“In coming to St Andrews you are participating in a long tradition in which scholars from around the world have travelled to the east coast of Scotland to explore the frontiers of knowledge and to teach the next generation. We are proud of our traditions and proud of our regular ranking in the top five universities in the UK for research, teaching, and the quality of student life.
Wishing you the very best for a productive and enjoyable career here.”
Louise Richardson, Principal & Vice-Chancellor
Hello and Welcome to the University of St Andrews. Below you can read more about the University, and discover its history, governance and latest developments as well as watching films that introduce the institution.
The University of St Andrews was founded in the fifteenth century, and is Scotland’s first University, and the third oldest in the English speaking world. Teaching began in the community of St Andrews in 1410 and the University was formally constituted by the issue of Papal Bull in 1413. You can read more about the University’s 600 years of history here.
Today, the University has a student body of 7,200, a third of which is from overseas. Students are drawn here from Scotland, the EU and all over the world by the University’s excellent reputation, and consistent rankings among the UK’s top five Universities in leading independent league tables produced by The Times, The Guardian and the Sunday Times. You can read more about St Andrews students, their traditions, and what they get up to throughout the term here. (link to page on students).
This is now one of Europe’s most research intensive seats of learning - over a quarter of its turnover comes from research grants and contracts. St Andrews research often makes national and international news, and the quality of research at the University was recently recognised in the Research Assessment Exercise. http://www.rae.ac.uk/ You can read more about research taking place within the University at the Research Portal.
The University is governed by three bodies. The University Court is the supreme governing body with responsibilities for strategy, finance, estates, health and safety and general management. The supreme academic body is the Senatus Academicus, which is under the presidency of The Principal. Much of its business is devolved to the academic council. The third governing body is the General Council, composed of all graduates and senior academics of the University of St Andrews. You can read more about the structure and governance of the University here: (link to post already existing on structure and governance….)
Recently, the University has begun celebrating its 600th Anniversary. Celebrations will run from 2011 – 2013, and have so far included notable guests, lectures and events. Find out more about the campaign and celebrations here: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/600.
Here is a short film clip introducing the town and the University of St Andrews. (There’s an audio commentary too, so turn on your speakers!)