Making Waves: University launches ambitious new fundraising campaign

The University of St Andrews has just launched its ambitious ‘Making Waves’ campaign, with the goal of raising £300 million to support new scholarships, research, academic programmes, and sustainability initiatives. 

At a time when the role and relevance of universities are increasingly questioned, this campaign aims to demonstrate the innovative approach St Andrews is taking to produce world-class research and develop the next generation of globally minded leaders. 

University Director of Development, Robert Fleming, explained the initial planning behind the campaign: 

“We have been working on a Campaign Implementation Plan since 2021, having re-set our plans when we went into COVID lockdown. In October 2023, we hired fundraising consultancy firm Huron GG+A to review our plans and undertake [a] feasibility study with key donors and influencers, and they reported in June that St Andrews has the capacity to raise a minimum of £300 million in a campaign setting by [the] financial year 2030.”

Fleming added: “In January 2024 we also engaged creative consultancy Whistlejacket to develop a name and identity for the Campaign, and tested several options, which led to the successful implementation of the ‘Making Waves: The Campaign for St Andrews’ campaign identity. We’ve been working in collaboration with the Development and Communications units to develop the imagery, brochures, and promotional films.”

The flagship project of the campaign is the development of New College, the University’s first new college since 1747. Located on the former grounds of the Madras College secondary school on South Street, the £140 million redevelopment will house the School of International Relations and the new Business School under one roof. The aim is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and equip students with the confidence to navigate future economic and geo-political challenges.  

The Business School was officially launched on the grounds of New College at the end of September. Merging the Economics, Finance, and Management Departments, this transition to a single school has been heralded as an exciting investment in high quality research and student experience in these interlinked subject areas. Professor Mark Brewer has been newly appointed Dean of the new Business School and will oversee the integration of the three disciplines. There will not be any changes to teaching programmes for students already enrolled for degree pathways in any of these Schools, though new Masters and executive education programmes are set to begin. 

New College is expected to open in 2027, with the award-winning architecture practice WilkinsonEyre appointed to restore the existing Madras College building and a long-dilapidated site to its rear. These grounds were bought from Fife Council in 2021, with Madras College moving to a new building at Bell Brae on the outskirts of St Andrews. The architecture practice has had plenty of experience with similar educational and conservatory projects, including the Weston Library in Oxford, the Compton and Edrich Stands at Lord’s, and the restoration of  Battersea Power Station. 

A Digital Nexus Building is also going to be built for the School of Computer Science by the Science and Medicine campus at the North Haugh. This will be an environment for cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, data science, and computer systems that fosters collaboration between scientists and medical researchers. The vision for the Digital Nexus Building is that it will become an impressive architectural landmark for the campus while offering the resources to integrate a wide array of researchers and partners at all levels across the University. Work that has already begun includes research on improving early diagnosis for dementia, as well as innovations in small processors that can be used to power and run AI technology as opposed to the traditional carbon or water resources.  

When asked about processes that have been put in place to ensure these developments adhere to the University’s environmental commitments, such as Net Zero by 2035, Fleming replied, “This is a priority carried forward by the Estates Unit and is a key element of our fundraising proposition.” 

Undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries are also a focus for this campaign. The University has established the ‘Handsel’ scheme, which offers a fee waiver for UK and international PhD candidates to address declining public investment in university research, barriers to international recruitment, and the increased cost of living. The hope is that this scheme will improve access to a St Andrews education and encourage talented people to pursue high-quality research, regardless of circumstances. 

“For many, knowing they have a scholarship may mean the difference between accepting their place at St Andrews, or being forced to turn down this life-changing opportunity for financial reasons,” Fleming said. “As we aim to attract and admit students with outstanding academic potential whatever their race, religion, or background, support for scholarships continues to be crucial.”

Lastly, the Making Waves campaign is also seeking to build up the University’s endowment to enable long-term strategic funding for new Chairs and academic appointments. These include positions in the new Business School, the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Chinese Studies in particular. Chairs are currently funded at £3 million in the Arts, Divinity, and Science faculties and £5 million for Medicine. Increased investment will aid St Andrews to continue to be a competitive place that attracts leading academics, thereby strengthening its reputation for world-class teaching and research. 

These developments will be largely financed through a fundraising campaign amongst St Andrews alumni and supporters. Fleming explained that nearly £40 million has already been raised for the two building projects, and over £42 million for scholarships and academic endowments. He stated:

“The quiet phase of the campaign raised more than £120 million when we launched, which gives us tremendous momentum going into the public phase. The cumulative Campaign total for new funds from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2024 was £121 million, from 12,456 donors.”

“The Making Waves Campaign vitally supports the realisation of our University Strategy and sensitively responds to what we have identified as the crucial areas of development for the future by fostering world-class research, educating future global leaders, and attracting and nurturing the brightest minds from around the world.”

With the campaign now well on its way, it appears the University is planning to sail into an new era of sustainable, high-quality learning, teaching, and research.

Photo by Elise Liu