The Academic Experience
St Andrews encourages a lifelong love of learning
The Academic Experience
St Andrews encourages a lifelong love of learning
The Academic Experience
St Andrews encourages a lifelong love of learning
The Academic Experience
St Andrews encourages a lifelong love of learning
The ultimate aim of any student is to obtain the best possible degree. Students are encouraged to discover new things, develop a critical mind, question what is being taught and form new ideas.
The University of St Andrews offers a wide variety of resources, information and advice to help you make the most of your academic experience.
- Improving the way you study
- Help with numbers
- English language support
- Learn a foreign language
- Using the library
- Combat exam nerves
- Motivation and distractions
- Communicating with academic staff
- Knowing the rules
Improving the way you study
There are a wide range of resources available for improving your study. Whether you are having particular difficulties with a subject, or whether you just want to boost you marks it will be worthwhile finding out what is available. St Andrews has a dedicated Study and Learning Support Centre which is run from Saltire. They have a large bank of study resources, including information on note taking and maths support. You can find more information about Study Support here.
Help with numbers
Maths and Statistics is often for worry for non-mathematics students. Although some degrees will have a greater demand for numeracy skills than others, most students find they will require maths skills at some point during their degree. St Andrews has a Mathematics Support Centre offering support for mathematic problems.
English language support
The English Language Teaching Centre provides English language training to international students. A wide range of programmes are available, including credit bearing modules, workshops, specific language skills, and pre-sessional courses for students hoping to study for a degree taught in the English language.
Learn a foreign language
For students wishing to learn a modern foreign language whilst studying at St Andrews, or improve a language they can already speak, the University offers an Evening Language Teaching programme. The courses will be displayed on the degree transcript, and in some circumstances can contribute towards a degree programme.
Using the library
The University Library offers a whole range of services and resources - there is much more than meets the eye! You can find out how to access many of the services by using this tutorial. There are also a number of smaller departmental libraries to explore.
Combat exam nerves
Whilst it is normal to be anxious about exams and assessment, for some students nerves can badly impact performance. There is some advice on how to tackle this, and you can also contact Student Services to discuss the matter with a counsellor.
Motivation and distractions
At some point during their studies, most students either lose their motivation, or allow distractions to prevent them from studying. Short periods of low motivation or distraction are normal, however if they become more prolonged it would be a good idea to speak to someone about it. You could talk a counsellor, or have a one to one session at the Academic skills centre.
Communicating with academic staff
Sometimes it can be confusing knowing which member of staff you need to contact for different matters. Some students also find speaking to members of academic staff quite daunting. You can find some frequently asked questions on the Communicating with Schools page.
Knowing the rules
In order for academic standards to be maintained, there are a number of regulations which must be followed by all students. These can be found in the Student Handbook, and relevant information will also be included in your module/course handbooks. It's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the rules surrounding the basics like absence from classes, academic misconduct, and arranging extensions - you never know when you might need them.
Feedback
- This university is different from my friends' ones, it's the size that matters. The staff will take the time to give you a one to one explanation.
- I am glad I have four years. It took me to second year to find out what I was doing.
- It doesn't matter if we take an extra year up here because it's the same as spending 3 years down in England and paying top up fees. If Scotland started charging top up fees it would be very different.
- We get taught by people right at the peak of global research. It's exciting.
Source: Student Experience Report 2007
What do you think?
Add your comments to our feedback page.
- What would help your academic experience?
- Is there any other support the University could be providing?
- Did you get enough guidance and feedback from the staff in your school?