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An autumnal stroll along the Scores
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St Andrews in the News
October 2026
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Welcome to the October issue of St Andrews in the News.
Since our last newsletter, St Andrews has hosted the 25th Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the University of St Andrews Men's 1st XV reclaimed the Varsity Rugby title against the University of Edinburgh, we have welcomed trustees of the University's American Foundation to St Andrews, and officially opened our new Corrour research centre, providing researchers and students with a dedicated base for fieldwork, teaching, and interdisciplinary research on the Highland estate.
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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Making Waves: The Campaign for St Andrews
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Introducing The Wave Makers
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The Making Waves Campaign aims to raise £300 million for projects across the University including four key priorities: 'New College', the Digital Nexus Building, scholarships, and endowed chairs.
Every wave begins with a single movement. An idea. A question. A ripple. A spark.
The Wave Makers is our new short film celebrating the people who make St Andrews, from those pioneering academic research to the hands you don't always see, whose work makes a difference every day. It explores how philanthropy is helping to create opportunities for talented students, advance world-changing research, and shape the future of the University.
Watch the film, narrated by sports presenter, alumna, and honorary graduate Hazel Irvine (MA Hons 1986; Hon LLD 2024), below, and discover how you can become a Wave Maker.
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| Learn more about the Making Waves Campaign |
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Trustees of the University of St Andrews' American Foundation visiting 'New College'
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American Foundation trustees visit St Andrews
We were delighted to welcome trustees of the University of St Andrews' American Foundation to the town for a three-day programme showcasing the impact of philanthropic support.
Highlights included meetings with academic Heads of School, updates on the Making Waves Campaign, a tour of the 'New College' site, a visit to Eden Campus, and a roundtable lunch with Professor Phillips O'Brien of the School of International Relations. Trustees also met scholars to hear about their experiences and share insights into their own journeys and careers.
The visit highlighted the vital role the trustees play in advancing opportunities for students, supporting research, and helping realise the University's long-term ambitions.
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| Find out more about our American Foundation |
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The new University of St Andrews research centre on the Corrour estate
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New Corrour research centre officially opens
The new research centre at Corrour estate near Fort William has officially opened, providing researchers and students a dedicated base for fieldwork, teaching, and interdisciplinary research. The centre is part of a 100-year partnership between Corrour and St Andrews, established to deliver landscape-scale ecological restoration and create a living laboratory for research and teaching.
The 24-bed facility includes a field laboratory and conference facilites, and was built from cross-laminated timber made from trees havested on the Corrour estate. The centre is powered by the estate's hydro scheme.
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| Read more about the research centre |
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Professor Anne Carson
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Nobel Prize in Literature for Professor Anne Carson
Professor Anne Carson (PGDip 1976, Hon DLitt 2014) has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Professor Carson studied in the School of Classics at St Andrews from 1975-1976, working with the distinguished classicist, and former Chancellor of the University, Sir Kenneth Dover.
In 2014, Professor Carson was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to classics and poetry.
All at St Andrews are delighted to see her recognised with a Nobel Prize.
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| Read more about the award |
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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 later this month 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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Coffee Connect: mentor registration deadline extended
There is still time to sign up as a mentor for Coffee Connect, our award-winning online mentoring programme delivered in partnership with the University's Careers Service. Due to strong demand from student and graduate mentees, the mentor registration deadline has been extended until Friday 30 October.
Designed to support students and recent graduates through connection, inspiration, and shared experience, Coffee Connect matches mentors and mentees for informal online conversations that can make a lasting difference. Whether sharing career insights, offering encouragement, or helping someone explore their next steps, mentors play an important role in building confidence and broadening horizons.
Now in its sixth year, Coffee Connect has facilitated more than 5,000 conversations between alumni, students, and parents.
Register today to become a mentor and help shape the future of the next generation of St Andrews graduates.
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| Register now |
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Watch highlights from last year's London Alumni Carol Service
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Alumni Carol Services in St Andrews and London
All are warmly invited to join us for this year's Alumni Carol Services in St Andrews and London. Both services provide opportunities to meet fellow graduates and catch up with old friends.
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St Andrews Alumni Carol Service, St Salvator's Chapel, North Street – Monday 7 December at 7pm (Register for reception tickets) This service will also be live-streamed, look out for further information which will follow.
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London Alumni Carol Service, St Columba's Church, Pont Street – Monday 14 December at 7pm (Register for tickets)
Please note these are very popular events and seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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General Council
The next meeting of the General Council of the University of St Andrews will take place on Saturday 28 November at 10.30am in Parliament Hall, South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JU. Tea and coffee will be available from 10am.
General Council members will be sent a link to the billet (meeting paper) before the meeting. Printed copies will be available at the meeting or can be requested in advance from the General Council Office.
To register your attendance, please email generalcouncil@st-andrews.ac.uk with your name, maiden name if applicable, year of graduation, degree, and subject of study.
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Making good citizens: instilling civic virtues in school
Dr Ben Sachs-Cobbe, political philosopher at the University of St Andrews and former leader of The Ethics Cup will be in discussion with University of Edinburgh philosophers Dr Aline Nardo and Dr Enrico Galvagni on Monday 23 November at 6.30pm at Augustine United Church, Edinburgh.
Dr Sachs-Cobbe will be drawing on his experience with the donor-funded Ethics Cup and how we might bring civic virtues into schools.
The event is organised by The Albertus Institute, an Edinburgh-based forum promoting public discussion of topical issues.
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| Book your ticket |
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Professor Alice König, School of Classics
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Saints Spotlight: Professor Alice König
Professor Alice König is a lecturer and Director of Impact in the School of Classics. In this month’s Saints Spotlight, she discusses mentoring students through Honours modules and the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) programme, and collaborating with students and creative partners to transform how we understand war and peace.
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| Spotlight on Professor Alice König |
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Neil with his wife Elizabeth (née Mellor, MA Hons 1998) before graduation in 1998
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Neil Shepherd (BSc Hons 1998) arrived at St Andrews to study Chemistry with Maths, acquired a reputation for a string of memorable mishaps, met the love of his life in Chapel Choir, and ultimately defied his own conviction to become a maths teacher. Now Head of Maths at King Edward’s School in Birmingham, Neil shares his memories of student life and reflects on a summer spent back in St Andrews researching two prominent mathematicians with connections to the school where he has taught for 12 years.
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| Read Neil's story |
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Jodie (centre) and her family on graduation day, 2025
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Jodie Sutherland (MGeol Hons 2025) came to St Andrews as the first in her family to attend university. After an unconventional start studying remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, Jodie threw herself into everything the University had to offer. She reflects on fond memories of Geology field trips, bonds formed with her tight-knit cohort, and the new sense of confidence she gained while studying at St Andrews.
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| Read Jodie'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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April Vellacott (BSc Hons 2014)
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Amanda Ridings (BSc Hons 1983)
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Alumni attending the Eden Mill gin tasting at Alumni Weekend 2026
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Have your say: Alumni Weekend 2027
As St Andrews celebrates being named the best university in the UK by The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, the Alumni Relations team has turned their attention to planning next year's Alumni Weekend.
Over the years, Alumni Weekend has brought graduates back for wine tastings, quiz nights, an Alumni Clubhouse in the Students' Association, PhD showcases, and Executive Education masterclasses. Now, we'd love to hear what would make your visit even more memorable.
What events, speakers or experiences would you like to see? Share your ideas and help us create a programme that gives alumni even more reasons to return to St Andrews next summer!
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| Share your ideas for Alumni Weekend |
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The University of St Andrews Men’s 1st XV
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Saints take Scottish Varsity crown
The University of St Andrews Men’s 1st XV produced a disciplined and determined performance to defeat the University of Edinburgh 21-12 and lift the 2026 Men’s Scottish Varsity Match title in front of a sellout crowd at the HIVE Stadium last month.
If you missed the match, you can watch it below.
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| Read more about the victory |
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Postcards from St Andrews: Chris Rea
As the University of St Andrews’ Saints Golf Programme builds towards The Open Championship's return to the Old Course in 2027, the second in our new Postcards from St Andrews series turns to an alumnus whose connection to the game spans more than 60 years, and three separate careers.
Here, Chris Rea (MA 1966) remembers arriving in
St Andrews in his Morris Minor convertible, playing rugby for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, and reporting for The Scotsman on every Open Championship since Troon in 1973.
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| Read Chris' postcard |
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