[1] San Beda was established in 1901 by monks of the Ordo Sancti Benedicti (OSB) or Order of St. Benedict, also known as the Benedictines.

Juan Sabater OSB founded the El Colegio de San Beda, so named after the Venerable St. Bede of England.

San Beda became an independent private college with the authority to grant the Bachelor of Arts degree and diplomas in elementary and high school.

When World War II broke out, San Beda College was used by the Japanese Imperial Army as a garrison and supply depot.

After the liberation by joint Filipino and American troops, San Beda was used by the 60th U.S. Army Field Hospital briefly.

From 1952 to 1957, and 1960 to 1961, the San Beda Law School earned the distinction of producing a 100% passing record during the bar examinations.

During the opening ceremonies for its pre-centennial in 2000, former president Corazon Aquino, Bedan alumni senators Raul Roco and Rene Saguisag and then rector-president Bernardo Ma.

At the same time, San Beda College offered the Graduate Program in Business which was granted full autonomy and rated "very good" by the Commission on Higher Education.

On February 6, 2018, San Beda was granted University status by the Commission on Higher Education 501st Commission-en-Banc and Management Committee.

The Benedictine college, however, decided to relocate the school and the order's monastery to Mendiola to accommodate an increasing student population.

Due to the social and political unrest during the 1970s, the Benedictine monks initially entertained the thought of leaving Mendiola and of transferring to Alabang where they recently acquired a property.

Thus, the primary, middle, and high schools became the units of the Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED).

More fondly called by its acronym, "CAS," the Arts and Sciences department has brought many awards and achievements to San Beda University.

The CAS was instrumental in San Beda University's being granted the Level III accreditation and reaccreditation in 2001, in 2003, and in 2014 respectively, by the PAASCU, as well as the autonomy status given by the Commission on Higher Education in 2003.

The CON began its operations 2003, in consortium with the Loyola Medical College Foundation chaired by Dr. Johnny Fong.

Feliciano Jover Ledesma, an Ateneo graduate, was the first dean of the San Beda Law School.

From 1952 up to 1957, and 1960 to 1961, the San Beda Law School achieved the feat of attaining a 100 percent passing rate in the Bar Exams.

[5] It has produced lawyers such as the 16th President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte, former Senator Rene Saguisag, the late Senator Raul S. Roco, Senator Leila M. De Lima, Former Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., and twelve Justices of the Supreme Court – Florenz D. Regalado, the holder of the highest bar exam grade in the country, Justo P. Torres Jr., Antonio M. Martinez, Romeo J. Callejo Sr., Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Jose Catral Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Ramon Paul Hernando, Mario Lopez, and Samuel Gaerlan.

A. Maranan Since its construction in Mendiola Street, majority of the buildings of San Beda University adapted the Neo-Gothic style of architecture.

In 1966, Senator Raul Roco, then a San Beda Magna Cum Laude law student; Arturo Montesa, wrote a new alma mater hymn which would capture the Bedan spirit.

[9] It is sung at important events such as the NCAA basketball tournaments, the Bar exams, alumni gatherings, and at simple affairs such as seminars and small get-together of Bedans.

[8][10] American Catholic schools started the rage earlier when the clergy became wary of sports headlines such as “ St. Peter mauls St. Paul 80 – 40”.

In the Philippines, headlines of whipping and trashing of schools named after saints drew mixed emotions among the clergy and devout Catholics.

Sergio Martinez OSB, inspired by English tradition, coined the moniker “Red Lion” for the school.

[13] North American Indian war chants are verbalization of tunes that implore the great spirits to help them in battle.

[14] Bedans popularized this aboriginal Native American form of chanting in the Philippine collegiate league and has spawned variations now used by many other schools.

[7][8][13] San Beda University counts among its students, alumni and graduates numerous national leaders in politics, business, law, athletics, and entertainment such as the 16th Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte,[15] Senator Leila de Lima,[16] former senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.,[17] former senator Raul S. Roco, former Speakers of the House of Representatives Ramon V. Mitra,[17] former senator and human rights icon Rene Saguisag, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, 14 Associate Justices including Florenz Regalado,[18] business tycoon Dr. Manuel V. Pangilinan,[19] Philippine basketball legend Carlos Loyzaga,[20] actor Eddie Gutierrez, and 2004 Philippine presidential candidate & actor, Fernando Poe, Jr.