A week to remember: celebrating the Class of 2026

More than 2,200 students from 80 countries crossed the stage in the Younger Hall over five days during summer graduation week, joined for the celebrations by family and friends.

St Andrews also marked the installation of Dame Anne Pringle as Chancellor.

A distinguished diplomat and St Andrews alumna, Dame Anne will play a key role in conferring degrees during graduation and representing St Andrews globally. She also presides over the Chancellor's Circle, our community of legacy pledgers who have chosen to remember the University with a gift in their will.

The University also conferred honorary degrees during the summer ceremonies. Honorary graduates included Professor Dr Michael Hoch, Rector of the University of Bonn, who received an honorary Doctor of Science in recognition of his contributions to molecular biology, academic leadership, and international cooperation in higher education.

You can read the full list of honorary graduates below.

Why we give: Patrick and Anne Foster

Patrick Foster (BSc Hons 1974) and his wife, Anne (née Dryden, BSc 1973), have supported the University of St Andrews philanthropically for over three decades, enabling undergraduate field trips in Geology and Geoscience and funding microscopes for the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Here, Patrick explains what motivated them to extend their support to the Digital Nexus building as part of the Making Waves Campaign.

Hansine and Tash at Henley Royal Regatta

St Andrews rowing duo make Henley history

University of St Andrews rowers Hansine Marshall and Natasha 'Tash' Phillips have made history by becoming the first crew from the University to reach a final at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.

Competing in the Stonor Challenge Trophy, Henley Royal Regatta’s premier women’s double sculls event, they gave a remarkable performance to secure their place in the final. Hansine and Tash faced New Zealand’s Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors, the reigning Olympic champions in the women’s double sculls, following their gold medal success at Paris 2024.

Dr Fergus Neville, University of St Andrews Business School

Saints Spotlight: Dr Fergus Neville

Dr Fergus Neville is the Director of Postgraduate Research for the University of St Andrews Business School. In this month’s Saints Spotlight, he discusses his research on crowds, examining how people experience and behave in collective contexts. 

 Alumni Stories

Laura on graduation day

Alumna Laura Beveridge (MA Hons 2022) was recently named The Washington Post’s 2026 Stern-Bryan Fellow, a role that will see her covering this year’s midterm elections in Washington, DC. She reflects on her journalistic beginnings with The Saint and shares her experience working as a Junior Political Correspondent in London.

Bede with fellow members of the New Zealand Army Band, pictured on the Swilcan Bridge in 2002

When Bede Williams (PhD 2018) first visited St Andrews in 2002 while touring with the New Zealand Army Band, he couldn’t have predicted that it would one day become the epicentre of his musical life. He reflects on his long-standing connections to the Laidlaw Music Centre, where he is now the Deputy Director of Music.

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

 Alumni Authors

Edward Findlay of the University’s Alumni Relations team, pictured with Michelle Stewart and Rachel McEwen from the Careers Centre

CASE Gold award for Coffee Connect

Coffee Connect, the University of St Andrews’ volunteer-led mentoring programme, has been recognised with a Gold award in the global CASE Circle of Excellence Awards 2026.

​Delivered by the Development Office in partnership with the Careers Centre, Coffee Connect matches students and recent graduates with alumni, parents, and friends of the University for informal, online career conversations, during which they can share experiences that can spark ideas and open professional doors.

The next round of applications for Coffee Connect will be open from Monday 7 September to Friday 23 October. Look out for details of how you can get involved!

Global alumni association launched for St Mary's College

The Lily, Mast & Mascle Fellowship Society of St Mary’s College has been established as an affiliated body of both St Mary's College and St Mary's Society at the University of 
St Andrews.

Founded in 2025, the Fellowship brings together alumni, students, staff, and friends of the College who share a commitment to preserving and promoting the academic, spiritual, and historic legacy of St Mary’s.

Alumni and supporters are invited to join the Fellowship to keep up to date with news and future events, and to receive the School of Divinity’s newsletter, The Holm Oak.

Patrons' Programme 2026: limited spaces remaining

We are looking forward to hosting guests for this year's Patrons' Programme on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September. Limited spaces remain. Register below to secure your space.

R&A International Scholarship supports global alumni adventures

Four new St Andrews graduates will embark upon global adventures this autumn thanks to the support of the University's R&A International Scholarship.

Cycling the Ring of Fire

Andrew Edginton and Katie Monk are planning to spend their scholarship year cycling around 35,000km of the Pacific Ring of Fire. They'll be documenting how people and nature respond to ongoing environmental change, focusing on the core themes of sustainable travel, resilience, and recovery. The pair intend to produce a podcast about their experiences. You can follow their adventures here.

The Chemistry of Sustainable Fashion: Materials, Colour and Circularity

Daka Zvekare will draw on her experience with Ubuntu, the Afro-Caribbean Society charity fashion show at St Andrews, and in developing a chemical heterostructure for breaking down fabric dyes in sunlight through her academic research, to develop her project. She plans to travel to Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Kenya, and South Africa to learn about the chemistry behind different approaches to sustainable fashion. Daka will be uploading case studies and discoveries online here.

Nature for Nurture

Aleksandra Tracichleb will travel to New Zealand, Australia, Northern Ireland, Argentina, and Canada to work with groups focusing on surf therapy, providing community gardens, and developing adaptive outdoor education. Her adventures will form an exploration of the effects of spending time in nature on mental wellbeing. You can read her reflections here.

Alumni referral programme 

​The Alumni Relations Team and the Careers Centre recently launched an alumni referral programme on Saint Connect. This enables alumni to share referral opportunities with students and recent graduates who are seeking roles within their organisations.

By taking part, you can support students and recent graduates as they navigate competitive job markets, raise your organisation’s profile within the St Andrews community, and make use of your organisation’s referral benefits.

Advance your professional development with St Andrews

Exclusive alumni discount on short courses

This autumn, alumni can benefit from an exclusive 50% discount on Executive Education short courses at the University of St Andrews Business School. Designed for busy professionals, the three-day courses cover topics including artificial intelligence, leadership, conflict resolution, banking and finance, and value-based healthcare.

Take your leadership to the next level

In addition, the Global Certificate in Company Direction returns for its second year, delivered by the Institute of Directors in partnership with the Business School.

Designed for senior leaders, directors, and executives, the programme brings together board-level governance, leadership, strategy, and finance through an international lens. Combining residential and online learning, it supports participants to develop the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to lead effectively in today’s complex business environment, while progressing towards Chartered Director status.

Book your ticket now for St Andrews v Edinburgh

The University of St Andrews will play the University of Edinburgh in the Scottish Varsity rugby match on Friday 18 September at 7.30pm at the Hive Stadium, Scottish Gas Murrayfield. Come along and support our student squad. Tickets are on sale now.

YETI x University of St Andrews: discover the new range

Discover the expanded Yeti range from the University of St Andrews Shop, available in store and online. The latest additions include the Rambler mug in navy – our most popular colour  – and the 10oz tumbler in Black Forest green.

Inscription opportunities: leave a lasting mark

​Mark a graduation milestone with an inscribed seat plaque inside the Younger Hall, the ceremonial heart of University life, or with a personalised flagstone outside. A limited number of newly released flagstones are now available to commemorate a graduate’s achievement or celebrate a lasting connection to St Andrews.

Contact Katie Birrell, Mid Gifts Executive, at kjb21@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.

St Andrews represented at Edinburgh festivals

The Edinburgh International Festival paid tribute this month to the late Professor John Wallace CBE, one of Scotland’s most influential and beloved musicians, and friend of the University of St Andrews.

Brass players from three of Scotland’s leading orchestras joined forces with The Wallace Collection ensemble, St Andrews Music Participation (StAMP), the University of St Andrews' music education and outreach programme, which John helped to establish, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Junior Conservatoire to remember to the internationally renowned trumpeter, educator, scholar, and cultural leader. 

If you are in Edinburgh this month, there's still time to catch St Andrews talent on stage at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Shows still to come include the Mermaids' production of The Next Chapter, the Studio Platero Society's The Tears of Nerakhis, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's Trial by Jury, as well as productions from independent student groups.

SaintsFunder: Summer Baroque Course

The annual University of St Andrews Summer Baroque Course attracts aspiring professional baroque musicians from around the world. The course is held in the Laidlaw Music Centre and is taught by a team of renowned practitioners. Scholarships and bursaries help to ensure talented musicians can benefit, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

Are your details up to date?

To let us know about any changes to your details, please complete the online form below, or contact alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk. 

You can find out more about alumni benefits and support on our website. 

Families of current students can register for the University's Family Programme.