Community
Integrating within the community
Keep an eye on induction events that IELLI and St Leonard's College runs, which are normally in person and online. Your School will also run welcome events; these are a great way to meet other staff members in your department. There are often online postgraduate cafes too, so if you're a remote student, you can also participate. St Leonard's is open to suggestions as to what events they might host for PGR students, so please do get in touch with them if you have ideas.
PGR students have access to a physical space: Old Burgh School, which is a couple of minutes' walk from Jannetta's ice cream shop and cafe, found on South Street. You can use this space to study or socialise. If you're a commuter, you also have access to the student commuter lounge and you can book rooms through the Resource Booker if you'd like a quiet space to work - Resource booker link
Societies and networks
There are lots of different societies you can join as a PGR student - from Ballroom Dancing to Films, from Doctor Who to Rock and Metal Music, and covering a wide range of faiths, cultures and charities. You can find a full list of Societies on the Student Association website.
Carers, Commuters, Mature, and Flexible Learners
The Carers, Commuters, Mature and Flexible Learners Network (CCMFL), is a subcommittee of the Students' Association, representing students with non-traditional learning pathways to and at university. They represent student carers, commuters, mature students and flexible learners.
Research Communities
Building a research community is also important.
How can you do this as a PGR student? Attend research cafes in your School, attend postgraduate forums and symposiums, and attend conferences at and outside of the university. Lots of conferences offer reduced membership fees for societies and reduced conference fees (some Schools and departments also offer funding for you to attend these). Keep an eye on the Postgraduate newsletter for information about some of these opportunities and ask your supervisors what research networks you can join and conferences you should attend. Through these opportunities, you’ll not only network with others in your field but exchange experiences and insights with peers, other PGR students and ECRs (early career researchers).
Where to find good coffee
Common choices include Palompo’s, next to St Mary’s College, or We are Zest, but Taste is also very popular (you might want to get there early if you’ve got a class to get to, as the queues can be very long, even from early in the morning).
For a cheaper option, the Old Union Coffee Shop and Rector’s Café offer good value for money, as well as Franki’s Café in the library or UPDATES in the School of Physics and Astronomy (find more info on them on the following page - Cafes - Community facilities - University of St Andrews)
If you’re not a science student, you might not know about Fairlie’s café in the Medical and Biological Sciences Building, which is also a great option for hot or cold food – it’s also a bright and airy place to work with tables and couches if you’d like a comfy seat or to work with a group. It gets busy around lunch, but otherwise is a nice option.
Where are the best places to study in St Andrews?
PGRs have access to the Old Burgh School if they’d like a study area – it also has a kitchen area and vending machines if you need a break - and there are lots of other great study spaces across St Andrews. Martyr’s Kirk is available specifically for PGTs and PGRs to work in, and has beautiful stained glass windows.
You can book rooms in advance if you’d like to work alone or quietly or want to guarantee a space. Use the resource booker at the following page - Resource Booker
You can find more about library spaces on the Library webpage at the following link: Spaces - Library - University of St Andrews
Useful Tips:
I went to a postgraduate cafe run by St Leonard's College in the month I started. This was a great way to meet a range of other PhD students and to feel part of a wider community. I would highly recommend attending one of their events; I met one of my now closest friends there!