University Information

University of St. Andrews

4.5
St. Andrews, United Kingdom, Europe
St Andrews is Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world, founded in 1413. More recently, Prince William and Kate Middleton met while studying there.

Overview

Ratings

  • Academics
    83.3333
  • Campus
    86.6667
  • Support
    83.3333
  • Safety
    100.0000
  • Social Life
    90.0000
  • Diversity
    93.3333
Would you recommend this university to others?
  • Yes
    100
  • No
    0

University of St. Andrews

Saint Andrews is a unique place. The way that the ancient town has grown up with and around the university has created a beautifully scenic environment to live and study in. Three beaches, seven golf courses (including the famous Old Course), two major ancient ruins and many, many pubs. Undergraduate students can occasionally be seen around the various quadrangles or going to events wearing their distinctive red gowns, one element of the traditions of student life. It is certainly a weird, varied and, for many, wonderful place to be.

Students are very self-sufficient in St. Andrews, more than making up for the small size of the town by hosting parties, dinners, and balls, and putting on theater productions, parades, and fashion shows. These events are an important piece of St. Andrews life, which is reflected in consistently high levels of student satisfaction. Student organizations are very active, including the debate society, the International Politics Society, and the Global Investment Group. Other student groups range from the Real Ale Society to a radio station and an award winning newspaper. Traditions include “academic families” in which freshmen are adopted by older students to integrate them into university life, the pier walk on Sundays after church or while hungover, and the May Dip which involves swimming in the North Sea at dawn after a torch lit parade. 

While the sports facilities are modest, the ease of access to the ocean and to the Scottish Highlands allows many students to take advantage of the great outdoors. The university’s golf, hockey, and lacrosse teams are highly ranked. The Department for Sport and Exercise is co-leading Project Zambia in which talented athletes and other student leaders participate in community building projects in Zambia.

The academic year at St Andrews is split into two American style semesters, with exams in January and in May. In the first two years students may take courses in multiple departments, before specializing in their third and fourth years. Students in the Faculty of Arts graduate with a Master of Arts degree after four years. Teaching comprises lectures and compulsory smaller study groups (known as tutorials or labs) with academic staff. The first year is generally not too taxing on students. The recent independent academic research review ranked the following departments highly: Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, German, Film Studies, Chemistry, Mathematics, French, Psychology, and English. The university does not provide for all academic disciplines, most notably it does not offer degrees in engineering, law, or clinical medicine.

The feel is distinctly international (if not socially and racially diverse), with a high percentage of European and North American students, not to mention the other tourists and golfers in town.  

Details

  • Information & Statistics

    Number of Undergraduate Students 
    6,000
    Number of Graduate Students 
    1,300
    Total Number of Students 
    7,300
    Number of Academic Staff 
    900
    Student to Staff Ratio 
    8
    Percentage of International Students 
    37%
    Languages of Tuition
    English
  • Tuition

    Tuition Fees Local - Currency 
    GBP
    Tuition Fees Local - Amount 
    1,820
    Tuition Fees - International (Average) 
    13,500
    Tuition Fees - Description 
    Tuition fees are stated on a yearly basis for certain undergraduate degrees and do not include accommodation. These amounts are representative and do not reflect all degrees. EU students qualify for local fees.
  • Entrance Requirements

    Entrance Requirements 

    UCAS Tariff

    480

Map & Contact

Contact Information

University Address 
16 The Scores
St. Andrews
KY16 9AX
United Kingdom

Reviews

Reviews

4

Although St.Andrews is diverse and international it offers a very British experience!

5

Studying at St. Andrews was one of the best choices I have ever made. My degree has helped me gain job interviews and is always a topic of conversation no matter where I travel in the world.

5

TBC

3

I greatly enjoyed my time at St. Andrews. I made some great friends and learned about British culture. As a location for an American studying abroad, it has pros and cons.

5

An amazing small university with a very diverse mix of students. The whole town is the campus and offers the chance to live in a beautiful coastal location. The history of the place is fascinating.

5

St Andrews is a fantastic University, unicque in its kind by being old, traditional and rather small and personal.

Student Stories

  • 1 of 3
  • Maria Ly is quite literally a Rock Star. You’ll often find her hanging off a 5.13a grade rock climbing route, she is the rock star co-founder of Skimble (which is incubated by Rock Health), and you can find her rock formation photography featured in Outside Magazine.

  • March 13, 1988 was the day we moved to America. Although it wasn't my first time in the country, that date was the beginning of my journey through the American school system. Those eleven years filled me with a lifetime of great memories.

  • Mayank is an inventor and zebra-enthusiast. He developed Stripespotter, a biological barcode scanner for zebras, and is a part of the team behind Facebook insights. By way of India to Oman to the US, Mayank can be found behind the wheel of a red Porsche dreaming up his next big idea.

News

  • 1 of 1
  • Want a chance to win an iPad 3? All you have to do is sign up for StudentRoads and you will be automatically entered. It is that easy!

Newsletter Sign Up



Reviews

Reviewer: Anonymous
University:
Overall Rating:
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Comments:

It was one of the best educational experiences

Reviewer: Anonymous
Overall Rating:
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Comments:

It was really nice to attend such a great university, I like the environment and faculty of the University of Health Sciences Antigua.

Reviewer: Rebecca R.
Overall Rating:
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Comments:

Studying at St. Andrews was one of the best choices I have ever made.

Reviewer: Andrew L.
Overall Rating:
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)
Comments:

I went to FSU on an athletic scholarship having finished a degree at Stirling University in Scotland.