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List of first ministers of Scotland by education

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Universities attended by Scottish first ministers
University Number of first ministers
University of Glasgow
3
University of Edinburgh
2
University of Cambridge
1
University of St Andrews
1
University of Stirling
1
Edinburgh Napier University
1
Heriot-Watt University
1
A bar chart of universities attended by Scottish first ministers.

A list of first ministers of the Scotland and the educational institutions they attended. As of January 2024, every first minister has been university-educated with a minimum honours degree. Of the eight first ministers to date, all eight attended universities in Scotland, with three attending the University of Glasgow. Six UK prime ministers were also educated in Scotland: three at the University of Edinburgh and three the University of Glasgow.

Two of Scotland's eight first ministers attended a fee-paying high school, Donald Dewar[1] and Humza Yousaf.[2] All eight attended state primary schools.

Three first ministers pursued degrees in law, two working as solicitors (Nicola Sturgeon[3] and Donald Dewar[4]), the other an advocate (Jim Wallace[5]). Only one first minister of Scotland, Jim Wallace, has attended an English university.

List of Scottish first ministers by education

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First Minister Term of office School University Degree Professional training
Dewar, DonaldDonald Dewar 1999–2000 The Glasgow Academy University of Glasgow History
1958–1961, M.A.[4]
Law
1961–1964, LL.B.[4]
Wallace, JimJim Wallace 2000

2001

Annan Academy Cambridge (Downing Coll.) Economics & Law
1972–1975, B.A.[5]
University of Edinburgh Scots Law
1975–1977, LL.B.[5]
McLeish, HenryHenry McLeish 2000–2001 Buckhaven High School Heriot-Watt University Town Planning
1968–1973, B.Sc. (Hons)[6]
McConnell, JackJack McConnell 2001–2007 Arran High School University of Stirling Mathematics & Education
1980–1983, B.Sc. Dip.Ed.[7]
Salmond, AlexAlex Salmond 2007–2014 Linlithgow Academy Edinburgh College of Commerce Business Studies
1972–1973, HNC[8]
University of St Andrews Economics & Medieval History
1975–1978, M.A.[9]
Sturgeon, NicolaNicola Sturgeon 2014–2023 Greenwood Academy University of Glasgow Law
1989–1993, LL.B. 1992, DLP 1993[10]
Yousaf, HamzaHumza Yousaf 2023–2024 Hutchesons' Grammar School University of Glasgow Politics
2004–2007, M.A.[11]
Swinney, JohnJohn Swinney 2024 Forrester High School University of Edinburgh Politics
1983–1986, M.A.[12]
First Minister Term of office School University Degree Professional training

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Glasgow Academy". Guide to Independent Schools. 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  2. ^ Mount, Harry (2023-02-25). "Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar's debt to private schools". The Spectator. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  3. ^ "Who is Nicola Sturgeon? A profile of the SNP leader". BBC News. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  4. ^ a b c "University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of Donald Dewar". 2021-07-25. Archived from the original on 2021-07-25. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  5. ^ a b c "Wallace of Tankerness, Baron, (James Robert Wallace) (born 25 Aug. 1954)". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U38682. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  6. ^ "Henry McLeish". The Guardian. 2001-03-16. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  7. ^ "The Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell | About". University of Stirling. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  8. ^ Swanson, Ian (23 March 2020). "Alex Salmond: A brief history of his career". The Scotsman.
  9. ^ "SNP leader returns to alma mater | University of St Andrews news". news.st-andrews.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  10. ^ "University of Glasgow - Schools - School of Law - 100 Years - Women in Law timeline". www.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  11. ^ "University of Glasgow - Alumni - Our alumni - Life after Glasgow - Notable alumni". www.gla.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
  12. ^ "Biography | John Swinney MSP". m.johnswinney.scot. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
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