List of first ministers of Scotland by education explained

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 seven 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

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. Law 1961–1964, LL.B.
Wallace, JimJim Wallace	20002001	Annan Academy	Cambridge (Downing Coll.)	Economics & Law 1972–1975, B.A.
			University of Edinburgh	Scots Law 1975–1977, LL.B.
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

• List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom by education
• List of prime ministers of Australia by education
• List of prime ministers of Canada by academic degrees
• List of presidents of the Philippines by education

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2018-02-08 . Glasgow Academy . 2024-04-03 . Guide to Independent Schools . en-US.
2. Web site: Mount . Harry . 2023-02-25 . Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar's debt to private schools . 2024-04-03 . The Spectator . en-US.
3. News: 2014-09-19 . Who is Nicola Sturgeon? A profile of the SNP leader . 2024-04-03 . BBC News . en-GB.
4. Web site: 2021-07-25 . University of Glasgow :: Story :: Biography of Donald Dewar . 2024-04-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210725184524/https://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/biography/?id=WH0029&type=P . 2021-07-25 .
5. Web site: Wallace of Tankerness, Baron, (James Robert Wallace) (born 25 Aug. 1954) . 2024-04-03 . WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO . 2007 . en . 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U38682.
6. News: 2001-03-16 . Henry McLeish . 2024-04-03 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
7. Web site: The Rt Hon Lord Jack McConnell About . 2024-04-03 . University of Stirling . en.
8. Web site: Swanson . Ian . 23 March 2020 . Alex Salmond: A brief history of his career . The Scotsman.
9. Web site: SNP leader returns to alma mater University of St Andrews news . 2024-04-03 . news.st-andrews.ac.uk.
10. Web site: University of Glasgow - Schools - School of Law - 100 Years - Women in Law timeline . 2024-04-03 . www.gla.ac.uk.
11. Web site: University of Glasgow - Alumni - Our alumni - Life after Glasgow - Notable alumni . 2024-04-03 . www.gla.ac.uk.
12. Web site: Biography John Swinney MSP . 2024-05-08 . m.johnswinney.scot.