University of St Andrews

University of St Andrews
Latin: Universitas Sancti Andreae apud Scotos
(University of St Andrew amongst the Scots)
Motto: ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΥΕΙΝ (AIEN ARISTEUEIN) (Greek: Ever To Be The Best)
Established: 1410–1413
Type: Public university
Endowment: £35.2 million[1]
Chancellor: Sir Menzies Campbell
Rector: Kevin Dunion
Principal: Dr Brian Lang
Staff: 1,804 (all)[2]
817 (academic)[3]
Students: 8,645[4]
Undergraduates: 6,760[4]
Postgraduates: 1,885[4]
Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK
Colours: University of St Andrews
                                 

St Mary's College

                                       

Bute Medical School

                                 

St Leonard's College[5][6]

                                 
Affiliations: 1994 Group
Website: st-andrews.ac.uk

The University of St Andrews the oldest university in Scotland and third oldest in the English-speaking world, having been founded between 1410 and 1413. The University is situated in the town of St Andrews, in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It is a member of the 1994 Group, a network of smaller research-intensive British universities. Intake is highly selective and Independent school intake is high. The university has a widening participation policy; however, the university has one of the smallest percentages of students from lower income backgrounds, out of all higher education institutions in the UK[7]. At the same time, the average price for accommodation for students at St Andrews is more than that for students at any other university in Scotland[8]. The library and many university departments are spread around the town centre. The town's population of 18,000 is boosted considerably by the University's 6,000 students. St Andrews is listed among the top five universities in the United Kingdom, and was recently described by the Sunday Times as "the main rival in the UK to Oxford and Cambridge"[9].

Contents

History

Main article: History of the University of St Andrews

The University was founded in 1410 when a charter of incorporation was bestowed upon the Augustinian priory of St Andrews Cathedral. A Papal Bull was issued in 1413 by the Avignon Pope Benedict XIII. A royal charter was granted in 1532.[10] The University grew in size quite rapidly; A pedagogy, St John's College was founded 1418-1430 [1] by Robert of Montrose and Lawrence of Lindores, St Salvator's College was established in 1450, St Leonard's College in 1511, and St Mary's College in 1537. St Mary's College was a re-foundation of St Johns College and earlier pedagogy. Some of the early college buildings that are in use today date from this period such as St Salvator's Chapel and St Leonards College chapel and St Mary's College quadrangle. At this time, much of the teaching was of a religious nature and was conducted by clerics associated with the cathedral.

From the 17th to 19th centuries, the university underwent many changes. The distinctive red gowns, which are still in use today, were adopted in 1672. Toward the end of the seventeenth century, the university considered and eventually rejected a move to Perth. In 1747, St Salvator's and St Leonard's merged to form the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard.

During the 19th century, student numbers were very low, in the 1870s, the student population was fewer than 150, and perhaps partly in response to this, the university founded University College in Dundee in 1897, which became a centre of medical, scientific and legal excellence. This affiliation ended in 1967 when the college, renamed Queen's College, became a separate and independent institution as the University of Dundee. The loss of teaching facilities for clinical medicine caused the university's Bute Medical School to form a new attachment with the University of Manchester, which was then expanding its clinical medicine intake.

Reputation

St Andrews is frequently listed among the top five universities in the United Kingdom, as well as being listed as first in Scotland for the last three years.

League Table Rankings

View Across St. Salvator's College
UK
2009 2008
Times Good University Guide 5th[11] 5th[12]
Guardian University Guide 5th[13] 4th[14]
Sunday Times University Guide 5th[15] 6th[16]
The Independent 7th[17] 5th[17]

The independent IpsosMORI National Student Survey 2006 commissioned by HEFCE placed it third among the UK universities.[18] It has achieved the most consistently high ratings in research assessment exercises with no subjects receiving a rating lower than 4 on a grading scale 1-5*, where 5* denotes outstanding international research. The departments of English and Psychology have received a 5* in the latest exercise, and 72% of staff across the university received a 5 or 5* rating.[19] The Philosophical Gourmet report ranks St Andrews' graduate philosophy programme as third in the UK, and the joint programme with Stirling University is ranked second in the UK and joint 13th in the world.[20]

Nearly eight in ten graduates obtain a First Class or an Upper Second Class Honours degree. A similar proportion enter further employment requiring a respected degree or obtaining placements for further postgraduate research. The ancient Scottish universities award Master of Arts degrees (except for science students who are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree) which are classified upon graduation, in contrast to Oxbridge where one becomes a Master of Arts after a certain number of years, and the rest of the UK, where graduates are awarded BAs.

Entry to the University is highly competitive; the latest UCAS figures show that there are generally twelve applications for every place available, and the University has not entered Clearing since 2003. The standard offer of a place tends to require at a minimum AAABB at Scottish Highers for Scottish applicants, AAB at GCE A Levels for English, Welsh and Northern Irish candidates, or a score of at least 36 points on the International Baccalaureate, with International Relations commanding AAA at GCE A Level due to the high level of able applicants. They have a noted preference for candidates who already have these qualifications, something that implicitly gives preference to Scottish applicants as they will have normally completed the Scottish Highers at the time of application, whereas other applicants, such as those studying in England, are still in the process of attaining their final secondary qualifications.

Traditions

Gowns

One of the most conspicuous traditions at St Andrews is the wearing of academic dress, particularly the distinctive red undergraduate gown of the United College. Undergraduates in Arts and Science subjects can be seen wearing these garments at the installation of a Rector or Chancellor, at chapel services, on 'Pier Walks', at formal hall dinners, at meetings of the Union Debating Society, or giving tours to prospective students and visitors. Divinity students wear a black undergraduate gown. (See Academic dress of the University of St Andrews.)

Raisin Weekend

Raisin Weekend is the highlight of the social calendar at the University. Held annually over the last weekend of November, first years are entertained by their academic parents, normally consisting of a tea party thrown by the mothers and then a tour of pubs conducted by the fathers. This culminates in a foam fight on the Monday morning in quad of St Salvator's College.

The "cursed" cobblestone initials outside St Salvators College chapel.

Cobblestones

Situated around the town of St Andrews are cobblestone markings denoting where Protestant martyrs were burnt at the stake. To students, the most notable of these is the cobblestone initials "PH" located outside the main gate of St Salvators College. These cobblestones denote where Patrick Hamilton was martyred in 1528. According to student tradition, stepping on the "PH" will cause a student to become cursed, with the effect that the offender will fail his or her degree and so students are known to jump over the cobblestones when passing.

May Dip

The May Dip is a student tradition held annually at dawn on May Day. Students stay awake until dawn, at which time they collectively run into the North Sea. The May Dip is also traditionally the only way of removing the curse inflicted by stepping on the PH cobbles. If a student is to step on the stones he/she can be forgiven if on the dawn of the first of May, they run into the north sea.

Governance and administration

The "Gateway" building, built in 2000 and now used for the University's Management department
Main article: Governance of the University of St Andrews

As with the other Ancient universities of Scotland, governance is determined by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858. This Act created three bodies: the General Council, University Court and Academic Senate (Senatus Academicus).

General Council

Main article: General Council of St Andrews University

The General Council is a standing advisory body of all the graduates, academics and former academics of the University. It meets twice a year and appoints a Business Committee to transact business between these meetings. Its most important functions are to appoint two Assessors to the University Court and elect the University Chancellor.

University Court

The University Court is the body responsible for administrative and financial matters, and is in effect the governing body of the University. It is chaired by the Rector, who is elected by all the matriculated students of the University. Members are appointed by the General Council, Academic Senate and Fife Council. The President of the Students' Representative Council and Director of Representation are ex officio members of the Court. Several lay members are also co-opted and must include a fixed number of alumni of the University.

Senatus Academicus

The Academic Senate (Latin Senatus Academicus) is the supreme academic body for the University. Its members include all of the Professors of the University, certain senior Readers, a number of Senior Lecturers and Lecturers and three elected student Senate Representatives - one from the Arts / Divinity faculty, one from the Science / Medicine faculty and one postgraduate student. It is responsible for authorising degree programmes and issuing all degrees to graduates. Another function of the Senate is to discipline students. The President of the Senate is the University Principal.

Faculties

St Andrews University Classics Building

The University is divided into four academic Faculties:

Each is governed by a Faculty Council and administered by a Dean. Students apply to become members of a particular faculty, as opposed to any particular school or department.

Number of students by faculty

Academic Year 2005/2006 [1]:

Faculty Undergraduate Postgraduate
Arts 3,582 604
Divinity 48 50
Medicine 419 7
Science 1,731 367
Total 5,780 1,028

Office of the Principal

The Principal is the chief executive of the University and is assisted in that role by several key officers.

The current composition of the Office of the Principal is:

Deans of the Faculties

The Deans are academics appointed by the Master of the United College to oversee the day to day runnings of each faculty. They were once elected by their constituents but this was changed to appointment in 2005

The current Deans are:

Student Residence Halls

St Andrews is characterised amongst Scottish Universities as having a significant number of students in University operated accommodation. Approximately half of the overall student population live 'in Hall'. All are now co-educational and non-smoking. Residences include:

Fife Park, and affordability

The university decided in 2004 to significantly increase the cost of rent, claiming accommodation services was running at a loss. When the proposal to increase rent was accepted, the university promised to maintain a certain amount of affordable accommodation, namely whichever is higher out of 500 beds, or 1/6 of the total number of beds[21][22]. It appears this promise will be broken, as the university intends to demolish the affordable hall Fife Park, and replace it with more beds, none of which will be affordable.

Fife Park is one of only two affordable halls available for undergraduates[23]. Currently (in 2008), Fife Park consists of 252 beds; to undergradutes, it is rented out at £55.56 per week for 36 weeks[24]. In June 2008, the university applied for planning permission to demolish Fife Park[25].

The university intends to replace the existing residence with 777 bed spaces, 567 of which will be en-suite ("Type 5")[26]. The rent is expected to be in the range £97–130 per week[27] for the replacement, self-catered, accommodation. The design of the proposed accommodation is modelled upon[28] that of the university's existing 3-star[29] en-suite residence, the David Russell Apartments, which as of 2008 costs over £122 per week (£4,405 over 36 weeks[23]), so it is likely the proposed en-suite accommodation will cost at least that amount.

Even without the demolition of Fife Park, there is a shortage of affordable accommodation in St Andrews[30]. Because of reasons like this, the already-high cost of accommodation in St Andrews[8], and because St Andrews has only a small number of students from lower income backgrounds[7], students such as members of the Lower Rents Now coalition[31] have campaigned against the universities plans[32].

One ground of objection to the university's plans is that it is council policy that 30% of houses built in or around St Andrews must be affordable[33], but the proposed Fife Park replacement will have no affordable beds. The University of St Andrews is aware of this council policy, and asked the Scottish Government to redefine the word 'affordable' in the context of planning guidelines to include all accommodation built for students[34], so that none of the replacement beds would need to be affordable.

Former residences

In addition to the residences listed above, the University formerly also had the following residences:

and West Park, which was pulled down to make way for the the Students' Union building, built in the 1970s.

Alumni

St Salvator's Quadrangle during the Raisin Weekend foam fight

See also Category:Alumni of the University of St Andrews

Arts and media

Education and academia

Law

Politics and public affairs

Religion, church, and theology

Royalty

Sciences

Miscellaneous

Famous Rectors

In Scotland, the position of Rector exists in the four ancient universities (St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh) - as well as in the University of Dundee. The post (officially Lord Rector, but by normal use Rector alone) was made an integral part of these universities by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889. The Rector of the University of St Andrews chairs meetings of the University Court, the governing body of the university, and is elected at regular intervals by the matriculated student body

Links with the United States

The University has a strong link with the United States. Significant numbers of students matriculate from the United States. Many important American figures (and emigrants to the United States) from Scotland have been associated with the university:

Signatories of the Declaration of Independence

Also, three of the signatories of the 1776 American Declaration of Independence attended or received degrees from St Andrews, including:

Wilson attended three Scottish Universities including St Andrews, but did not earn a degree from any of them. Carrying important letters of introduction, Wilson arrived in America in 1765. He became a Latin tutor at Philadelphia College (now the University of Pennsylvania), and successfully petitioned that institution to grant him an honorary Master of Arts.

Witherspoon had an impressive list of credentials and was a significant public figure. He was president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Witherspoon was largely responsible for converting the institution into a success by employing Scottish educational standards. He received his Master of Arts, Bachelor of Divinity, and was made a Doctor of Divinity at the University of St Andrews.

In 1759 Franklin received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of St Andrews.

Exchange Programs

Emory University in Atlanta runs an exchange programme with St Andrews called the Bobby Jones Scholars programme, which allows for recent graduates of both universities to study at the other university. In addition, the School of Physics and Astronomy maintains a postgraduate exchange with The Georgia Institute of Technology. Both of these exchanges are funded by the Robert T. Jones Memorial Trust. The Robert Lincoln McNeil Scholarship is run in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania

University of St Andrews

Any alumnus, student or staff member can wear a scarf of dark blue, sky blue and white:[5][6]

                                 

University of St Andrews

                                       

St Mary's College

                                 

Bute Medical School

                                 

St Leonard's College (Postgraduate)

Student organisations

St Salvator's Chapel viewed from North Street.

Students' Association

The University of St Andrews Students' Association is the organisation which represents the student body of the University of St Andrews. The Association was instituted in 1983 under the Constitution and Laws of the University of St Andrews Students’ Association.[35] It comprises the Students' Representative Council (SRC), established in 1885 and legally defined under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889[36] , and the Students' Union (which was itself a merger of the Students' Union and the Women's Union). The Students' Association is registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator as charity SCO19883[37]

The Students' Association Building (colloquially known as the Union) is located on St Mary's Place, St Andrews. External bodies operating in the building include a Blackwells bookshop and the University's Student Support Services. The Students' Association is affiliated to, and indeed a founding member of, the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland (CHESS) and is not a member of the National Union of Students.

The Students' Association receives a maintenance grant from the University, which stood at £159,000 GBP for the academic year 2004-2005.[35]

The Students' Association is headed up by four sabbatical officers. Currently they are Andrew Keenan (Association President), James Shield (Director of Representation), Stacy Lee (Director of Events and Services) and Philippa Dunn (Director of Student Development and Activities).

Societies

Students at the university form various voluntary societies for academic, social, political, religious and other reasons. Many of these are affiliated with the Students' Association; notable affiliated societies are the Bute Medical Society, University of St Andrews Union Debating Society and the Shinty Club. Other groups are not affiliated to the University or the Students Association, and therefore not a part of the University structure. Notable independent student groups include the Global Investment Group, The International Politics Association of St Andrews, Kate Kennedy Club, Lower Rents Now and the Discussion Club.

University of St Andrews Athletic Union

Media

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://foi.st-andrews.ac.uk/PublicationScheme/servlet/core.generator.gblobserv?id=710#search=%22university%20st.%20andrews%20endowment%22
  2. ↑ http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/publications/univ_statistics.shtml#StaffNumbers
  3. ↑ http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/publications/univ_statistics.shtml#StaffNumbers
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Table 0a - All students by institution, mode of study, level of study, gender and domicile 2005/06". Higher Education Statistics Agency online statistics. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Online Catalogue > University Branded Clothing > Hats, Scarves, Ties > Scarves". University of St Andrews Students' Association Shop. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Scarves of the University of St Andrews". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Access agenda is now back on track". The Times. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Cost of students’ rent soars to record levels". The Scotsman. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  9. ↑ "St Andrews earns a high five". The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 06-11-2008.
  10. ↑ Wikisource-logo.svg  "University of Saint Andrews". Catholic Encyclopedia. (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company. 
  11. ↑ "The Sunday Times Good University Guide League Tables". The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 04-09-2008.
  12. ↑ "The Times Good University Guide 2008". The Times. Retrieved on 03-11-2007.
  13. ↑ "University ranking by institution". The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-10-29.
  14. ↑ "University ranking by institution". The Guardian. Retrieved on 2007-10-29.
  15. ↑ "The Sunday Times Good University Guide League Tables". The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 09-23-2008.
  16. ↑ "The Sunday Times Good University Guide League Tables". The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 03-11-2007.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "University league table". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved on 2007-10-29.
  18. ↑ National Student Survey: results by institution (2006 figures only) | Students | EducationGuardian.co.uk
  19. ↑ Research at St Andrews: RAE 2001
  20. ↑ The Philosophical Gourmet Report 2006 - 2008 :: Overall Rankings
  21. ↑ The University Court of St Andrews. "Minutes 2003–2004" p. 59. Retrieved on 28 November 2008. "student rents [to] be increased by between 8% and 42% above inflation [. . .] In doing this however, the University would maintain at least, the higher, of 500 bed spaces or 1/6th of the total bed space complement within the lowest quartile of university rents in the UK."
  22. ↑ "University Agrees to Phased Rent Rises". The University of St Andrews. Retrieved on 28 November 2008. "The University of St Andrews is to proceed with plans to increase student rents [. . .] concessions agreed by Court include : [ . . .] The retention of at least 500 beds - or approximately one-sixth of the university's residences complement - at low cost to ensure continued provision for those who need it."
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Undergraduates residence fees (2008–2009)". The University of St Andrews. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  24. ↑ "Fife Park". The University of St Andrews. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  25. ↑ "UKPlanning - Case File". Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  26. ↑ The University of St Andrews. "Masterplan". Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  27. ↑ St Andrews Students' Representative Council. "Minutes of consultation on DRA & Fife Park redevelopment" p. 2. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  28. ↑ The University of St Andrews. "Design Statement" p. 3. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  29. ↑ "David Russell Apartments". Scottish Tourist Board. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  30. ↑ St Andrews Students' Association. "[http://www.yourunion.net/files/Affordable%20accom%20report%20April%2008.pdf report on affordable accommodation]" pp. 2–8. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  31. ↑ Lower Rents Now coalition. "About LRN". Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  32. ↑ "Lower rents now". The National Student. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  33. ↑ Fife Council. "Fife Structure Plan 2006–2026" pp. 38–39. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  34. ↑ The University of St Andrews. "SPP3 Planning for Housing: Consultation Responses". The Scottish Government. Retrieved on 25 November 2008.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 University of St Andrews (24 January 2006). "Publication Scheme – Category 13 – Class: Relationship with Students’ Association". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
  36. ↑ Ministry of Justice - Universities (Scotland) Act 1889
  37. ↑ Extract from the Scottish Charity Register maintained by OSCR

External links

University of St Andrews
Governance
General Council · University Court · Senatus Academicus · Chancellor · Rector · Principal · Master of the United College · Quaestor
Colleges
United College · St Leonard's College · St Mary's College
History
Academic dress of the University of St Andrews · Lady Literate in Arts · St John's College · St Salvator's College · Parliamentary Constituency
Academic Schools
Bute Medical School · Gatty Marine Laboratory
Halls of Residence
Albany Park · Andrew Melville Hall · David Russell Apartments · Deans Court · Hamilton Hall · New Hall
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