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Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, leading the procession at winter graduation |
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ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the NewsDecember 2025 |
Welcome to the final issue of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the News for 2025.
After the recent winter graduation celebrations and Alumni Carol Services, we’re feeling very festive! As always, it has been a pleasure to meet and reconnect with so many of our alumni and friends at recent events.
We hope that you enjoy this year’s festive video, which features many favourite spots around ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and music from St Salvator's Chapel Choir, who marked St Andrew's Day and the start of Advent with two live national broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4.
Season’s greetings from Development! |
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Honorary graduate and broadcaster Kirsty Young |
Winter graduation celebrationsA former Lord Justice Clerk, a former Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, and one of the most respected broadcasters in the UK were awarded honorary degrees during the recent winter graduation. The honorary graduates joined families, staff, and friends in the Younger Hall for the December ceremonies, alongside over 800 of our newest alumni.
Raphael Vermeir CBE, one of the pioneers of the St Andrews Prize for the Environment, was awarded the University Medal. |
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You can view photos from our winter graduation garden party below via our Alumni Facebook page. |
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University to elect new ChancellorThe University has begun the process to elect a new Chancellor following the sad death of Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.
Members of the General Council who wish to vote in the election must register by 9 January 2026. Candidates must be nominated by a minimum of 25 members of the General Council and cannot be members of staff or matriculated students at the University.
Nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday 9 January 2026. The election will be held from 16 to 22 February 2026. |
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The Falside Mill team with student representatives from Saints Rugby |
Making Waves: sponsor storySport at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø helps students to build connections, resilience, and confidence. This is made possible by the support of our partners. Here, and , sponsors of Saints Rugby for the 2025-2026 academic year, share how their connections to the University have grown into lasting partnerships. |
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(L-R) Harris Bisset, Hansine Marshall, and Tom Mitchell |
Rowing trio bring home Commonwealth Championship medalsThe University of St Andrews is celebrating a remarkable achievement after all three Saints rowers returned from the 2025 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprints Championships in Barbados with medals.
Read , including additional successes for Saints Rowing. |
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Alumni at the London Carol Service |
Alumni Carol ServicesIt was a pleasure to be joined by so many of our alumni, friends and supporters at this year's Alumni Carol Services and festive receptions in London and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
You can watch the livestream recording of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Carol Service below. |
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Photographs from our London Alumni Carol Service, held at St Columba's Church on Pont Street, can be viewed below. |
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Global Burns Night 2026: save the date!Please save the date for our annual Global Burns Night, which will be held online on Thursday 22 January.
This popular event celebrates Scotland’s national poet and Scottish culture through a showcase of music, poetry, traditional dance, food and drink, and academic elements from across the University.
Further details, including registration, will follow. |
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Will Writing WebinarJoin local solicitor Fiona McDonald, MA, LLB, Dip LP, ATT (Fellow), NP, and our Legacies Manager Katrina Bell on 27 January 2026 at 5pm for an informative session on:
- the importance of writing a will
- making provision for powers of attorney
- an overview of inheritance tax.
Fiona is a partner at Fyfe McDonald Solicitors in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Private Client Tax Law. She co-authored Inheritance Tax in Scotland (Bloomsbury Professional) and The Elder Client (W. Green & Son Ltd), and previously tutored Revenue Law at the University of Edinburgh. |
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Making Waves Lecture Series The Making Waves Lecture Series features talks from leading academics from across the University. Details of upcoming lectures are below.
Wednesday 11 February, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Richard Whatmore, School of History Tuesday 21 April, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Peter Wahl, School of Physics and Astronomy Wednesday 10 June, Royal Over-Seas League, London, with Professor Rhiannon Purdie, School of English We look forward to welcoming alumni, supporters, and friends to hear more about the big ideas taking shape at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and the ripples they are creating across society.
All lectures are free to attend. Please register via the link below. |
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Thank you from Collective GivingEvery year, the generosity of our alumni and friends helps to provide life-changing scholarships for students who call St Andrews home.
Thank you to all those who support the University through collective giving for everything you’ve made possible this year. Thanks to you, students continue to enjoy the traditions and experiences that make ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø so special.
We hope you enjoy our short video above – we certainly think these are ‘traditions worth sharing’!
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Professor Phillips O'Brien, School of International Relations |
War and Power: Who Wins Wars and WhyLast month, the Development Office hosted two gatherings in the US with Professor Phillips O’Brien from the School of International Relations, celebrating the launch of his new book, .
Alumni, parents, and friends enjoyed lively, thoughtful discussions with Professor O’Brien in Washington and Boston. |
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Professor Ifor Samuel, School of Physics and Astronomy |
Saints Spotlight: Ifor SamuelIn this month’s Saints Spotlight, Professor Ifor Samuel of the School of Physics and Astronomy discusses the that he founded at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, and his team’s recent breakthrough – creating a new type of laser.
Ifor recently received the for his world-leading research into OLEDs, organic lasers, and their applications in technology and medicine. |
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The University has launched a new online degree, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice |
Explore our online coursesThe University has launched a new online PGT programme, Conflict and Security in Policy and Practice, which covers a range of pressing global challenges and brings together the expertise of practitioners, policymakers, and scholars in responding to and resolving these issues.
The programme has been designed for students who are looking for flexible opportunities to study further. It covers a range of topics including peacebuilding, humanitarianism, strategic thought, and war studies. The course starts in January and September 2026.
You can find out more about online courses, including the MLitt/PGDip/PGCert in Museums, Heritage and Society, on the University website.
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Flavia on her graduation day, pictured with the University mace bearers |
Flavia D’Avila (PhD 2022) is an award-winning theatre director and researcher. She discusses her PhD workshops, making your own ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø traditions, and the creation of Placeholder, a poignant solo show that illuminates little-known characters and facts from Caribbean history. |
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Collette during a traditional ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø ‘soaking’ – a cold bucket of water to celebrate the end of undergraduate exams |
Collette Norval (née Oliver) (MA 2013) had her sights set on ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø from her first experience of the University during childhood holidays. She shares her experience of the Sutton Trust Summer School, finding her place in Saints Sport, and her varied career path. |
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To share your , please contact us at deveditorial@st-andrews.ac.uk, or submit an Alumni Profile using our . |
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Alumni Authors
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ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Renaissance Singers: 70th anniversary celebrationCelebrate seven decades of music with an unforgettable weekend from 13 to 15 March 2026. This celebration of singing will include many old favourites, plus a workshop day with and a ‘massed’ choir concert, featuring a new piece by award-winning young composer , which has been specially commissioned for the anniversary.
Please complete the form below to book your place. Bookings will be confirmed upon payment of the weekend participation fee. |
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SaintsFunder: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sailing Boat ClubThe University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Sailing Club Dinghy Team has seen great success in competitions throughout the UK and also supports beginners interested in the sport.
Their fleet of dinghies, purchased in 2013, desperately needs to be replaced, and the Club hopes to acquire six new Firefly dinghies which will support the training needs of their nationally recognised sailors and provide resources for newcomers to the sport. |
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University ShopFestive gifts and cosy winter treats are available from the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Shop, in store and online. Explore the range below. |
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