Winter graduation celebrations in St Andrews

The scene is set for celebrations in St Andrews next week as students and honorary graduates gather for winter graduation ceremonies.

With community events lined up over the weekend to mark Saint Andrew’s Day including a torch-lit parade, fireworks and ceilidh, attention will turn to the University on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 November when around 1000 students will celebrate their academic achievements with classmates, family and friends.

Ceremonies take place in the town’s Younger Hall at 10.30 am and 2 pm on both days.

In addition to the awarding of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, the ceremonies will include the conferral of honorary degrees to distinguished individuals in recognition of outstanding national or international achievement in a particular field, or substantial contribution to society.

Honorary graduates this winter include best-selling author Margaret Atwood who will receive a Doctor of Letters 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.

In addition, ceremonies will feature the promotion of several academic staff to professors 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.