What the Student Experience is
Enjoying the St Andrews scenery with new friends
What the Student Experience is
In the front row at the bop
What the Student Experience is
Having a foam fight in St Salvator's quad
What the Student Experience is
Building snowmen at St Andrews Cathedral
What the Student Experience is
Taking part in the torchlight procession
What the Student Experience is
Wearing the traditional red gown
We believe that, in order for a student to become hungry for knowledge and seek to develop themselves they have to:
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Be happy in their living environment.
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Feel integrated to our community.
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Have clear expectations that are heard and understood by us and met wherever possible and,
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Feel supported by us throughout their study.
The Student Experience concept
Most students at St Andrews consistently rate the St Andrews experience very highly in external and internal studies. For many years now the National Student survey has placed St Andrews in the top 3 universities in the UK for Student Satisfaction and we have held our position in the top 5 of UK universities in a range of league tables from the Times through the Sun to the Push guide. It would seem that, whatever the essence of their time here, students think we are doing something right.
However, articulating what that experience means is a complex task. It is idiosyncratic; it is varied, eccentric, and personal to each student. Life here has, at its core, a fundamental teaching system of an excellent standard. That is a given requirement. But it is the additional experiences that make the difference.
Enjoying the sense of community in a hall of residence. Taking moonlit walks along the beach. The culture of 'Balls' are diverse - everything from taffeta gowns and dressing like James Bond to bopping with the Pigeon Detectives live. We have 110 student societies - more than any other university in Scotland - focusing on anything from Hill-walking to Tiddlywinks and the Tunnock's Caramel Wafers Appreciation Society.
The Sports' Experience is a crucial core of the university that sees over 50% of the students signed up to the Sports' Centre and our performance athletes competing all over the UK. The students have created a performing arts programme which is the envy of many universities and we back our students who represent us in International Debating and in Model United Nations activities.
Being a small university, students have a real chance to integrate and to feel a sense of belonging. They are active in politics, in volunteering locally and in playing a governance role in how their services are run. We celebrate our student diversity, with more international countries represented than any other Scottish institution.
We have asked students why they chose this institution, and how they would describe the experience of being here to someone else. We have also asked what they would like to see different about the experience in ten years time, for we are determined not to lose our edge. In our monitoring of students so far, one thing comes over clearly: life at this University is very different from any other in the UK; it is a very special community and we must not take it for granted. The university needs the students and the students need the university. By placing the concept central to the University Strategic Plan, we are determined to maintain our distinct leading edge.
Through your Student Experience at St Andrews, you will take away with you a time in which you have gained life skills, lifelong friends, social contacts, and confidence, with a love of learning to carry with you throughout your life.
Read more about the Student Experience
For information on particular types of Student Experience