Royal Link: Views (below) of the University of St Andrews, the alma mater of Prince William, second in line to the British throne

The town of St Andrews on the Scottish coast may be best known as the birthplace of golf but it is also home to the oldest university in Scotland, the University of St Andrews, which was founded in 1413. “Among much that makes us distinctive, we offer the latest in modern teaching and research in a superbly picturesque setting by the sea. Our ancient buildings in the centre of the town are juxtaposed with purpose-built state-of-the art science and management facilities on the outskirts,” says Niall Scott, director of corporate communications at the University of St Andrews. The most famous alumnus of the university is probably William Windsor, eldest son of the British heir, Prince Charles.

This third oldest university in the UK has approximately 7,000 students — 6,000 are studying for their graduation while the remaining 1,000 are in postgraduate programmes. It has one of the highest percentages of international students — 20 per cent of its student population coming from 75 different countries. “Currently there are 20 Indian students at the University of St Andrews. The university is delighted to have them and thoroughly appreciates the culture, knowledge and insight that they bring to the campus. We actively recruit students from India and members of our staff, including vice-principal Stephen Magee, regularly visit India to represent the university,” states Scott. The university also has active local agents in India and welcomes applications from candidates living and studying in India.

St Andrews is one of the top universities in the UK and regularly finds a place in the top five of the UK university league tables. Although both the university and the town are small, they are remarkably cosmopolitan. The local people have a deep bond with the university.

The university has a number of long standing traditions, some quaint such as students wearing scarlet gowns on prestigious occasions and some touching such as the academic family tradition, where senior students take members of the new intake under their wing and guide them through life at the university. The university also runs dedicated access courses for students whose first language is not English and strives to ensure that international students are given the help and support they need.

“Our alumni work at the highest levels in public and private organisations and a study by the Institute of Employment showed that the University of St Andrews produces many directors of renowned companies,” says Scott proudly.

Most Indian students travel to the University of St Andrews to study management. With the sudden increase in the availability of management degrees in the last decade, candidates with such degrees have become a dime a dozen, making it increasingly difficult for employers to recognise quality business education. St Andrews’ management students, however, always stand out in an MBA crowd because of the unusual nomenclature of the degrees offered. The university offers a breadth of management courses including MLitt (master of letters) degrees, which are recognised all over the world and are of the same level as masters in arts from English universities or masters of science from Scottish universities. Among other management degrees, it offers an MLitt in finance and management, an MRes (masters in research) in management studies and an MSc in management and information technology.

Sounds interesting? Then check out the eligibility criteria.

“For students with an English speaking background we look for a good graduate degree equivalent to a 2.1 or better CGPA in a business related programme. There is some flexibility with regard to acceptable degrees and we tend to accept people who have majored in a subject not normally associated with business but who have carried business or organisational subjects as a minor.” In addition to this, the university takes into account work experience. So if a student has a good degree though not in a business-related field and has organisational experience, his application is seriously considered.

The University of St Andrews also provides computer classrooms and labs for all students to use. The university’s English Language Teaching (ELT) Centre exists to provide high quality language training for overseas students. “The ELT Centre works closely with the admissions office so that students who have completed our presessional or access and foundation courses can be sure of a smooth transition into the university as undergraduates or postgraduates,” says Scott.

Worried about the cost? Students can work part-time while studying and overseas students can stay on and work for two years in Scotland after the completion of their studies at the university. So, all you aspiring corporate czars now know where to head for that management degree. And in your free time you can pick up golf, the other criterion of a business bigwig!