University of St Andrews

"St Andrew's University" redirects here. For other universities, see St. Andrews University (disambiguation).

University of St Andrews
Crest of the University of St Andrews
Shield of the University of St Andrews
Latin: Universitas Sancti Andreae apud Scotos
Motto
Motto in English
Ever to Excel
or
Ever to be the Best
TypePublic research university Ancient university
Established1413; 611 years ago (1413)[2]
Endowment£114.9 million (2023)[3]
Budget£314.2 million (2022/23)[3]
ChancellorThe Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
RectorStella Maris
PrincipalDame Sally Mapstone
Academic staff
1,335 (2022/23)[4]
Administrative staff
1,780 (2022/23)[4]
Students12,160 (2022/23)[5]
Undergraduates9,560 (2022/23)[5]
Postgraduates2,595 (2022/23)[5]
Location
St Andrews
,
Fife
,
Scotland
CampusUniversity town
ColoursUnited College, St Andrews
                             

St Mary's College

                                

School of Medicine

                             

St Leonard's College

                             
Affiliations
Websitewww.st-andrews.ac.uk

The University of St Andrews (Scots: University o St Andras, Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh Chill Rìmhinn;[6] abbreviated as St And, from the Latin Sancti Andreae, in post-nominals) is a public university in St Andrews, Scotland. It is the oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and, following the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world. St Andrews was founded in 1413 when the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII issued a papal bull to a small founding group of Augustinian clergy. Along with the universities of Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh, St Andrews was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century.

St Andrews is made up of a variety of institutions, comprising three colleges — United College (a union of St Salvator's and St Leonard's Colleges), St Mary's College, and St Leonard's College, the last named being a non-statutory revival of St Leonard's as a post-graduate society. There are 18 academic schools organised into four faculties.[7] The university occupies historic and modern buildings located throughout the town. The academic year is divided into two semesters, Martinmas and Candlemas. In term time, over one-third of the town's population are either staff members or students of the university.[8] The student body is known for preserving ancient traditions such as Raisin Weekend, May Dip, and the wearing of distinctive academic dress.[9]

The student body is also notably diverse: over 145 nationalities are represented with about 45% of its intake from countries outside the UK; a tenth of students are from Europe with the remainder from the rest of the world—20% from North America alone.[10][11] Undergraduate admissions are among the most selective in the country, with the university having the third-lowest offer rate for 2022 entry (behind only Oxford and Cambridge)[12] and the highest entry standards of new students, as measured by UCAS entry tariff, at 212 points.[13]

St Andrews has many notable alumni and affiliated faculty, including eminent mathematicians, scientists, theologians, philosophers, and politicians. Recent alumni include the former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond; former Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill; former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Alex Younger; Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy; Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Dame Barbara Woodward; and royals William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Five Nobel laureates are among St Andrews' alumni and former staff: three in Chemistry and two in Physiology or Medicine.

  1. ^ "University coat of arms". Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. ^ "History of the University". Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Reports and Financial Statements of the University Court for the year to 31 July 2023" (PDF). University of St Andrews. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Who's working in HE?". www.hesa.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Where do HE students study? | HESA". hesa.ac.uk. Higher Education Statistics Agency.
  6. ^ "Oilthigh Chill Rìmhinn". Am Faclair Beag. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  7. ^ "University of St Andrews: Governance". University of St Andrews. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  8. ^ "The University today". Archived from the original on 1 June 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  9. ^ "The low-down on our traditions". Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference domicile was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ @univofstandrews (24 January 2017). "We proudly do our part to bring the world to Scotland" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference offer rate22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference CUG Entry was invoked but never defined (see the help page).