here, not ranked — the right choice depends on your program, campus and preferences.

As a plain administrative fact, all three are Catholic-affiliated institutions: UST is administered by the Dominican Order, Ateneo de Manila is in the Jesuit tradition, and De La Salle is a Lasallian university. This is stated only as official background; admission is based on each university's published academic requirements.

How each one admits undergraduates

Each university runs its own admission process, historically anchored by an entrance test: the USTET at UST, the ACET (Ateneo College Entrance Test) at Ateneo de Manila, and the DLSU College Admission Test (DCAT) at De La Salle.

Some processes also weigh senior-high-school academic records, and admission details have changed in recent years.

Because each university updates its process and calendar, treat the entrance-test and requirements information on each official admissions site as the authority, and verify before you apply.

Applying as a foreign or international student

All three admit international and foreign applicants, usually through a dedicated international-admissions route with additional documents.

That typically means proof of prior schooling, English-proficiency evidence for applicants whose instruction was not in English, and passport/visa paperwork — and sometimes the same or a modified entrance assessment.

Each university's international-admissions office defines the exact steps, so confirm which entrance test (if any) applies to you and what English evidence is required.

Documents you'll usually prepare

The specifics differ by university and program; use each official checklist rather than assuming.

• Senior high school records/transcripts (completed or in progress)
• Entrance-test registration — USTET / ACET / DCAT — where required
• English-proficiency test if your instruction was not in English
• Passport and civil documents (for international applicants)
• Application form and application fee, plus photos

How the three differ — and how to choose

The three differ by campus location and setting, program mix and specialisations, class culture, and their calendars and entrance processes — not by any ranking this guide endorses.

Choose based on your intended program, campus, cost (verify official fees) and overall fit, and then follow the official requirements for that specific program.

Comparing official program pages side by side is the most reliable way to decide, because details vary by course.

Deadlines, fees and avoiding scams

Entrance-test dates, application windows and fees change every year and differ by university and program.

Only each university's official admissions site is authoritative — verify on the official website before acting on any figure.

Ignore any agent or review centre promising "guaranteed admission" to UST, Ateneo or De La Salle — that cannot be guaranteed and is a warning sign of a scam.