Cost of living
Like many countries, Scotland and the wider UK continues to be affected by inflationary pressures which have impacted the cost of living.
The University and the Students’ Association cannot solve the current economic crisis, but there are steps we have taken as institutions, and as one community, to provide practical support, targeted financial help, and information where it is most needed.
Listed below is a range of information on the support available from the University, as well as advice and help on offer in these difficult times.
Outside of the University, Fife Council has a range of services and support offered to residents of Fife, including help with food, heating and transportation costs. These can be found on the Our Fife web pages, however, please be aware that the University is not liable for external web content and may not be aware when this content is changed or removed.
Suggestions and feedback
Please share your ideas on what the University can do to help members of our community affected by cost of living challenges.
We welcome your feedback and ideas on how we can work together to ensure everyone receives the support they need.
Financial support
Money advice team
Our money advice team in student services are experts on helping students access financial advice and support.
You can contact them at Ask a question, by phone 01334 462720 or in person at the Advice and Support Centre.
Discretionary funds
Discretionary funds exist to support students with living and study costs.
There are funds available for UK students and International Students.
Bus travel discount
Bus travel discount
The University has negotiated a special deal with Stagecoach to offer a 75% discount on bus tickets bundles across St Andrews, North-East Fife, and East Scotland. Staff and students can access tickets by scanning a QR code to link their Stagecoach account to the scheme.
Since its launch in November 2022, the bus travel discount scheme has already saved staff and students around £2 million and cut the carbon footprint for those travelling for work or study. The scheme now includes local bus operator Moffat and Williamson offering the same level of discount on local routes.
You can find out how to get on board and start saving by following the instructions on the bus travel web page. Additional information on sustainable travel can be found on the Sustainability website which includes details on rail travel discounts, lift share schemes and cycling to St Andrews.
Students are reminded to apply for a Young Scot card which gives those under 22 years old free national bus travel across Scotland and a discount on some rail fares.
Students’ Association Cost of Living Guide
The Students’ Association have produced and extensive Cost of Living Guide to support students in these difficult times.
The guide covers areas from explaining the crisis, money and benefits, food and drink, and provision for families and carers. Much of the guide focuses on support for students specifically (after all, we are the Students’ Association!) however there is plenty of content which could apply to anyone in the wider community.
Warm spaces
We have developed an interactive map of our estate to show available communal warm spaces and their opening times so that members of our community know what is open and when:
- communal social and study spaces
- shower rooms
- cafés
- communal kitchen
We will update this as more spaces are available over the semester.
The Students’ Association Cost of Living Guide also provides details of warm spaces across North-East Fife and Dundee that students can make use of.
Food
The University’s Accommodation, Conferences and Events team (ACE) has partnered with the Students’ Association on a number of initiatives to support students and staff who are struggling with food and other costs.
All cafés in University buildings currently offer competitively priced hot and cold meal deals.
The Students' Association, with the support of the University, has also launched a campus larder, which stocks basic household items and food essentials. Details of how to make an appointment at the larder can be found on the union's campus larder web page.
These initiatives operate on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last and are open to all staff and students.
The schemes will run initially until the end of the taught semester to assess demand. Please use the website form to share feedback and ideas.
Scholarships and bursaries
We are reviewing our existing scholarship and bursary provision to ensure, where possible, that these awards recognise increases in the cost of living, and changes in student circumstances during the academic year.
Full details of current scholarships and bursaries and how to apply can be found online.
Careers
The Careers Centre offers a range of resources to help students manage living costs through employment and funding opportunities. These include:
- Part-time jobs (on and off campus)
- Paid internships
- Employability Bursary
You can search for roles and sign up for job alerts on CareerConnect.
Whether you're looking to earn extra income or build employability skills, the Careers Centre is here to help.