Student Ambassador scheme

The Student Ambassador scheme is an exciting opportunity for students who are passionate about the University and want to inspire others to consider higher education. It is designed for students who are eager to share their experiences, knowledge and enthusiasm, helping prospective students gain insight into University life and the opportunities available to them.

Student Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting a wide range of student experience and outreach activities. From Visiting Days to online events and Widening Participation programmes across Fife and the UK, student ambassadors help cerate welcoming and engaging experiences for prospective students and their families. They also support a variety of events and initiatives delivered by professional services across the University.

The programme is designed to fit flexibly around your studies, and we encourage both undergraduate and postgraduate students from all backgrounds to apply. We value the diverse experiences our students bring and believe these help us connect with and inspire future generations of learners.

Representing the University through the ambassador scheme is a rewarding way to build confidence, develop valuable employability skills and gain meaningful work experience. 

Why become an ambassador?

Being a Student Ambassador is a deeply rewarding opportunity both on a personal level and in terms of your career prospects after leaving St Andrews.

Develop your skills

As a Student Ambassador you have the opportunity to get involved with many different types of work allowing you to develop skills you already have as well as gain new ones. Such skills may include;   

• Public speaking
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Presentation skills
• Teamwork
• Networking

Widening participation

The student ambassador scheme offers a fantastic opportunity to get involved in the University's widening participation work. You can support programmes such as First Chances, working with young people across Fife and the UK, helping them explore higher education and build confidence. 

These experiences are among the most rewarding, you will have the chance to make a difference in a young person's education and encourage them to reach their full potential. 

Progression

The Student Ambassador Scheme is designed to recognise and nurture the talents of its students, providing meaningful opportunities to grow alongside your studies. Further information about the progression pathway and responsibilities associated with this can be found in the Ambassador handbook.

Ambassador projects

As the official student representatives for the University, the Student Ambassadors are involved in a wide range of projects, events, and activities. While the following list is not exhaustive, it details a number of the main project focused on student experience and widening access and participation.

Visiting and offer holder days

The student Ambassadors are heavily involved in the University’s visiting days and offer holder events, instantly recognisable by their red t-shirts and gowns!

Responsibilities on these days involve leading town and accommodation tours, assisting academics in subject talks, managing the registration desk and directing visitors around the town.

Ask a student

Ask a student is an email-based service which allows prospective students to contact current students (Ambassadors) to ask any questions they might have about student life in St Andrews.

The Principal Team will connect prospective students with the most appropriate Ambassador to answer their question.

Admissions tours

Talk and Tours

The University welcomes prospective students and their families to St Andrews every week, not just on visiting days! 

Visitors can book onto a ‘Talk and Tour’, which begins with a 1 hour tour of the town led by a Student Ambassador, followed by a 1 hour talk led by a member of the Admissions team. 

Ambassadors will guide visitors around the town, introducing them to the university and telling them about things such as traditions, student life and accommodation. While walking their route, Ambassadors are also expected to talk to visitors, answer their questions, and share their personal experience of being a student at St Andrews.

Red Gown Tour

Experienced guides may apply to join the Red Gown Tour team. This advanced tour team conducts tours for special guests of the university and visitors who are not prospective students. These tours are focused more on the history of the university and the town and are often personalised to the guests.

Widening access and participation

After an application process, Student Ambassadors can support the Admissions department with several of the University’s widening access and participation initiatives and projects aimed at young people in Fife and across the UK.

The main goal of these initiatives is to help those from under-represented groups achieve their full potential with the ultimate goal of accessing higher education. 

Because these projects can change year-on-year depending on being awarded external funding, it is hard to provide a comprehensive list of projects. However, in the past, Student Ambassadors have:

• Worked on annual day-long and longer residential summer schools for school pupils
• Tutored groups of students in specific subjects online via Teams
• Helped to facilitate visits to the University from underrepresented groups in higher education, such as care-experienced pupils

Other examples

Alongside more regular opportunities, Ambassadors will sometimes be requested by individual Schools or Units to help out with various projects and events. In the past, Student Ambassadors have:

• Featured in Development’s annual festive video sent to alumni and posted on social media.
• Taken part in photoshoots for the University prospectus and general advertising.
• Worked at launch events for University fundraising initiatives.
• Sat on student panels for various organisations.