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Students marked the beginning of a new academic year with a Pier Walk
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St Andrews in the News
September 2026
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​Welcome to the September issue of St Andrews in the News, in which we are delighted to celebrate the news that the University of St Andrews has been named the UK's best university in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, published today.
This month, you can also read about the first Pier Walk of Martinmas Semester, the first recipients of the new Fulbright-University of St Andrews Scholar and Distinguished Scholar awards, and new research from the School of Geography and Sustainable Development on the impact of trawling on Scotland’s carbon-rich seabeds.
There are also stories from our alumni, and opportunities to engage with the University through Coffee Connect, the QS World University Rankings, and Saints Golf.
We hope that you enjoy this month's round-up and, as always, you can find more news and research updates via the University Newsroom.
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St Andrews is UK's best university
The University of St Andrews has been named the UK's best university in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027 published earlier today. It is the third time in six years that the University has secured the top spot in the UK’s longest-running university league table.
In a message to the University community, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Sally Mapstone said: “From our demanding entry tariffs to the strength of our world-leading teaching and research, through the achievements of our students and graduates to the quality of the professional services which support our academic mission, St Andrews has proved not only that small is beautiful, it can be consistently sector-leading.
“I hope our community can enjoy this moment. It comes at a time when our universities are facing unprecedented pressure and critique, when the value of higher education is questioned more aggressively than it ever has been, and when the world appears to need, more than ever, the independent, critical thinkers our universities protect, nurture, and refine.
"Today, our number one ranking celebrates what makes you and St Andrews different, but no university succeeds alone."
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| Read more about St Andrews' rankings success |
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Pier Walk marks the start of a new academic year
Hundreds of students took part in a beautiful, if blustery, Pier Walk to mark the beginning of Martinmas Semester. Every Sunday, following the morning service in St Salvator's Chapel, students in their gowns walk down to the end of the pier, climb the ladder, and walk (carefully) back along the highest part of the wall.
We hope you enjoy this bird's-eye view of the Pier Walk above!
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Lauren South, PhD candidate in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development
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St Andrews PhD scholar sheds light on trawling's impact on carbon-rich seabeds
New research from St Andrews shows that disturbing seabed sediments through trawling could cause significant losses of carbon stored in Scotland’s sea lochs.
According to lead author Lauren South, a PhD candidate in the School of Geography and Sustainable Development who is supported by the Jane Lively Steward PhD Scholarship, the research provides important new evidence about the vulnerability of these carbon-rich sediments.
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| More about this new research |
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Saints Golf in the spotlight
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L-R: Stefano Pierracini, Proprietor and Managing Director of Clarets; Jim Stewart, Managing Director of Connoisseur Golf; Seamus Coen, General Manager at Rusacks St Andrews
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Supporting Saints: Rusacks St Andrews, Clarets, and Connoisseur Golf
For more than 170 years, golf has been woven into the fabric of student life at the University of St Andrews. Today, nearly 1,000 students, almost one in every ten at the University, engage with Saints Golf, making it one of the largest and most vibrant university golf programmes in Europe.
In this month’s newsletter, Seamus Coen of Rusacks St Andrews, Stefano Pierracini of Clarets, and alumnus Jim Stewart (MA Hons 2005) of Connoisseur Golf, explain what motivated them to sponsor the University’s golf programme for the 2026-2027 season.
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| Read more |
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Postcards from St Andrews: Winston Margaritis
Postcards from St Andrews is a new content series profiling individuals who make up our Saints Golf programme, which pairs elite competitive golf with a university education in the town regarded as the game’s spiritual home. The series will run throughout the 2026-2027 season as we build towards The Open Championship’s return to the Old Course in July.
In our first Postcard, 2025-2026 Golf Scholar Winston Margaritis shares his journey from Tennessee to St Andrews as one of a small group of postgraduate players on the programme.
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| Read Winston's Postcard from St Andrews |
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Saints Golf Online Auction
Next month, our student athletes will take on Texas, Washington, and Pennsylvania in the St Andrews Links Collegiate, playing across the Old Course and Jubilee Course in a tournament broadcast live on the Golf Channel.
To mark the occasion, and to support the Saints Golf programme, we’ve launched an online auction featuring fourballs at some of the world’s most celebrated courses, including Prestwick, Leopard Creek, and Sunningdale, and a private tour of the R&A Clubhouse in St Andrews.
Every successful bid supports golf scholarships, coaching, and the University’s commitment to widening access through women’s and disability golf. Bidding is open now.
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| Saints Golf Online Auction |
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Coffee Connect: online mentoring programme open now
Coffee Connect is our award-winning mentoring programme, delivered in partnership with the University's Careers Centre. It is designed to support students and recent graduates by fostering connection, inspiration, and shared experience.
Mentors and mentees are matched for online conversations that can spark new ideas, build confidence, and open doors. Now in its sixth year, more than 5,000 alumni, students, and parents have signed up to enjoy a relaxed chat over a virtual coffee.
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| Register for Coffee Connect |
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QS rankings: call for alumni support
The QS World University Rankings recognise the top global universities, including the University of St Andrews. We are calling on our alumni to support St Andrews by participating in the survey and sharing feedback on our University.
There are two ways to get involved. Whether you are a graduate in employment or employ a St Andrews graduate, you can help support the University's standing in the rankings. Would your employer be willing to complete the upcoming QS survey about the calibre of graduates they employ?
Please let us know at alumni@st-andrews.ac.uk, and we will be in touch with you in October with further information about how to participate in the survey. QS is a crucial ranking for
St Andrews and your support would be greatly appreciated.
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Study UK Alumni Awards: applications open
The British Council Study UK Alumni Awards celebrate the achievements of inspirational alumni who are making an impact around the world, whether in business, the arts, entrepreneurship, or community leadership.
Find out more and apply on the Study UK website before Thursday 15 October.
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| Apply now |
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Professor Lars Kothoff, Johann and Gaynor Rupert Chair in Artificial Intelligence
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Saints Spotlight: Professor Lars Kotthoff
Professor Lars Kotthoff (PhD 2012) is the Johann and Gaynor Rupert Chair in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of St Andrews, an endowed post supported by generous donations from participants of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in honour of Johann and Gaynor Rupert through the Making Waves Campaign.
In this month’s Saints Spotlight, he discusses the potential for implementing AI to improve teaching and research across his alma mater.
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| Spotlight on Professor Lars Kothoff |
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Mansoor after a meeting of the Bute Medical Society in the 1960s
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Mansoor Ibrahim (MB ChB 1966) grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, studied Medicine at St Andrews, waltzed with Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral, and, at the age of 88, continues to practise his profession for a couple of hours a day, back 'Behind the Bridge'. Mansoor’s daughter, Dr Amina Ibrahim-Ali shares his story of work, method, and discipline.
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| Read Mansoor's story |
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Catherine in Namibia, 2026
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Catherine Rose (BSc Hons 2005), Director of Teaching and Senior Lecturer in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, reflects on her ‘pleasingly accidental’ career path. What began as a spur of the moment choice on a university application form, led Catherine down a path of geological discovery. This decision would take her from Scotland to Namibia, Bhutan, Australia, and beyond – before bringing her right back to St Andrews.
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| Read Catherine's story |
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To share your Alumni Story, please contact us at deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You can also hear from graduates around the world in our Alumni Profiles or submit your own to inspire current and prospective students, as well as fellow alumni.
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Julianne Edwards (MA Hons 1988)
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Representing St Andrews, home and away, at the beach sprint championships
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St Andrews shine at three major beach sprint events
University of St Andrews athletes have delivered a series of outstanding performances across three major beach sprint rowing events, claiming championship titles, podium finishes, and international recognition as the coastal rowing season approaches its climax.
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| Read more about the results |
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Continue your learning journey with us
Whether you're looking to advance your career, explore a new area of interest, or develop specialist expertise, our flexible online degrees, micro-credentials, and short courses can help you achieve your goals. Learn with internationally recognised academics, study at your own pace, and fit your learning around work, family, and other commitments.
Our online portfolio includes postgraduate degrees in areas such as Data Science, International Relations, and Digital Art History, alongside short courses designed to help you build skills in fields including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and financial technology. Wherever you are in the world, you can access the same supportive learning experience that St Andrews is known for.
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| More about postgraduate study |
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The St Andrews Laidlaw Scholars making a global impact
The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme combines academic research with leadership development and social impact experience. It is supported by the Laidlaw Foundation. Two St Andrews Laidlaw Scholars have been highlighted in the Foundation’s Annual Review 2025-2026, which celebrated outstanding projects from scholars around the world.
Sophie Cooper, who graduated this summer in International Relations and Social Anthropology, won the Student Minority Projects Challenge for her Leadership in Action project entitled ‘Promoting Intercultural Dialogue through Digital Storytelling’. She was invited to present the project at the UN Forum for Minority Issues in Geneva.
Andrew Edginton, who graduated in Geology in July, was recognised for his project partnering with Attraction Birds Conservation in Tanzania to develop a sustainable funding model for the organisation.
Andrew also featured in last month’s issue of St Andrews in the News as he prepares to cycle the Pacific Ring of Fire with fellow St Andrews graduate Katie Monk (BSc Hons 2026), supported by the R&A International Scholarship.
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Can you help connect Arclight with international distribution partners?
Arclight is an affordable, pocket-sized all-in-one ophthalmoscope, otoscope, and examination loupe developed at the University of St Andrews. It enables trained health workers to examine the eye and ear, recognise signs of disease, and make better-informed decisions about treatment or referral. The team behind the Arclight Project is seeking to expand its network of suitable distributors and partners internationally and would welcome connections with alumni and friends who have relevant industry contacts or expertise.
If you may be able to assist, please contact arclight@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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The Alumni Founders Community gathering at Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh
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Alumni founders gather at Gleneagles Townhouse
More than 40 alumni founders met at Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh, for an evening of networking, connection, and inspiration. The event marked the next chapter of the University’s Alumni Founders Community, a growing global network of entrepreneurs, investors, and advisers.
This year, the community is evolving with:
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regular online and in-person events
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Alumni Founder Spotlights
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opportunities to mentor and support student entrepreneurs
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a dedicated WhatsApp community for founder-to-founder conversations, introductions, and opportunities
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greater visibility for alumni ventures and achievements.
Whether you’re an experienced founder, an investor, exploring a new venture, or simply looking to reconnect with entrepreneurial alumni, we’d love to welcome you.
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| Join the Alumni Founders Community |
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University of St Andrews Gaelic Football Club
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SaintsFunder: University of St Andrews Gaelic Football Club
Founded in 2025, the University of St Andrews Gaelic Football Club is the University's newest sports team. The Club welcomes players of all levels of experience and fields both men's and women's teams.
Having already established a strong community through regular training sessions and friendly matches against other Scottish universities, the Club is now preparing for its first season of competitive play.
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| More about the Gaelic Football Club |
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