The Ateneo de Manila University, through its Department of Theology and Loyola School of Theology (Theology and Ministry Program) of the School of Humanities, was again named as one of the world’s top universities for the study of Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies, where it ranked 101 to 150 among over a total of 1,747 schools around the world. This is the second year that Ateneo de Manila is ranked in this field, and it is the only university in the Philippines that made it to the list. Last year 2024, ADMU ranked 101-140.
The latest QS World University Rankings by Subject were released Wednesday, 12 March 2025. The following Ateneo subject areas were ranked by QS:
- Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies (101-150)
- English Language & Literature (201-250)
- Modern Languages (201-250)
- Philosophy (201-225)
- Politics & International Studies (251-300)
- Education (401-450)
- Business & Management Studies (451-500)
- Economics & Econometrics (501-550)
- Computer Science & Information Systems (751-850)
QS uses the following criteria: academic reputation, employer reputation, and research.
The top 10 Universities in the field of Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies are the following:
Rank 1 University of Notre Dame, USA
Rank 2 Harvard University, USA
Rank 3 University of Oxford, UK
Rank 4 University of Cambridge, UK
Rank 5 Duke University, USA
Rank 6 Durham University, UK
Rank 7 Yale University, USA
Rank 8 The University of Edinburgh, UK
Rank 9 University of Chicago, USA
Rank 10 University of Toronto, Canada
In order to provide some context, listed below are the rankings of other universities especially those that offer Catholic theology and ministry programs:
Rank 13 Boston College, USA
Rank 15 KU Leuven, Belgium
Rank 22 Australian Catholic University
Rank 28 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
Rank 34 Comillas Pontifical University, Spain
Rank 43 University of Navarra, Spain
Rank 47 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Rank 51-100
- The Catholic University of America, USA
- Fordham University, USA
- Georgetown University, USA
- School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK
- Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Rank 101-150
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
- Santa Clara University, USA
- Sogang University, Korea
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal
- Universität Leipzig, Germany
The Ateneo’s Department of Theology offers undergraduate theology courses to students in all degree programs in the University. It also offers both academic and professional master’s degrees in Religious Education. The Theology and Ministry Program, with its seat in Loyola School of Theology, offers master’s degrees in Theological Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Family Ministry and Counseling, Spirituality and Retreat Direction, and Pastoral Leadership and Management. It also offers an academic PhD in Theology in Systematic, Moral, and Biblical Theology, and a professional Doctor of Ministry with specializations in Religious Education, Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care, and Spirituality and Retreat Directing.
As an ecclesiastical faculty of the Vatican City State, LST also offers the ecclesiastical degrees Baccalaureate, Licentiate, and Doctorate in Sacred Theology. LST forms part of the Vatican’s international Higher Educational System of Pontifical Universities and Ecclesiastical Faculties within and outside the European Union and is, therefore, a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
This achievement is but a confirmation of many years of dedication, passion, and hard work of LST faculty, students, and staff. LST’s commitment to excellence in theological and pastoral formation has not only elevated the global reputation of ADMU but also contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge and reflection in the field of Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies on a global scale.
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam!
