Welcome
The study of English at the University of St Andrews has a long and distinguished history that is sustained in the scholarly, critical, and creative dynamism of today's School of English.
In the present day, the School enjoys an international reputation as a centre for both academic research and literary creativity. Amongst UK institutions, the School of English has recently been ranked 1st in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, and 1st in The Guardian league tables 2018.
The School's richest inheritance, however, is its collegiality: we pride ourselves on our friendliness, and on our common enthusiasm for great literature.
REF 2014: UK Research Excellence Framework 2014 Results
The School of English has been ranked third in the UK, and first in Scotland, in the most recent league table of research intensive departments (2014). With over 90% of our staff submitted, 86% of our research has been rated world leading and internationally excellent. In the previous research assessment exercise (2008) we were also ranked in the top ten, making the School one of the UK's consistently outstanding research departments.
Zinnie Harris delivers inaugural lecture
Professor Zinnie Harris from the School of English is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter and theatre director. In 2016 she was commissioned to adapt the 'Oresteia' by the National Theatre of Scotland/Citizens' Theatre for performance in Glasgow and subsequently at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2017.
In her inaugural lecture The Oresteia/The Restless House –Reframing an ancient tragedy for a contemporary audience (Wednesday 10th October 2018) she discussed her approach to Aeschylus' ancient text and how she brought 'This Restless House' (winner of the Best New Play at the Critics Awards For Theatre in Scotland 2017) to the stage.
