University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews stands in the historic coastal town of St Andrews in Fife. Founded in 1413 by a papal bull from the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII, it is Scotland’s oldest university and the third-oldest in the English-speaking world. The university grew from a small group of Augustinian clergy into a complex of colleges and faculties spread across the town. Its early colleges—St Salvator’s, St Leonard’s, and St Mary’s—still house teaching and chapels used today. The university played a part in the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century alongside Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. The university is known for its selective admissions and strong academic reputation. It admits students from over 145 nationalities, with nearly half coming from outside the UK. Undergraduate entry is highly competitive, with one of the lowest offer rates in the country. Among its many famous graduates are Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland, and Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy. Five Nobel laureates studied or worked here, three in chemistry and two in physiology or medicine. Visitors walk past buildings that date back to the university’s early centuries. St Salvator’s Chapel and St Leonard’s College Chapel remain in use, and St Mary’s College still holds its original quadrangle. The town itself becomes a student community during term time, with over a third of its population made up of staff and students. Historic traditions like Raisin Weekend and May Dip continue alongside modern academic life.