St Andrews named UK University of the Year

Earlier today, the Principal Sally Mapstone shared the news with students and colleagues that the University has been named as UK University of the Year 2020 in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.  

The guide placed University of St Andrews, the only Scottish university to ever win the award, top for the second time since 2002. St Andrews joins only one other university in having been awarded the title twice.  

The University ranked third overall in the guide, behind Cambridge and Oxford.  

In addition to this main award, the University was also placed top of The Times and Sunday Times UK league tables for Student Experience and Teaching Quality. 

The editor of the guide, Alastair McCall, mentioned that since St Andrews’ success in the guide, Oxford and Cambridge “need to be on their toes.” 

Mr McCall also added, “One of our oldest universities, St Andrews combines strength in traditional areas of study with cutting edge centres of excellence, such as Europe’s first Centre for Syrian Studies and an Institute of Iranian Studies. Its reputation draws students from across the world to a small town on the Fife coast. When they graduate, they fan back out across the globe and become the university’s greatest ambassadors.” 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also commented on the notable achievement of the University, mentioning that, “Scotland punches well above its weight in terms of international recognition and institutions like St Andrews play a key role in our standing on the world stage. With almost half of its students coming from Europe and the rest of the world it is well placed to take the message that Scotland is an open and welcoming nation to every corner of the globe.

“I hope that the whole University community takes great pride in this recognition of their continued commitment to delivering quality teaching and research.” 

In light of the University’s achievement, St Andrews Principal Professor Sally Mapstone said, “This accolade from one of the most respected university rankings is a vote of confidence in Scottish higher education.

“Not only is it an endorsement of what makes St Andrews special, it reflects the hard work of everyone who engages in and supports the high standard of teaching and research here.

“We have flourished over six centuries because we are outward looking, international, and European; we will go on being so.”