University of St Andrews
United Kingdom • Founded 1413 • QS 2027 #115 =
Updated Sep 2026 · Source: st-andrews.ac.uk
Overview
The University of St Andrews sits in the coastal town of St Andrews, Scotland.
Teaching began there in 1410 and the university was formally constituted by papal bull in 1413, making it the oldest of Scotland's universities and third oldest across the English-speaking world. Its Schools and Departments are organised into four faculties, with subjects spanning Divinity, Art History and Classics to Medicine and Computer Science.
In the 2024-25 academic year it enrolled 10,356 students, including 8,381 undergraduates and just under 2,000 postgraduates, with more than 120 countries represented among students and roughly a quarter of staff from outside the UK. In 2026 St Andrews placed top in Scotland and second nationally in both the Times and Sunday Times and Guardian university guides, with subjects such as Art History, Chemistry, English, French, History, International Relations, Physics, Social Anthropology and Mathematics ranked among the UK's best.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for University of St Andrews are summarised below.
Academic Details
University of St Andrews's academic profile in numbers is listed below.
Academic Structures
University of St Andrews's academic units are listed below, by type.
Unit 4 items
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Divinity
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Science
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts (Faculty) 27 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Bible
- Classical Languages
- Economics
- English
- Film
- French
- Geography
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Italian
- Latin
- Linguistics
- Management
- Mathematics
- Modern History
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Russian
- Spanish
- Statistics
Divinity (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Theology
Medicine (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Science (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Psychology
Programs Offered
Every programme University of St Andrews currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.
701 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 665 programmes
Showing 10 of 665.
Master's Degree 35 programmes
Showing 10 of 35.
Professional Doctorate 1 programme
Scholarships in United Kingdom
Funding routes available to students in the United Kingdom are listed below.
How to apply to University of St Andrews
A five-step path through the application process at University of St Andrews.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of St Andrews runs 701 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Before applying to University of St Andrews, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.
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3
Get your documents ready
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of St Andrews's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Apply through UCAS or direct entry
Route your application through UCAS (ucas.com) for undergraduate entry to University of St Andrews. For postgraduate entry, apply directly through University of St Andrews's own admissions portal at www.st-andrews.ac.uk.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1334) 476 161. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of St Andrews
Common questions about University of St Andrews — answers from its published profile.
When did University of St Andrews open?
University of St Andrews traces its founding to 1413 (approximately 613 years ago).
In which city is University of St Andrews?
University of St Andrews is based in St Andrews, United Kingdom.
What is University of St Andrews's control type?
University of St Andrews operates as a public institution.
How many students study at University of St Andrews?
University of St Andrews has approximately 11,645 students.
What is University of St Andrews's ranking?
University of St Andrews is ranked QS 2027 #115 =.
What programmes are available at University of St Andrews?
University of St Andrews offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is University of St Andrews's academic structure?
University of St Andrews is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.
Is University of St Andrews accredited?
University of St Andrews is accredited by Privy Council.
How do I find University of St Andrews online?
University of St Andrews's official website is www.st-andrews.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Faculty awards and national-leader status concentrate at the top the United Kingdom universities. University of St Andrews's faculty distinctions compared to leaders signal where the institution sits in academic networks.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Members of European University Association (EUA), alongside University of St Andrews.
Faculties at nearby universities
Also nearby: universities located close to University of St Andrews.
Where Else to Study Humanities & Cultural Studies
Other institutions in the United Kingdom teaching Humanities & Cultural Studies are listed below for comparison with University of St Andrews.
Universities Compared with University of St Andrews
Comparable universities to University of St Andrews are listed below.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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