List of first ministers of Scotland by education

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 and Humza Yousaf. All eight attended state primary schools.

Three first ministers pursued degrees in law, two working as solicitors (Nicola Sturgeon and Donald Dewar), the other an advocate (Jim Wallace). 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 History1958–1961, M.A.Law1961–1964, LL.B.Wallace, JimJim Wallace2000 2001Annan Academy Cambridge (Downing Coll.) Economics & Law1972–1975, B.A. University of Edinburgh Scots Law1975–1977, LL.B. McLeish, HenryHenry McLeish 2000–2001 Buckhaven High School Heriot-Watt University Town Planning1968–1973, B.Sc. (Hons) McConnell, JackJack McConnell 2001–2007 Arran High School University of Stirling Mathematics & Education1980–1983, B.Sc. Dip.Ed.Salmond, AlexAlex Salmond2007–2014Linlithgow Academy Edinburgh College of Commerce Business Studies1972–1973, HNC University of St Andrews Economics & Medieval History1975–1978, M.A. Sturgeon, NicolaNicola Sturgeon2014–2023Greenwood AcademyUniversity of GlasgowLaw1989–1993, LL.B. 1992, DLP 1993 Yousaf, HamzaHumza Yousaf2023–2024Hutchesons' Grammar SchoolUniversity of GlasgowPolitics2004–2007, M.A. Swinney, JohnJohn Swinney2024Forrester High SchoolUniversity of EdinburghPolitics1983–1986, M.A. 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

References