New and incoming students
The following offers information for students who are joining the University to study Psychology or Neuroscience.
- Orientation - events and activities on your arrival at St Andrews.
- Draft module handbooks - information on current modules and sample module handbooks.
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Head of School - Professor Gareth Miles
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to those of you joining the School of Psychology and Neuroscience this year. Whether you are going to be staying with us for one semester or for four years, it is important that you know that you are joining an extended family which takes pride in helping you make the most of your time in St Andrews.
As current Head of School, I feel a strong sense of privilege in helping to ensure that you progress, and eventually leave, knowing that you made absolutely the right choice in studying here.
This can be a daunting time, as you meet new people and familiarise yourselves with new and perhaps very different surroundings. However, I am confident that you will quickly fall in love with both the town and the School and that you will make many new friends.
The School has a long tradition of high standards in everything that we do. We adopt the pedagogy of Benjamin Franklin (1759), one of the University’s honorary graduates (1759): “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”. You will be taught by the very best academic psychologists and neuroscientists in the country. You will also experience cutting edge research in the areas that you find fascinating and will have the opportunity to learn hands-on about the latest techniques.
You will leave as very different, talented and fulfilled people and with an entirely new perspective on life. However, don’t be surprised if, years from now, when you have successful careers in your chosen field, you still find yourself drawn back to St Andrews. The coming years will fly past so please enjoy every moment and every experience that is on offer!
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible after you arrive.
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School President - Natalia Zdorovtsova
Welcome to the School of Psychology and Neuroscience! My name is Natalia Zdorovtsova, and I have been elected to serve as your School President this year. First and foremost, I am a student representative, which means that my top priority is to foster connection and collaboration between students and staff. Working alongside a team of class representatives, I will strive make your voice heard, and also to give you as many opportunities as possible to participate in the happenings of the School. I also plan to collaborate with societies on a variety of exciting events and initiatives, about which I’ll be sure to inform you as the year progresses.
Finally, I’d like to emphasise that your university experience matters greatly to me. If you have any questions, comments, or just want to chat, feel free to contact me at any point in the year. The University of St Andrews also offers a variety of services to help students—be it related to careers, wellbeing, learning differences, or disabilities. Staff are dedicated to creating an environment of openness and inclusion, so if you ever find yourself in need of anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can contact me directly by emailing psychpresident@st-andrews.ac.uk, or by following me on twitter @psychneuro_pres.
I look forward to working with you this year to make our School even better!
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The following are files provided to first year students as a welcome pack.