Claim: Robbie Collin studied at a Scottish university.

The University of St Andrews -LRB- informally known as St Andrews University or simply St Andrews ; abbreviated as St And , from the Latin Sancti Andreae , in post-nominals -RRB- is a British public research university in St Andrews , Fife , Scotland . It is the oldest of the four ancient universities of Scotland and the third oldest university in the English-speaking world -LRB- following Oxford and Cambridge -RRB- . St Andrews was founded between 1410 and 1413 , when the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII issued a papal bull to a small founding group of Augustinian clergy .   St Andrews is made up from a variety of institutions , including three constituent colleges -LRB- United College , St Mary 's College , and St Leonard 's College -RRB- and 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 terms , Martinmas and Candlemas . In term time , over one-third of the town 's population is either a staff member or student of the university . The student body is notably diverse : over 135 nationalities are represented with 45 % of its intake from countries outside the UK ; about one-eighth of the students are from the rest of the EU and the remaining third are from overseas -- 15 % from North America alone . The university 's sport teams compete in BUCS competitions , and the student body is known for preserving ancient traditions such as Raisin Weekend , May Dip , and the wearing of distinctive academic dress .   It is ranked as the third best university in the United Kingdom in national league tables , behind Oxbridge . The Guardian ranks first in the United Kingdom the Schools of Physics and Astronomy , International Relations , Computer Science , Geography , and Mathematics , whilst The Times and Sunday Times ranks the Schools of English , Management , Philosophy , Anatomy and Physiology and Middle Eastern and African Studies first and the Complete University Guide ranks Management , Divinity and Middle Eastern and African Studies first . The Times Higher Education World Universities Ranking names St Andrews among the world 's Top 50 universities for Social Sciences , Arts and Humanities . St Andrews has the highest student satisfaction -LRB- joint first -RRB- amongst all multi-faculty universities in the United Kingdom .   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 ; Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon ; HM British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward ; United States Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell ; Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy ; and royals Prince William , Duke of Cambridge , and Catherine , Duchess of Cambridge . Six Nobel Laureates are among St Andrews ' alumni and former staff : two in Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine , and one each in Peace and Literature .