1413 Teaching Excellence Awards

The 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony is an inspirational annual celebration that takes place in April.

It is a collaboration between the University of St Andrews and the University of St Andrews Students’ Association and provides an opportunity to formally celebrate the exceptional teaching provided within the University as nominated by Heads of School or by the students they teach.

The prestigious awards celebrate community, collegiality and a continuous commitment to exceptional standards of innovative teaching that enhance student experience. It is an opportunity to recognise the exceptional teaching staff who have made significant contributions to the teaching experience at the University of St Andrews that exceed expectations.

The University Teaching Excellence Awards are presented by the University Principal and recognise academic staff who make a significant contribution to excellence in teaching across the University.

Each Head of School is invited to nominate one member of their undergraduate or PGT level academic staff who is recognised as having made an outstanding contribution to excellence in teaching. A Judging panel decide on four award winners who will be shown to have demonstrated innovative commitment to improve teaching and enhance the student learning experience in the current academic year.

The University awards mainly focus on excellence in:

  • Curriculum design Innovation
  • Student feedback
  • Collegiality

In addition to these awards the 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony recognises and celebrates the academic achievements of the colleagues who have completed the STARS HE/HEA fellowships and PGCAPS Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP).

The previous years’ winners of the Teaching Excellence Awards can be found on the University Education Blog or University News page.

Nominations for the 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards 2026 are now open.  The closing date for nominations is 23 February 2026.

1413 Teaching Excellence Awards 2025

On 22 April 2025, we held the 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards — an annual celebration honoring outstanding contributions to learning and teaching across the University community.

This year’s event recognised exceptional colleagues from four schools, whose dedication, innovation, and impact have made a lasting difference in the educational experience of our students. Their efforts continue to shape an inspiring and inclusive learning environment, reflecting the very best of academic excellence.

The awards were presented by the Principal. The 2025 winners are: 

Dr Billy Rough, School of Art History

Dr David Rees Jones, School of Mathematics

Dr Bridget Bradley, School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies

Dr Rita Tojeiro, School of Physics and Astronomy

The Students’ Association honoured 12 exceptional staff members for their impactful contributions to learning, teaching, and research across the University.

Teh four winners of the 1413 Teaching Excellence Awards stood with the Principlal in St Mary's Quad.