University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews, Scotland's inaugural university and only the third in the English-speaking world, is nestled in the charming east coast town that shares its name in the Kingdom of Fife. Established in 1413 with the blessing of Pope Benedict XIII, it emerged as a beacon of higher education in a time when such recognition was rare and controlled by the church. Today, boasting a rich academic landscape, the university offers over 900 degree courses organized across four faculties: Arts, Divinity, Medicine, and Science. With a student body of around 8,000 individuals, comprising both local and international students from 120 different countries, St Andrews maintains some of the lowest drop-out rates in the country. Notably, in 1892, it welcomed its first women students, demonstrating a progressive stance uncommon in British universities at the time. Situated in the intimate town of St Andrews, where university life is intricately intertwined with the local community, the institution's commitment to sustainability is reflected in initiatives such as its wind farm, ensuring self-sufficiency in electrical energy. Among its distinguished alumni are figures such as politician Alex Salmond, mathematician John Napier, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.