Students come from all over the UK, the EU and the world to study for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at St Andrews. Competition for places is high, with 11 applications made for each place. The student body is 7,200, with 1,600 of those studying at Postgraduate level. 53% of students live in University managed accommodation, in a variety of old and more modern residences.
Here is a short film clip highlighting our faculties of science, arts, divinity and medicine, as well as featuring elements of the unique student experience here at St Andrews. (There’s an audio commentary too, so turn on your speakers!)
St Andrews students participate in a huge number of societies. Students create improvised comedy; raise thousands of pounds for charity; run their union; stage protests and campaigns; represent each other; perform in chapel choirs, a capella groups, classical music groups and bands. They play a wide range of sports at competitive levels; engage with the local community; write their own paper, The Saint; make films; produce theatre; put on gigs and exhibitions; become ambassadors for the University and volunteer in conservation, with vulnerable people and to support each other. Together they create a vibrant, diverse and supportive community.
Various traditions define the student experience at St Andrews. First year students, or freshers, are adopted by older students who act as their Academic parents. Come Raisin Weekend in November, parents dress their children for a foam fight in St Salvator’s Quad, after a night of partying. In May, St Andrews students participate in the May Dip, running into the sea at Dawn on the first day of May in order to remove the curse incurred by stepping on the initials of Patrick Hamilton outside St Salvator’s quad. Superstition dictates that to step on these stones will cause you to fail your degree. Students can be seen stepping over or round these stones as they pass by on their way to classes. Other traditions include pier walks after Sunday morning services in St Salvators Chapel, and in the summer months some students choose to jump from the pier into the sea at high tide. There is an alternative University prospectus, written each year by students for students. It can also make an interesting read for staff! http://yourunion.net/people/content/515353/the_book/
The Students Association is home to more than 130 student societies. Some of the wacky and the wild include the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Appreciation society, and the Doctor Who society. Students get involved in running the Students Association, and each year four students are elected to Sabbatical positions by the Student body: Association President, Director of Representation, Direct of Events and Services and Director of Student Development and Activities.
Former St Andrews students include John Napier, Sire James Black, Alex Salmond, Fay Weldon, Siobhan Redmond, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Here is a short film clip setting out more of our student experience. Learn about some of the many societies and clubs (some of which are open to staff) and hear about some of our unique student traditions.(There’s an audio commentary too, so turn on your speakers!)
St Andrews students regularly make the news, as A Capella group ‘The Other Guys’ did with ‘Royal Romance’ (below).