Ateneo de Manila University
Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila
A Jesuit university founded in 1859, admitting college students through its own entrance test, the ACET.
- Students
- 14,540
- International
- 1%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 10.1:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- ₱221.4K
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1859
About Ateneo
Ateneo de Manila University was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1859 and moved to its present campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, in 1952 after its earlier Manila campuses were lost to fire and war. It is one of the oldest Jesuit-run institutions of higher education in the Asia-Pacific and runs everything from grade school to professional schools of law, business, government, and medicine and public health.
Undergraduates study in the Loyola Schools: the School of Humanities, the John Gokongwei School of Management, the School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Social Sciences, all under a shared core curriculum rooted in Jesuit formation. The campus hosts the Rizal Library, the Manila Observatory, the Institute of Philippine Culture, the Areté creative hub and the Ateneo Art Gallery.
Admission is holistic: most applicants take the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET), while IB and SAT candidates can apply with their scores instead, and applications also weigh school grades, two recommendations and a personal essay. Ateneo suits students who want a demanding liberal-arts-based education in Manila with a strong service ethos, and it offers substantial scholarships and financial aid.
Lux in Domino
“Light in the Lord” — university motto
Why students choose Ateneo
A Jesuit core curriculum and formation programme that runs alongside every degree, emphasising ethics, service and leadership.
Three admission routes: the ACET, IB predicted grades (28 points or more) or SAT scores (1100 or more).
A large scholarship programme: over 2,000 scholars currently enrolled and more than 10,000 supported over 60+ years.
Alumni include national hero José Rizal and President Benigno Aquino III; Ateneo has produced the second-highest number of Philippine presidents.
Admissions
School year 2027-28 intake (first-year college entry)
Selectivity
Ateneo does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission is holistic: ACET results (reported as percentiles) are considered alongside academic performance, recommendations, extracurricular involvement and leadership.
Typical entry requirements
| Philippine senior high school (ACET route) | Grade 9-11 report cards, two recommendations, a personal essay of up to 750 words, and the ACET |
|---|---|
| International Baccalaureate | Predicted score of at least 28 points from a school offering the IB Diploma for at least three years (or an IB Diploma awarded in the previous two years); admission is provisional on the final Diploma |
| SAT (students educated outside the Philippines) | Minimum total SAT score of 1100, taken within two years of the application period |
| English language | No English test score is listed for first-year applicants. The personal essay may be written in English or Filipino, and documents not in English need an official English translation. |
Deadlines
- Application deadline, ACET route (SY 2027-28) Non-binding Passed17 August 2026
Passed. The ACET was held on 19-20 September 2026 (Metro Manila) and 26-27 September 2026 (provincial centres).
- Scholarship application deadline (first-year, SY 2027-28) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026
Scholarship decisions are released together with admission results.
- Application deadline, IB and SAT routes (SY 2027-28) Non-binding In ~2 months12 December 2026
For applicants submitting IB predicted grades or SAT scores instead of the ACET. Decisions are released by email in May 2027.
Dates are from Ateneo's admission calendar for the SY 2027-28 intake (accurate as of 22 June 2026). The ACET-route deadline has passed; the IB/SAT route remains open until 12 December 2026.
How to apply
Create an account on the Ateneo Admissions Portal and submit the online form, application fee (Php 600 for local applicants, Php 2,500 for international applicants), ID photo, birth certificate (and passport and visa for non-Filipinos), Grade 9-11 report cards, two recommendation forms (guidance counselor or adviser, and a subject teacher) and a personal essay. Then take the ACET or submit IB predicted grades or SAT scores. Scholarship applications are separate and should be filed as soon as you receive your Ateneo Application Number.
What admissions looks for
- Academic excellence and potential: readiness to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.
- Character and integrity: honesty, respect, responsibility and a commitment to doing what is right.
- Service and leadership: a heart for others and a willingness to create positive change.
- Critical thinking and curiosity, and a commitment to the common good.
Tips for applying to Ateneo
- 1 If you are an IB student with predicted grades of 28 or more, or have an SAT of 1100+, you can skip the ACET and apply until 12 December.
- 2 Prepare for all four ACET areas (Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, Abstract Reasoning) and for a test of about four hours; results are reported as percentiles against other applicants.
- 3 Apply for financial aid early: submit your scholarship application as soon as you get your Ateneo Application Number, without waiting for admission results.
- 4 Use the 750-word personal essay to describe one experience that shaped you, which fits Ateneo's emphasis on character and service.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in PHP
Ateneo offers Merit, Academic and Director's List scholarships, need-based Financial Aid Scholarships (partial or full), athletic scholarships and special grants funded by benefactors. Financial Aid Grants are awarded on financial need, academic performance, intellectual ability and potential for service, and are reviewed annually; students can combine Ateneo aid with external awards such as DOST scholarships.
- 2,000+
- Scholars currently enrolled
- 10,000+
- Scholars supported over 60+ years
- Possible for qualified applicants from public schools and students with financial need
- Application fee waiver
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Management programmes (John Gokongwei School of Management)
Undergraduate business and management degrees in the John Gokongwei School of Management, one of the four Loyola Schools.
Economics (School of Social Sciences)
President Benigno Aquino III is an A.B. Economics graduate.
Science and Engineering degrees
Taught in the School of Science and Engineering, with laboratory-based programmes and the Manila Observatory on campus.
Humanities degrees
Built on the Jesuit core curriculum; Ateneo alumni include National Artists such as director Lamberto Avellana and stage designer Salvador Bernal.
Honors programmes
Ateneo encourages applicants aiming for honors programmes to achieve strong ACET results.
Research
- The Manila Observatory and the Institute of Philippine Culture are based on the Loyola Heights campus.
- The Rizal Library houses collections including the American Historical Collection.
- The Areté creative hub, opened in 2018, includes the Ateneo Art Gallery, theatres and collaborative spaces.
Schools & faculties
- School of Humanities
- John Gokongwei School of Management
- School of Science and Engineering
- School of Social Sciences
- Ateneo Law School
- Graduate School of Business
- Ateneo School of Government
- School of Medicine and Public Health
Student life
College life centres on the leafy Loyola Heights campus along Katipunan Avenue, home to the Rizal Library, the Areté arts hub, the Blue Eagle Gym, the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and the Church of the Gesù. Ateneo describes an integrated formation programme and community service opportunities alongside academics, and there are many student organisations and athletics programmes. Scholars have their own organisation, Ateneo Gabay, which runs support groups, tutorials and book lending. The rivalry with De La Salle University is a long-standing part of Ateneo's identity.
- Blue Eagle Gym and Moro Lorenzo Sports Center for athletics.
- Areté creative hub with the Ateneo Art Gallery and theatres.
- Ateneo Gabay, the scholars' organisation, and the Scholars Sectoral Board in student government.
- The Ateneo-La Salle rivalry.
Location
The main campus is in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, part of Metro Manila, along Katipunan Avenue, a road so congested it features in local jokes and memes. The large, tree-filled campus offers a green, self-contained base within the metropolis, with the rest of Manila's business districts and culture within reach.
Nearest airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila (MNL)
Notable alumni
- JR José RizalNational Hero of the Philippines; Bachelor of Arts (sobresaliente), 1877
- BA Benigno Aquino III15th President of the Philippines; A.B. Economics
- GM Gloria Macapagal Arroyo14th President of the Philippines; M.A. Economics
- FV Fidel V. Ramos12th President of the Philippines; MBA
- LV Lamberto V. AvellanaFilm director and National Artist; A.B. magna cum laude
- SB Salvador BernalStage designer and National Artist; A.B. Philosophy cum laude
Frequently asked questions
What is the ACET and do I need it for Ateneo?
The Ateneo College Entrance Test covers Mathematics, English, General Knowledge and Abstract Reasoning over about four hours. Most applicants take it, but IB students with predicted grades of 28+ and SAT takers with 1100+ can apply without it.
How much is tuition at Ateneo de Manila?
For SY 2027-28, estimated tuition for 20 units is Php 110,691 per semester, or Php 136,609 with basic and other fees, about Php 273,218 a year. Science and engineering programmes are slightly higher.
What is the Ateneo application deadline for 2027 entry?
17 August 2026 for the ACET route (now passed) and 12 December 2026 for the IB and SAT routes. Decisions are released in May 2027.
Can international students apply to Ateneo?
Yes. International first-year applicants apply through the same portal, pay a Php 2,500 application fee, and can take the ACET or submit SAT (1100+) or IB predicted grades (28+).
Does Ateneo offer scholarships?
Yes: merit, academic, Director's List, need-based financial aid, athletic and special grants. The first-year scholarship application deadline for SY 2027-28 is 15 October 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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