Principal of the University of St Andrews

The Principal is, by convention, appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews by the Chancellor, and can confer degrees in the absence of the Chancellor.

As of July 2023, the Principal was Professor Sally Mapstone, who had previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.

History

Until the mid 1700s the University comprised three colleges and the Provosts of

In 2009, Professor Louise Richardson was the first woman appointed as Principal,^[6] with her successor, Professor Sally Mapstone being the second woman appointed to the office.^[7] Professor Mapstone had previously served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Oxford.^[8]

Vice-Chancellor

The Principal is, by convention, appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews by the Chancellor, and can confer degrees in the absence of the Chancellor. The position of Vice-Chancellor does not confer any other powers or responsibility on the Principal.^[9][1]

List of Principals and Vice-Chancellors

List of presidents

No.	Principal		Term of office	Notes
1		Sir David Brewster	1837–1859
2		Reverend John Tulloch	1859–1886
3		Sir James Donaldson	1886–1915
4		Sir John Herkless	1915–1920
5		Sir James Irvine	1921–1952
6		Sir Thomas Malcolm Knox	1953–1966	Oversaw the separation of Queen's College, Dundee from St Andrews.[10]
7		John Steven Watson	1966–1986
8		Struther Arnott	1986–1999	First Principal at St Andrews to not be appointed by a monarch
9		Brian Lang	2001–2008
10		Dame Louise Richardson	2009–2015	First woman to occupy the position of Principal at St Andrews as well as the first female Principal to lead an ancient university in Scotland.[6]
11		Dame Sally Mapstone	2016–

See also

• Ancient university governance in Scotland
• Governance of the University of St Andrews
• Chancellor of the University of St Andrews
• Rector of the University of St Andrews

References