The Ateneo de Manila University, through its Department of Theology and the Theology and Ministry Program (TMP-LST) of the School of Humanities, was named one of the world’s top universities for the study of Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies, where it ranked between 101 to 140 among over 1,500 universities around the world. This was the first year that Ateneo de Manila was ranked in this field, and it is the only university in the Philippines that made it to the list. Moreover, it is also the only Jesuit University in Asia, Africa, and Oceania that made it to the top 140.
This recognition was accorded by the global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds in its 2024 edition of its QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Ateneo improved its ranking in English Language & Literature, ranking between 151 to 200, compared to 201 to 250 last year. Meanwhile, Ateneo ranked between 451 to 500 in Business & Management Studies, and between 201 to 250 in Modern Languages, retaining its ranking from 2023.
The QS World University Rankings uses the following criteria: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, Publication Citations Per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, International Student Ratio, International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and Sustainability.
The top 10 Universities in the field of Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies are the following:
- Harvard University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- University of Notre Dame, USA
- University of Cambridge, UK
- Eberhard Karls Universität Tubingen, Germany
- KU Leuven, Belgium
- Durham University, UK
- University of Chicago, USA
- Duke University, USA
- University of Edinburgh, UK
In order to provide some context, listed below are the rankings of other universities especially those that offer Catholic theology and ministry programs:
- 11 Boston College, USA
- 18 University of Toronto (Toronto School of Theology), Canada
- 29 Pontificia Universidad Comillas, Spain
- 31 Universidad de Navarra, Spain
- 48 Catholic University of America, USA
- 51-100 Fordham University, USA
- 51-100 Sacred Heart University, Italy
- 51-100 School of African and Oriental Studies, UK
- 51-100 University of Bologna, Italy
- 51-100 Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina
- 51-100 Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
- 101-140 Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Brazil
- 101-140 Santa Clara University, Jesuit School of Theology, USA
- 101-140 Cornell University, USA
- 101-140 University College London, UK
- 101-140 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany
- 101-140 Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
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 enduring 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!