University of St Andrews

Summary

History

St Andrews was founded in 1410 with much of the teaching of a religious nature conducted by clerics associated with St Andrews Cathedral. However from the 17th to 19th centuries, the university declined dramatically, and its survival was constantly on the line. By the 19th century, the university was offering a traditional education based on classical languages, divinity and philosophy, and was slowly starting to embrace the more practical fields of science, medicine and law that were in vogue. After a merger with University College in Dundee in 1897, the university became increasingly popular among the Scottish upper class and it has remained this way ever since.

As a 600 year old university, there are many student traditions. These include Academic Families, where older students adopt first years students as 'children,' and this mentorship culminates at Raisin Weekend where 'children' are entertained by their 'parents', while on Raisin Monday 'children' are dressed in embarrassing costumes given to them by their 'mothers', given objects with Latin inscriptions by their 'fathers', and enter into a shaving foam fight.

The university also prides itself as being "Britain's top match making university", as proved by the recent marriage of William Windsor and Kate Middleton.

University Environment

St Andrews is a small, picturesque town on the Scottish coast with a population of approximately 17,000 situated approximately 14 miles south east of Dundee and approximately 30 miles north east of Edinburgh. As the town is small, the university students makes up approximately a third of the population. The town is known as being the home of golf as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was founded there in 1754, exercising legislative authority over the game worldwide, and St Andrews Links is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship.

Further Information

Like other ancient universities in Scotland, undergraduate degrees are four years in length, with students graduating with either an MA (in the Faculty of Arts) or a BSc (in the Faculty of Science).

Academics

Schools

• School of Art History
• School of Biology
• School of Chemistry
• School of Classics
• School of Computer Science
• School of Divinity
• School of Economics & Finance
• School of English
• School of Geography & Geosciences
• School of History
• School of International Relations
• School of Management
• School of Mathematics & Statistics
• School of Medicine
• School of Modern Languages
• School of Philosophical, Anthropological & Film Studies
• School of Physics & Astronomy
• School of Psychology & Neuroscience

Research

In the recent 2014 REF the University came top in the UK in Classics; Physics; Art & Design; Geography, Environmental Studies and Archaeology; and Philosophy. Across Science and the Arts, the University can top in Scotland and 14th in the UK for the quality of its research publications. It was ranked 2^nd in Scotland and 19^th in the UK for overall research performance, assessed by quality of publications, impact and the environment in which research takes place. Over 80% of the university’s research active staff had their work assessed by REF 2014.

International & Industrial Opportunities

The St Andrews Abroad programme offers opportunities for students to spend a semester or full academic year in the USA, Canada, Australia and Singapore. There are also a few opportunities to study within Europe.

There are a few options for industrial placements.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships 

If you've applied for a place at St Andrews, they give you access to a catalogue of scholarships and funding. There are plenty of scholarhips available depending on your nationality and subject funded by the University and donations made by alumni and friends, charitable trusts and other organisations. 

The Department of Sport & Exercise offers a support programme to athletes whoc show exceptional abilities and potential. There is also funding for music, choral and organ scholars. 

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The Main Library holds over 800,000 books, e-books, more than 11,000 print and electronic journals, academic databases and an extensive collection of DVDs. The university also houses a Special Collections Department with over 120,000 rare printed books, focusing on theology, classics, history, and English and Scottish literature, and also houses manuscript and photographic collections and the university archives.

There are also a number of other large libraries, such as the JF Allen Library and the St Mary's Library for Divinity and Mediaeval History, and well as smaller class libraries in individual schools.

There are computer rooms distributed throughout the university, and many are open 24 hours a day. Furthermore, wireless access is available all around the university.

Sporting Facilities

The university hosts an array of sports facilities ;including outdoor pitches and indoor courts and halls. Fitness services include a wide variety of classes, as well as nutrition consultations, fitness assessments, personal exercise plans, and personal training.

Students can participate in regular sport for fun representing their hall, through the various leagues, competitions and one-off events that are held throughout the year.

Students' Union

Students' Union

The Advice and Support Centre (ASC) is a one-stop shop to provide students with easy access to all of the student services including assistance regarding financial hardship, academic problems, health concerns, disability, immigration issues, and relationship/family problems.

The university has 110 different societies, proportionally the largest in the UK. The university also holds a number of annual balls, events and fashion shows, all run by students. The media is represented through STAR, the university radio, which broadcasts 24/7 and The Saint, the student newspaper. It also puts on Starfields, the town's only music festival and supports RAG week.

As a Scottish ancient university, the university is primarily headed by a Chancellor, however the interests of the student body are headed by a Rector, a position voted for by the students, and who is considered by many to be integral in their ability to shape the university's agenda. Previous Rectors have included English actor and comedian John Cleese, Nobel Prize winning author Rudyard Kipling, Scottish-born American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and English philosopher John Stuart Mill.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

As a small town religious amenities stray little from the branches of the Church of Scotland or Church of England. However, the Chaplaincy Centre offers contacts with chaplains of other faiths, all faiths are welcome, although it is used most regularly by Christians, Jews and Muslims. The Chaplaincy Team provide a sympathetic ear, someone to talk to in crises, hospital visits for you or someone you know, support in emotional or spiritual issues, space to search for the meaning of life and space to explore your faith.

Health & Wellbeing

The university does not have its own GP, but can advise on which doctor to register with. The university has students with a wide range of disabilities and learning difficulties and Disability Service makes sure they can meet individual requirements.

Career Facilities

The university has a careers centre open Monday to Friday offering a range of services including a comprehensive website, Careers Centre JobsOnline providing hundreds of graduate jobs and internships, a Job Shop for part-time jobs in St Andrews, one-to-one careers advice, events led by careers advisers and employers to enhance employability skills, employer presentations, information and resources to help you connect with St Andrews alumni, and career sector-specific information.

Accommodation

Nearly half of St Andrews students live in University owned accommodation, and each residence has a mixed population of first year and returning students (approximately 66% and 34% respectively), and home and overseas students. 

Their residences range from beautiful stone-built listed buildings full of original period features, to stylish new apartments, built to high environmental and sustainability standards, with anything from 100 rooms in a small house-type share to 800 rooms in a modern university hall. A range of catered and self-catered accommodation is available, with a choice of standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities or ensuite. Ensuite rooms include a toilet, sink and shower attached to the room for the sole use of the occupants.

Catered accommodation consists of either 14 meals a week or 19 meals a week (two meals on the weekend, three during the week) and there are also options to share rooms for those on a tight budget. 

Your residential experience at St Andrews is supported by a Wardennial Team who take responsibility for encouraging a sense of community  actively encouraging you to join in with your fellow residents organising game nights, activities and excursions. The students in each residence elect a Senior Student and a Hall Committee who take on the responsibility of looking after the social life of the residence, organising BBQs, receptions and balls,  and making sure that Freshers settle in and feel welcome. 

International

Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available to undergraduate students including the International Undergraduate Scholarship of up to £4,000 per year for each year of the student's undergraduate studies and is awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit.  For more information on this, and other scholarships consult the university's prospectus or website.

English Language Requirements

International Support

There are International Student Advisers at the ASC who can advise you on anything from visas and passports, living in the UK, working in the UK, English Language support, and arrange day trips to visit local places.

Media