THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made history after it became the first school in the country to get a 5-star rating from the Quacquarelli Symonds, a London-based independent compiler of the World University Rankings.

Based on QS definition, a five-star university is world class in a broad range of areas and enjoys a high reputation. It also has cutting edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.

UST got 5-star marks in teaching, employability, internationalization and facilities. It also received 5-stars rating in specialist criteria for its Doctor of Medicine Program.

The university also secured a 4-star rating in academic development and a 3-star rating for areas of arts and culture and inclusiveness.

“The QS 5-Stars methodology focuses on at least eight out of thirteen criteria against which University performance are rated. UST first received the 4-Stars rating in 2015, which was renewed in 2018. The rating is valid until June 25, 2024,” UST said.

QS Star is a rating system that provides a detailed look at an institution. Students can use it as a basis in identifying which universities are the best in terms of research, teaching, academic development, employability, internationalization, facilities, among others.

After the assessment, universities are awarded with an overall star result which ranges from 0 to 5+ stars, depending on the number of points achieved from the evaluation.