2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election

2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election

← 2006 16–22 February 2026 (2026-02-16 – 2026-02-22) 2036 →

Chancellor before election The Lord Campbell of Pittenweem Elected Chancellor TBA

The 2026 University of St Andrews election for the position of Chancellor became necessary upon the death of the incumbent chancellor, Walter Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem. ^{[1] [2]} Nominations for the position will close on the 9th January 2026. ^[3]

Since the creation of the position in the 1410s, every Chancellor of St Andrews has been either a peer or an archbishop, with the notable exception of Sir Kenneth Dover. ^[4] Other previous holders of the post include royals James, Duke of Ross; Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; and former prime minister Stanley Baldwin. The term of the appointment will be for ten years subject to approval by the Privy Council, previous office holders held life tenure. ^[5]

Electorate and voting

The electorate is made up of members of the General Council which includes: graduates of the university, members and former members of the University Court, professors and former professors, and other senior academic staff. ^[6]

Following the uncontested election of Menzies Campbell in 2006, ^[7] this will be the first election conducted through electronic voting and will adopt the alternative vote system. ^[6] Nominations for the position opened on the 1st December 2025 and will close on the 9th January 2026, with confirmed candidates to be announced later in the month on the 26th. Voting will take place on the third week of Candlemas semester between the 16th and 22nd of February 2026. The successful candidate will be announced in the week commencing the fourth week of Candlemas. ^[3]

Candidates

Candidates are not required to have studied or hold a degree from St Andrews in order to stand for the chancellorship; the most recent Chancellor to have studied at the university was George Gledstanes, appointed in 1604. Candidates are eligible to stand if they receive nominations from at least 25 members of the General Council, are not employed by the university or a matriculated student, and if their candidacy does not bring the university into disrepute. ^[6] Candidates confirmed to have met the criteria will be announced on the 26th January 2026. ^[3]

Potential candidates who have publicly announced interest on social media are listed below in alphabetical order:

Name Degree from St Andrews (if applicable)		Current and former roles	Political affiliation	Notes
	Lady Elish Angiolini Hon. LL.D., 2017	Lord Clerk Register; former Principal of St Hugh's College, Oxford and Lord Advocate		Runner-up in the 2024 Oxford Chancellor election
	Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill Hon. LL.D., 2022 B.Sc. Economics, 1987	Former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Advisor of the United Kingdom	Crossbencher
	Lady Walmsley Ph.D. History, 1998 M.A. History and International Relations, 1993	Defence, security and nuclear consultant
	Dame Barbara Woodward M.A. History, 1983	Former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and British Ambassador to China

See also

• Chancellor of the University of St Andrews
• 2024 University of Oxford Chancellor election
• 2025 University of Cambridge Chancellor election

References

1. "Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell dies". Sky News.
2. "University of St Andrews to elect new Chancellor". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
3. "Chancellorian Election Timetable" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
4. "Sir Kenneth Dover". University of St Andrews. 8 March 2010.
5. "Role Description" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
6. "Chancellorian Election Rules" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
7. "Sir Menzies takes university post". BBC News. 22 April 2006.