Making Waves Campaign celebrates £150 million milestone

The University's Making Waves Campaign reached the halfway mark this month, with donations totalling £150,067,929 thanks to the support of 15,826 donors including alumni, families, and friends. This is a major milestone towards the Campaign total of £300m. 

Funds raised are supporting undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships for students who would otherwise be unable to study at St Andrews; they are funding endowed academic posts that will drive world-leading research; and they are enabling the delivery of our two capital projects: 'New College' and the Digital Nexus building.

"Reaching the £150 million mark is a significant moment for the University, and is a testament to the generosity of our alumni, families, and friends around the world, who share our vision for St Andrews," said Robert Fleming, Director of Development. "We are grateful to every donor – at every level – who has contributed to this collective effort, including those who have remembered the University in their will. 

"While this milestone brings us halfway to our £300m Campaign total, there is still important work ahead. I am confident that with the continued support of our community, we will achieve the full impact that the Making Waves Campaign is designed to deliver."

Chancellor's installation planned for summer graduation week

Dame Anne Pringle has been elected as the new Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, becoming the first woman to hold the post in over 600 years. A distinguished diplomat and 
St Andrews alumna, Dame Anne succeeds the late Lord Campbell of Pittenweem. 

The installation of the new Chancellor is anticipated to take place in St Andrews in late June during summer graduation week, with full details to be confirmed.

Winner of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment announced

Congratulations to the South Rupununi Conservation Society, winner of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2026. The project aims to preserve the wildlife, environment, and culture of the Rupununi through community-based conservation, environmental education, and research.

Donor Story: The RS MacDonald Charitable Trust

The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust’s support for neurological research has played an important part in establishing the University as a centre of excellence in neurophotonics. Their St Andrews Seedcorn Fund for Neuroscience supports early-career researchers (ERCs) who are conducting pioneering work on systems neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease.

Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews in the spotlight

Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews (Sands IFF) returns to the University's Byre Theatre and other venues around the town from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April, celebrating its fifth year with a packed programme of screenings and events. Tickets are on sale now.

Sands IFF provides industry, events, and programming experience to students through its team of curators and volunteers. The Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of donors and partners.

Alumna Molly Ryan (MLitt 2022) is Director of Cornell Cinema at Cornell University, New York. She was selected as an intern in the curatorial team behind the very first Sands IFF while studying for her Masters in Film Studies at St Andrews. Here, she shares her journey from student curator to a career in the film industry.

Find out more about ways to support St Andrews – including enhancing student experience – through the Making Waves Campaign.   

St Andrews appoints Assistant Vice-Principal (Diversity)

Professor Akira O’Connor of the School of Psychology and Neuroscience has been appointed Assistant Vice-Principal (Diversity), joining the University’s Senior Management team. Professor O’Connor led the University’s successful application to achieve Race Equality Charter (REC) status.

In this role, he will work closely with Dr Rebekah Widdowfield, Vice-Principal (People and Governance), to continue the progress made to develop the key themes and institutional action plans flowing from the Diverse St Andrews pillar of the University Strategy, including the REC and Athena Swan.

New Bobby Jones Scholars announced 

The Robert T Jones Scholarships (also known as the Bobby Jones Scholarships) support students from St Andrews for one year of study and life-changing experiences at Emory University in Atlanta. 

The following students have been selected as Bobby Jones Scholars for the 2026 – 2027 academic year:

• Elena Muyo De Bonrostro (4th year Mathematics)

• Hannah MacDonald (4th year Social Anthropology)

• Katie Louise Riddick (4th year Geography and Sustainable Development)

• Joelle Millar (4th year Computer Science)

The scholars were announced at a celebratory dinner held at the R&A and hosted by the trustees of the Robert T Jones Memorial Trust.

Four students from Emory University will spend the next academic year in St Andrews as part of the prestigious exchange programme, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. 

Book now: Alumni Weekend 2026

Running from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June, this year’s programme has something for everyone – whether you want to pit your wits against your fellow alumni in our quiz night, enjoy a glass of fizz and browse the bookshelves at Topping & Company Booksellers, play golf at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, hear from pioneering PhD researchers on our Dynamic Stage, or simply unwind at the Alumni Clubhouse.

The programme also includes the University Public Meeting, the summer meeting of the General Council, a Pier Walk, an ‘In Conversation’ event at the Wardlaw Museum, and a bespoke gin tasting with Eden Mill.

You can even stay in one of our Halls of Residence – with special alumni rates available online while rooms last.

View the full programme and register now via the link below.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026: Saturday 27 June

Register now for the Arnold Palmer Invitational 2026, which will be played on the Kittocks Course, St Andrews, on Saturday 27 June. This one-day friendly tournament brings together alumni, parents, students, and friends of the University in support of our performance golf programme, Saints Golf.

Diva Opera returns to St Andrews

Diva Opera returns to St Andrews on Saturday 28 March with a performance of Rossini’s La Cenerentola as part of the Music Centre Concert Series, thanks to the generous support of The Laidlaw Opera Trust. La Cenerentola reimagines the timeless fairy tale Cinderella with vibrant musical charm and comedic brilliance, brought to life at the Laidlaw Music Centre.

Making Waves Lecture Series 

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

• 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.

Image credit: National Library of France

War, Destruction and Reform at the Wardlaw Museum

A new exhibition, 'War, Destruction and Reform – The Early Years of Mary Queen of Scots', has opened at the Wardlaw Museum, drawing on cross-disciplinary expertise from around and beyond the University to look at the hidden social stories during the period of upheaval which marked the early reign of Mary Queen of Scots.

The exhibition features truly spectacular items, including the Nicolay Rutter: a map of Scotland from 1583 showing James V's 1540 circumnavigation of his kingdom to assert his royal power. The Nicolay Rutter is regarded as the oldest accurate chart of Scotland.

 Alumni Story

Christina by the sea in St Andrews

Christina Mackenzie (MA 1979) chose to study at the University of St Andrews as a nod to her father’s Scottish heritage. She shares memories of her time at the University, including the formation of her academic family and a memorable victory in the Andrew Melville Hall bridge competition. Following a rewarding career in journalism, Christina reflects on building her foundations – in both her personal and professional life – at St Andrews.

To share your Alumni Story, please contact us at deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk.

 Alumni Profile

Claudio pursued a career with Mars, Inc. after graduating from St Andrews

Claudio Bertino (MSc 2022) came to St Andrews from Italy to study for a postgraduate degree in Finance and Management. He enjoyed the wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge the postgraduate course at St Andrews provided. He now works as a Senior Strategy and Finance Business Partner at Mars, Inc. Here, Claudio shares more about his career pathway and gives advice for students and new graduates.

To share an Alumni Profile, please complete our brief online form.

Alumni Authors

Professor Anna Brattstrom, University of St Andrews Business School 

Saints Spotlight: Professor Anna Brattstrom

Professor Anna Brattstrom joined the University of St Andrews Business School last year as Professor of Entrepreneurship. In this month’s Saints Spotlight, she discusses working with the first students on the new MSc Entrepreneurship programme alongside the broader issues of AI and moral ambiguity in the entrepreneurial sector.

Dr Marcel Lukas, Vice Dean Executive Education

New Executive Education courses launched for 2026

Advance your expertise, expand your network, and return to St Andrews for an immersive learning experience with the new suite of Executive Education courses launched by the University of St Andrews Business School for 2026.

• Generative AI in Business and Finance – 21–23 April. Last chance to secure your place.

• Contemporary Issues in Banking & Finance – 26–28 May

An exclusive alumni rate is available to St Andrews graduates. Enrol on any of these Executive Education courses for just £1,650 (standard fee £3,300).

Santander £500 awards open to recent graduates

To mark National Student Money Week – ‘Future Ready: Money Skills for Success’, Santander is offering 200 awards of £500 to provide practical financial support to any:

• Current full-time or part-time students (2025-2026 academic year)

• Degree apprentices

• Recent graduates (from the 2022-2023 academic year onwards).

Every applicant will receive access to a series of new, free ‘on-demand’ courses through Santander Open Academy during the period that the awards are open to applications, with the aim of supporting students and graduates in their employability journey.

Closing date: 14 May 2026

SaintsFunder: Olympic Weightlifting Club

In recent years, the University of St Andrews Olympic Weightlifting Club has experienced a surge in athletes competing across all levels. In February 2026, nine lifters across six weight classes attended the Scottish Universities and Colleges Championships in Broxburn, bringing home six medals. Two of the Club's top athletes have been invited to join the Scottish team in training prior to the Commonwealth Games later this year. 

The Club plans to expand participation in training and competitions, opening barriers to the sport for all students who wish to participate at a competitive level. 

University Shop: spring/summer clothing sale 

Enjoy great discounts on your favourite University of St Andrews apparel, in store and online, with the University Shop's spring/summer sale. Available while stock lasts.

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