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University of St Andrews and Guardian University Guide 2026

EDM (Early Day Motion) 1937: tabled on 16 September 2025

Tabled in the 2024-26 session.

This motion has been signed by 8 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.

Motion text

That this House congratulates the University of St Andrews on being ranked the top university in Scotland and second in the UK, behind only Oxford, in The Guardian University Guide 2026; notes that St Andrews is one of six Scottish institutions placed in the UK’s top 30; further notes the outstanding performance of its academic schools, with Mathematics, History, Art History and International Relations ranked first in the UK, and 16 further subjects achieving top ten positions, including Modern Languages, Economics, Psychology, Business and Management, Chemistry, Philosophy, and Medicine; recognises that the Guide assesses universities based on student satisfaction, expenditure per student, student to staff ratios, career prospects, entry tariff, value-added and continuation; acknowledges that St Andrews made history in 2019 by breaking the Oxbridge duopoly in the UK university league tables, later rising to first place in 2022 and maintaining that position in 2023; and celebrates the University of St Andrews for its continued excellence in teaching, research, and student experience, bringing pride to Scotland’s higher education sector.