[1] The districts of Quiapo, Sampaloc, and San Miguel are traditionally considered areas of the University Belt.
[2] Other clusters of schools along the southern bank of the Pasig River, mostly in the districts of Intramuros and Ermita and the southernmost part of Malate near the city limits, are also sometimes included.
Since the Spanish colonial period, Manila has been the center of education in the country, and Intramuros was home to various academic institutions.
[10] Nevertheless, the University Belt within Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, and Santa Cruz began growing organically.
At the same time, Ateneo de Manila University moved their institution to Sampaloc and eventually to Loyola Heights, Quezon City.