Volunteer with University Collections
Volunteering plays an important role for University Collections at the University of St Andrews and benefits the individuals who participate.
You do not need any experience to apply for a volunteer post. Volunteers:
- work on a specific project with defined outcomes
- receive a one-to-one mentoring session with a member of the University Collections team
- get access to workshops designed to develop their skills
The volunteer policy (PDF) offers more information about volunteering with us.
How to apply
Volunteer opportunities are advertised on this webpage throughout the year.
To apply, complete the University Museums Volunteering form (Word) and email it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited to an informal interview.
- Get training in cataloguing manuscripts
- Develop your skills in cataloguing, interpretation of historic materials.
- Get to see behind the scenes at the libraries and archive
- Meet regularly with a mentor who will guide you in the development of the skills and experiences you want
- Have a good time
- Meet like-minded people with an interest in history, culture, the arts and science
- Receive travel expenses to and from your placement.
- Paleography
- Historical research
- Local and ecclesiastical history
- St Andrews and Scotland
- Working with archives
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Time commitment: Flexible, typically 2–4 hours per week for approximately 8–12 weeks (can be shaped around term-time commitments).
Brief description of the role
This role supports the research and development of a new walking tour linked to the exhibition War, Destruction and Reform: The Early Years of Mary Queen of Scots.
The volunteer will research the hidden histories of women in St Andrews, contributing to the creation of a walking tour resource that connects exhibition themes to the town’s historic landscape.
The role will contribute to embedding women’s and underrepresented histories into public interpretation and developing research-informed content that can be used in future engagement activity.
What’s involved?
This role could include:
- Conducting historical research into women’s lives in St Andrews
- Identifying and researching physical locations in St Andrews connected to women’s experiences, labour, influence, or absence from traditional narratives
- Working with museum staff to develop a clear structure and narrative for a themed walking tour
- Producing written outputs such as a tour outline, interpretive notes, or draft script suitable for public audiences
- Reflecting on how historical interpretation can address hidden, marginalised, or contested histories
- Responding to feedback and refining content as part of a collaborative process
By getting involved in this role you will:
- Develop research and enquiry skills through independent and guided historical research
- Strengthen communication skills by translating research into clear, engaging public-facing content
- Build critical thinking and reflective skills by exploring underrepresented histories and questioning traditional narratives
- Gain experience of collaborative working within a professional museum and heritage environment
- Enhance your professional and career readiness through mentored project work
- Develop awareness of social responsibility and equality, particularly in relation to women’s histories and inclusive interpretation
- Gain insight into museum practice and exhibition-led programming
- Meet like-minded students and professionals with an interest in history, heritage, and culture
- Receive travel expenses to and from your placement
Ideal skills
- Interest in historical research and analysis
- Clear written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and manage time
- Willingness to engage critically with sources and narratives
- Openness to feedback and collaborative development
Ideal interests
- Marginalised histories and gendered perspectives on the past
- Local history and place-based storytelling
- Museums, archives, heritage, or public history
- Research-led creative projects
- Heritage, culture or arts-based learning and engagement practices
How to get involved
To be considered for this role complete a Volunteering form (Word) and send it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited for an informal interview to check that this is the right role for you.I have questions
If you have questions about this role, please contact Ross Christie, Learning and Engagement Manager (rac38@st-andrews.ac.uk)
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Time commitment: Sessions run on the first Friday of every month at the Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews. Volunteers are asked to support during the session, with some time before and after for set-up and tidying up.
Brief description of the role
This role involves supporting our toddler activity sessions at St Andrews Wardlaw Museum.
Volunteers will assist with singing, reading, crafts, interactive play. With additional assistance to setting up and tidying. Volunteers are encouraged to join in with the fun and help develop new creative ideas.
The opportunity is perfect for anyone who loves working with 0-5 year olds, creating a welcoming and playful learning environment for families.
What’s involved?
This role could include:
- Assisting coordinator with setting up and packing away.
- Helping with craft activities, including preparing and supporting children with materials.
- Taking part in singing and reading sessions.
- Helping to supervise and engage children during museum-based activities and play.
- Assisting with developing and preparing activity ideas.
- Providing general support to help sessions run smoothly.
By getting involved in this role you will:
- Help create fun, engaging, and educational experiences for toddlers and their families within a museum setting.
- Gain hands-on experience in supporting early years activities, from crafts to interactive play and storytelling.
- Support a museum-based program, learning how historical spaces can be used for public engagement and learning.
- Build confidence in assisting with group activities.
- Improve communication skills by interacting with children, families, and the coordinator.
- Enhance problem-solving and adaptability, responding to the needs of children during activities.
- Experience working in an educational and cultural setting of a museum.
Ideal skills
- Interest in working with young children and supporting activities
- Creative, patient and enthusiastic
- Clear communication with children and adults
- Willingness to engage through play and museum activities
- Open to feedback and collaborative development
Ideal interests
- Enjoyment of creative activities such as arts and crafts
- Interest in singing, storytelling, and reading
- Curiosity about museums, history, and learning through play
- Interest in early years learning and development
- Enjoyment of working with families and St Andrew’s local community
- Willingness to get involved and try new activities
How to get involved
To be considered for this role complete a Volunteering form (Word) and send it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited for an informal interview to check that this is the right role for you.I have questions
If you have questions about this role, please contact Ross Christie, Learning and Engagement Manager (rac38@st-andrews.ac.uk)
- Training in planning and conducting a collections audit
- Learning how to use the Museum’s Collections Management System (EMu)
- Managing documentation and updating information associated with artworks
- Learning how to condition check artworks in situ
- Get training in object handling and database management
- Develop your skills in effective team contribution, confidence and adaptability, recognition of opportunities, organisation, digital literacy, and specialist knowledge relating to museum work
- Experience behind the scenes at a University Museum through working with a significant art collection
- Meet regularly with a mentor who will guide you in the development of the skills and experiences you want
- Receive travel expenses to and from your placement
- Good time-management and organisational skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to use Microsoft 365 and learn different digital softwares
- Interested in collections care and management
- Interest in art and art history collections
- Interested in gaining experience within the museums and heritage sector
- Training in planning and conducting a collections audit
- Learning how to use the Museum’s Collections Management System (EMu)
- Managing documentation and updating information associated with specimens
- Becoming familiar with procedures for handling museum objects including potentially hazardous materials
- Cataloguing non-accessioned material and improving cataloguing according to SPECTRUM collections management standards
- Get training in object handling and database management
- Develop your skills in effective team contribution, confidence and adaptability, recognition of opportunities, organisation, digital literacy, and specialist knowledge relating to museum work
- Experience behind the scenes at a University Museum through working with a significant collection of natural history specimens
- Meet regularly with a mentor who will guide you in the development of the skills and experiences you want
- Receive travel expenses to and from your placement.
- Good time-management and organisational skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to use Microsoft 365 and learn different digital software
- Basic object handling experience
- Comfortable working with biological material including taxidermy, corals, skeletal material, insects, eggs, shells, and specimens including dissections preserved in fluid
- Interested in collections care and management
- Interested in the natural sciences and natural history collections
- Interested in gaining experience within the museums and heritage sector
Time commitment: One 3 hour session per week, Tuesday – Friday, with guidance and training from the Manuscripts Archivist.
Brief description of the role
You will be working on the archive of a St Andrews academic specialising in local history and church history whose archive came to the Library recently. You will work through files and boxes of material collected or created by the academic to create catalogue records for the collection. The archive is managed by the Archives and Rare Books team in University Libraries and Museums.
What’s involved?
By getting involved in this role you will:
Ideal skills
Ideal interests
How to get involved
To be considered for this role complete a Volunteering form (Word) and send it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited for an informal interview to check that this is the right role for you.
I have questions
If you have questions about this role, please contact Maia Sheridan, Manuscripts Archivist (ms101@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Time commitment: Weekly sessions from April to June 2026 on an agreed schedule.
Brief description of the role
This project involves conducting an audit of the University of St Andrews’ art collection, both within the Museum stores and around the University estate. Assisting with this art audit is important for effective collections management by ensuring University Libraries and Museums have up-to-date knowledge of each artwork’s current location and condition.
What’s involved?
This role could include:
By getting involved in this role you will:
Ideal skills
Ideal interests
How to get involved
To be considered for this role complete a Volunteering form (Word) and send it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited for an informal interview to check that this is the right role for you.
I have questions
If you have questions about this role, please contact Emily Hales, Museums Trainee (Collections), (eh303@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Time commitment: Weekly sessions from May to July 2026 on an agreed schedule.
Brief description of the role
This project involves conducting an audit of the University of St Andrews’ collections of natural history specimens in the Bute Building. Assisting with this audit involves hands-on work with the University Collections’ dry (shells, skeletons, taxidermy etc.) and wet (preserved in fluid) specimens to improve location control over the substantial Zoology collection. This project is important for effective collections management by ensuring University Libraries and Museums have up-to-date knowledge of each specimen’s current location and condition.
What’s involved?
This role could include:
By getting involved in this role you will:
Ideal skills
Ideal interests
How to get involved
To be considered for this role complete a Volunteering form (Word) and send it to museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk.
You may be invited for an informal interview to check that this is the right role for you.
I have questions
If you have questions about this role, please contact Emily Hales, Museums Trainee (Collections), (eh303@st-andrews.ac.uk)