Honorary graduate and broadcaster Kirsty Young

Winter graduation celebrations

A former Lord Justice Clerk, a former Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, and one of the most respected broadcasters in the UK were awarded honorary degrees during the recent winter graduation. The honorary graduates joined families, staff, and friends in the Younger Hall for the December ceremonies, alongside over 800 of our newest alumni.

Raphael Vermeir CBE, one of the pioneers of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, was awarded the University Medal.

You can view photos from our winter graduation garden party below via our Alumni Facebook page.

University to elect new Chancellor

The University has begun the process to elect a new Chancellor following the sad death of Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.

Members of the General Council who wish to vote in the election must register by 9 January 2026. Candidates must be nominated by a minimum of 25 members of the General Council and cannot be members of staff or matriculated students at the University. 

Nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026. The election will be held from 16 to 22 February 2026.

The Falside Mill team with student representatives from Saints Rugby

Making Waves: sponsor story

Sport at St Andrews helps students to build connections, resilience, and confidence. This is made possible by the support of our partners. Here, Falside Mill and Emtelle, sponsors of Saints Rugby for the 2025-2026 academic year, share how their connections to the University have grown into lasting partnerships.

(L-R) Harris Bisset, Hansine Marshall, and Tom Mitchell

Rowing trio bring home Commonwealth Championship medals

The University of St Andrews is celebrating a remarkable achievement after all three Saints rowers returned from the 2025 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprints Championships in Barbados with medals.

Read the full story, including additional successes for Saints Rowing.

Alumni at the London Carol Service

Alumni Carol Services

It was a pleasure to be joined by so many of our alumni, friends and supporters at this year's Alumni Carol Services and festive receptions in London and St Andrews. 

You can watch the livestream recording of the St Andrews Alumni Carol Service below. 

Photographs from our London Alumni Carol Service, held at St Columba's Church on Pont Street, can be viewed below. 

Global Burns Night 2026: save the date!

Please save the date for our annual Global Burns Night, which will be held online on Thursday 22 January.

This popular event celebrates Scotland’s national poet and Scottish culture through a showcase of music, poetry, traditional dance, food and drink, and academic elements from across the University.

Further details, including registration, will follow.

Will Writing Webinar

Join local solicitor Fiona McDonald, MA, LLB, Dip LP, ATT (Fellow), NP, and our Legacies Manager Katrina Bell on 27 January 2026 at 5pm for an informative session on:

• the importance of writing a will
• making provision for powers of attorney
• an overview of inheritance tax.

Fiona is a partner at Fyfe McDonald Solicitors in St Andrews, accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Private Client Tax Law. She co-authored Inheritance Tax in Scotland (Bloomsbury Professional) and The Elder Client (W. Green & Son Ltd), and previously tutored Revenue Law at the University of Edinburgh.

Making Waves Lecture Series 

The Making Waves Lecture Series features talks from leading academics from across the University. Details of upcoming lectures are below.

• Wednesday 11 February, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Richard Whatmore, School of History

• Tuesday 21 April, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Peter Wahl, School of Physics and Astronomy

• Wednesday 10 June, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Rhiannon Purdie, School of English

We look forward to welcoming alumni, supporters, and friends to hear more about the big ideas taking shape at St Andrews and the ripples they are creating across society.

All lectures are free to attend. Please register via the link below.

Thank you from Collective Giving

Professor Phillips O'Brien, School of International Relations

War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why

Last month, the Development Office hosted two gatherings in the US with Professor Phillips O’Brien from the School of International Relations, celebrating the launch of his new book, War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why. 

Alumni, parents, and friends enjoyed lively, thoughtful discussions with Professor O’Brien in Washington and Boston.

Professor Ifor Samuel, School of Physics and Astronomy

Saints Spotlight: Ifor Samuel

In this month’s Saints Spotlight, Professor Ifor Samuel of the School of Physics and Astronomy discusses the Organic Semiconductor Centre that he founded at the University of St Andrews, and his team’s recent breakthrough – creating a new type of laser. 

Ifor recently received the Thomas Young Prize for his world-leading research into OLEDs, organic lasers, and their applications in technology and medicine.

The University has launched a new online degree, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice

Explore our online courses

The University has launched a new online PGT programme, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice, which covers a range of pressing global challenges and brings together the expertise of practitioners, policymakers, and scholars in responding to and resolving these issues.

Alumni Stories

Flavia on her graduation day, pictured with the University mace bearers

Flavia D’Avila (PhD 2022) is an award-winning theatre director and researcher. She discusses her PhD workshops, making your own St Andrews traditions, and the creation of Placeholder, a poignant solo show that illuminates little-known characters and facts from Caribbean history.

Collette during a traditional St Andrews ‘soaking’ – a cold bucket of water to celebrate the end of undergraduate exams

Collette Norval (née Oliver) (MA 2013) had her sights set on St Andrews from her first experience of the University during childhood holidays. She shares her experience of the Sutton Trust Summer School, finding her place in Saints Sport, and her varied career path.

To share your Alumni Story, please contact us at deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk, or submit an Alumni Profile using our online form. 

Alumni Authors

St Andrews Renaissance Singers: 70th anniversary celebration

Celebrate seven decades of music with an unforgettable weekend from 13 to 15 March 2026. This celebration of singing will include many old favourites, plus a workshop day with The Gesualdo Six and a ‘massed’ choir concert, featuring a new piece by award-winning young composer Kit McCarthy, which has been specially commissioned for the anniversary.

Please complete the form below to book your place. Bookings will be confirmed upon payment of the weekend participation fee.

SaintsFunder: St Andrews Sailing Boat Club

The University of St Andrews Sailing Club Dinghy Team has seen great success in competitions throughout the UK and also supports beginners interested in the sport.

Their fleet of dinghies, purchased in 2013, desperately needs to be replaced, and the Club hopes to acquire six new Firefly dinghies which will support the training needs of their nationally recognised sailors and provide resources for newcomers to the sport.

University Shop

Festive gifts and cosy winter treats are available from the University of St Andrews Shop, in store and online. Explore the range 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:

Alumni: Update your contact information

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