First in the family
For first-generation students arriving at St Andrews, the experience marks more than the start of a degree: it’s a decisive moment that can open doors. The opportunities it presents can be life-changing, but for many reasons – often financial or social – the leap into higher education isn’t always easy. Indeed, according to research published by Universities UK, 41% of first-generation graduates believe that without financial assistance, they wouldn’t have been able to afford to go to university at all.
In this edition of Chronicle, we hear from three first-generation alumni who forged their paths at St Andrews, and from a scholar who is writing his story here today. All have been supported by scholarships or widening access initiatives, which are crucial to ensuring any talented student can study and excel.
Sherlock Cruz (BSc 2017)
I was born and raised in London to Colombian parents. I knew very little about St Andrews before visiting, but this small town by the coast quickly charmed me. The University’s quirky traditions and world-class reputation, alongside the opportunity to study somewhere so different from where I grew up, proved too tempting.
Navigating the university system as a first-generation student often felt overwhelming. I found myself guiding my family through unfamiliar milestones while simultaneously navigating these for the first time myself.
This took a great deal of initiative, from understanding administrative processes to seeking out academic and professional opportunities. The London Scholarship was crucial for me, providing not only financial relief but also invaluable support through the Development Office, particularly in networking and professional guidance.
Outside my studies, I was Treasurer of the Hispanic Society. Our weekly charla (chat) socials and our Latin music nights were highlights of my time at St Andrews.
Like many students, I had no idea what my career would be. I started by pursuing an Economics degree; however, the opportunity to take Computer Science modules in addition to my core degree was the catalyst for my deep passion for Software Engineering, and it was the subject in which I ultimately graduated.
I secured a summer internship at Citi within their investment banking division. This led to a graduate scheme offer, and today, I am a VP Software Engineer at Citi, based in London. The close friendships that I formed at St Andrews continue to form my strongest support network.
If I could give my younger self some advice, I’d remind him that feeling pressure to succeed is normal, but don’t be afraid to share both the successes and the setbacks with your family. When graduation comes, be patient with your family’s enthusiasm, and be proud to celebrate your achievement that their sacrifices and support made possible.
Collette Norval (née Oliver) (MA 2013)
I grew up on the outskirts of Glasgow, where I attended a state school. While there, I was supported by some incredible teachers who saw potential in me and directed me to leadership programmes and scholarships – some of which would lead me to studying at St Andrews.
My guidance teacher pointed me towards a fantastic charity called The Sutton Trust, whose mission is to improve social mobility, ensuring all young people have a chance to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. Their summer school at St Andrews gave me a real insight into what attending the University would be like, while also introducing me to a network of young people with similar backgrounds and ambitions to my own. The Sutton Trust experience made my transition from school to university, and from Glasgow to St Andrews, seamless.
I found my place at St Andrews through the Women’s Football Team. Some of my most treasured memories were at our away games – where I was often the minibus driver! Beyond sports, I enjoyed having the coast on my doorstep and indulging in the occasional Jannettas ice cream or Fisher & Donaldson doughnut.
St Andrews has remained a big part of my life. My husband and I got married in the town ten years ago. We fondly visit with our two young kids and our dog. The University is always a great talking point. It’s amazing just how vast the St Andrews alumni network is and how many people feel connected to the University.
My advice to future first in the family students would be network, network, network! Get involved in as much as you can outside of your studies, for both opportunities to switch off from academic life and to grow your network beyond your classmates.
The diversity of my friendship groups from St Andrews is one of the things that really made my experience. Coming from a state school background, you often don’t have as big a network going into student life. It’s worthwhile to nurture your relationships at St Andrews, as you never know the doors they could open for you beyond graduation.
Melissa Fogwill (MSc 2022)
I grew up in a SIMD20 (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) area of Scotland – among the most deprived 20% of areas in the country. Attending university, let alone St Andrews, wasn’t the expected path where I’m from. I didn’t have contacts, mentors or a family blueprint for higher education, but what I did have was ambition and a belief that my start in life didn’t get to decide my finish.
Being the first in the family to attend university is exciting, yet quietly daunting. In school, I participated in the LEAPS programme, which is a widening participation programme designed to encourage and advise young people who are underrepresented in higher education. The programme helped guide me through applications and what to expect when I got to university.
When I began my postgraduate degree at St Andrews, I was already working full time. That instantly made me different from the traditional student, but I’ve never let being different hold me back. If anything, I’ve made it my advantage.
My time at St Andrews was anything but traditional. Covid-19 meant that most of my degree was taught online, which – unexpectedly – suited me perfectly. Then, during my studies, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that landed me in the hospital and threw my whole life up in the air. Walking away would have been the easy option, but instead, the University, and my dissertation supervisor, Dr Areti Manataki, a lecturer in the School of Computer Science, rallied around me.
St Andrews challenged me academically but supported me personally in ways I’ll never forget. The University saw my potential, even when I struggled to see it myself and I feel a great sense of gratitude.
Although I wasn’t your classic postgrad, spending hours on campus and in the library until 3am, I discovered something empowering: success doesn’t always look like the prospectus. Sometimes it looks like sheer persistence, late nights, and a determination to keep going.
I have two younger sisters who I am incredibly proud of, both for the paths they’re forging and the people they have become. When they began thinking about university, I was able to step into a mentoring role, helping them navigate a world that once felt unfamiliar to me. I now mentor with The Social Mobility Foundation and volunteer with STEM Scotland, supporting young people into higher education and through their early career, as talent is everywhere but opportunity is not.
My proudest achievement isn’t the title (I’m now Chief Technology Officer at Henderson Loggie), seeing my name on a published paper, or even the resilience it took to get here. It’s knowing I’ve carved a path that wasn’t laid out for me. If my story encourages even one other student from a background like mine to take that leap, then it’s all been worth it.
Forever a Saint
Luke Macleod is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Computer Science. He hails from the Isle of Lewis and is a recipient of the Dr Donald Malcolm MacArthur Scholarship, which supports students from the Outer Hebrides to study at St Andrews.
As a first-generation student, university was never the default or the expectation for me, because it was never seen as an option. My passion for learning challenged that assumption. When my maths teacher at school mentioned the Dr Donald Malcolm MacArthur Scholarship, which specifically supports students from the Outer Hebrides, I felt a glimmer of hope. I applied to St Andrews, and to my surprise, was offered a place. Without my scholarship, I wouldn’t be studying here today.
That support opened doors to so much more than just a degree: I learned to fly with the University Air Squadron, spent my third year at The University of Hong Kong, and, most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to give back.
By coming to St Andrews, I made a choice: I didn’t want to build walls that separate me from my community in the Western Isles. I wanted to become a bridge. My scholarship planted a seed, not just for my own opportunities but for the doors I could open for my community.
Already, I’ve shared my story with over 1,000 pupils across Scotland. I’m currently conducting research with my island community as part of my dissertation, focusing on the development of their educational technology.
One person believing in me made the difference between a dream deferred and a life transformed. Every call home reminds me of that. I owe everything to this small town and will forever be a Saint.
This article first appeared in Chronicle 2026. For additional content, including news, stories and videos, visit Chronicle Extra, the digital companion to the magazine.