Facts and figures

The University of St Andrews is known for our rich history as well as our cutting-edge teaching and research.

Find out key information about our traditions, student population and awards here.

Contents

 

Students at the gateway building

Scotland's first university

Founded in the early 15th century, St Andrews 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 a papal bull in 1413.

University motto

The University's motto is 'Ever to Excel', which is taken from a speech in Homer's Iliad.

The University shield

The different elements of the University shield represent the insignia of the founders of the University.

The crescent moon represents Peter de Luna, the given name of Pope Benedict XIII who issued the bulls of foundation of the University in 1413.

The lion rampant is taken from the royal arms of Scotland and represents the royal authority of King James I (1406–1437) who was associated with the foundation.

The gold diamonds (mascles or) are taken from the personal arms of Henry Wardlaw, Bishop of St Andrews 1404–1440 who issued the original charter which incorporated the Studium Generale in 1411 or 1412.

The open book with the red page edges represents learning.

The blue and silver cross represents the saltire of Scotland.

University of St Andrews crest

Student numbers

For the first semester of the academic year 2021 to 2022, we had 10,425 students:

  • 8,260 undergraduates
  • 2,164 postgraduates

Internationally Scottish

We are the most international of Scotland's universities and one of the most international in the UK. There are more than 130 countries represented in the 2021-2022 student population.

For 2021 entry we received applications from 179 different countries.  

Our students have the chance to participate in exciting exchanges or study abroad opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and the USA.

Traditions

The University of St Andrews is home to many unique traditions.

Academic families are a spontaneous tradition where third and fourth year students can adopt first year students as their 'children' to act as mentors and introduce them to student life.

Every year, hundreds of first-year students, dressed in fancy dress by their academic parents, gather in St Salvator’s Quad for the annual Raisin Monday foam fight.

The PH initials set into cobblestones outside the Sallies Quad mark the spot where Patrick Hamilton was burnt at the stake in 1582. According to tradition, any student who steps on the PH will be cursed to fail their degree.

The only cure for Patrick Hamilton’s curse is to participate in the annual May Dip. At sunrise on May Day, students make their way down to East Sands and collectively run into the North Sea.

Extra-curricular activities

There are over 150 student societies ranging from artistic and musical through to religious and cultural.

Sport is a valued aspect of university life – there are over 50 sports clubs and 100 competitive sports teams to choose from.

High student satisfaction

The University of St Andrews is top in the UK for student academic experience with more than 89% of St Andrews final year students giving the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience, according to the results of the National Student Survey 2022.

According to the Complete University Guide 2023, students at the University of St Andrews are the most satisfied in the UK.

Student retention

The University has one of the best first-year retention rates in Scotland. Around 96% of our 2017-2018 entrants continued in their studies at St Andrews; less than 2% transferred to other universities; and less than 3% dropped out of higher education altogether.

Teaching quality

The University was named the top university in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2023 and Scottish University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

Research excellence

The most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021 ranked the University of St Andrews amongst the highest quality in the country.

More than 88% of research carried out by the University was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent. 

Employment

According to the most recent Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2019), 92% of our undergraduate first-degree level graduates were in either full-time employment or further study.