The University of St Andrews
St Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1411 and recognised by Papal Bull in 1413. It has about 7500 students. The town of St Andrews has a population of about 18,000. A good deal of the city’s ancient centre is occupied by the University’s buildings. Its character is also moulded by its golf courses, beaches, harbour and the ruins of religious buildings dating back to the city’s mediaeval eminence as the shrine of Scotland’s patron saint, Saint Andrew. The town stands on the east coast of Scotland about 50 miles from our capital city, Edinburgh.
The University officially retains the old Scottish tradition of having two Philosophy departments: Moral Philosophy and Logic and Metaphysics. They are housed in a single building, Edgecliffe, situated on a cliff-top with sea views over St Andrews Bay towards the Angus coast and the Grampian mountains. However, for all practical purposes, the two departments work together as if they were a single department of Philosophy. Edgecliffe has computing facilities, as well as its own Philosophy library, which houses volumes, periodicals and books.
Further information about Philosophy at St Andrews is available on the St Andrews Philosophy website.
The University of Stirling
The University of Stirling was founded in 1967 and occupies one of the most attractive campuses in the United Kingdom. The campus, which is situated to the north of the historical city of Stirling, has 60 acres of woodland, 300 acres of mature landscaped parkland, a small castle and a loch with an abundance of wildlife. The campus houses the MacRobert Arts Centre, which throughout the year has a full programme of films, drama, music and dance. Since its foundation the university has grown from small beginnings and now has about 9000 full-time and part-time students. The department of Philosophy has been a part of the university since its foundation.
The city of Stirling has a population of about 40,000. It is a manufacturing, shopping and tourist centre in central Scotland to the west of the Ochil Hills and to the east of the Trossachs. The city stands in central Scotland about 36 miles from Edinburgh and 52 miles from St Andrews.
Further information about philosophy at Stirling is available on the Stirling Philosophy website.