Community and connections
St Andrews' postgraduate community brings together almost 200 students from around the world. Beyond your programme, research group or School, there are countless ways to connect with the wider postgraduate community across the University through academic events, seminar series and other activities such as the recent PGR Research Festival. Through our community funding award we regularly support postgraduate-led activities, including: reading parties, conferences and research trips.
Postgraduates also take part in longstanding University traditions like the May Dip, and play an active role in sports clubs, orchestras, societies and theatre.
The Graduate School and Students Association also work together to support postgraduate social life, from end-of-semester celebrations to the St Leonard's Day pier walk.
As a postgraduate student at St Andrews you are also part of the much wider St Andrews community, connecting with other students and staff through our academic networks, global partnerships and alumni worldwide.
University events
Public talks and lectures
Library and museum events
Open days and exhibitions
Global connections
Through the Global Office you can be part of our wider global academic network through various international networks and associations. For example, the University of St Andrews is a member of the Europaeum, an alliance of European universities which offers a two-year policy and leadership course for PhD students, and also a core programme of residential events open to all postgraduate students.
Other networks which provide opportunities for postgraduate students include the University of the Arctic and the Global Universities for Societal Impact.
Research Community
St Andrews has a vibrant and supportive research community and research culture.
If you’re interested in meeting researchers working in areas of common interest to your own and want to develop academic connections across the institution, the University has a range of active research institutes and centres that welcome postgraduate students to their events and activities.
To further encourage academic dialogue and strengthen collaboration within the postgraduate community the Faculty Deans are launching a Deans’ Discussion initiative for postgraduate students in 2026-27, as well as a postgraduate Public Humanities Seminar Series.
Dedicated spaces
The Old Burgh School is the home of the Graduate School and offers study spaces, a lounge, garden area, and other facilities for postgraduates. The Butt's Wynd Building off North Street also offers postgraduate study spaces and a well-equipped lounge area. In addition all postgraduate students have access to a range of libraries and other study areas throughout the University, including research rooms and dedicated spaces in academic Schools and other buildings.
St Leonard's College Associateship
St Leonard's Associateship is an honorary status awarded to eligible doctoral graduates, with the support of their Director of PG Studies, recognising their achievement and supporting their transition to the next stage of their academic or professional career. Associates remain part of the University community for 12 months and benefit from continued access to selected University services and facilities.
