St Andrews is officially the best university in the UK
Historic Fife university tops the rankings for the first time
Last updated 17th Sep 2021
The University of St Andrews has knocked Oxford and Cambridge off the top of the UK university rankings.
The 600 year-old Fife institution took first place in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide on account of its strong performances in student satisfaction, research, teaching quality, entry standards and graduate outcomes.
It is the first time in the near 30-year history of the guide, that a university other than Oxford or Cambridge has topped the rankings.
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"Inspired leadership"
University Chancellor, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, said: “This welcome and deserved achievement reflects the outstanding nature of the student experience at St Andrews University.
“Under the inspired leadership of the Principal, Professor Sally Mapstone, and her senior team, the standards set in these difficult times in teaching, research, and management at every level are truly remarkable.”
Guide Editor Alastair McCall, said: “St Andrews’ achievement in topping our institutional table should not be underestimated. Never before has any university other than Cambridge and Oxford finished top of our – or any other – domestic ranking of universities.
No fluke says University Guide editor
“It is no fluke. The university has been closing in on the Oxbridge duopoly for several years, buoyed by outstanding levels of student satisfaction which have peaked during the past year of pandemic disruption on campus. The lead St Andrews now has over other universities in this key area of university performance is remarkable.
“Strange to say for an institution that has been around for 600 years, but topping our UK rankings for the first time truly marks St Andrews “arrival” as a serious challenger to Oxford and Cambridge.”
President of the St Andrews Students’ Association, Lottie Doherty, said: “It’s amazing news. It’s brilliant that St Andrews has made number one, not just for the University and its staff but for all the students here as well.
“It really is a testament to how well the last year has gone despite the difficult conditions.
“Students worked so hard to get good grades and engage with their classes and studies even though it has been online and under very difficult circumstances. It is brilliant to see that recognised.”