ST ANDREWS has the highest rate for retaining students in Scotland, according to a study by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, but is one of the least cost-effective for students according the the Royal Bank of Scotland’s 2005 Student Living Index.

The HESA study showed that St Andrews has fewer dropouts than any university in Scotland, with only 1.5%. Meanwhile, nearby Dundee across the Tay has a rate of 11%.

Stephen Magee, the Director of Admissions, said the University is speaking with others on how to improve retention, and that “St Andrews is leading Scotland” in this regard.

However, this university is leading not only Scotland but the entire realm in another, less enviable regard. The 2005 Student Living Index released by the RBS showed that, while London is more expensive than St Andrews, the auld grey toon is worse of in terms of cost-effectiveness, as the amount students can earn back in an average week is much lower than in the capital. The report mentioned that during a single academic year, a London student could save £1,020 in comparison to a St Andrews student, “enough to pay for 26,000 slices of toast,” the Guardian mentioned.