The Times and Sunday Times published its guide to the top universities in the UK today, with the University of St Andrews hitting headlines as it beat world renown Oxbridge universities to the coveted number one spot.
The Good University Guide 2022 saw a number of universities in Scotland move up the list this year, with St Andrews University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Aberdeen and more edging higher in the esteemed UK university rankings.
The triumph of St Andrews University on the almost 30-year-old rankings, however, stands out – being the first time that a university besides the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge has topped the league table.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of St Andrews University, Professor Sally Mapstone, said: “I am thrilled for our students, staff and alumni.
They are the people who made this happen.”
“As one community, we strive constantly for excellence, and have a strategy that hasn’t been afraid to believe St Andrews could challenge at the very top by combining the best teaching, world-leading research, and an unswerving commitment to student satisfaction and achievement.
“Of course we’ll enjoy this remarkable result, and I expect there may be a little good-natured cross-border teasing amongst colleagues.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her congratulations to St Andrews University this morning.
"Many congratulations to @univofstandrews - top UK university,” Ms Sturgeon said.
"A well deserved accolade #GoodUniGuide”.
Here’s where the rest of Scotland’s universities ranked in the Good University Guide 2022 rankings.
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9. Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier, recently crowned the number one educational institution in the Capital for student satisfaction, moved six places up The Times rankings for 2022. Good University Guide 2022 rank: 57 Photo: JPIMedia
10. Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University was one of several Scottish universities to leap up this year's UK university ranking, moving 15 places on its 2021 position. Good University Guide 2022 rank: 60 Photo: Shutterstock
11. Robert Gordon University
Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University moved four places up The Times' national league table for 2022. Good University Guide 2022 rank: 62 Photo: RGU
12. Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Edinburgh university Queen Margaret University saw the largest change in its position on The Times UK ranking from 2021. Taking 66th on this year's UK university list for 2022, QMU jumped 23 places up the chart from 89th position last year. Good University Guide 2022 rank: 66 Photo: Contributed