Gender equality
At St Andrews, we're committed to ensuring everyone – staff and students alike – has equal opportunities, regardless of their gender.
This includes taking strategic, meaningful actions to:
- combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
- create a safe, inclusive environment for transgender and gender non-conforming people
- close the gender pay gap
We recognise that sex and gender are different, and everyone has the right to determine their own gender identity.
Our commitments
Athena Swan
In 2024, the University was awarded an institutional Athena Swan Silver Award which acknowledges our commitment to gender equality.
Our institutional Athena Swan Action Plan drives our gender equality initiatives, following the rigorous self-assessment process set by the Advance HE Athena Swan framework.
Our Silver action plan is focused on five priority areas:
- increasing representation of women in the Professoriate and senior roles
- supporting professional services staff career pathways
- addressing intersectional inequalities
- ensuring sustainable workloads
- closing the gender pay gap
All Schools hold departmental Athena Swan awards.
Find out more about the Athena Swan Charter.
EmilyTest
In 2023, the University of St Andrews became the first university in the UK to receive the EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Charter Award.
The charter, the first of its kind in the world, is entirely evidence-based and aims to ensure institutions are as safe as possible in preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) on their campuses, helping students to live, work and study free from the harms and threats of SGBV.
Our Equally Safe committee works closely with staff and students on a range of actions to support this commitment.
Find out more about EmilyTest and our work on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
University Strategy
The University’s Diverse Action Plan and People Strategy demonstrate wider commitments to enhance gender equality, including actions to close the gender pay gap.
Support for students
Careers information for women students
This Careers Centre's Equality, diversity and inclusion webpage details professional networks and opportunities to support female applicants.
Changing your legal sex guide for students
Read the guide on how to change your legal sex information at University and why you are asked for this information.
Support for transgender and gender-nonconforming students
Learn about gender identity and the available support for transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
Support for staff
Aurora programme
Aurora is Advance HE's leadership development initiative for women to develop their leadership and networking skills.
Elizabeth Garrett mentoring programme
The Elizabeth Garrett mentoring programme supports women in senior academic roles or those aspiring to leadership positions to develop leadership capabilities, and aims to address gender inequality in academia.
Women in Science at St Andrews
Women in Science at St Andrews provides an informal environment for self-identified women and non-binary people in science to interact and network.
Policies, reports and resources
Gender pay gap reports
The gender pay gap shows the difference in average pay between women and men across the University.
International Women’s Day profiles
Hear from staff and students about the importance of International Women’s Day.
Menopause guidance
The Menopause guidance (PDF) raises awareness of menopause symptoms and provides a framework for requesting support in the workplace.
Policy statement relating to student sexual misconduct
The Policy statement relating to student sexual misconduct (PDF) supports the University community in matters relating to student sexual misconduct.
Pronoun and gender-inclusive language training
This training video is designed to equip staff and students with a basic understanding of the importance of adopting an inclusive approach towards gendered language and the use of pronouns within the University community.
Sexual and gender-based violence policy
The Gender-based violence (including Sexual Misconduct) policy (PDF) sets out staff procedures for raising and responding to disclosures of gender-based violence and sexual misconduct.
Supporting carers
We recognise the gendered impact of caring responsibilities and have a range of support for our staff and student carers.
Trans staff and students policy
Read the Trans Staff and Students policy (PDF) for guidance on supporting transgender staff and students.
Links to external sites and information
The University is not liable for external web content and may not be aware when this content is changed or removed.