University of St Andrews

Overview

The University of St Andrews is the third-oldest English speaking university in the world and the oldest in Scotland, founded in 1413. Despite being a small town, St Andrews has long been a centre of Scottish political and religious life, which is reflected in the University’s strong reputation in the humanities, particularly divinity and philosophy. 10,000 students from 100 different countries make up a significant part of the town’s population, and St Andrews covers the whole area rather than a defined campus.

Scottish degrees last four years, and at St Andrews this is used to provide greater flexibility. Students apply to one of four Faculties (Arts, Divinity, Medicine or Science) and take modules towards a degree, with a chance to specialise further in the final two years. As an old university, St Andrews has a number of traditions such as the concept of university ‘parents’ (third year students) and the May Dip, where students run into the North Sea on May Day dawn.

The Times University Guide named St Andrews its University of the Year for 2020, whilst the Teaching Excellence Framework awarded the University Gold for "exemplary" teaching. St Andrews also has a number of opportunities for undergraduate students to spend a full academic year in the USA or Canada, with new destinations approved each year.

Services for International Students

The University of St Andrews provides free in-sessional and pre-sessional English language support for students. St Andrews has two dedicated International Student Advisors to provide specific support, as well as more general advice and support services. First year students are assigned a ‘parent’, usually a third year student, who offers personal support throughout their first year of study.

St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances, and they offer a large number of bursaries and scholarships to international students. These are designed to provide assistance and help students support themselves during their time at the University.

All undergraduates are assigned an Adviser of Studies whom they must see at the start of each semester to discuss their choices. Advisers are also available for consultations at other times and will guide the student through the complexities of the modular structure to ensure that any desired degree pathways, or options, remain accessible.

Ranking

• 3rd in the Times University Guide 2020
• 2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2020
• 100th in the QS World University Rankings 2020

St Andrews has been ranked as the best university in Scotland for the last nine years by The Times University Guide, and was crowned Scottish University of the Year four times in a row from 2011 – 2015. In 2020, it was named the UK University of the Year.

Following the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 82% of all research carried out at St Andrews was classed ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ and at least 98% is ‘internationally recognised’. Chemistry, physics, classics and history of art submissions all performed well.

Accommodation

St Andrews guarantees an offer of accommodation for all first year students. There are almost 4,000 rooms available around the city, about 40% of which are catered, with a choice of standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities or en suite, as well as shared rooms. Students live around the town rather than on a single campus.

University of St Andrews residences range from beautiful stone-built listed buildings full of original period features, to stylish new apartments, built to high environmental and sustainability standards.

Location

The town of St Andrews sits on a rocky headland overlooking the dramatic waters of the North Sea. 20,000 people, including students, live in this small, historic town and many beautiful buildings still stand as monuments to the thousands of years it has been a focal point for bishops, kings, saints and martyrs. The University does not have a campus, but instead covers the whole town and St Andrews is just over 80km north east of Edinburgh.

The University of St Andrews has superb facilities in a variety of buildings, ranging from the ultra-modern new Medical laboratories on our North Haugh site, to the mediaeval grandeur of St Salvators Quadrangle where many lectures are held daily. The town centre library has just been refurbished at a cost of £14 million and there are also plans for multi-million pound upgrades to be made to the Students’ Union, and to the University Sports Centre.

Alumni

• Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
• Chris Hoy (Cyclist, the most successful British Olympian in terms of gold medals)
• John Witherspoon (US Declaration of Independence signatory)
• Edward Jenner (Pioneer of smallpox vaccine)
• Alex Salmond (First Minister for Scotland)