St Andrews named University of the Year

The University of St Andrews has been named UK University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

St Andrews also came top for teaching and for student experience and was once again named top Scottish university in the prestigious league table which recognises the very best universities in the UK.

St Andrews becomes only the second university to win the UK University of the Year title twice – the first time was in 2002 – and the only Scottish university ever to be given the accolade.

Overall St Andrews was ranked third behind Cambridge and Oxford in the 2020 Guide.

Commenting on St Andrews’ success, Alastair McCall, editor of The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: “St Andrews fully deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Cambridge and Oxford when we talk about the very best that British higher education can offer. The league table proves it, but more importantly, so do its students, who consistently rate St Andrews the best university for teaching quality.

“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.

“St Andrews becomes only the second university to win our UK University of the Year title twice and further triumphs seem eminently likely. Oxford and Cambridge need to be on their toes.”

Commenting on the University’s achievement First Minster Nicola Sturgeon said: “I congratulate the University of St Andrews on being named UK University of the Year by the prestigious Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.

“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.”

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.”