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    Study in St Andrews

    City guide

    Sat remotely on the blustery Scottish coast of Fife, St Andrews has the country’s oldest university, and is the spiritual home of golf.

    It's a small town so it is impossible to get lost, but there's still plenty to see and do. With three beaches and beautiful historic buildings, there is no shortage of sights to see. Brilliant pub culture with a great selection, from classy drinks to Celtic-style pubs, and you can find live music playing somewhere most nights of the week. The small size means the community feel is fantastic, and you will bump into someone you know every time you walk through town. Very safe, and rightly described as 'The Bubble' because it is such a unique place (and a bubble you never want to leave!). (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

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    • Accalia

      University of Sussex
      Law with International Relations LLB (Hons)
      I would love to be engaged in various sectors specifically Media, Law and International Business, My end goal is to be an international consultant for Caribbean small businesses.

    • Abigail

      City St George's, University of London
      Politics BSc (Hons)
      Hi, my name is Abigail and I am a 2nd year Politics undergraduate, who wants to become a lawyer in common law. I am happy to answer questions regarding university, a career in law, etc! ❤️

    • Abigail

      Bournemouth University
      BA (Hons) Film
      Hi, I'm Abigail and I'm a third-year Film student! I'd be very happy to answer anything about filmmaking and media related questions at Bournemouth University, and what it’s like to move out for the first time and settle into a new city! :))

    • Abbie

      Leeds Trinity University
      Primary Education (Early Years 3-7) with QTS BA (Hons)
      Hi I’m Abbie 🫶🏻. I am a primary education student here at Leeds trinity completing my first year currently. I live at home and commute in for my lectures. I am a course representative so look very closely into student feedback. I am also the mental health officer for Leeds trinity and look forward to building campaigns to help those at trinity! I was very nervous joining university but realised very quickly it’s like family where everyone is supportive and tries to help at any opportunity. The campus is beautiful and I love to study in lots of different spaces to change up the scenery every now and again! I have a dog walking business to satisfy my love of animals and am also a student ambassador for university. I work part time in a pub not far from the university and love to go running in my spare time to clear my mind! I came from sixth form to university and knew what course I wanted to do. I’m here to answer all of your questions about life at university hoping to give an insight on the student life and what to expect!

    • Aditi

      University College Birmingham
      Finance and Accounting
      I am Aditi Ghevade, from the city of Mumbai, India. Currently pursuing my postgraduate studies in Finance and Accounting, I find immense joy in delving into the intricacies of financial systems and exploring the world of numbers. Fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, and even French, my multicultural and multilingual background has equipped me with a versatile skill set.

    • Aditya

      University of Glasgow
      Medicine [MBChB]
      Hello everyone, This is Aditya. I am a 2nd Year international medical student at the University of Glasgow. My aspiration is to become a cardiologist with a special interest in interventional cardiology and cardiac physics. I am open to any questions you guys might want to ask about the university, the medical school, or even the city and how it’s been adapting to a new culture as an international student :)

    • Abdul Rashid

      University of Aberdeen
      Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Bio-business MSc
      My current career plan is to delve deep into the core of bioinformatics and try as much as possible to make it easy for future prospects in that field of study.

    • Abdul

      University of Lincoln
      Architecture - BA (Hons)
      “Hi! Feel free to ask me any questions about the courses here in Lincoln and also about the city itself. I am more than happy to help you with any questions you might have.”

    • Adam

      Coventry University
      Sports Coaching BSc
      Hi there👋, My name is Adam and I am currently a first year Sports Coaching student and a lifelong Coventry habitant. Sports has been a massive part of my life which has lead me to studying the Sports Coaching Bachelor Degree here at Coventry. I am looking to pursue a career within Sport Coaching as I look to teach and coach others the amazing thing that is sport🤩. Feel free to ask me questions about the Sports Coaching Course and elements of University life😃 ⚽️🏀🎾🏓🏏

    • Adeola Priscillia

      Coventry University
      MSc International Business Management
      I am currently studying International Business Management and have a background in education. Although I’ve recently started as a student ambassador, I bring previous customer service experience, which has strengthened my communication and interpersonal skills. I’m passionate about pursuing a career in global business, combining my interests in education and international management.

    • Adrianna

      Bangor University
      Marine Biology
      Hi, I'm Adrianna. I'm from North West England. I decided I wanted to do marine biology, when someone did an online talk at my college all about the marine environment and biology. My main hobbies include sewing; gaming; watching films and series; and spending time with friends and family. Some of my favorite games are Animal Crossing; Slime Rancher; and Stardew Valley. Some of my favorite movies/series are: How to Train Your Dragon; Vampire Diaries; Grey's Anatomy; and Disney movies.

    • Abigail

      University of Lincoln
      Dance - BA (Hons)
      Hi, I'm Abi and I'm a third-year BA (Hons) Dance Student. I'm from Suffolk. I started dancing from the age of 3 in Ballet, Modern and Tap and then also started training in Contemporary, Irish and Ballroom & Latin dance before completing both GCSE & A-level Dance. I'm now continuing my passion here at UOL and hope to continue this into a professional career!

    • Abdullah

      Liverpool John Moores University
      Computer Science, BSc (Hons)
      Currently in my second year, I’m focused on making the most of my degree and building a strong foundation in my field. After completing my bachelor’s, my plan is to pursue a master’s in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. I’m passionate about using AI to tackle real-world challenges, and eventually, I’d love to work in a tech company that’s leading the way in innovation. My vision is to be part of projects that push the boundaries of what technology can achieve—I’m excited about what the future holds!

    • Abbey

      Leeds Trinity University
      Criminology with Police Studies BA Combined (Hons)
      I am looking at going into the police after university and doing their graduate detective program. I enjoy watching all sorts of true crime documentaries.

    • Abby

      Swansea University
      Sport and Exercise Science, BSc (Hons)
      I am a keen swimmer and am part of the University Swim team and have competed in the BUSL swim league as well as Welsh Varsity representing the university. The swim team is comprised of a range of abilities. I love what I study and am passionate about Sport Psychology and hope to pursue it as a Masters when I graduate. I am in my second year of the degree course and am loving it so far, so any questions about my course or the swim team are more than welcome.

    • Aaliyah

      University of Hertfordshire
      Animation, film, games and creative media
      Hi, I'm Aaliyah! I am a final-year Games Art student and want to work hard to hone my skills and improve as a character artist! I am also a producer so if you want to talk about that specialism within Games and VFX then feel free to ask. You might be feeling a bit worried or uneasy about what there is and what the course entails but I am here to answer all your questions. No matter how big the question or how small :) Whilst I'm not in the other animation pathways (3D/VFX, 2D animation, Comic & Concept Art) I can always give my knowledge in those areas too. Just pop a message over! Very excited to talk about the courses with you :D

    • Abigail

      University of Essex
      Criminology
      Hello! My name is Abi, and I'm currently in my third year doing Criminology with Counselling Skills. I aspire to go into the police force to be a detective! I love helping others and cooking. Alongside my degree, I am doing some content creation and photography as a fun hobby as I also have a passion for both of those things.

    • Adrianna

      University of the Arts London
      Public Relations
      ✨Public Relations student passionate about creative storytelling & making an impact through strategic marketing. 📈Obsessed with digital analytics, media research 🔍, and fostering real connections within the media world! 🤝 👩‍🎓Active as a Peer Mentor, Senior Student Ambassador, and Media School Rep – always here to help and share my journey! 🌟 💡 Let’s chat all things PR, media, and beyond!

    • Aayan

      City St George's, University of London
      Actuarial Science BSc (Hons)
      I did my Foundation year from INTO City, University of London. Currently doing BSc Data Analytics and Actuarial Science. I plan to work in Data / AI Field, I have strong interest in Trading and Content Creation 😊.

    • Advika

      University of Glasgow
      Common Law [LLB]
      Hey there ! I am Advika from India🇮🇳 and I am a third year Common Law student. I would be happy to answer all your questions about the university, studies, student life, or anything else. Please feel free to chat 😊

    What St Andrews is famous for...

     

    Golf

    St Andrews is considered the birthplace of golf, and a mecca for fans and players alike. The Old Course is the oldest course in the world..

    St Andrews golf course

    St Andrews nightlife, according to students

    Contrary to popular belief, St Andrews has a nightlife! With so many students in one place, there are always plenty of house parties and 'pres'. We also have some great bars and clubs. The Vic and The Rule have more of a party atmosphere. [St Andrews Brewing Co] and Aikmans are chill, but a good time. The Students' Union is always busy – St Andrews' unique 'Pablo' drinks are a must-try. We also have lots of balls, which are definitely not as formal as they sound – some of my best nights out have been at balls (definitely improved by the abundance of free food). Also, we have a free night bus service. Every half hour there is a free coach which stops at all uni halls and near student accommodation, keeping you safe (and warm!) as you travel to/from town. (University of St Andrews student)

    Will and Kate

    Possibly the town’s most famous alumni, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met while at university here.

    St Andrews University

    St Andrews nightlife, according to students

    St Andrews has a ton of pubs spread over the three main streets. This means the nightlife is very centralised, and people are constantly seeing friends. (Second year student, University of St Andrews)

    Medieval history

    There's a reason St Andrews has a few ghost stories to tell, many originating from the castle, and the bottle dungeon below it.

    St Andrews Castle

    Student life in St Andrews

    Local gems, tips, and things to do, as recommended by students.

    Low on cash

    There is a cheap driving range in walking distance from the town. Going to Tailend for fish and chips, and watching the sunset in Castle Sands, is a popular date choice in the summer months. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    Treat yourself

    Cocktails at The Räv or The Adamson are really fancy, or if you're looking for a classier pint, Brew Co or The Criterion are great. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    Friday night out

    The Students' Union hosts 'The Bop', which is usually themed. It’s a great place to go and dance, but if you don’t want to pay to get in, karaoke nights in Sandy’s Bar are a great alternative. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    Sunday chilling

    Lade Braes is a beautiful walk. At one end, there's a large park where it's lovely to sit and read. The pier and beaches are also very calming, and it's easy to find a quiet spot. The Botanical Gardens are also very peaceful. (Second year student, University of St Andrews)

    When family visit

    The Himalayas Putting Green is a great thing to do with family – it's like fancy crazy golf. There is also an aquarium, the Cathedral, the Castle, and a few nice museums, including the Bell Pettegrew. (Second year student, University of St Andrews)

    Feeling cultural

    If you want, there's a concert, play, or poetry reading every night – you just have to look for them. The Byre is a great wee theatre which often has excellent things on. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    Catch up with mates

    Places like Northpoint or Cottage Kitchen are really cheap, and great for a brunch with friends. (University of St Andrews student)

    Grab a bite

    Famous throughout Scotland is Janetta’s Gelateria, which makes incredible ice-cream and sorbets. CombiniCo is a minimalist Korean/Japanese student favourite. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    St Andrews in pictures

     

    St Andrews Castle

    The medieval castle and cathedral, just off the North Sea. There is nowhere like this on earth. (Rachael, third year student at University of St Andrews)

    St Andrews Castle

    Living in St Andrews, according to students

    Kinnesburn – the town is so small, so even if you live on the edge, it isn’t a long commute – a 25-minute walk, maximum. [Previously] I lived about five minutes from the centre of town, and enjoyed the ease with which I could access mainstream facilities. There are small supermarkets in the centre, and a large Morrisons on the outskirts by the community hospital. I would choose to live here again, but I think for my final year next year, I will live in the centre. (Third year student, University of St Andrews)

    The seafront

    My favourite place to walk to [take a] break from the library. Look one direction and see a view of the town, another the famous Old Course, and yet another, the length of West Sands Beach and the sea. (Lydia, third year student at University of St Andrews)

    St Andrews seafront

    East Sands Beach

    East Sands Beach, early in the morning. A lovely place to run at sunrise, with lots of wild rabbits living along it. It's also special because that's where everyone goes to swim on Raisin Monday and May Morning. (Julia Webster, second year student at University of St Andrews)

    East Sands Beach

     

    Living in St Andrews, according to students

    St Andrews doesn’t really have neighbourhoods, however there are some residential areas outside of the three main streets. I’m lucky to live on Market Street this year, which [is] a great location, but can be loud at night with all the crazy students. The flats in the centre tend to be smaller and more expensive. Some people prefer the cheaper options which are a ten to 15-minute walk from town [and] closer to cheaper supermarkets, like Aldi and Morrisons. (Second year student, University of St Andrews)

    The Gaudie Pier Walk

    The Gaudie, a pier walk students do with torches, in red gowns – one of the many St Andrews traditions. (Antonia, Third year student at University of St Andrews)

    Gaudie Pier

    Living in St Andrews

    Housing, travel, and budgeting tips.

    Where you'll find students

    • Town centre
    • Kinnesburn

    Local transport

    • Weekly ticket: £14.40
    • St Andrews 7 Day Megarider ticket
    • Bus

    Student money tips

    If you are looking to rent privately, avoid the three main streets as they are often very overpriced. If you live even a ten-minute walk out of town, you can save yourself at least £100 a month on rent (and honestly, St Andrews is very bicycle friendly). (Second year student, University of St Andrews)

    The cost of living as a student soon adds up, us our budget calculator to find out roughly how much you'll need each month.

    Discover more savings on student life in St Andrews with UCAS student discounts. Find the latest deals, from fashion brands and eating fresh, to big discounts on tech and travel.

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