Congratulations to the Class of 2025

This summer, we celebrated the achievements of over 2,200 students from 88 countries during our week-long graduation celebrations.

Among the Class of 2025 was Mathis Bourassa (MA 2025), who graduated with a First Class Honours in Economics and International Relations as the 50th McEuen Scholar. The McEuen Scholarship was established in 1974 and supports Canadian students to study at St Andrews, fostering connections between Scotland and Canada.

Also celebrating was third-generation St Andrews graduate Luke Haxell (MPhys 2025), who followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, David Haxell (BD 1981), his father, Andrew Haxell (MA 1992), his mother, Gillian Haxell (née Mason, MA 1992), and his uncle, Richard Mason (MPhil 1992). Andrew is the fifth in his family to attend St Andrews.

Don Ramsay (MA 2025) graduated in English and Modern History in his 70s, having come from a background in maths and finance. Don originally registered for an evening degree course on a non-graduating basis, and was inspired to continue to a full Honours degree.

Honorary graduate and star of stage and screen Alan Cumming in the academic procession

Honorary degrees were awarded to recipients including professional golfer and golf broadcaster Judy Rankin; journalist Frank Gardner OBE; and writer, actor and Artistic Director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre Alan Cumming. 

The full list of honorary graduates is available here.

Donor Story: Santander Scholars Programme

The University of St Andrews has been a Santander partner university since 2010, during which time Santander has donated over £1.7 million to the University, benefiting more than 400 students through its support of areas including education, entrepreneurship and employability.

We are delighted to announced the continuation of this partnership from September 2025 with support of £50,000 each year for the next two years, which will fund two postgraduate scholarships, in addition to entrepreneurship and employability awards.

Here, one of our newest graduates, Eilidh Lucas (BSc 2025), shares how Santander's support enabled her to pursue a dream that had always seemed beyond her reach.

An architect's visualisation of 'New College' on South Street

Planning application lodged for 'New College' development

Major plans to redevelop one of the most distinctive and historically significant buildings in

St Andrews have taken a significant step forward. The University has applied to Fife Council for full planning consent to renovate the former Madras College school building on South Street and construct new buildings on the site, creating ‘New College’. 

Once completed, ‘New College’ will be home to the new University of St Andrews Business School, as well as the world-renowned School of International Relations. The news follows the announcement of a £5 million donation from the Garfield Weston Foundation to the ‘New College’ project as part of the Making Waves Campaign. 

The architect’s visualisation above shows the plans for a state-of-the-art home for the School of International Relations and the University of St Andrews Business School, providing an exceptional environment for teaching, research, and collaboration.

St Andrews scoops Scottish University of the Year title

St Andrews has been named Scottish University of the Year in the Daily Mail University Guide. The University was praised by the Guide for its consistent top ratings from students for teaching quality, student support and student experience.

Dr Kristen Treen, School of English

Double funding success will tell the forgotten story of America's Black refugee camps

Dr Kristen Treen from the School of English has been awarded both an AHRC Catalyst Award and a Leverhulme Research Project Grant to develop two projects that aim to untangle the narratives surrounding race, history and memory from the most conflicted time of America's history.

Dr Treen holds a Lectureship in American Literature at the University – a post that was established thanks to the successful fundraising efforts in the 600th Anniversary Campaign.

From L-R: Professor Chris McKenna, Medical Director NHS Fife, Carol Potter, Chief Executive, NHS Fife, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews, Professor Deborah Williamson, Dean of Medicine, University of St Andrews

NHS Fife celebrates University Health Board status

NHS Fife has officially become the first Health Board in more than 50 years to be formally granted University Health Board status, in partnership with the University of St Andrews, in recognition of its outstanding commitment to education, research, and innovation.

The new status marks a significant milestone in a long-standing partnership between NHS Fife and the University of St Andrews, which was strengthened in March 2024 with the signing of a formal partnership between the two institutions.

Alumni discount for online short courses

An exclusive 20% alumni discount is available now for online short courses at the University of St Andrews. Programmes include The History of Scottish Design in Six Objects, The Modernist Artist: From Europe to Latin America, Accredited Mediation Training, Practical Data Visualisation, Fintech Frontiers: Blockchain, Generative AI, and Digital Finance, and more. 

Use the code WelcomeBack2025 when booking before October 2025. Please include your 

St Andrews student ID number (if possible) in the comments section.

Dr John Elliott, School of Computer Science

Saints Spotlight: Dr John Elliott

Dr John Elliott has been a leading contributor to SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) post-detection research and development since the late 1990s.

In this month’s Saints Spotlight, he discusses founding the world’s first and only SETI Post Detection Hub at St Andrews. Here, a group of over 50 international experts and St Andrews students from a variety of disciplines are asking ‘what does humanity do when we discover we are not alone in the Cosmos?'.

Saints Sport news

Postgraduate student Hansine Marshall competing at the Henley Women's Regatta

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) 2024-2025

St Andrews ended the 2024-2025 academic year ranked 16th (out of 142 institutions) in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) national table, with 2405 points, marking the University's highest points total and highest position to date.

Historic Henley success

The University of St Andrews Boat Club made history in June with its first Henley Women’s Regatta win. The victory was secured by a brilliant performance from Saints Sport Scholar Hansine Marshall, who is studying for an MSc in Artificial Intelligence.

Gold for St Andrews student at 2025 FISU World University Games

In July, undergraduate scholar Sophia Issberner claimed gold rowing with the Great Britain Women's Eight (W8+) crew at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany. Sophia's achievement marked the first gold medal in GB rowing by a University of St Andrews student at an international event.

75 years of the Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament

In June, the University welcomed student golfers from around the world for the 75th edition of the Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament, which was held across the Old and New Courses. Female student golfers were included for the first time – a milestone that aligns with Saints Golf's commitment to the R&A Women in Golf Charter.

Former Arnold Palmer Scholar wins Women's English Amateur Championship

Alumna and former Arnold Palmer Scholar Lucy Jamieson (BSc 2025) claimed victory at the prestigious Women's English Amateur Championship, held over six days at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Celebrating 20 years of transforming lives through sport

A pioneering collaborating of seven UK universities, including the University of St Andrews, has marked 20 years of impactful partnership with Zambian NGO Sport in Action. The Wallace Group commemorated the milestone with a Twentieth Anniversary Gala (TAG) in Lusaka, Zambia.

Keep up with all the latest news from Saints Sport online here.

Alumni Stories

Emma Andersson, left, was the first female President of the Kate Kennedy Club

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Kate Kennedy Procession – an annual event that brings the rich history of St Andrews to life. This unique tradition has been interrupted only by World War II and the Covid-19 pandemic. Emma Andersson (BSc 2025), the first female President of the Kate Kennedy Club, looks ahead to this milestone and reflects on how much the Club has changed during the past century.

Berta scuba diving during a research trip to Costa Rica

Berta Manzano Rodriguez (BSc 2019) discusses her memories of studying Marine Biology at the University, including a research trip to Costa Rica, forming lifelong friendships and enjoying sunset coffees on The Scores.

For the past four years Berta has been working for Conservation Collective – a global network of environmental foundations. In her Alumni Story, she shares insights into the career opportunities in the field. 

Thomas Seale, centre, with friends celebrating Raisin Weekend

Thomas Seale (UCEAP 1977-1978) returned to St Andrews in May to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), which brought him here in 1977. He reflects on the life-changing year he spent at the University, his career in finance, producing olive oil in Provence, and the impact of St Andrews on his life.

 If you would like to share your Alumni Story, please email deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Alumni Authors

Art, identity and the business of belonging

In the latest issue of the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network Newsletter, St Andrews alumni Crispian Riley-Smith (MA 1989) and Jade Mkparu (MA 2024) discuss entrepreneurship, community and more. 

Crispian founded Katie’s nightclub while at St Andrews in the 1980s and has gone on to have a successful career in the art world. Jade is a recent graduate who is balancing her job as a management consulting analyst alongside growing her own business. 

You can listen to them in conversation on the Kaleidoscope Alumni Network's Ad Lib podcast, or read an interview with them both below.

University Shop: Under Armour Golf range available now

Back by popular demand, the University of St Andrews Under Armour golf clothing range has returned to the University Shop. Browse the collection below.

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:

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