The Flat Hat Club is the popular name of a collegiate secret society and honor fraternity founded in 1750 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia .
89-657: The fraternity, formally named the F.H.C. Society , was founded at the College on November 11, 1750. The society maintains relationships with societies at the University of St. Andrews and Amherst College . The F.H.C. Society is the first recorded collegiate secret society in the United States . Early in the 21st century, the Education section of The New York Times profiled America's oldest university clubs and societies and included
178-530: A 14.8% increase in earnings compared to the average graduate. St Andrews is placed seventh in the UK (1st in Scotland) for the employability of its graduates as chosen by recruiters from the UK's major companies. In 2017, St Andrews was named as the university with the joint second highest graduate employment rate of any UK university (along with Warwick ), with 97.7 per cent of its graduates in work or further study three and
267-572: A centre of learning to consider the role of religion and politics was highlighted by the support garnered from a diverse range of scholars and religious and political figures who endorsed the Centre's establishment. These supporters who have continued as Patrons of the Centre include Gustavo Gutiérrez , Cardinal O'Brien , Bishop Desmond Tutu , Carole Hillenbrand , Ian Linden , Julian Filochowski , J.D.Y. Peel , Rev Joel Edwards , Professor George P. Smith II and Dr. P.T.W. Baxter. The current director
356-538: A collegiate honorary society. It suspended its activities in 1943 as the number of men enrolled at the College steeply declined because of American involvement in World War II . The modern F.H.C. Society was revived in May 1972. It remains an all-male society, consisting of twelve undergraduate men and alumni in urbe . In recent years, an additional six members were added. Most of its activities remain comparatively secret within
445-705: A group of Augustinian clergy, driven from the University of Paris by the Avignon schism and from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge by the Anglo-Scottish Wars , formed a society of higher learning in St Andrews, which offered courses of lectures in divinity, logic, philosophy, and law. A charter of privilege was bestowed upon the society of masters and scholars by the Bishop of St Andrews , Henry Wardlaw , on 28 February 1411–12. Wardlaw then successfully petitioned
534-404: A half years after graduation. An independent report conducted by Swedish investment firm, Skandia found that despite its small undergraduate body, St Andrews is the joint-5th best university in the UK for producing millionaires. A study by High Fliers confirmed this by reporting that the university also features in the top 5 of UK universities for producing self-made millionaires. According to
623-422: A letter of Mr. Jefferson, written to John D. Taylor, of Maryland, giving some account of the club at the College, stating that he was a member ... [;] (2) a list of the books described as compiled for the club's library, in 1772, by Rev. Thomas Gwatkin , Professor of Mathematics; (3) the credentials of Robert Baylor as a member in abbreviated Latin." Therefore, we know the society existed for some years and possessed
712-426: A letter, now housed in the archives at Swem Library , which Thomas Jefferson wrote to Thomas McAuley, mentioning Jefferson's membership in the F.H.C. The initials of the F.H.C. Society stand for a secret Latin phrase, likely "Fraternitas, Humanitas, et Cognitio" or "Fraternitas Humanitas Cognitioque" (two renderings of "brotherhood, humanity, and knowledge"). The "brothers" of the original F.H.C. devised and employed
801-468: A particular faculty, as opposed to the school within which teaching is based. The faculties and their affiliated schools are: Certain subjects are offered within both the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, the six subjects are: economics, geography, management, mathematics, psychology, and sustainable development. The content of the subject is the same regardless of the faculty. The academic year at St Andrews
890-501: A post-graduate society. There are 18 academic schools organised into four faculties. The university occupies historic and modern buildings located throughout the town. The academic year is divided into two semesters, Martinmas and Candlemas. In term time, over one-third of the town's population are either staff members or students of the university. The student body is known for preserving ancient traditions such as Raisin Weekend, May Dip, and
979-543: A secret handshake, wore a silver membership medal, issued certificates of membership, and met regularly for discussion and fellowship, especially at the Raleigh Tavern . The group became publicly known by the backronym "Flat Hat Club" in probable allusion to the mortarboard caps then commonly worn by all students at the College (now worn at graduation by students at most American universities). William & Mary alumnus and third American president Thomas Jefferson may be
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#17328474738101068-565: A signer of the Declaration of Independence , attended (but did not graduate from) St Andrews. Wilson was one of six original justices appointed by George Washington to the Supreme Court of the United States and was a founder of the University of Pennsylvania Law School . Other prominent American figures associated with St Andrews include Scottish American industrialist Andrew Carnegie , who
1157-485: A small library. The name of the group was revived in the twentieth century by application to a select group of twelve undergraduate men and four professors which had been founded in 1916 as the Spotswood Club (it thus differed markedly from the original society, a fraternity of six undergraduate men with alumnus members in urbe – that is, "in town", having graduated from the university). This society operated largely as
1246-521: A study by the Institute of Employment Research, St Andrews has produced more directors of FTSE 100 companies in proportion to its size than any other educational institution in Britain. In the 2019 Complete University Guide , 24 out of the 25 subjects offered by St Andrews rank within the top 10 nationally, making St Andrews one of only three multi-faculty universities (along with Cambridge and Oxford ) in
1335-586: A year at Emory University in Atlanta , and Western University and Queen's University in Canada. The Robert Lincoln McNeil Scholarship allows students to study at the University of Pennsylvania . One of the largest North American exchanges is with the University of California system, in which students can study at UC Berkeley , UC Los Angeles (UCLA) , UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) and UC San Diego (UCSD) . Other North American partners offering multiple exchanges include
1424-413: Is Dr Mark Elliott . The Logos Institute for Analytic and Exegetical Theology was founded in 2016 by Professor Alan Torrance and Dr Andrew Torrance. The Institute "is committed to scholarship that reflects a concern for: transparency; simplicity in expression; clear, logical argumentation; and rigorous analysis. It also reflects a radical commitment to interdisciplinary engagement, particularly between
1513-420: Is Professor Mario Aguilar The Institute for Bible, Theology & Hermeneutics (IBTH) was established in 2009 to give formal identity to the long-standing project of research into Scripture and theology that has been associated with the work at St Mary's School of Divinity. The institute introduces its aims as seeking, "To overcome the sense of fragmentation within the field of Divinity that burdens many within
1602-421: Is a long tradition of Americans being warmly welcomed here at St Andrews. Every year I learn you educate more than one thousand American students, exposing them to new ideas and perspectives as well as providing them with a first-class education. I've been proud and fortunate to hire a few St Andrews alumni over the years and I thank you for training them so well. As with the other ancient universities of Scotland,
1691-503: Is based around St Salvator's Quadrangle. St Mary's College is responsible for all students studying in the Faculty of Divinity, and has its own dedicated site in St Mary's Quadrangle. St Leonard's College is now responsible for all postgraduate students. In 2022 the university announced its intention to create New College, a fourth college responsible for the school of International Relations and
1780-570: Is divided into two semesters, Martinmas and Candlemas , named after two of the four Scottish Term and Quarter Days . Martinmas, on 11 November, was originally the feast of Saint Martin of Tours , a fourth-century bishop and hermit. Candlemas originally fell on 2 February, the day of the feast of the Purification , or the Presentation of Christ. Martinmas semester runs from early September until mid-December, with examinations taking place just before
1869-716: Is one of five approved centres for the training of Church of Scotland ministers. Graduates include the Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald , the immediate past Principal Clerk to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and a former Moderator. Beginning May 2018, the Principal of St Mary's College was Rev. Dr. Stephen Holmes, also Head of the School of Divinity, who replaced Ian Bradley ( Professor Emeritus ). Oliver Crisp
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#17328474738101958-506: Is one of only three universities to have never left the top 10 in any of the three main domestic league tables since 2008. According to data released by the Department for Education in 2018, St Andrews was rated as the fifth best university in the UK for boosting male graduate earnings with male graduates seeing a 24.5% increase in earnings compared to the average graduate, and the ninth best university for females, with female graduates seeing
2047-597: Is ranked 5th in Europe by Times Higher Education in its 2019 Teaching Rankings. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework ranked St Andrews 16th in the UK, and second in Scotland, amongst multi-faculty institutions for the research quality (GPA) of its output profile. St Andrews was ranked ninth overall in The Sunday Times 10-year (1998–2007) average ranking of British universities based on consistent league table performance, and
2136-653: Is the home of the Faculty and School of Divinity within the University of St Andrews , in Fife , Scotland. The college was founded in 1538 by Archbishop James Beaton , uncle of Cardinal David Beaton on the site of the Pedagogy or St John's College (founded 1418). St Mary's College was intended to preserve the teachings of the Catholic church against the Protestant teachings of
2225-479: The Avignon Pope Benedict XIII to grant the school university status by issuing a series of papal bulls , which followed on 28 August 1413. King James I of Scotland confirmed the charter of the university in 1432. Subsequent kings supported the university, with King James V of Scotland "confirming privileges of the university" in 1532. A college of theology and arts, called St John's College ,
2314-514: The British Prime Minister Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery . The university encompasses three colleges : United College , St Mary's College and St Leonard's College . The purpose of the colleges at St Andrews is mainly ceremonial, as students are housed in separate residential halls or private accommodations. United College is responsible for all students in the faculties of arts, sciences, and medicine, and
2403-556: The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia , allows students studying Classical Studies, Film Studies, International Relations, English, History, or Economics to spend two years at each institution and earn a joint degree from both. The Robert T. Jones Memorial Trust funds the Robert T. Jones Jr. Scholarship, which allows selecting St Andrews students to study, fully funded, for
2492-694: The Latin Sancti Andreae , in post-nominals ) is a public university in St Andrews , Scotland . It is the oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and, following the universities of Oxford and Cambridge , the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world . St Andrews was founded in 1413 when the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII issued a papal bull to a small founding group of Augustinian clergy. Along with
2581-708: The Princeton Club of New York , the Penn Club of New York City and the Algonquin Club in Boston. In 2013, Hillary Clinton , former United States Secretary of State, took part in the academic celebration marking the 600th anniversary of the founding of the University of St Andrews. Clinton received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws and provided the graduation address, in which she said, I do take comfort from knowing there
2670-597: The Students' Association and director of education are ex officio members of the court. Several lay members are also co-opted and must include a fixed number of alumni of the university. The Academic Senate (Latin Senatus Academicus ) is the supreme academic body for the university. Its members include all the professors of the university, certain senior readers , a number of senior lecturers and lecturers , and three elected student senate representatives – one from
2759-479: The United College of St Salvator and St Leonard . Throughout this period student numbers were very low; for instance, when Samuel Johnson visited the university in 1773, the university had fewer than 100 students, and was in his opinion in a steady decline. He described it as "pining in decay and struggling for life". The poverty of Scotland during this period also damaged St Andrews, as few were able to patronise
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2848-465: The Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 . The Chancellor of the University of St Andrews is the titular head of the University of St Andrews. Their duties include conferring degrees, promoting the university's image throughout the world, and furthering the university's interests worldwide. The Principal is the chief executive of the university and is assisted in that role by several key officers, including
2937-567: The Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 . The rector of the University of St Andrews chairs meetings of the University Court, the governing body of the university; and is elected by the matriculated student body to ensure that their needs are adequately considered by the university's leadership. Throughout St Andrews' history a number of notable people have been elected to the post, including the actor John Cleese , industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie , author and poet Rudyard Kipling and
3026-519: The University Court and elect the university's chancellor . The University Court is the body responsible for administrative and financial matters and is in effect the governing body of the university. It is chaired by the rector , who is elected by the matriculated students of the university. Members are appointed by the General Council, Academic Senate and Fife Council. The president of
3115-654: The University of Copenhagen , the University of Oslo , and Trinity College Dublin . Exchanges are also available for postgraduate research students, such as the opportunity for social scientists to study at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. St Mary%27s College, St Andrews St Mary's College , founded as New College or College of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ,
3204-461: The University of Oxford . Active recruitment of students from North America first began in 1984, with Americans now making up around 1 in 6 of the student population in 2017. Students from almost every state in the United States and province in Canada are represented. This is the highest proportion and absolute number of American students amongst all British universities. Media reports indicate growing numbers of American students are attracted to
3293-562: The University of Virginia , the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Washington University in St. Louis , Washington and Lee University , Elon University , and the University of Toronto . Some exchanges are offered within specific research institutes at St Andrews, rather than across entire Schools. For example, the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV), within
3382-475: The Academy, promoting intra-disciplinary conversation between Biblical Studies and the various fields of Theology, thus providing a core identity for a more integrated discipline competent to engage in inter-disciplinary research. With the study of general hermeneutical theory and practice at its centre, it will be outward-looking and keen to engage with issues arising from the contemporary world." The current director
3471-598: The Christmas break. There follows an inter-semester period when Martinmas semester business is concluded and preparations are made for the new Candlemas semester, which starts in January and concludes with examinations in April and May. Most Undergraduate graduations are celebrated in mid-June with Postgraduate graduations being celebrated in late November. In the 2022 The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide , St Andrews ranked as
3560-534: The P.D.A. Society (publicly known as "Please Don't Ask"), was founded at William and Mary in March 1773, in imitation of the F.H.C. Society. John Heath , a student at William and Mary who in 1776 sought but was refused admission to the P.D.A., later established the first Greek-letter fraternity, the Phi Beta Kappa Society . The student members of the F.H.C. suspended the group's activities in 1781, probably due to
3649-719: The School of Divinity is placed first in the United Kingdom for undergraduate studies ahead of Durham in second place and Cambridge in third. In the 2016 Guardian University Guide , it is also ranked first in the United Kingdom in religious studies and theology. The college has four research centres. The Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts (ITIA) was founded within the college by professors Trevor Hart and Jeremy Begbie (currently Thomas A. Langford Research Professor at Duke Divinity School) in 2000. It "aims to advance and enrich an active conversation between Christian theology and
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3738-751: The School of International Relations, offers student exchanges in partnership with the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University . St Andrews participates in the Erasmus Programme and has direct exchanges with universities across Europe. For example, in France exchanges are offered at the Sorbonne , Sciences Po , and University of Paris VI . In the Netherlands, students can study at Leiden University and Utrecht University . Narrower exchanges include those with
3827-485: The Schools of International Relations, Management, and Economics and Finance with offer rates of 8.0%, 10.9% and 11.5% respectively. The university hosts the most ethnically diverse student population out of all universities in Scotland, with 17.4% of students from an ethnic minority background and has a higher proportion of female than male students with a female ratio of 59.7% in the undergraduate population. Under 40% of
3916-653: The Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) Alex Younger ; Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy ; Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Dame Barbara Woodward ; and royals William, Prince of Wales , and Catherine, Princess of Wales . Five Nobel laureates are among St Andrews' alumni and former staff: three in Chemistry and two in Physiology or Medicine . In 1410
4005-601: The UK for the 2021 admissions cycle. The standard offer of a place tends to require five best Highers equivalent to AAAAB, three best A-levels equivalent to AAA or a score of at least 38 points on the International Baccalaureate. For 2016–17, the acceptance rate was 8.35% and the offer rate was 22.5% for Scottish/EU applicants where places are capped by the Scottish Government . In 2017, the most competitive courses for Scottish/EU applicants were those within
4094-514: The UK to have over 95% of their subjects in the top 10. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 revealed that 24 of the 26 subjects offered by St Andrews ranked within the top 6 nationally with 10 subjects placing within the top 3 including English, Management, Philosophy, International Relations, Italian, Physics and Astronomy and Classics and Ancient History. The Guardian University Guide 2019 ranked Biosciences, Computer Science, International Relations, Physics and Psychology first in
4183-445: The UK. Earth and Marine Sciences, Economics, English, Management, Mathematics, Philosophy and Theology placed within the top three nationally. In the 2015–16 Times Higher Education World University Rankings , St Andrews is ranked 46th in the world for Social Sciences, 50th in the world for Arts and Humanities and 74th in the world for Life Sciences. The 2014 CWTS Leiden rankings , which "aims to provide highly accurate measurements of
4272-544: The Year by The Times and Sunday Times . In a ranking conducted by The Guardian in 2009, St Andrews placed fifth in the UK for national reputation behind Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial & LSE. When size is taken into account, St Andrews ranks second in the world out of all small to medium-sized fully comprehensive universities (after Brown University ) using metrics from the QS Intelligence Unit in 2015. The university
4361-622: The article The Quarrel between St Andrews and Dundee that University College, Dundee was "forbidden" to give such instruction in the Arts "as he [the Dundeen student] might require". After the incorporation of University College Dundee, St Andrews' various problems generally receded. For example, it was able to offer medical degrees. Until 1967, many students who obtained a degree from the University of St Andrews had in fact spent most, and sometimes all, of their undergraduate career based in Dundee. In 1967,
4450-549: The arts and divinity faculty, one from the science and medicine faculty and one postgraduate student. It is responsible for authorising degree programmes and issuing all degrees to graduates, and managing student discipline. The president of the Senate is the University Principal . The university's three most significant officials are its chancellor, principal, and rector, whose rights and responsibilities are largely derived from
4539-529: The arts – bringing rigorous theological thinking to the arts, and bringing the resources of the arts to the enterprise of theology." The current director is Dr Gavin Hopps . The Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics (CSRP) was founded in November 2004 by a group of academics attached to the Schools of Divinity, International Relations, Modern Languages, and Philosophical and Anthropological Studies. The need for
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#17328474738104628-451: The best university in the UK, the first university to ever top Oxford and Cambridge in a British ranking. In the 2023 Guardian University Guide, St Andrews achieved the same feat and ranked first for the first time in the guide's history. In the 2024 versions of both The Guardian University Guide and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, St Andrews was again ranked first in the United Kingdom. It has been twice named University of
4717-665: The celebration of the 400th establishment of the King James Library, the King James Library lectures were initiated in 2009 on the subject of 'The Meaning of the Library'. The Andrew Lang Lecture series was initiated in 1927, and named for alumnus and poet Andrew Lang . The most famous lecture in this series is that given by J. R. R. Tolkien in March 1939, entitled 'Fairy Stories', but published subsequently as ' On Fairy-Stories '. The computing Distinguished Lecture Series
4806-418: The deputy principal, Master of the United College and Quaestor . The principal has responsibility for the overall running of the university and presides over the University Senate. In Scotland, the position of Rector exists at the four ancient universities (St Andrews, Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh ) – as well as the University of Dundee . The post was made an integral part of these universities by
4895-495: The governance of the university is determined by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 . This act created three bodies: the General Council , University Court and Academic Senate ( Senatus Academicus ). The General Council is a standing advisory body of all the graduates , academics, and former academics of the university. It meets twice a year and appoints a business committee to manage business between these meetings. Its most important functions are to appoint two assessors to
4984-450: The land, and probably second to few in England". By 1892, the headmistress of St Leonard's Ladies School, Dame Frances Dove , had become "possessor" of the buildings of the university's old St Leonard's College which were being used again for their original purpose of providing accommodation for students, only this time not for males but for "girl graduates and undergraduates ". Having matriculated , Agnes Forbes Blackadder entered
5073-478: The largest of which is in New York. Both London and New York also host the St Andrews Angels , an alumni-led angel investment network, which centres upon the wider university communities in both the United Kingdom and United States. St Andrews has also established relationships with other university alumni clubs and private membership clubs in the United States to provide alumni with social and networking opportunities. For example, alumni are eligible for membership at
5162-487: The most famous member of the Flat Hat Club. Other notable members of the original group included Colonel James Innes, St. George Tucker , and George Wythe . Late in life, Jefferson wrote that, "[w]hen I was a student of Wm. & Mary College of this state, there existed a society called the F.H.C. society, confined to the number of six students only, of which I was a member. Still, it had no useful object, nor do I know whether it now exists." A second Latin-letter fraternity,
5251-474: The need for modernisation and in order to increase student numbers and alleviate financial problems, the university had, by 1883, established a university college in Dundee which formally merged with St Andrews in 1897. From its inception, the Dundee college had a focus on scientific, and professional subjects; the college's mixed sexes read Classics and English at St Andrews. The union was fraught with difficulties; in 1894, The Educational Times reported in
5340-436: The newly formed Business School, which comprises the departments of Economics, Finance and Management. It will be located at the former site of Madras College in the town's centre, and is expected to cost £100 million. The four academic faculties collectively encompass 18 schools. A dean is appointed by the Master of the United College to oversee the day-to-day running of each faculty. Students apply to become members of
5429-413: The north and West ranges. The Quad contains a thorn tree said to have been planted by Mary, Queen of Scots , during her many visits to St. Andrews. The Quad also contains the historic King James Library founded by King James VI & I in 1612. In addition, the College has The Roundel, a 16th-century building dedicated for doctoral students studying divinity at the University of St Andrews. The college
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#17328474738105518-416: The other being Benjamin Franklin in 1759. Links with the United States have been maintained into the present day and continue to grow. In 2009, Louise Richardson , an Irish-American political scientist specialising in the study of terrorism, was drawn from Harvard to serve as the first female Principal and Vice Chancellor of St Andrews. She later went on to her next appointment as the vice chancellor to
5607-414: The reformers. It was dedicated to a revival of learning on the Continental trilingual model and from the outset laid emphasis on the knowledge of Latin , Greek and Hebrew . In 1579, nineteen years after the Reformation brought fundamental changes to the religious life of the Scottish nation , St Mary's College was reconstituted, under the influence of Andrew Melville , as the Faculty of Divinity of
5696-452: The scientific impact of universities", placed St Andrews 39th in the world, ranking it fifth domestically. The philosophy department is ranked sixth worldwide (3rd in Europe) in the 2020 QS World University Rankings . The university receives applications mainly through UCAS and the Common Application with the latest figures showing that there are generally 12 applications per undergraduate place available. According to 2022 UCAS figures,
5785-408: The student body is from private schools and the university has one of the smallest percentages of students (13%) from lower income backgrounds, out of all higher education institutions in the UK. According to data from UCAS, St Andrews' offer rate to students from the most deprived areas (as measured by SIMD20) has increased from 28% in 2010 to 72.1% for entry in 2022, almost three times higher than
5874-437: The study of divinity and law. It was intended to encourage traditional Catholic teachings in opposition to the emerging Scottish Reformation , but once Scotland had formally split with the Papacy in 1560, it became a teaching institution for Protestant clergy. At its foundation in 1538 St Mary's was intended to be a college for instruction in divinity, law, and medicine, as well as in Arts, but its career on this extensive scale
5963-434: The suspension of academic exercises at the university as the contending armies of the American Revolution approached Williamsburg during the Yorktown campaign. "The memory of this fraternity had entirely died out at William and Mary, but [after 1909, there was a] discovery of certain manuscript material in the correspondence of St. George Tucker , who was a student of the College in 1772. ... These manuscripts consist of (1)
6052-461: The third-lowest offer rate for 2022 entry (behind only Oxford and Cambridge) and the highest entry standards of new students, as measured by UCAS entry tariff, at 212 points. St Andrews has many notable alumni and affiliated faculty, including eminent mathematicians, scientists, theologians, philosophers, and politicians. Recent alumni include the former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond ; former Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill ; former Chief of
6141-465: The time. The scheme came to be known as the ' LLA examination ' (Lady Literate in Arts). It required women to pass five subjects at an ordinary level and one at honours level and entitled them to hold a diploma from the university. Not being required to attend the university in person, the women were learning by correspondence , taking as many years as needed to complete the course. They were both examined and assisted in their studies by educationalists in
6230-426: The town or city in which they lived in the UK or abroad. In 1889 the Universities (Scotland) Act made it possible to admit women to St Andrews formally and to receive an education equal to that of male students. In September 1892, the university was reported as having "lately taken the lead in opening its classes to women" and proclaimed that "St Andrews hails a ladies' school – St Leonards – second to none in
6319-399: The union with Queen's College Dundee (formerly University College Dundee) ended, when it became an independent institution under the name of the University of Dundee . As a result of this, St Andrews lost its capacity to provide degrees in many areas such as Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Accountancy, and Engineering. As well as losing the right to confer the undergraduate medical degree MBChB , it
6408-471: The universities of Glasgow , Aberdeen , and Edinburgh , St Andrews was part of the Scottish Enlightenment during the 18th century. St Andrews is made up of a variety of institutions, comprising three colleges — United College (a union of St Salvator's and St Leonard's Colleges), St Mary's College , and St Leonard's College , the last named being a non-statutory revival of St Leonard's as
6497-461: The university and its colleges, and with state support being improbable, the income they received was scarce. In the second half of the 19th century, the pressure was building upon universities to open up higher education to women. In 1876, the university senate decided to allow women to receive an education at St Andrews at a level roughly equal to the Master of Arts degree that men were able to take at
6586-427: The university had an offer rate of 24.7% for undergraduate applicants – the third lowest amongst higher education institutions (behind only Oxford and Cambridge). The university is one of the most competitive universities to gain admission into, with successful undergraduate entrants holding 212 UCAS points (the equivalent of just under A*A*A*A at A Level) ranking it as the highest amongst higher education institutions in
6675-467: The university has increased by about tenfold whilst the number of students arriving at St Andrews from the most deprived backgrounds has increased by almost 50 per cent in the past year of 2015. To commemorate the university's 600th anniversary the 600th Lecture Series was commissioned in 2011, which brought diverse speakers such as former prime minister Gordon Brown , naturalist David Attenborough and linguist Noam Chomsky to St Andrews. As part of
6764-400: The university in 1892 and became the first woman to graduate from St Andrews on the same level as men on 29 March 1895, when she gained her MA . The first female lecturer at the university was Alice Marion Umpherston , appointed in 1896 to teach Physiology to women students. In response to the increasing number of female students attending the university, the first women's hall of residence
6853-493: The university's academics, traditions, prestige, internationalism, and comparatively low tuition fees . The university also regularly features as one of the few non-North American universities in the Fiske Guide to Colleges , an American college guide, as a 'Best Buy'. St Andrews has developed a sizable alumni presence in the United States, with over 8000 alumni spread across all 50 states. Most major cities host alumni clubs,
6942-524: The university's overall offer rate for all students. The university participates in widening access schemes such as the Sutton Trust Summer School, First Chances Programme, REACH & SWAP Scotland, and Access for Rural Communities (ARC) in order to promote a more widespread uptake of those traditionally under-represented at university. In the seven-year period between 2008 and 2015, the number of pupils engaged with annual outreach programmes at
7031-617: The university. At its foundation in 1538 St Mary's was intended to be a College for instruction in Divinity, Law, and Medicine, as well as in Arts, but its career on this extensive scale was short-lived. Under a new foundation and erection, confirmed by Parliament in 1579, it was set apart for the study of Theology only, and it has remained a Divinity College ever since. From 1580 onwards each Principal has acted as primarius Professor of Divinity, or first Master. St Mary's College retains much of its original sixteenth-century buildings, specifically
7120-615: The university. Members receive medals of distinction upon graduation from William and Mary, showing their membership. Contrary to the practice of some similar societies, alumni may disclose their membership after graduation. Following is a partial ist of notable members of the Flat Hat Club. University of St. Andrews St Mary's College School of Medicine St Leonard's College The University of St Andrews ( Scots : University o St Andras , Scottish Gaelic : Oilthigh Chill Rìmhinn ; abbreviated as St And , from
7209-399: The wearing of distinctive academic dress. The student body is also notably diverse: over 145 nationalities are represented with about 45% of its intake from countries outside the UK; a tenth of students are from Europe with the remainder from the rest of the world—20% from North America alone. Undergraduate admissions are among the most selective in the country, with the university having
7298-458: Was Principal and Head of School from January 2022 until July 2024 after previously having been Acting Head of the School of Divinity since October 2021. Since the summer of 2024 William Tooman has been Principal and Head of School. As of May 2015, the Faculty and School of Divinity forms an academic community of some 131 persons: 16 members of staff; 55 postgraduate students; and 60 undergraduates. According to The Complete University Guide 2016,
7387-469: Was also deprived of the right to confer the postgraduate degree MD. St Andrews was eventually able to continue to offer the opportunity to study medicine through a new arrangement with the University of Manchester in England. In 1974, the College of St Leonard was reconstituted as a postgraduate institute. St Andrews' historical links with the United States predate the country's independence. James Wilson ,
7476-598: Was elected Rector in 1901 and whose name is given to the prestigious Carnegie Scholarship , and Edward Harkness , an American philanthropist who in 1930 provided for the construction of St Salvator's Hall . American Bobby Jones , co-founder of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament , was named a Freeman of the City of St Andrews in 1958, becoming only the second American to be so honoured,
7565-417: Was founded in 1418 by Robert of Montrose and Lawrence of Lindores. St Salvator's College was established in 1450 by Bishop James Kennedy . St Leonard's College was founded in 1511 by Archbishop Alexander Stewart , who intended it to have a far more monastic character than either of the other colleges. St John's College was refounded by Cardinal James Beaton under the name St Mary's College in 1538 for
7654-459: Was founded in 1896 by Dame Louisa Lumsden , the first principal of St Leonards School , which adjoined the university. The residence was named University Hall . Until the start of the 20th century, St Andrews offered a traditional education based on classical languages, divinity and philosophical studies, and was slow to embrace more practical fields such as science and medicine that were becoming more popular at other universities. In response to
7743-487: Was initiated in 1969 by Jack Cole . St Andrews has developed student exchange partnerships with universities around the globe, though offerings are largely concentrated in North America, Europe, and Asia. Exchange opportunities vary by School and eligibility requirements are specific to each exchange program. In North America, the highly competitive Bachelor of Arts International Honours program, run in conjunction with
7832-411: Was of a religious nature and was conducted by clerics associated with the cathedral . During the 17th and 18th centuries, the university had mixed fortunes and was often beset by civil and religious disturbances. In a particularly acute depression in 1747, severe financial problems triggered the dissolution of St Leonard's College, whose properties and staff were merged into St Salvator's College to form
7921-404: Was short-lived. Under a new foundation and erection, confirmed by Parliament in 1579, it was set apart for the study of Theology only, and it has remained a Divinity College ever since. Some university buildings that date from this period are still in use today, such as St Salvator's Chapel , St Leonard's College Chapel and St Mary's College quadrangle. At this time, the majority of the teaching
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