New College

Major plans by the University of St Andrews to redevelop one of the most distinctive and historically significant buildings in central St Andrews are now underway.

Demolition works to remove dilapidated 1960s and 1970s buildings to the rear of the former Madras College building in South Street were undertaken in 2022 and early 2023. In December 2022, award-winning architectural firm WilkinsonEyre was appointed to produce designs for the flagship project.

‘New College’ will be home to the new St Andrews Business School, an amalgamation of the School of Economics and Finance and the School of Management, as well as accommodating the University’s world-renowned School of International Relations.

The development will in large part be resourced through a fundraising campaign amongst St Andrews alumni and supporters. The former secondary school building and grounds were acquired from Fife Council in 2021 and Madras College relocated to a new purpose-built building at Bell Brae, on the outskirts of St Andrews, in August of that year. 

Two pre-application public consultations were held in 2024 and 2025 and on Wednesday 14 January 2026 Fife Council approved the £142 million renovation. Read the full story on our news webpages.

New College architects WilkinsonEyre have created a video showing how the former Madras College school in the centre of St Andrews will be redeveloped and outlining its sustainability credentials.