St Andrews top in Scotland for languages and linguistics

16 September 2026

The University of St Andrews has been ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for languages and linguistics by the Guardian University Guide 2027.

The ranking reflects the excellence of language, cultural, and comparative literature studies at the School of Modern Languages.

The Guide ranks universities by the strength of student satisfaction, expenditure per student, student to staff ratio, career prospects, entry tariff, value-added and continuation. 

About the School of Modern Languages

The School of Modern Languages at the University of St Andrews is one of the largest and most diverse of its kind in the UK - the School offers degree programmes in eight languages as well as dynamic cross-disciplinary programmes in comparative literature and digital humanities.

The School is consistently rated among the best in the UK by major national rankings and prides itself on being a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and engaging academic community that welcomes all students wishing to pursue the study of foreign languages and cultures.

Learn more about the School of Modern Languages' undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.