University Name:
See all universitiesSt Andrews University
UCAS Code: S36
Location: East coast of Scotland Show on Map
Site: Two sites, in and near St Andrews
A top UK research-intensive university; a member of the 1994 Group of universities.
Student Population
| Total Students: | 9,135 |
| Undergraduates: | 78% |
| Postgraduates: | 22% |
| FE Students: | 0% |
Undergraduates
| Total undergraduates: | 7,155 |
| Male: | 44% |
| Female: | 56% |
| Full Time: | 85% |
| Mature on Entry: | 5% |
| UK Students: | 66% |
| State school entry: | 59% |
Teaching Staff
350 full-time, 16 part-time
Broad study areas
Sciences (including biological, chemical, computational, physical, geographical, mathematical and medical), arts & social sciences (including modern languages, histories, film studies, philosophy, psychology, classics, anthropology, economics, English, Arabic & Middle East studies, management, geography, art history and international relations), divinity.
Freshers
| Admission Information: | AS-levels accepted only in combination with A-levels. UCAS tariff not used. Entry requirements are relaxed for mature students. |
| Points on Entry (Mean): | 466 |
| Drop Out Rate: | 3% |
| Accommodation: | All first years housed who want it. |
Institution
| Founded: | 1413 |
| Site: | St Andrews town centre, plus North Haugh site ½ mile west of the centre |
| How to get there: | Nearest station is Leuchars (5 miles away on main London−Aberdeen line), then bus; from Edinburgh, train takes 1+ hour, 2 hours by bus; good road links (M90 and A91) |
Student services & facilities
| Student advice & services: | Doctor, FPA, chaplain, student welfare service. Limited residential facilities for married and disabled students. |
| Amenities: | SA with coffee and snack bars, newspaper, arts and crafts area, shops, bars etc. |
| Sporting facilities: | Modern physical education centre; 40 acres of playing field; 6 squash courts, all-weather athletics track, tennis courts, astroturf pitch, cricket bays. Many golf courses locally (including Old Course); local public leisure complex with indoor swimming pool. |
| Accommodation: | All first years who apply are in university accommodation (67% of all undergraduates). 2800 places available: 54% are full-board places, £4579−£6993 pa (£4128−£6435 pa shared), contracts term-time or longer; 46% are self-catering places at £2586−£5655 pa. Students live in privately-owned accommodation for 1+ years, rents from £105-£156 per week plus bills self-catering. Under 5% of first-degree students live at home. |
Study opportunities & careers
| Library & information services: | 1 million volumes, 2750 periodicals, 1100 study areas. Information provision, £219 pa spent for each student (FTE). Separate IT services. Ratio workstations to students 1:5 (open 24 hours/day); some 800 workstations have library and internet access. Student IT advisory service (staffed by postgrads) and specialist support staff available; library introduction for all new students; free 6-hour IT skills training courses available (and more advanced courses if required). |
| Other learning resources: | Computing laboratory, Gatty marine laboratory, language centre. |
| Study abroad: | 10% of students spend a period abroad. Some 25 formal exchange programmes, many with multiple links, involving 9 other countries. |
| Careers: | Information, advice and placement service. |
Money
| Living expenses budget: | Minimum budget of £12,000 pa recommended by university. |
| Term-time work: | University allows term-time work for full-time students. Limited work on campus as cleaners etc. |
| Financial help: | Bursaries for UK students from outside Scotland whose family income is up to £42.6k pa; bursary rises with family income so that, together with the student grant and loan, the total income for maintenance is £7500 pa. 50 bursaries of £2000 pa to alleviate financial hardship, open to Scottish students whose family income is up to £42.6k pa. Wide range of scholarships and bursaries, eg for chemistry or medicine, and for particular students eg those from Fife, mature students or Canadian students of Scottish ancestry. £247,000 government funds available, 600+ students helped; £25,000 own funds, 100 helped; plus £10,000 other funds. Special help for single parents, mature students and self-financing students. £50,000 used to provide short-term loans for 300 students. Apply for help to student support services. |
| University tuition fees: | Scottish and EU students paid no fees during course; other UK students paid £9000 pa for first degrees. International students paid £13,500 pa, except pre-clinical students who pay £20,500. |
Courses
Academic features:
Admission to faculty rather than course so final choice of subject(s) can be delayed until end of second year. Semester and modular system.
Awarding body:
St Andrews University.
Main undergraduate awards:
MA, BSc, MPhys, MChem, MSci, MTheol, MMath.
Length of courses:
4 years Honours; 3 years general; direct 2nd year entry to some science Honours degrees.
Main subjects offered:
- Ancient History
- Animal Science
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Art History
- Astronomy
- Astrophysics
- Behavioural Science
- Biblical Studies
- Biochemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- Cellular Pathology
- Chemistry
- Church History
- Classical Studies
- Classics
- Computer Science
- Computing
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electronic Engineering
- English
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Science
- Film Studies
- Finance
- French
- Geography
- Geoscience
- German
- Greek, Ancient/Classical
- Hebrew
- History
- History/Philosophy of Science
- Humanities
- International Relations
- Internet Technology
- Islamic Studies
- Italian
- Latin
- Management
- Marine Biology
- Materials Science
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Medieval Studies
- Microelectronics
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Science
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Russian Studies
- Scottish Studies
- Social Anthropology
- Social History
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Sustainable Development
- Theology
- Zoology
Student view
Patrick O’Hare, President of the Union
Living
What's it like as a place to live? Great place to live − fantastic atmosphere in small historic village, beautiful countryside, great community. Students are consistently the happiest in Scotland according to NSS.
How's the student accommodation? The University provides accommodation for around half the student body, the highest percentage in Scotland. We have 600 very cheap beds and the others are medium to expensive. Unfortunately very high rents in the private sector of around £100 per week, though the odd bargain can always be found...
What's the student population like? Student population is the most international in Scotland, though perhaps not the most ethnically diverse. We have roughly a third Scottish/EU, a third outside the EU and a third rest of UK.
How do students and locals get on? Students and locals generally get on very well – bar the odd issue of taking out the bins on time etc! Students are involved in a host of volunteer activities which benefit the local community and of course contribute hugely to the local economy. St Andrews has a fairly elderly resident population so occasionally issues with late-night parties.
Studying
What's it like as a place to study? Great place to study-a range of fantastic science and arts courses. The laid-back atmosphere and location lends itself to academic success. Library is the only element which has been a weak point but thankfully this has started to see some long overdue investment.
What are the teaching staff like? Fantastic teaching staff who go the extra mile. We have both international stars, homegrown excellence and unsung talent, but even the top academics teach undergraduates.
Socialising
What are student societies like? We have a fantastic range of student societies (over 140!). These are definitely the centre of student life, and they range from the large Hispanic Society, Middle Eastern Society, Music Society etc, to the smaller Caramel Wafer Appreciation Society and the Harry Potter and Gin Society. .
What's a typical night out? Few pints in town, then into the Union for a dance night or the Lizard 'club'. Alternatively, the odd trip to Fat Sam's in Dundee!
And how much does it cost? £15.
How can you get home safely? Short distances to walk but the Union puts on a free bus every Friday.night to get people home safely.
Money
Is it an expensive place to live? Unfortunately an expensive place to live given the high cost of accommodation and the cost of living in general. Nevertheless, some very cheap university accommodation and the possibility to get by on little with a bit of know-how!
Average price of a pint? £2.50.
And the price of a takeaway? £4.
What's the part-time work situation? There are many student jobs available, especially for the university. The university generally pays around £6.93 per hour and provides jobs in catering, cleaning, barwork etc. There is also the possibility to work during the summer, as many student residences are let out to tourists. Higher paid jobs are available for postgraduate students, such as being Wardens (pastoral care) and teaching. In the village itself, many part-time jobs in bars, shops and restaurants.
Summary
What's the best feature about the place? Its beautiful location on the Fife coast and its 600 years of excellence − the place is steeped in tradition.
And the worst? The SU building − thankfully soon due for a multi-million pound revamp.
And to sum it all up? St Andrews is something of a paradox − traditional but cosmopolitan, ancient but innovative, stereotyped but ever surprising. If you're after a university which offers academic excellence, a wonderful location, a thriving student scene and memories which will last a lifetime, then St Andrews is the place for you!
Past Students
John Knox (Scottish Reformation); Jean Paul Marat (philosopher); Sir Hugh Cortazzi (former British Ambassador to Japan); Fay Weldon, Zoe Fairbairns (authors); Hazel Irvine (presenter); Sara Douglas-Hamilton (wildlife presenter); John Suchet, Crispin Bonham-Carter (actors); Alastair Reid (poet); Eric Anderson (Provost of Eton); James Michener (author); Siobhan Redmond (actress); Michael Forsyth, Alex Salmond (politicians).
More info?
Enquiries to Students' Association on tel 01334 462700 or visit www.yourunion.net.
Contact
Address:
University of St Andrews
College Gate
St Andrews
KY16 9AJ
Fife
Tel:
01334 476161
Email:
Website:
Student enquiries:
Admissions Application Centre (tel 01334 462150)
Application:
UCAS
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