The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410-1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the United Kingdom. The University is situated in the town of St Andrews, on the eastern coast of Scotland.

History

The University was founded in 1410 when a charter of incorporation was bestowed upon the Priory of St Andrews Cathedral. The University grew in size quite rapidly; St Salvator's College was established in 1450, St Leonard's in 1511 and St Mary's in 1537. Some of the college buildings in use today date from this period as does St Salvator's Chapel. At this time much of the teaching was of a religious nature and was conducted by clerics associated with the Cathedral.

During the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries the University underwent many changes. The distinctive red gowns which are still in use today were adopted in 1672 and towards the end of the seventeenth century a move to Perth was considered and eventually rejected. In 1747 St. Salvator's and St. Leonard's Colleges were merged to form United College. During the nineteeth century student numbers were very low and the University having to close was a very real possibility. In the 1870s there were fewer than 150 students, perhaps partly in response to this the University was, in 1897, strengthened by the affiliation of University College in Dundee which became a centre of medical and scientific excellence. This affiliation ended in 1967 when Dundee University became an independent institution. Today the university is growing rapidly and in relatively sound financial health, perhaps helped by what some students have argued are the highest hall of residence rents in the UK outside of London, though the University argues that the the residential system does not produce a surplus. A notable aspect of the University is the high level of support amongst students for right-of-centre, free market politics, such as those of the Conservative Party (UK).

Alumni

Sciences

• Sir James Black, Nobel prize winner in Medicine
• Sir Walter Haworth, Nobel prize winner in Chemistry
• Sir Robert Robinson, Nobel prize winner in Chemistry
• Alan MacDiarmid, Nobel prize winner in Chemistry
• John Napier, mathematician
• James Gregory, astronomer and mathematician

Politics

• James II of Scotland
• Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party
• James Wilson, signatory of the US Declaration of Independence
• Thomas Bruce, nobleman and diplomat
• James Graham, nobleman and royalist military commander
• Lyon Playfair, scientist and politician

Arts

• William Dunbar, poet
• Robert Fergusson, poet
• Alexander Henderson, theologian
• Sir David Lindsay, poet and diplomat
• Ian McDiarmid, actor
• Andrew Melville, scholar and theologian
• Gavin Douglas, poet and bishop
• Fay Weldon, feminist and writer

Miscellaneous

• Alexander Berry, explorer
• David Beaton, cardinal
• Prince William of Wales (currently enrolled)

The University has a strong link with America, with significant numbers of students from that country. Benjamin Franklin, golfer Bobby Jones and (most recently) Bob Dylan have all been awarded honorary degrees. Also, three of the signatories of the 1776 American Declaration of Independence received degrees from St Andrews. It is also claimed that the dollar sign was invented at the University, and it is certain that the decimal point was.

Student Organizations

Media

• Newspapers

There are several student newspapers in publication; the Saint, a fortnightly tabloid, is the oldest and has the highest circulation but there is also the Mitre, the self-styled quality paper, and the Chihuahua, an occasional magazine in a tabloid newspaper format, known for its humour. The Mitre is aimed primarily at a right wing student readership and focuses particularly on their activities. The Saint was recently closed down because of alleged racist and homophobic comments. The Saint began to publish again in February 2005.

• Radio

On the 28th of February 2005 a number of St Andrews students launched the university's first FM station broadcasting over 3 km on the 87.7 MHz frequency. The station was granted a Restricted Service Licence (PDF) which allows for six hours of broadcast a day. The station hopes to relaunch in November if it can secure another licence. The station also broadcasts live on the internet.

Societies

• The Kate Kennedy Club
• University of St Andrews Liberty Club

See also

• Lord Rector of St Andrews University

External links

• University of St Andrews website
• University of St Andrews Students' Association Website
• STAR FM 87.7 St Andrews Student Radio
• Website selling University of St Andrews Merchandise, run by the Students' Association
• The Mitre - Monthly student newspaper
• Message board for students of the University
• The University of St. Andrew's Liberty Club
• The Saint newspaper