St Andrews students most positive in the UK

Students at the University of St Andrews are more positive about their education than students at any other mainstream university in the UK, according to the results of the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024.

The NSS put 26 questions to thousands of undergraduates at universities across the UK – and St Andrews came top on an average positivity score. The questions cover students’ opinions on teaching quality, assessment and feedback, support for mental health, and facilities.

St Andrews also came top in the UK for academic support and learning resources.

St Andrews leads the way with new Chair in Energy

The University has announced the appointment of a new Chair in Energy, marking a groundbreaking era in battery technology research, which is crucial for addressing the climate emergency.

St Andrews, in partnership with the Faraday Institution, has welcomed Professor Venkataraman Thangadurai as its new Chair in Energy. 

Professor Thangadurai has been awarded a Faraday Institution Adjunct Professorial Fellowship and joins St Andrews from the University of Calgary, Canada. His research addresses key challenges in energy storage and aims to facilitate the adoption of more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.

   Find out more about endowed chairs and lectureships at the University.

St Andrews student wins prestigious international golf tournament

Congratulations to postgraduate student Trevor Binau, who secured a remarkable victory in the 74th Boyd Quaich Memorial Golf Tournament – the first time a St Andrews student has won the event since 2016.

The Boyd Quaich Memorial Golf tournament is an international student event hosted by the University of St Andrews at the Home of Golf, attracting competitors from Australia, Asia, Africa, the USA, Canada and Europe.

Trevor – a postgraduate marketing student and Saints Golf Performance Scholar from Columbus, Ohio – clinched the title by finishing four strokes ahead of defending champion Ben Willis of Edge Golf College, Portugal.  

Your seat in the Younger Hall

Become part of the ceremonial heart of St Andrews with an inscribed seat plaque in the Younger Hall – one of the University’s most iconic buildings. Countless students have sat exams, performed in concerts and danced at ceilidhs here, as well as crossing its stage to become fully-fledged alumni.

The recent refurbishment of the Younger Hall has included replacing the fixed seating in the lower section. Find more information about how to make a gift for an inscribed seat plaque below.

Kaleidoscope Alumni Network newsletter

The second issue of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network (KAN) newsletter has been published featuring podcasts, news, stories and events that celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of St Andrews graduates around the world.

You can read the latest issue below.

All are welcome in Kaleidoscope. If you don’t receive KAN communications and would like to, please contact Dr Catherine Dunford at stakan@st-andrews.ac.uk to register.

University Research Blog

Did you know that you can read about ongoing research projects at St Andrews through the University's Research Blog?

Find out how St Andrews academics and postgraduate researchers are empowering young artists in rural Namibia, collaborating across the sciences to tackle big health challenges, and developing sustainable OLEDs to illuminate our mobile phone, television and smart watch screens.

Alumni Stories

We are delighted to feature Alumni Stories from four St Andrews graduates in this issue.

Visual artist and writer Samantha Clark (PhD 2017) reflects on learning and loss following the death of renowned poet – and her former PhD superviser – Professor John Burnside earlier this year. 

Arabella Willing (BSc 2009) (pictured) reflects on her journey from a degree in Marine Biology to winning a Pride of Abu Dhabi award for her contribution to environmental conservation, and Joseph Ehrlich (MA 2011) shares how the charity he founded after graduating in 2021 is supporting refugees into work through a new rickshaw service set to launch in St Andrews.

Charlotte Engel (BA International Honours 2019) talks about curating historical clothing, TikTok success and her nomination as a finalist in the British Council’s global Study UK Alumni Awards.

Contact the editor at sem28@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to share your Alumni Story.

Alumni Authors

SaintsFunder: Saints Hockey bursary

Saints Hockey – the University of St Andrews Hockey Club – was founded in 1904 and has eight women’s teams and four men’s teams competing in both BUCS and national leagues. Players also provide outreach opportunities and coaching for children in the local community.

The Club aims to provide a Saints Hockey Bursary for the 2024-2025 academic year, making the sport more accessible and breaking down the barriers to engagement in hockey for both physical and social benefits.

Laidlaw Live

Look out for the latest Laidlaw Music Centre concerts and live-streamed concerts and access high quality music – wherever you are in the world.

Reconnect!

If you know someone who would like to reconnect and sign up for St Andrews in the News, they can do so using the links below:

Alumni: Update your contact information 

Parents/guardians of undergraduate students: Register to join the Family Programme

Email: alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information