University of St Andrews
What's St Andrews really like?
I'm considering St Andrews for 2015 entry, and I want to know what it's really like there.
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
Scroll to see replies
It's small, there's no denying but I have personally never been lonely. If you make the effort to make a really great group of friends you find the days fly by. There are a few bars and 1 club but that means you go to house parties more than said bars and clubs which is great fun. There are a lot of societies and sports you can do, and the socials for these are really fun.
Academically, it's fantastic. IR and languages are especially well taught, in my opinion. The tutors are great and they push you, but not too hard in first year. The town itself is lovely and really welcoming. You get the occasional douchebag but you get that everywhere I suppose.
Academically, it's fantastic. IR and languages are especially well taught, in my opinion. The tutors are great and they push you, but not too hard in first year. The town itself is lovely and really welcoming. You get the occasional douchebag but you get that everywhere I suppose.
University of St Andrews
Original post by Ignite
I'm considering St Andrews for 2015 entry, and I want to know what it's really like there.
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
I think it is too small, I wouldn't say its lonely, its more boring. There really isn't much to do and most people are too lazy to go to Edinburgh or Dundee often.
Academics are great. The teaching is top notch (at least for medicine), the facilities are great (library could be bigger though), the marking scheme is fair, and the faculty are responsive.
Overall, you have to like it. It is a small town and it does lack a lot. Housing is really a pain and living costs are really high for a village.
If you're main purpose for university is still to study hard/learn a lot then yes St Andrews is a great place. There isn't much to do so there are fewer distractions, the academics are great, getting to class doesn't take too long etc.
Original post by Ignite
I'm considering St Andrews for 2015 entry, and I want to know what it's really like there.
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
Everyone has a different experience or view of what St Andrews is really like. None of them are necessarily right or wrong, but it depends on the person, so you really won't know what it's really like for you until you've been there.
I personally find it small, lonely, and quite boring. There aren't a whole lot of individual activities (no proper theatre, for example, and one can only spend so much time in dance classes), so if you're not a naturally sociable or outgoing person, it can be hard to meet people and make friends. But if you're not a partier, it makes it easier to focus on your schoolwork with so little to do in the town.
Academically, it's quite good. The History department is brilliant. I'm not a fan of the classics department (poorly organised, disorganised lectures, uninterested tutors, etc.), but I'm sure it has its merits. I do think very highly of the History department though (especially the Medieval tutors and lecturers).
If you want to get a feel for the school, try and come up and visit some time during the school year. It's not the same as being a student, but it gives you a better idea of what you're walking into. The small town isn't for everyone, so it's good to come and see whether you think you can handle it or not.
I think that ElizabethRG's advice is wrong, about the social aspect at least.
You don't necessarily have to be outgoing or sociable to make friends, you actually just have to make the effort to socialise during freshers week. You don't have to be a drinker to get involved in social events. There isn't a proper theatre as the Byre closed last year, granted, but there are lots of other EC you can do, all of which have socials. You just really have to put yourself out there. It's the smallest place I've ever lived (coming from Dubai, Edinburgh, London, Riyadh, Nicosia) and yet it's the place I've felt most at home, never bored, and it's the happiest I've ever been. I really like walking down the street and seeing lots of familiar faces and being able to chat to people on the way to tescos or lectures. It's really homely, if you want it to be. It's only lonely if you want it to be.
Academically I'd agree, it is outstanding. IR and languages are especially fantastic.
You don't necessarily have to be outgoing or sociable to make friends, you actually just have to make the effort to socialise during freshers week. You don't have to be a drinker to get involved in social events. There isn't a proper theatre as the Byre closed last year, granted, but there are lots of other EC you can do, all of which have socials. You just really have to put yourself out there. It's the smallest place I've ever lived (coming from Dubai, Edinburgh, London, Riyadh, Nicosia) and yet it's the place I've felt most at home, never bored, and it's the happiest I've ever been. I really like walking down the street and seeing lots of familiar faces and being able to chat to people on the way to tescos or lectures. It's really homely, if you want it to be. It's only lonely if you want it to be.
Academically I'd agree, it is outstanding. IR and languages are especially fantastic.
Original post by Calllu-m
I think that ElizabethRG's advice is wrong, about the social aspect at least.
You don't necessarily have to be outgoing or sociable to make friends, you actually just have to make the effort to socialise during freshers week. You don't have to be a drinker to get involved in social events. There isn't a proper theatre as the Byre closed last year, granted, but there are lots of other EC you can do, all of which have socials. You just really have to put yourself out there. It's the smallest place I've ever lived (coming from Dubai, Edinburgh, London, Riyadh, Nicosia) and yet it's the place I've felt most at home, never bored, and it's the happiest I've ever been. I really like walking down the street and seeing lots of familiar faces and being able to chat to people on the way to tescos or lectures. It's really homely, if you want it to be. It's only lonely if you want it to be.
You don't necessarily have to be outgoing or sociable to make friends, you actually just have to make the effort to socialise during freshers week. You don't have to be a drinker to get involved in social events. There isn't a proper theatre as the Byre closed last year, granted, but there are lots of other EC you can do, all of which have socials. You just really have to put yourself out there. It's the smallest place I've ever lived (coming from Dubai, Edinburgh, London, Riyadh, Nicosia) and yet it's the place I've felt most at home, never bored, and it's the happiest I've ever been. I really like walking down the street and seeing lots of familiar faces and being able to chat to people on the way to tescos or lectures. It's really homely, if you want it to be. It's only lonely if you want it to be.
I didn't offer any 'advice' about the social aspect… just an opinion, and an opinion can't be wrong. Not everyone is comfortable with 'putting themselves out there', and if you're not that kind of person, it is incredibly lonely. So your opinion is right, but mine is too, because we've clearly had two different experiences. That's the point of the topic; different opinions and experiences.
Just to offer another opinion then, I'm not outgoing and I didn't overly enjoy freshers last year nor this year (it was okay, just overrated). Nonetheless I have made loads of friends - most of whom through my accommodation.
The town is small and by the end of term it is quite nice to get out - there isn't loads to do in St Andrews, although that being said there are lots of flat parties/society events/time to spend hanging out with friends to keep you occupied in free time. You are mostly there to study after all. But being small, it definitely isn't lonely. You really can't walk from one end to the other without bumping into someone you know. I love this about St Andrews, although it probably won't be for everyone.
I come from London so it is a stark difference but I absolutely love it. I also love coming back home to break things up and keep a change, but I'm so happy I chose St Andrews.
The town is small and by the end of term it is quite nice to get out - there isn't loads to do in St Andrews, although that being said there are lots of flat parties/society events/time to spend hanging out with friends to keep you occupied in free time. You are mostly there to study after all. But being small, it definitely isn't lonely. You really can't walk from one end to the other without bumping into someone you know. I love this about St Andrews, although it probably won't be for everyone.
I come from London so it is a stark difference but I absolutely love it. I also love coming back home to break things up and keep a change, but I'm so happy I chose St Andrews.
Original post by Ignite
I'm considering St Andrews for 2015 entry, and I want to know what it's really like there.
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
I hear a lot of preconceptions about the university, people say that it's too small, it's too lonely and so on, but I really want to hear firsthand what it's like there as opposed to what people think it's like.
Current students or alumnae only, please! Thank you!
It is true that it's a small university, but I've seen this as nothing but a good thing. I seem to have a very different university experience to my other friends who study elsewhere, this isn't to say either is better or worse, but at St Andrews there's so much opportunity to get involved. In St Andrews everything is on your doorstop and you can easily be busy every night of the week if you want to be. My friends at larger universities tend to socialise in halls/flats/just as a group of friends rather than getting involved in societies. At St Andrews most people will be involved in a society of some sort.
One thing is that you do feel like you're at university all the time. Even when you live in a house or flat, you're never really away from uni. For some people this is a good thing, but for others it's a bit frustrating when you're pretty much living on top of your university. But I've certainly enjoyed my time here so far and will be sad to leave!
Also, loads of people choose to stay in St Andrews all the time, but it's so easy to get to Dundee/Edinburgh/Glasgow. I go to Dundee three times a week at least. After living in St Andrews for a bit going to a real supermarket becomes a very exciting prospect!
St Andrews definitely isn't lonely, you'll hear this all the time, you have to leave for classes early because you will bump into several people you know.
St Andrews is quite unusual. It's can feel isolated and small, and winter is unbearable because of the darkness (at least for me anyway). This, however, is compensated by spring which is very beautiful.
It's a great uni and you will meet a lot of people, although it's not for everyone. I think after the third or fourth year some people can grow quite tired of it and want to move on. It's intimate and you find yourself bumping into people you know all the time, this can be good some days and bad on others when you want to be left alone. It is very much a make-your-own-fun kind of place, so my advice to you to have an enjoyable time is to get involved in activities that will take up your time (outside of studying of course), sports or whatever. So spend the first year there getting involved in loads of activities, and at the end of the year have a think which ones you enjoyed most and met the most people that you think you could be friends with.
Also try to get to know people in your degree class, it can be quite exhausting come December and you're inundated with work and studies and it's constant darkness, and it's good to know some people who are going through the same course as you, you won't feel so alone.
The point is, try and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy, and make the most of your classes. St Andrews is the type of place where it gives you back what you put in.
It's a great uni and you will meet a lot of people, although it's not for everyone. I think after the third or fourth year some people can grow quite tired of it and want to move on. It's intimate and you find yourself bumping into people you know all the time, this can be good some days and bad on others when you want to be left alone. It is very much a make-your-own-fun kind of place, so my advice to you to have an enjoyable time is to get involved in activities that will take up your time (outside of studying of course), sports or whatever. So spend the first year there getting involved in loads of activities, and at the end of the year have a think which ones you enjoyed most and met the most people that you think you could be friends with.
Also try to get to know people in your degree class, it can be quite exhausting come December and you're inundated with work and studies and it's constant darkness, and it's good to know some people who are going through the same course as you, you won't feel so alone.
The point is, try and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy, and make the most of your classes. St Andrews is the type of place where it gives you back what you put in.
Original post by Blaubeuren
It is true that it's a small university, but I've seen this as nothing but a good thing. I seem to have a very different university experience to my other friends who study elsewhere, this isn't to say either is better or worse, but at St Andrews there's so much opportunity to get involved. In St Andrews everything is on your doorstop and you can easily be busy every night of the week if you want to be. My friends at larger universities tend to socialise in halls/flats/just as a group of friends rather than getting involved in societies. At St Andrews most people will be involved in a society of some sort.
One thing is that you do feel like you're at university all the time. Even when you live in a house or flat, you're never really away from uni. For some people this is a good thing, but for others it's a bit frustrating when you're pretty much living on top of your university. But I've certainly enjoyed my time here so far and will be sad to leave!
Also, loads of people choose to stay in St Andrews all the time, but it's so easy to get to Dundee/Edinburgh/Glasgow. I go to Dundee three times a week at least. After living in St Andrews for a bit going to a real supermarket becomes a very exciting prospect!
St Andrews definitely isn't lonely, you'll hear this all the time, you have to leave for classes early because you will bump into several people you know.
One thing is that you do feel like you're at university all the time. Even when you live in a house or flat, you're never really away from uni. For some people this is a good thing, but for others it's a bit frustrating when you're pretty much living on top of your university. But I've certainly enjoyed my time here so far and will be sad to leave!
Also, loads of people choose to stay in St Andrews all the time, but it's so easy to get to Dundee/Edinburgh/Glasgow. I go to Dundee three times a week at least. After living in St Andrews for a bit going to a real supermarket becomes a very exciting prospect!
St Andrews definitely isn't lonely, you'll hear this all the time, you have to leave for classes early because you will bump into several people you know.
'Real supermarket'? What about Aldi and Morrisons up by the hospital?
Original post by JTR__
'Real supermarket'? What about Aldi and Morrisons up by the hospital?
So far away though......
Original post by ukmed108
So far away though......
Not really, about 20 minutes from the centre! It takes longer by car to get to Dundee centre, let alone out to the supermarkets...
Original post by JTR__
Not really, about 20 minutes from the centre! It takes longer by car to get to Dundee centre, let alone out to the supermarkets...
Problem is walking back from the supermarket with a ton of groceries though. I guess i'm just lazy.
Original post by ukmed108
Problem is walking back from the supermarket with a ton of groceries though. I guess i'm just lazy.
Bus?
Original post by Calllu-m
Bus?
Either way, he's going to have to carry this stuff home! It does seem quite silly to me
Any other city I've lived in you've had to walk at least as far as you do to get to Morrisons to get to a decent supermarket. I think we're just spoilt in St Andrews that everything else is in like 5 minutes walking distance.
Also, get together with your housemates and get a taxi back from Morrisons if the walk's too much!
Also, get together with your housemates and get a taxi back from Morrisons if the walk's too much!
I do agree with the getting spoilt bit. I had friends who refused to walk from the castle to the whey pat. Yes, that's at the other side of south street but still a five minute walk.... St Andrews is often either being loved or hated, mainly because of it's smallness. If you are a London person (so to say) and quaint traditions mean nothing to you, you should consider another university. At some point you won't be able to walk 100 metres without bumping into at least five people you know... So I think it's very easy to get to know people, also because they are so many opportunities to get involved (sports clubs, societies, academic families ...). One of the major downsides of the social life is the amount of gossiping floating around (giving the town's size, that's probably not a surprise).
Original post by JTR__
'Real supermarket'? What about Aldi and Morrisons up by the hospital?
They shut really early and little Tesco is a bit pants. I've driven to Dundee just to go to their large 24-hour Tesco (and to get out of St Andrews) a few times.
Original post by TattyBoJangles
. I've driven to Dundee just to go to their large 24-hour Tesco
There's at least 3 massive 24-hour Tescos in Dundee! The one on South Road is the best, it's on stilts and has travelators so you can get the trolleys up!
Original post by la_banane_verte
There's at least 3 massive 24-hour Tescos in Dundee! The one on South Road is the best, it's on stilts and has travelators so you can get the trolleys up!
Ooh, really? I've just been going to the one on the river front, might have to venture over to that one
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