Scotland's first university
The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413 by a papal bull from Benedict XIII, making it the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest in the English-speaking world (after Oxford and Cambridge). King James I of Scotland formally confirmed its status in 1435, granting royal patronage and protection.
The university was established by a group of Augustinian clergy led by Bishop Henry Wardlaw, who saw the need for a Scottish centre of learning. Before St Andrews, Scottish students who wanted a university education had to travel to Oxford, Paris, or Bologna. The new institution gave Scotland intellectual independence to match its political ambitions.
St Andrews' early centuries were turbulent. It was at the heart of the Scottish Reformation — Protestant reformer George Wishart was burned at the stake here in 1546, and John Knox preached his first public sermon from the pulpit of St Andrews. The university nearly closed in the 17th century as student numbers dwindled. But it survived, and by the 19th century it was being restored to prominence.
Today St Andrews is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, consistently ranked among the top in Britain. The town itself is inseparable from the university — medieval college buildings line its streets, and academic gowns are still worn by students walking to lectures. Prince William and Catherine Middleton met here as students. The combination of ancient academic tradition, a dramatic coastal setting, and the world's most famous golf course makes St Andrews one of Scotland's most remarkable places.