Student experience at St Andrews

Students at the University of St Andrews are more positive about their education than students at any other mainstream university in the UK, according to the results of the National Student Survey 2024. St Andrews also came top in the UK for academic support and learning resources in the survey.

Life here is centred around an internationally renowned teaching system. However, it is the huge range of additional opportunities only St Andrews can provide which creates a unique experience. St Andrews is a small university. Students have the opportunity to interact with staff, integrate with each other, and to feel a sense of belonging. They are active in politics, charity fundraising, volunteering locally, and in playing a governance role in how their services are run.

Our students leave St Andrews with an education that goes far beyond their degree.

Teaching excellence

We have a centuries-old tradition of bringing the brightest minds around the world to share their ideas. In St Andrews, curious students can meet the best scholars and teachers from around the world. Crucially, they can find the thinking space to question what they are taught.

Our teaching is supported by the flexible nature of the Scottish system. This allows you to choose to study multiple subjects during the course of your degree. The University of St Andrews has been ranked the top university in Scotland, according to Guardian University Guide 2025.

Video transcript

The University degree at St Andrews reflects the Scottish degree system in that students coming into first and second year can take subjects outside their intended degree specialisation.

The ability to change subject choices and to put together combinations allows students really to put together quite an individual programme of study.

>> MARKUS: It really helped me to just explore different things.

Our students get to widen their education at first and second year and then specialise in their degree subjects in their honours years.

>> AABIYAH: One of the best things about studying in St Andrews is the small class sizes. So you really get to know everyone really well. Everyone is so friendly and so understanding.

It's important to think of the St Andrews education as something which teaches students to become experts in a subject, but also it teaches lots of really important transferable skills which are vital for employability.

We hand pick our students. We pick the students that we think will flourish here. And we pick few enough students that we can make sure that they do flourish here when they come.

The town

St Andrews has welcomed pilgrims for centuries, and as a result, the hospitality of local people is instinctive and ingrained. Many film stars, celebrities and politicians visit the town each year. One of the attractions of St Andrews is that every visitor is afforded an equal welcome.

Many are drawn to St Andrews as the ‘Home of Golf’. Golfing in St Andrews is the ultimate ambition of many golfers. Playing golf at St Andrews is a dream that comes true for many students each year.

However, the ‘Auld Grey Toun’ is not all about golf. St Andrews is also recognised for its remarkable array of festivals, cultural events, and community participation. The town boasts three beaches, Scotland’s greatest cathedral, and an eclectic mix of independent shops, restaurants and galleries.

The town is usually considered home to around 16,000 people. This is made up of the local community, University students and staff, and visitors. This gives the town an intimate feel with close proximity to all University facilities, buildings and halls of residences.

Events

Another benefit of St Andrews is the number of events which occur each semester. From academic talks and conferences to University events, there's always something going on.

Student events are also hugely popular. Music events range from the student-run Starfields music festival through to a range of a cappella concerts, orchestras and choirs. Fans of theatre and the arts will enjoy On The Rocks, Scotland's largest student-run arts festival.

The town's Byre Theatre hosts a varied and vibrant programme of University performances, events and activities, as well as conferences, exhibitions, social and engagement activities. It also presents professional touring productions of theatre, dance, musicals, music, opera and family performances, and popular local amateur productions.

Student support

From your first day in St Andrews, you will be supported by a host of professional staff. Support is available from your academic School, in halls of residence and through the University's Student Services team.

All first-year undergraduate students are guaranteed a place in a University hall in their first year. Students often credit their halls as the place that they find their friendship group for the rest of their degree. Each of our halls is also home to a wardennial system of staff and postgraduate students. This team is available to students who need advice, support or just someone to sit with at dinner. Students who need additional support are directed to the University’s Student Services team.

The Student Services team, which includes trained counsellors, can provide advice and support on a range of issues. This includes disabilities, mental health, academic matters, finances or wellbeing. The University Chaplaincy is also readily available to support students on a range of matters.

You can use the University's personal and professional development service, CEED. CEED can help with study skills and academic support through your studies. International students also have the opportunity to work with our International Education Institute. IE can provide support for non-native speakers of English both before starting your degree or once you're here.

Video transcript

Student Services are here to support you throughout your time at University of St Andrews.

>> LARA: I'm Dr Lara Mesichke and I'm the director of Student Services.

We're here to support you from the moment you become a student at the University of St Andrews.

Student services provides a wide range of support for students when life or health affect their studies.

The advice and support centre is the information point for any queries, signposting to helpful resources or booking appointments with our team.

Our wellbeing, counselling, and mental health service has been accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in association with the British Psychological Society pronouncing our service as safe, well-lead, effective, caring, and responsive to people's needs. We offer one-to-one or group support. We also work with students wanting to develop their individual strengths through coaching sessions.

Our disability team work with students to ensure that the appropriate support is in place.

Whether that's in the classroom or whether it's in the University residences.

For queries when applying for your visa, our international team are available to assist.

Our money team are here to help you make the most of your money or explore options if you're experiencing financial need.

The student health hub, located in the St Andrews Community Hospital, helps students access the excellent NHS health care and other services should they need them.

Our wardens live and work in the University residences, providing support and developing these individual communities.

We've been operating online since lockdown began and as many students told us that they preferred this we will continue to offer online appointments alongside face to face.

All students will complete an online induction module, this will be the central place for key information and support as you transition to St Andrews.

The University of St Andrews takes a whole institution approach to wellbeing and mental health with many staff and students providing advice and support throughout our whole community.

Traditions

The University of St Andrews is host to an array of traditions. These traditions create a community and result in a truly unique student experience.

Red gown and pier walk

Perhaps the most notable tradition is the red academic gown. Gowns are usually worn at formal occasions and for the pier walk. The pier walk involves students walking along the harbour pier and back along the higher path.

Academic families and Raisin Weekend

Like many alumni before you, you can join an academic family. This is a spontaneous tradition where older students adopt first-year students as ‘children’. 'Parents' then help guide their children in a system of mentoring. This is a fantastic way for you to meet new people. Many of the friendships that begin as part of the academic family tradition continue throughout and after university.

The mentoring provided by your academic family culminates in Raisin Weekend. This is a student-led event where the 'children' are entertained by their 'parents' and encouraged to play pranks and games. On Raisin Monday, hundreds of first-year students, are dressed in fancy dress by their academic parents. They then gather in St Salvator’s Quad for the annual Raisin Monday foam fight.

The curse of Patrick Hamilton

When walking outside Sallies Quad, make sure you watch your step around a certain set of initials set into cobblestones. Lest you fall victim to the curse of Patrick Hamilton. These cobblestones mark the spot where Patrick Hamilton was burnt at the stake in 1528. According to tradition, any student who steps on the PH will be cursed to fail their degree.

May Dip and soakings

Towards the end of the academic year, you may find yourself partaking in the May Dip. A tradition which sees hundreds of students plunging into the North Sea at dawn on the first of May. This spectacular tradition is said to promote good luck in exams.

Once your final undergraduate exam has finished there is one final tradition, soakings. Friends will meet you after your last exam and shower you with cold water. This is a very proud and invigorating moment and provides a great way to end the exam period.

Students' Association

The Students’ Association, or the Union, is the large glass-fronted building located at the end of Market Street. The Union is dedicated to supporting students throughout their lives at University. It focuses on the four core areas of events, student representation, wellbeing and extra-curricular activities. Student sabbatical officers – the 'sabbs' – are well-recognised faces across the University. You'll often find them chairing committees, having a drink in the bars, or attending society events.

The Students’ Association is home to over 190 societies and clubs. They run all kinds of events and cover almost anything you can think of.

Sport

Sport is something that we take seriously at St Andrews. Whether you're interested in joining a new team at St Andrews or taking your performance to the next level. Students have access to some of the best sporting facilities in Scotland. This includes indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a climbing wall and 3G and sand-dressed synthetic pitches.

There over 50 student sports clubs and 10 performance sport programmes which receive extra support and investment. Most students have Wednesday afternoon free to allow them to get involved whether on the field, court or water. Saints Sport also runs fitness classes if you're looking to meet individual goals.

Internationally Scottish

St Andrews is an internationally Scottish university with staff and students from over 140 nationalities. Students from all over the world, and from a wide range of backgrounds, come to study with us. Many find St Andrews becomes a second home to them.

We celebrate our student diversity and support many pathways for international students to join us. Whether they are applying through an exchange or study abroad programme or for study through our many different degree routes. St Andrews encourages students from different backgrounds to apply and offers a number of scholarships for international students.

Studying at St Andrews offers a truly unique experience. Living and studying in the intimacy of St Andrews you will be surrounded by peers from all over the world.

"I spent a year at the University of St Andrews and my immediate memories are: a charming town, interesting students coming from the four corners of the world, beautiful scenery, unforgettable friendships, lecturers devoted to the teaching of their students, my walk to Anstruther along the Fife Coastal Path.

Choosing to go to St Andrews for my exchange year was one of the wisest choices I made and I feel I have gained a lot socially and academically, during my stay in this beautiful part of Scotland."

Youssef
- Cairo, Egypt