University of St Andrews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
University of St Andrews

Shield of the University of St Andrews
Latin: Universitas Sancti Andreae apud Scotos
Motto	Ancient Greek: Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν (Aien aristeuein)
Motto in English	Ever to Excel or Ever to be the Best
Type	Public research university Ancient university
Established	1413; 612 years ago (1413)
Endowment	£114.9 million (2023)
Budget	£314.2 million (2022/23)
Chancellor	The Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
Rector	Stella Maris
Principal	Dame Sally Mapstone
Academic staff	1,335 (2022/23)
Administrative staff	1,780 (2022/23)
Students	11,820 (2021/22)
Undergraduates	9,345 (2021/22)
Postgraduates	2,475 (2021/22)
Location	St Andrews , Scotland
Campus	College town
Colours	United College, St Andrews St Mary's College School of Medicine St Leonard's College
Affiliations	ACU EUA Europaeum UArctic Universities Scotland Universities UK Wallace Group

The University of St Andrews is a famous public university in St Andrews, Scotland. It is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. Only the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are older.

St Andrews was started in 1413 by a group of Augustinian clergy. They received a special permission from the Pope at the time. The university was an important part of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 1700s.

The university has three main colleges: United College, St Mary's College, and St Leonard's College. It also has 18 academic schools grouped into four main areas of study. The university buildings are a mix of old and new, spread across the town.

Many students at St Andrews come from outside the UK, making it a very diverse place. About 45% of its students are from other countries. Students here are known for keeping old traditions alive, like Raisin Weekend and May Dip.

Many famous people have studied or worked at St Andrews. These include former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy, and even royals like William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Five Nobel Prize winners have also been part of St Andrews.

University History

How the University Started

The University of St Andrews began in 1410. A group of Augustinian clergy, who were teachers, came to St Andrews. They had left other universities because of conflicts. They started teaching subjects like religion, logic, philosophy, and law.

In 1411, the Bishop of St Andrews, Henry Wardlaw, gave them a special document. This document allowed them to form a society for higher learning. Then, in 1413, Pope Benedict XIII officially made it a university with special papers called papal bulls. King James I of Scotland later confirmed this in 1432.

Over time, more colleges were added. St Salvator's College was founded in 1450. St Leonard's College started in 1511. St Mary's College was created in 1538 for studying religion and law. Some of these old buildings, like St Salvator's Chapel, are still used today.

University Growth and Changes

In the 1600s and 1700s, the university faced many challenges. There were civil and religious problems. In 1747, two colleges, St Leonard's and St Salvator's, combined to form the United College.

During this time, not many students attended the university. When Samuel Johnson visited in 1773, there were fewer than 100 students. He felt the university was struggling. Scotland was also poor, so there wasn't much money to support the university.

Modern Times and New Opportunities

Women at St Andrews

In the late 1800s, there was a growing demand for women to get a university education. In 1876, St Andrews allowed women to study for a diploma. This was called the 'Lady Literate in Arts' (LLA) examination. Women could study from home and take exams.

In 1889, a new law made it possible for women to officially join St Andrews. They could now get the same degrees as men. In 1892, Agnes Forbes Blackadder became the first woman to graduate with an MA degree from St Andrews. The first women's living place, University Hall, opened in 1896.

Connection with Dundee

Until the early 1900s, St Andrews focused on traditional subjects like languages and religion. To modernize and get more students, the university joined with a college in Dundee in 1897. This college focused on science and professional subjects.

This partnership allowed St Andrews to offer degrees in new areas like medicine. Many students actually studied in Dundee for their degrees from St Andrews. However, in 1967, the Dundee college became its own university, the University of Dundee. This meant St Andrews lost some of its medical and law programs. Later, St Andrews found new ways to offer medical studies, for example, with the University of Manchester.

Links with the United States

St Andrews has a long history with the United States, even before the US became independent. James Wilson, who signed the Declaration of Independence, studied here.

Important American figures like Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman, and Edward Harkness, a generous giver, also have links to St Andrews. Bobby Jones, a golf legend, was even made an honorary citizen of St Andrews.

Today, many American students choose to study at St Andrews. They make up a large part of the student body. They are drawn to the university's strong academics, old traditions, and international feel. St Andrews also has many former students living in the US.

In 2013, Hillary Clinton, a former US Secretary of State, visited St Andrews for its 600th anniversary. She praised the university for educating many American students.

How the University is Run

St Andrews, like other old Scottish universities, is run by special rules. These rules set up three main groups: the General Council, the University Court, and the Academic Senate.

General Council

The General Council is a group of all graduates and current or former teachers. They meet twice a year to give advice. They also choose the university's Chancellor.

University Court

The University Court handles the money and daily running of the university. The head of this group is the Rector, who is chosen by the students. Students also have representatives on this court.

Academic Senate

The Academic Senate is the main group for all academic matters. It includes professors and other senior teachers. They decide on degree programs, give out degrees, and handle student rules. The Principal of the university leads the Senate.

Important University Leaders

The three most important leaders at St Andrews are the Chancellor, the Principal, and the Rector.

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head. They give out degrees and help promote the university around the world.

The Principal is like the CEO of the university. They are in charge of how the university is run every day and lead the Academic Senate.

The Rector is chosen by the students. Their job is to make sure the students' needs are heard by the university leaders. Many famous people have been Rector, including actor John Cleese and writer Rudyard Kipling.

University Colleges

The university has three colleges: United College, St Mary's College, and St Leonard's College. These colleges are mostly for tradition and ceremonies. Students live in separate halls.

United College is for students studying arts, sciences, and medicine. St Mary's College is for students studying religion. St Leonard's College is for all postgraduate students. There are also plans for a new college called New College.

Study Areas and Schools

The university has four main areas of study, called faculties. These faculties include 18 different schools. Students apply to a faculty, not directly to a school.

• Arts Faculty: Includes subjects like art history, English, history, and international relations.
• Divinity Faculty: Focuses on the study of religion.
• Medicine Faculty: For students studying medicine.
• Science Faculty: Covers subjects like biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics.

Some subjects, like economics and mathematics, are offered in both the Arts and Science faculties.

Academics and Learning

University Semesters

The school year at St Andrews has two parts, called semesters. They are named Martinmas and Candlemas. Martinmas semester runs from September to December, with exams before Christmas. Candlemas semester starts in January and ends with exams in April and May. Most students graduate in June.

University Rankings

Rankings

National rankings
Complete (2021)	4
Guardian (2021)	1
Times / Sunday Times (2021)	1
Global rankings
ARWU (2020)	301–400
CWTS Leiden (2020)	128
QS (2021)	104
THE (2021)	193=
British Government assessment
Teaching Excellence Framework	Gold

St Andrews is known as one of the best universities in the UK. In 2022 and 2023, it was ranked as the top university in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and The Guardian University Guide. This was the first time any university had ranked above Oxford and Cambridge in these guides.

The university is also highly rated for its teaching quality in Europe. It's considered one of the best small to medium-sized universities in the world. St Andrews is also known for helping its graduates earn more money and find good jobs. Many of its graduates become leaders in business and other fields.

How to Get In

St Andrews is a very competitive university to get into. It receives many applications for a limited number of spots. In 2022, it had one of the lowest offer rates in the UK, meaning it accepted a small percentage of applicants.

Students who get into St Andrews usually have very high grades. The university also works to help students from all backgrounds have a chance to study there.

Exchange Programs

St Andrews has partnerships with universities all over the world. This allows students to study abroad for a semester or a year. Many exchange programs are in North America, Europe, and Asia.

For example, students can study at universities like the University of California campuses in the US, or the Sorbonne in France. These programs give students a chance to experience different cultures and ways of learning.

Buildings and Facilities

The University of St Andrews is located in the small town of St Andrews. Its buildings, libraries, and student housing are spread throughout the town. Key areas include North Street, South Street, and The Scores.

The main teaching area is United College on North Street. St Mary's College on South Street houses the Schools of Divinity and Psychology. Many other schools are located on The Scores. The North Haugh area is home to science subjects like Chemistry and Physics.

Libraries and Museums

The University of St Andrews has one of the largest university library collections in the UK. It holds over a million books and many rare old books.

The main library building on North Street was updated in 2011. The historic King James Library, built in 1643, holds collections on religion and medieval history.

The university also has several museums and galleries that are free to visit. The Museum of the University of St Andrews (MUSA) shows off some of the university's 100,000 historical items. The Bell Pettigrew Museum has natural history collections, including bones of extinct animals like the dodo.

University Chapels

The university has two main chapels. St Salvator's Chapel was founded in 1450 and is a central part of university life. It has six bells that can be rung. The Chapel of St Leonard's is the university's oldest building, with parts dating back to 1144. Both chapels have student choirs.

Student Living Places

Many students at St Andrews live in university-owned housing. About half of all students live in these halls. The halls are different ages and styles, from very old to modern. All are now for both male and female students and are smoke-free. The university guarantees a place for all first-year students.

Some of the student halls include:

• Agnes Blackadder Hall
• Andrew Melville Hall
• David Russell Apartments
• John Burnet Hall
• St Regulus Hall
• St Salvator's Hall
• University Hall
• Whitehorn Hall

Green Energy Projects

The university is working to be very environmentally friendly. It aims to be the UK's first university with zero carbon emissions by 2035. It has invested in a biomass center and plans for solar and wind farms.

The Guardbridge Biomass Energy Centre uses wood to create power. This project helps save a lot of carbon each year. The university also planned a wind farm, but it has been paused due to other concerns.

Student Life

Students' Association

The University of St Andrews Students' Association represents all the students. It was started in 1885. It has different groups that help with student activities and support.

The Students' Association Building, also called the Union, is where students can find bars and student support services. It was updated in 2013.

Student Clubs and Groups

St Andrews has over 200 student clubs and societies. These groups cover many different interests.

The oldest student group is the University of St Andrews Celtic Society, started in 1796. It promotes Scottish culture through dance and language classes.

The "Union Debating Society" is a student group that holds weekly debates. It also invites famous speakers. It claims to be the oldest continuously running student debating society in the world.

Students also run several media groups. These include newspapers like The Saint and The Stand. There are also magazines, art journals, and the university's online radio station, STAR: St Andrews Radio.

The university's Music Society has many student-run music groups, including an orchestra and chorus. There are also several a cappella singing groups.

Student theater is very popular, with plays and comedy shows performed regularly. Blind Mirth is an improvisational theater group that performs weekly.

The Kate Kennedy Club is a private club that helps keep university traditions alive. They organize events like the Kate Kennedy Procession, where students dress up as historical figures. The club now allows both male and female students to join.

Sports and Athletic Union

The University of St Andrews Athletic Union is the student group for sports. It was started in 1901 and has about sixty sports clubs. These clubs compete at different levels.

The university's Rugby Football Club is very old and has produced famous Scottish players. In 2015, the university updated its sports center with new facilities.

The Scottish Varsity is an annual rugby match played against the University of Edinburgh. It is known as the 'world's oldest varsity match'.

University Traditions

The Student Oath

When students officially join the university, they take an oath in Latin called the Sponsio Academica. Today, this is done online. It's a promise to respect teachers, follow university rules, and help the university.

University Blessings

The university has special blessings and graces, often said before and after meals. These traditions were brought back in the late 1800s. They are usually said in Latin.

Academic Gowns

One of the most noticeable traditions is wearing academic gowns. Undergraduate students wear a distinctive red gown. You can see students wearing these gowns at special events, chapel services, or walking around town. Divinity students wear a black gown with a purple cross. Postgraduate students wear a black gown with burgundy trim.

Students wear their gowns differently depending on their year of study. First-year students wear them on their shoulders. Fourth-year students wear them off their elbows, ready to change to their graduation gown. It's considered bad luck to join the gown at the top.

Student Nicknames

First-year male students are called Bejants, and females are Bejantines. Second-year students are Semis, third-year students are Tertians, and final-year students are Magistrands. These names are unique to St Andrews.

Academic Parents

Students at St Andrews have a special "family tradition." New students get "academic parents," who are older students, usually in their third year. These parents help guide the new students in their studies and social life. These family ties often last long after university.

The new students, or Bejants/Bejantines, ask an older student to be their "Senior Man" or "Senior Woman." This tradition helps new students feel welcome and connected.

Raisin Weekend

Raisin Weekend celebrates the bond between new students and their academic parents. Historically, new students gave their parents a pound of raisins as a thank you. Today, they might give a bottle of wine instead.

In return, the parents give their "children" a funny receipt written in Latin. New students carry this receipt on Raisin Monday. If an older student finds a mistake in the Latin, the new student might have to sing a song. The weekend often ends with a big shaving foam fight in the Lower College Lawn.

The Curse of Patrick Hamilton

Around St Andrews, there are cobblestone markings that show where Protestant martyrs were burned. One of these, "PH," is outside St Salvator's College. It marks where Patrick Hamilton was martyred in 1528.

Students believe that stepping on the "PH" will cause them to fail their degree. So, students often jump over these cobblestones. The "curse" is said to be lifted by taking part in the May Dip.

May Dip

The May Dip is a student tradition held every year at dawn on May Day. Students stay up all night and then run into the North Sea. They do this to "cleanse" themselves of any academic bad luck, especially from stepping on the "PH" cobblestone, before their exams. The event is now held at East Sands for safety.

Notable People from St Andrews

Famous Alumni

• 

  Thomas Chalmers

• 

  Edward Jenner

• 

  John Napier

• 

  John Napier

• 

  John Pringle

• 

  James Wilson

Many well-known people have studied at the University of St Andrews. These include:

• King James II of Scotland
• James Wilson, who signed the US Declaration of Independence.
• John Napier, who invented logarithms.
• John Knox, a leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland.
• Edward Jenner, who developed the smallpox vaccine.
• William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Former students have also become leaders in many fields:

• Business: CEOs of major companies like BHP and BP.
• Politics: Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, and top intelligence officials.
• Media and Arts: Founder of Forbes magazine B. C. Forbes, BBC presenters, and actors.
• Sports: Football player Danny Blanchflower and wildlife conservationist Saba Douglas-Hamilton.

The university has also given honorary degrees to many famous people, including Benjamin Franklin, Hillary Clinton, Bob Dylan, and David Attenborough.

Notable Academics

Many important thinkers and researchers have taught at St Andrews. These include:

• Maurice Wilkins, a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine.
• Percy Theodore Herring, who discovered "herring bodies" in the brain.
• Richard Morris, who developed a famous test for memory in rats.

The university's staff includes experts in many subjects, from anthropology to zoology.

Images for kids

• 

  St Salvator's Quadrangle from the cloisters

• The Scores, St Andrews - geograph.org.uk - 139942.jpg

  The Scores

• 

  Classics Building, Swallowgate

• Madras College's former campus is the proposed location for New College.JPG

  Madras College's former campus is the proposed location for New College

• 

  Castle House, School of English

See also

In Spanish: Universidad de Saint Andrews para niños