Archive
Summer graduation celebrations begin in St Andrews
A week-long celebration began today (Monday 29 June 2026), as the town welcomed the first of more than 2,200 graduating students from 80 countries to cross the stage in the Younger Hall
Entrepreneurs more likely to be based in left wing areas
New study is challenging conventional assumptions about the relationship between politics and entrepreneurship.
New data shows drop in Scotland's harbour seal numbers and sparks concern for grey seal population
New figures show a marked drop in the status of Scotland's harbour seal population, as well in summer grey seal abundance, according to surveys conducted by the Sea Mammal Research Unit
Scientists catch sperm whale dialects evolving in the Mediterranean Sea
Using 20 years of recordings researchers showed that whales living in the eastern Mediterranean had developed a new form of the vocal dialect used by animals in the western basin.
ERC Advanced Grant for groundbreaking zoonosis research
An ERC Advanced Grant will support Professor Christos Lynteris's groundbreaking research into the emergence of zoonosis and its role in shaping modern medicine, public health and state governance.
New optical technique allows toxic methanol in alcoholic spirits to be detected without opening the bottle
Methanol contamination of spirits such as whisky, gin and vodka causes hundreds of deaths each year and can lead to serious physical consequences
Higher extinction risk is associated with higher frequency of decreasing local prevalence of species
Analysis of one of the most comprehensive long-term databases ever created, BioTIME - a major tool to study biodiversity change also developed at the University of St Andrews.
1,500 year old woman challenges modern assumptions about disability
New international research reveals how a woman who lived with a lifelong physical impairment more than 1,500 years ago was supported, valued and buried
Historic Henley wins for St Andrews Boat Club
University of St Andrews Boat Club made history at the 2026 Henley Women's Regatta, securing two wins, a championship singles final appearance, and crews reaching finals in a breakthrough performance on the Thames.
Single, childless workers fare worst at work-life balance
Researchers of a new study are calling on employers to rethink flexible-working policies, warning that current approaches fail to reflect increasingly blurred boundaries between work and personal life.
Funding award for innovative marine tracking sensor
A collaboration between the Coastal Resources Management Group (CRMG) at the University of St Andrews Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) and Dr Pauline Goulet of Wild Tag Solutions has been awarded a grant.
St Andrews community recognised in King's Birthday Honours
The University of St Andrews is celebrating the achievements of members of our community who have been recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Learning from history to prepare for the next massive volcanic eruption
Researchers at an international gathering hosted at the University of St Andrews are calling for governments to reassess their response to volcanic eruptions.
Scotland's highest order for Sir James MacMillan
Sir James MacMillan, acclaimed Scottish composer and St Andrews professor, has been appointed to the Order of the Thistle by His Majesty the King, recognising his outstanding contributions to music and culture.
Remembering St Andrews alumnus and former MI6 Chief, Sir Alex Younger KCMG
The University of St Andrews is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Alex Younger, St Andrews alumnus and former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), who has died aged 62.
St Andrews top in Scotland and fourth in UK in new rankings
The University of St Andrews is ranked as the top university in Scotland in the newly released 2027 Complete University Guide.
Leafy Lovers: male katydids amplify attractiveness
This new research is the first demonstration of how impressive leaf mimicry can also be used to enhance the attractiveness of a sexual signal.
Historic first for St Andrews
Students and honorary graduates are set to celebrate summer graduation, during which the University will install its first woman Chancellor.
Professor Mark Chaplain elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society
Professor Mark Chaplain, Gregory Chair of Applied Mathematics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at St Andrews, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK's national academy of sciences.
Relief following academic's safe release
The University community was relieved to hear this week of the safe release of Dr Antonis Vradis who was amongst a group of activists detained by Israeli defence forces while taking part in what the Global Sumud Flotilla
Scientists show how human presence affects how animals behave
New research reveals lessons learned from human and wildlife movement during the pandemic
School of Medicine to benefit from £9.7 million investment
The MRC's £9.7m investment will support St Andrews and NHS Fife clinicians to combine research with clinical practice, strengthening innovation, patient care and future NHS research careers.
Size isn't everything - volcanic eruptions may cause more global disruption than previously thought
Researchers have precisely dated an eruption from Newberry Volcano (Oregon, USA) and discovered that its ash spread more than 5000 km across the globe
Renowned professor elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
Professor Kishan Dholakia has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
University of St Andrews photography collection recognised as Nationally Significant
The collection of 1.6 million images is honoured by National Museums Scotland and the University of St Andrews is also thought to be the oldest photography collecting institution in the world.
Scotland's medical schools secure £100,000 to embed sustainable healthcare in education
A £100,000 Scottish Government grant has positioned University of St Andrews at the centre of a landmark national programme to embed sustainable healthcare education across all undergraduate medical degrees in Scotland.
Be magnificent - it's a virtue!
New research on the nature of human happiness and how we can flourish, via the ancient philosopher Aristotle's account of the virtue of 'magnificence'.
Children of mothers who work nonstandard hours face greater vulnerability
In the first study of its kind using UK data, researchers found that when mothers work nonstandard schedules, their children's socioemotional health is often compromised
Major new funding harnesses AI to combat infectious disease
St Andrews helps lead €1.3m AFRITRAC project to train African experts in disease modelling, boosting outbreak prediction, data skills and public health capacity across 8 countries through a 4-year programme.
Dip dip hooray!
Hundreds of University of St Andrews students gathered at the East Sands at dawn to take part in the traditional May Dip.
St Andrews celebrates Leverhulme Trust Success
Eight academics from the University of St Andrews have been awarded the prestigious funding across arts, humanities and science.
Scientists cautiously suggest GLP-1s are safe to use around pregnancy
St Andrews researchers carried out the largest ever systematic review of more than 49,000 pregnancies over a period of twenty years.
St Andrews to host Scottish film premiere
St Andrews staff and students are being given a unique opportunity to attend a special screening of 'Searching for Satyrus', a film on the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
St Andrews astronomers help make the most extensive map of the Universe ever created
An international team of researchers observed more than 47 million galaxies and quasars and 20 million stars.
RSE welcomes five new Fellows from St Andrews
The prestigious accolade recognises the advancement of learning and useful knowledge, which is at the centre of public life, across the arts, business and technology and science sectors.
St Andrews climbs global rankings
St Andrews ranked in the top 20 of UK institutions in Arts & Humanities (9), and Natural Sciences (17) in the QS Subject Rankings.
Motivations behind violent extremism uncovered in groundbreaking global study
New findings carry profound implications for programmes aimed at countering violent extremism.
The peatland 'nurseries' of Peru give new insights for conservation
An important group of peatlands in the western Amazonia region of Peru developed more recently than many other peatlands in the tropics.
Global study identifies urgent blue carbon priorities in the fight against climate change
Strong international research collaboration has produced a major new study on blue carbon--and the message is clear: we're underusing it.
Moby Dick 'ship sinking' sperm whales caught headbutting on camera
In first known footage, 'ship sinking' sperm whales confirmed to headbutt one another, as well as ships.
Knowledge Exchange Hero win for St Andrews-led Alliance
St Andrews-led Research Alliance for Homes, Energy, and Livelihoods wins national award for Knowledge Exchange excellence.
St Andrews welcomes Professor Sir Jim Skea during Sustainability Week
Chair of the IPCC, Professor Sir Jim Skea highlighted led keynotes, panels, and student Q&As, offering wide-ranging engagement on climate science, policy, and collaboration.
South Rupununi Conservation Society Wins St Andrews Environment Prize
uyana's South Rupununi Conservation Society wins the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, earning $95,000 for its education project empowering youth with science and Indigenous knowledge across 20+ communities.
Systemic financial risk increases during election years
On average, systemic risk is about 3.7% higher in election years compared to normal periods.
Bright pink insect stands out to blend in
Tropical bush cricket changes colour from vivid hot pink to green within a fortnight, which scientists believe may mimic the young leaves of rainforest plants.