St Andrews set to celebrate winter graduation

An internationally famous author, the world’s premier solo percussionist, a leading light in UK theatre, and one of golf’s most highly regarded greenkeepers will join more than 1000 students from across the globe celebrating being awarded their degrees at the University of St Andrews at the end of this month.

Graduates from as far afield as Australia, Chile, South Africa and Nepal will receive their academic awards at the winter graduation celebrations on Tuesday 28 November and Wednesday 29 November 2023.

Best-selling author Margaret Atwood will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters on 29 November in recognition of her distinguished career as an award-winning novelist, poet and scriptwriter. Atwood, who has published 17 novels and eight children’s books, countless pieces of short fiction and poetry as well as scripts for TV, radio and theatre, is perhaps best known for her novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, which was made into a multi-season TV series on Netflix.

Others to be honoured in St Andrews include Scots percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie CH who despite a decline in her hearing from a young age has gone on to enjoy a stellar career in music, being awarded two Grammy’s and a BAFTA nomination. She will be presented with an Honorary Doctor of Music degree at the first ceremony of the two-day graduation celebration. Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, will also receive a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to theatre at the afternoon ceremony on Tuesday 28 November.

Author and former Director of Greenkeeping at St Andrews Links Trust, Gordon Moir, will be awarded the University Medal at the final ceremony which takes place during the afternoon of Wednesday 29 November.

In addition, graduation ceremonies will feature the promotion of several academic staff to professor as well as the conferral of awards including the Principal’s Medal.

The full list of those receiving Honorary awards is as follows:

Tuesday 28 November 10.30am Dame Evelyn Glennie CH – To be awarded Doctor of Music (DMus)

Tuesday 28 November 2pm Rufus Norris – To be awarded Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

Wednesday 29 November 10.30am Margaret Atwood – To be awarded Doctor of Letters (DLitt)

Wednesday 29 November 2pm Gordon Moir – To be awarded the University Medal

Winter graduation 2023 will take place at the University of St Andrews’ Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews KY16 9AJ.