The University of St Andrews has claimed the top spot in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, surpassing Oxford and Cambridge for the first time in the guide's 30-year history. The achievement marks a historic shift in UK higher education rankings, which have long been dominated by the Oxbridge duopoly.
St Andrews' success is attributed to its high student satisfaction rates, which remained strong even during the pandemic. It scored four percentage points higher than any other university for student satisfaction and teaching quality. The university also performed well in the Research Excellence Framework, particularly in chemistry and physics collaborations with the University of Edinburgh, and is noted for its marine research, medical work, and the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence.
Alastair McCall, editor of the guide, described the achievement as no fluke, noting that St Andrews has been closing in on the top spot for several years. He said the university's lead over others is remarkable and marks it as a global player. Principal and vice-chancellor Prof Sally Mapstone expressed pride in the community, highlighting their commitment to excellence and student satisfaction.
Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland's oldest university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. Its alumni include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Meanwhile, the University of Glasgow was named Scottish University of the Year, ranking 12th overall, its highest ever position.
