r/standrews

Been calling all day and I haven’t got answered. Anyone else had this same issue today?

Did anyone else do this? Would you mind sharing your reasons?

For me, the living cost in Cambridge is wayyy too high, along with tuition fees, and I don't want to be a financial burden to my parents, or actually, to my future self. Our household income is low, but not low enough to get a scholarship there. I'm from Scotland, so tuition is home funded at StA, and I'm applying for the accom student loan too.

I know there's a big gap between StA and Cambridge prestige-wise, but I've genuinely lost faith in education and the meritocracy bullshit. I've won a lot of prestigious awards at various elite institutions, and it all feels so incredibly corrupt and hypocritical, especially with the bloody word “talent” - there are talented people EVERYWHERE, but it’s all twisted by wealth. Honestly, I just want to have fun at university without the constant feeling of being indebted and this resentment. I'm doing econ, the job marketplace is fucked in a few years anyway, so I'm just going to network my way into wherever I end up. After all, it's just wealth and connections doing the heavy lifting, isn't it?

Sorry for the rant. What do you think?

Sunbathing in Scotland? Yes it can be warm enough sometimes! Hopefully soon if the forecast is to be believed, 20C at the weekend if we're lucky 🤞

Just discussing this with my flatmates and we weren't sure what the laws were. Can we sunbathe topless in the garden if other houses overlook it? Is that illegal? (presumably completely private gardens are fine, it's private in the sense that only we have access to it, but it's in town so there's always other houses nearby) What if we went to West Sands, if it's a quiet spot?

I know it might sound stupid, but it's a genuine question.

Thanks!

Hey guys, I’m deciding between UCL and St Andrews for History/Literature and feel genuinely torn.

UCL feels like the more strategic option: stronger global name, London location, more internships/networking/talks/events, and endless variety in terms of people, societies, culture, nightlife, and career opportunities. London is also big enough that I could avoid old school/social circles if needed, and Bloomsbury seems more student-heavy than I initially thought, so maybe it does offer some balance between city life and university life. And I would consider myself a more social person so according to my friends and family, making friends shouldnt be as much of an issue (im still super scared on that though)

My worries with UCL are that it might feel too big and impersonal. I’m scared of feeling like a number in large lectures, having to constantly force friendships, and not getting the close-knit “proper university” experience I’ve always imagined. I also have family in London, and part of what I wanted from university was a real fresh start, so I’m worried I’d be pulled back into my old life instead of fully building a new one. Academically, UCL also seems less flexible, and I’m concerned about being locked into my course too early, and not being able to explore and grow as much as I would like.

St Andrews feels much closer to the university experience I pictured: walkable, traditional, student-focused, and close-knit, with familiar faces, societies, traditions, lawns, and a real campus/town bubble. I like that friendships might form more naturally because you keep seeing the same people. Academically, it seems like a stronger fit for my actual interests in History and Literature, with smaller teaching, tutorials, closer professor contact, and Scottish degree flexibility. It also gives me distance from family/old routines without feeling as extreme as moving somewhere completely isolated.

My worries with St Andrews are that it may be too safe or familiar, and maybe I’m choosing comfort rather than growth. I’m also scared the bubble could become repetitive, socially claustrophobic, or cliquey, especially if there are wealth/background divides. Career-wise, I know I’d have to be more intentional with internships and summers because I wouldn’t have London’s constant access to opportunities.

There’s also the offer anxiety - I’m not sure how flexible either university would be if I missed my grades.

Overall, UCL feels like the stronger career/prestige choice, while St Andrews feels like the stronger personal, academic, and social fit. I’m trying to figure out whether St Andrews is genuine fit or just comfort, and whether UCL would push me in a good way or just make me feel lost and I would be so grateful for any any help. Thank you so so much

Hello - Visiting in late June and staying close to the main street in St Andrews (15 min walk).. and have to catch an early flight from EDI. Can't seem to find a viable option.. pre-booking an Uber etc.. is there a Taxi Service that I can pre-book? Or another ride-share? Flight is around 6:30 AM so not sure if public transportation works?

Thanks

Hey I'm a St Andrews offer holder for 2026 and I was wondering if there were any group chats from upcoming freshmen?

Hello,

It seems like St. Regulus is the only building where students with food allergies are placed, which is the case for my daughter. How are the accommodation at St. Regulus and the student life?

She is also sensitive to old rugs, dust mites etc...

Hi! I am a current student on an Integrated Masters (MSci) programme pathway, and I was wondering if I have the possibility to downgrade to a regular Bachelor's during or before orientation week of fourth year?

Will they allow me to switch down, or is it only possible before the end of the third year? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm an incoming undergraduate student here at St Andrews and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the availability of jobs in and around the town and if I would be able to get one relatively soon after arriving in September? From what little I have heard, it doesn't sound the best given there's thousands of students and only so many jobs in such a small place, but I wanted to hear about what anyone's personal experiences are.

Furthermore, if you do work alongside your studies, how do you find the balance between work, university and your social life? If its any help, for context, I'm intending to study physics so any responses from anyone else doing physics about this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for reading :)

Hello,

Which accommodation building at University of St. Andrews has the nicest rooms?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge!

Hi! I’m joining st andrews in september, and I just wanted to know how much I should budget monthly for living expenses in st andrews? This would include paying for social events, joining societies, going out, maybe saving for little trips etc. Whats a comfortable monthly budget? Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions :)

Hey everyone! I am doing background research for a fiction book where a couple of characters go to St Andrews for a single semester. It's a pretty inconsequential detail, but I'm a perfectionist and like to keep things realistic lol. Are there any halls where you'd have your own bedroom but share a common area or bathroom with just one other student? Or are the only shared options bedrooms with two beds that share an en-suite? Thanks in advance haha the website is confusing with how it explains accomodations and I can't find floor plans anywhere!

Hi,

Worried about not hitting my conditional offer. I can provide proof of reasonable extenuating circumstances but I’m unsure whether they will care. Has anyone had an experience similar to this or are aware of how good they are with it? For context i’m a UK student.

Thanks 😁

Is it common for the private landlord to start the housing lease from June even students won't be there until Sept when the semester starts? I understand that they want to lock the tenants in. You end up paying for a place you don't live in. Also, how difficult is it to find a place toward. the end of the summer before the Uni starts if not now? Thanks.

hello all. i am an american who will be starting their undergraduate degree at st andrew’s next year. j want to preface this by saying this is by no means a majorly important thing to me, but i realize that mary jane is illegal in the UK and i was wondering if that is something that’s completely non existent at the school? i do prefer usage of it over alcohol given some personal history. thanks!

Hi,
I have a conditional for one of the gateway programs

It is BBB, however I’m honestly not confident in getting it, more like CBB.

I am doing an advanced higher and I’m hoping to get a decent grade in that (this is not apart of my conditions)

I was talking to a teacher, and they said if (touch wood ) I don’t meet my conditions to phone or email and see if they still have a place.

I was wondering if this has happened to anyone / what people think.

As a catholic conservative are there Catholic or conservative clubs that I could join? I would assume the town and college lean more left but is there still a place for conservatives

Hello! I’m just asking a question to the people who study Econ. Is there a big proportion of the course that’s maths based? I loved the subject at A Level and would like to continue it (I got an A* last year and am on a gap year now,) but the maths puts me off. How have you found it considering Maths A Level isn’t an entry requirement?

Thank you!