University Court
New University Chancellor
We are seeking to appoint a new Chancellor of the University, to find out more please visit the Chancellor's webpage.
Notification of Draft Ordinances
In terms of the Universities (Scotland) Act, 1966, the following draft Ordinances, promulgated by the University Court of the University of St Andrews on 17 October 2025, are made available for public inspection. The draft Ordinances have been sent to the General Council and the Senatus Academicus.
- Draft Ordinance No. [135] – Composition of the University Court (revoking Ordinance No.132)
- Draft Ordinance No. [136] – Election of the Chancellor to the University Court (revoking Ordinance No. 129)
- Draft Ordinance No. [137] – Election of the Rector (revoking Ordinance No. 82)
- Draft Ordinance No. [138] – Amendment of the Ordinance of the University of St Andrews No. 90 (Readers, Senior Lecturers and Assistant Lecturers)
- Draft Ordinance No. [139] – General Council Membership Registration and Meetings. Replacing Ordinance No. 96 (and others as listed)
The text of the draft Ordinances accompanied by an explanatory note can be viewed below. Copies of the relevant existing Ordinances have also been included for reference.
Draft Ordinances Promulgated 17 October 2025 (PDF)
Q and A relating to the draft Ordinances (PDF)
Any comments on any of the draft Ordinances should be directed to me within eight weeks of the date of this notification, by 6 January 2026 and will, as appropriate, be taken into consideration by the University Court. Subject to any comments received, the Court is expected to give final approval to the draft Ordinances at its meeting on 16 January 2026, following which the approval of the Privy Council will be sought.
Copies of the draft Ordinances are available to be inspected in person at College Gate, North Street, within office hours.
Margaret Sinclair
Executive Officer to the University Court & Senate
If you require the document in an accessible format, please contact the Court Office: courtoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The University Court is the governing body of the University. The Court has overall responsibility for the governance of the University, including all aspects of strategic planning and the management of resources — financial, human and physical. This responsibility comes via Acts of Parliament, which give the Court authority over all of the University’s property and revenues, as well as the power to review the decisions of the Senate.
The University Court meets in St Andrews on a quarterly basis. Minutes from Court meetings are publicly available after each meeting. The Universities (Scotland) Acts, 1858-1966, and ordinances and resolutions made in accordance with these acts, regulate the present constitution and government of the University, and are outlined in the ordinances and resolutions section.
The University Court has a number of standing committees:
- audit and risk committee (including academic, University ethics and health and safety assurance groups)
- governance and nominations committee
- planning and resources committee (including the investment and treasury assurance group)
- remuneration committee
- superannuation and life assurance scheme.