Information for Parents

This page contains information on travel arrangements, preparing your children for their time in St Andrews, accommodation and pastoral care, and important dates for your diary. This page should answer any questions you have about the Summer Academic Experience Course (SAEC) and necessary preparations. If you can't find the answer here, please email us at summerstudy@st-andrews.ac.uk and we'll be happy to help.

Travel Information

Students attending the 2026 SAEC should arrive in St Andrews on Saturday 11 July 2026.

Students may arrive at either Edinburgh International Airport or Glasgow International Airport and we will collect them from there as part of the programme fee. We are not able to collect students from Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The closest train station to St Andrews is Leuchars and we can also collect students from there. Unfortunately, we cannot collect or drop off students from Edinburgh or Glasgow city centres. We can only offer airport or train station transfers on the course start and end dates.

SAEC staff will be meeting all students on arrival at the airport/train station, and will be looking out for them at the Arrivals area when they leave Immigration and Customs. Students should look our for someone in branded University clothing holding a card with 'Summer Academic Experience Course' written on it.

In the unlikely event a student cannot find us, they should go to the Airport Information Desk and ask them to make an announcement. Students should not leave the airport without us - we won't leave the airport without them. If they are still unable to locate a staff member, please email us at summerstudy@st-andrews.ac.uk or call on the mobile phone number you will have received by email. It is especially important to contact us in advance if you know that their flight will be delayed so that we can make alternative arrangements to collect them.

We cannot accommodate students who arrive before the planned arrival date, but we can advise on alternative accommodation in St Andrews which you can arrange independently.

Entry to the UK and visa requirements

Many students will be awarded a visa upon entry to the UK, but some nationals are required to pre-apply for a visa.

We strongly recommend that you check the UK and Visa Immigration website to determine whether your child require a visa and if so, to apply for that visa in advance.
Check the information regarding international travel on the University website:
https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/support/international-students/travelling/

If you wish for your child to fly to the UK through Dublin, Ireland, please make sure they have the necessary documents to prove they can attend the course as these may be requested on arrival in Dublin.

Document Checks 

Students must be able to show their passport, visa and boarding passes to university staff on Monday 13th July – otherwise they cannot legally attend classes.  UK students are required to present their physical passport for verification.

Mobile phone

We require students to have a mobile (cell) phone that is UK enabled for the duration of the SAEC.
We encourage you to investigate if your child's phone will work in the UK or if it will take a UK sim card.
It is very important that we are able to contact them, and they us, at all times.
If needed, we can help students to find a SIM card and a suitable package when they arrive in St Andrews.

Accommodation and pastoral care

Students will be housed in the University’s Andrew Melville Hall.
 
Andrew Melville Hall is on the North Haugh, near a number of Science buildings. It is close to Saints Sport, the University sports centre, and West Sands beach. It is a 15-minute walk from the centre of town.

Meals

All meals are provided by the University catering team, with breakfast and dinner in the hall and a packed lunch daily so that students may choose to be flexible at lunchtime.
A dedicated Residential Assistant (RA) team will be living on-site in the halls. They are responsible for student welfare and will accompany students on all excursions.

Important dates

  • Arrival in St Andrews: Saturday 11 July 2026
  • Document check: Monday 13 July 2026 (students should make sure to retain their passport, visa and boarding pass)
  • Teaching begins: Tuesday 14 July 2026
  • Courses finish: Friday 31 July 2026
  • All departures: Saturday 01 August 2026

Typical Day

Each course will have a specific and detailed timetable that we will share before the course begins. However, all participants will share daily meals and days out on Wednesday afternoons and weekends.

Typical daily schedule:

  • Breakfast: 7.30 to 8.30
  • Lectures or tutorials: 9.30 to 12.00
  • Lunch: 12.00 to 13.30
  • Lectures or tutorials: 14.00 to 16.30
  • Dinner: 17.00 to 18.00
  • Evening activities: from 19.00
  • Check in and roll call: 22.30
  • Students in their own rooms: by 23.00

Final preparations

Students will be invited to a "SAEC Orientation Team" Microsoft Teams channel where they can access practical information and meet other students before arriving in St Andrews. To access the team, they will need to have completed the application process, which includes paying the total fees and activating their University email account. Information on how to register for this will be emailed out in May.

Please ensure that students have filled in the Mandatory Health and Travel Form, Photographic Release Form and the Mutual Responsibilities Agreement before Monday 30th June.

Packing

Students will need a computer/laptop, tablet, or smartphone to be able to participate in classes. Remember that you will need a British standard plug and lead. Students should also log the number of their mobile phone SIM card with the RA team by Sunday 12 July. On arrival, students will receive details on how to access Wi-Fi throughout the University.

Scottish weather can be quite unpredictable, even during the summer. The safest option is to wear several layers - wrap up warm in the morning and remove layers as the day goes by. You may also want to dress up for the ceilidh dance and disco night.

Bed linen and towels will be provided, so you do not need to bring those. However, you may wish to bring a beach towel for trips to the nearby beach.

You will be able to do laundry in your accommodation, as there is a self-service laundry room with washers and driers. Alternatively, there are laundry services in St Andrews that will do occasional collections and return laundry to you at the hall for a fee.

While all your expenses are covered, you may wish to bring some personal spending money to buy presents or snacks.