Summer Academic Experience Courses

• Courses on offer

  All of the courses on offer feature teaching from current academic staff (faculty) from the University and offer students the opportunity to experience academic life in one of the UK’s oldest and highest-ranking institutions.

  Academic courses:

  • Arts and Social Sciences
  • Biological and Earth Sciences
  • Creative Writing
  • Management, Economics and Entrepreneurship
  • Medicine
  • Moral Philosophy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
  • Physical Science, Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Making Scotland: Many Stories, One Nation
  • Sustainable Development
  • World Literature

• The University and town

  The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413 and has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading research and teaching centres: an environment which nurtures inquisitive minds and a culture of shared learning. Our consistently high rankings in both global and national league tables place us within the top 100 of world universities and the top three in the UK.

  The town of St Andrews provides a unique and picturesque location for our very special university. Situated on the east coast of Scotland, it is about an hour north of Edinburgh.

  Wherever you walk, you are reminded of St Andrews' rich and colourful history, with buildings both ancient and modern. The town’s population is approximately 20,000 people, including a diverse mix of locals, students, University staff and tourists. The town also boasts beautiful sandy beaches for a contemplative stroll or beach sports, as well as a vibrant centre home to cafés and independent boutique shops.

• Getting to St Andrews

  St Andrews is approximately one hour from the capital city, Edinburgh. It is easy to access by both road and rail, with the nearest train station – Leuchars – approximately 10 minutes from the town. There are regular direct buses and trains from central Edinburgh and Glasgow to St Andrews. Many airlines operate direct flights from international destinations to Edinburgh or Glasgow, or a connection to Edinburgh from another major city such as London or New York.
  
  Students arriving at Edinburgh or Glasgow international airports are met on arrival by our staff and transported to St Andrews – this service is included in the programme fee.

  Find out more about getting to St Andrews.

• Typical day

  Breakfast: 7.30 to 9.00

  Lectures or tutorials: 9.30 to 12 noon

  Lunch: 12.00 to 13.30

  Lectures or tutorials: 14.00 to 17.00

  Dinner: 18.30 to 19.45

  Evening activities: from 20.00

  Check in and roll call: 22.00

  Students in their own rooms: by 23.00

• Social and cultural activities

  All courses are complemented by a vast array of extracurricular activities. Students can participate in a number of cultural excursions to places of historic importance or scientific interest, including a full day trip to the city of Edinburgh. Other optional excursions may include, but are not limited to:

  • castle visits (Glamis, Stirling, Falkland)
  • the Cupar Deer Centre
  • various art galleries
  • Dundee and the famous RRS Discovery
  • Byre Theatre evenings.

  There is also an ongoing programme of informal activities provided in the evening and on weekends:

  • a talent show
  • quiz nights
  • movie nights
  • slam poetry evening
  • readings by famous Scottish poets
  • ceilidh (traditional Scottish dancing)
  • disco.