The Times Names St Andrews Best UK University

The University of St Andrews is to be awarded the top spot on The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, set to be published on Sunday 17 September, beating both Oxford and Cambridge. This comes following news earlier this week that St Andrews was also the top of The Guardian’s rankings. Principal Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE said: “To make history by coming top in both the Times and Guardian University Guides in the same season is a special way to start a new academic year in St Andrews”.

For the fourth time in three consecutive years, St Andrews has managed to split the ‘Oxbridge duopoly’, which usually dominate the coveted top spots. Most impressively, it is the first time that any UK university other than Oxbridge has topped both of the leading higher education league tables in the same year.

“This achievement belongs completely to our fantastic staff and hard-working students. It reflects a deep institutional commitment to a critical balance of world-leading research and teaching, and the ways in which St Andrews students respond to that.”

“While positive external validation is always welcome, no Vice-Chancellor ever sets out to top a league table, and what matters most to me are the individual and collective experiences of those who study and work at this great university. St Andrews never stands still; we are always looking for ways to improve what we do."

“I think everyone who works and studies here will be delighted to see that culture reflected in where St Andrews now sits as a sector leader.”

This year’s Students’ Association President, Barry Will, has echoed the Principal’s sentiments: “This is a place where every single person matters, and can make a difference, even in challenging times and when we all need to advocate constantly for the transformative powers of well-supported university education.”

“I think we’re number one because as a community, we all, each and every day, try to take care of one another and make St Andrews the best place in the world. If we’re top of the league tables because of that, it’s an added bonus, the icing on the cake.”

Photo: Violeta Vigo