New ranking puts St Andrews top of the class in Scotland

The University of St Andrews is top in Scotland and one of the four leading universities in the UK according to The Complete University Guide 2025, which was published this week.

St Andrews joins Cambridge, Oxford, and the London School of Economics in the UK top four and has been ranked top in Scotland since the Guide was first published in 2007.

The Guide ranks St Andrews second in the UK for student satisfaction in its assessment designed to support prospective students in making informed decisions about their future.

St Andrews has also performed impressively in the Guide’s subject league tables. Classics is ranked top in the UK, with a further 11 subjects in the top three – African and Middle Eastern Studies, Chemistry, English, French, Geography and Environmental Science, Geology, German, History, History of Art, Politics, and Psychology – and another 11 in the top 10.

Principal Professor Dame Sally Mapstone said: “We place great importance on the quality of our student experience at St Andrews, so to be ranked so highly for student satisfaction is immensely rewarding and a testament to our staff’s commitment to providing an environment in which all our students can flourish and enjoy their time here.

“We don’t take our position as the top university in Scotland for granted and will continue to focus on excellence in our teaching and research, while providing an environment for our students that is friendly, enriching, and filled with unique traditions.”

Professor Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: “Our methodology, rooted in independent measures, reflects vital aspects cherished by students, such as post-graduation job prospects, ratio of staff to students, and the quality of the teaching.”

“The competitive landscape within the top 20 underscores the exceptional standards upheld by UK universities.”

“Furthermore, the dynamic shifts witnessed in the subject league tables emphasise their significance as a crucial resource for prospective students navigating their academic journey, providing invaluable guidance for those seeking clarity on where to pursue their passions.”