University of St Andrews

Overview

Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest in the English-speaking world. Despite its small-town setting, St Andrews has historically been a hub for Scottish political, intellectual, and religious activity, which is reflected in its strong reputation in humanities subjects like divinity, philosophy, and international relations. Currently, the university is home to around 9,100 students from more than 130 countries, making them a significant portion of the town's population. Unlike many institutions, St Andrews is integrated into the town rather than being located on a single campus. 

Scottish undergraduate degrees typically span four years, offering greater academic flexibility. Students at St Andrews apply to one of four faculties—Arts, Divinity, Medicine, or Science—and choose modules for their degree, with specialisation in the final two years. This allows students to explore various subjects before committing to their main area of interest. As one of Scotland's ancient universities, St Andrews has many long-standing traditions. One of these is the 'academic families,' where third-year students mentor first-years, and another is the May Dip, where students take a dawn plunge into the North Sea on 1 May to cleanse the 'sins' of the academic year. 

St Andrews has earned numerous accolades, including being named University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide in 2020. It was also awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for its high teaching standards. The university offers ample opportunities for undergraduates to study abroad for a full year through partnerships with institutions worldwide. In specific rankings, St Andrews consistently excels, with its economics courses ranked third in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2022. The acceptance rate is competitive, with about 41% of undergraduate applicants and 54% of postgraduate applicants receiving offers. For postgraduates, St Andrews provides over 1,000 master's courses across diverse fields, offering extensive opportunities for further study and research.