About the School of Management

The School of Management at the University of St Andrews is a globally recognised hub of research, study, teaching excellence and policy engagement.

The School welcomes students from over 50 countries, who come to learn, meet like-minded people and strengthen their career opportunities.

The School's five-year strategy focuses on themes of responsible management that will encourage sustainable and inclusive futures. Proudly committed to this ethos, the School aims to achieve the highest level of demonstrable benefit to society through its research and wide engagement. Staff and students work together to create a welcoming and wholly inclusive environment for work and study. The School has held the Athena SWAN bronze award since April 2017, in recognition of the priority given to commitment and ongoing action for advancing equality and inclusion.

Management at St Andrews was ranked best in the UK for full-time undergraduate courses in business, management and marketing in the Guardian University Guide 2024, which places the University of St Andrews the top-ranked university in the UK for the second year running.

The School of Management was also best in Scotland and third in the UK in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, where the University was named the leading university in the UK. In the Complete University Guide 2024, Management was best in Scotland for business and management studies, and the University of St Andrews was top in the UK for student satisfaction for the fifth year running and overall best in Scotland.

Gateway building with roses in bloom

Research

The School of Management develops research that is locally and globally resonant, tackling many themes related to responsible enterprise.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF), 88% of the School's overall research activity across the three components of the REF – outputs, impact and research environment – was deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

The School is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

The School organises its research into four key, interdisciplinary themes and research groups and is home to seven research centres and institutes.

Teaching

The School has a critical approach to management which sets it apart from more conventional business schools. It offers study centred around a variety of theoretical perspectives, and focussing on a wide range of organisational forms from entrepreneurial start-ups to third sector and NGOs.

It has over 500 undergraduate students, over 200 taught postgraduates, and a growing cohort of more than 30 postgraduate research students.

Students consistently rate the School very highly in the National Student Survey (NSS) and other league tables.

Furthermore, faculty in the School have won peer-reviewed University Teaching Excellence Awards, as well as Student Teaching Awards, including prizes in recognition of teaching excellence and innovation.

Find more about studying at the School of Management on the pages for prospective students

Principles for Responsible Management Education

Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) logo, saying, 'an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact'

In 2008, the School was one of the first academic institutions to endorse the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). Backed by the United Nations, the PRME initiative aims to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership around the world. See the School's PRME signatory page to view the most recent PRME progress report.

Facilities

The School is based in the Gateway Building just a few minutes' walk from both the beautiful North Sea coast and the historic and bustling heart of St Andrews.

Teaching rooms, computer facilities, quiet study areas and group work space are all available in the Gateway's bright, modern surroundings. The School also hosts a state-of-the-art Bloomberg trading suite – mainly for students interested in global financial markets – and has dedicated postgraduate research space.

students working in the Gateway building

History

The School of Management was formed in 2004 by merging the expertise of the Department of Management, which was founded in 1987, and the Centre for Business Education. The following year, it was named 'best in Scotland' for business studies in both the Guardian and the Times. It has stayed high in the rankings and league tables ever since.

The School is proud to have its own registered tartan. The colours reflect the University of St Andrews coat of arms and express qualities the School hopes to instil in its graduates.

The tartan's pattern uses blue and white from the Saltire, Scotland's flag, which is at the centre of the University shield. Black threads represent written communication, gold is for the persuasive spoken word, and red for courage.

tartan of the School of Management