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St Andrews - Ask A Current Student Thread

Reply 9040

lilyc393

2

storage can someone please recommend a good company

Reply 9041

theresheglows

12

Original post by lilyc393

storage can someone please recommend a good company

St Andrews Student Storage or Storage St Andrews.
From personal experience don't use St Andrews Storage Service (basically one man with a van and some spare space somewhere, he charged me double what he quoted)

and yes, they are all different companies!

Reply 9042

username1514999

16

One for the language students :smile:

I wasn't sure where to post this.. I'm just looking into which courses there are on offer here. I'm interested in the triple honours MA Foreign Languages: double languages and english probably :smile:

Anyways, I'm a bit confused.. If you do a triple honours, do the languages you study have to have been studied to A Level? I'm only doing Spanish at A Level and would love to do spanish and italian. In the 4 years Triple Honours programme, can you start italian ab initio? any insight would be appreciated..so confused :s-smilie:

Thanks! Haha

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Reply 9043

JTR__

16

Original post by kiera28

One for the language students :smile:

I wasn't sure where to post this.. I'm just looking into which courses there are on offer here. I'm interested in the triple honours MA Foreign Languages: double languages and english probably :smile:

Anyways, I'm a bit confused.. If you do a triple honours, do the languages you study have to have been studied to A Level? I'm only doing Spanish at A Level and would love to do spanish and italian. In the 4 years Triple Honours programme, can you start italian ab initio? any insight would be appreciated..so confused :s-smilie:

Thanks! Haha

Posted from TSR Mobile

Im not a language student, but my friend took the triple languages course, beginning Russian from scratch. As far as I'm aware, as long as it fits your timetable you're okay! The only language that doesn't offer ab initio is french. it is listed as a course (triple honours) but be prepared for a lot of hard work in honours if that's what you're planning.

Reply 9044

username1514999

16

Original post by JTR__

Im not a language student, but my friend took the triple languages course, beginning Russian from scratch. As far as I'm aware, as long as it fits your timetable you're okay! The only language that doesn't offer ab initio is french. it is listed as a course (triple honours) but be prepared for a lot of hard work in honours if that's what you're planning.

Thanks so much! This may sound like a stupid question, but if I did one language ab initio along with a Post- A Level language (with another subject, probably english) as part of the triple honours, would I be expected to reach the same language proficiency in my new language as if I studied it in a standard joint honours degree?
Hmmm I'm not sure if that makes sense :s-smilie:

What I'm trying to ask is: even though they'd have less time and modules allotted to each subject in a triple honours, would a student still be expected to reach the same 'fluency level' as if it they were studying a joint (double) honours? Sorry for the confused wording of this question!

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(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9045

cora06140

12

Hi, question from a foreign parent whose daughter is now offline for 3 months and will start at St Andrews in September. Want to make sure we have things sorted as there will be little time between her return and time to leave for uni.

Other than your clothes, what should you bring when you come over? She will be flying in, so wondering how much might be needed. We don't yet know her accommodation but assume that we can go to Dundee and buy all necessary bedding, etc. Or are the UniKitOut website packs any good?

Also need to check what happens during Fresher's week - any balls for which ballgowns or such attire might be needed and if so, are they easy to hire or should you plan to bring one with you? Anything else one needs to look out for or book in advance, etc.

And finally, are uni red gowns readily available - do you need to purchase one as soon as you arrive, are they needed immediately? I have read you can find them second hand, so will look out for this too.

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for your help!

Reply 9046

cora06140

12

Original post by bbrookeburton

You don't have to take subjects from just the science faculty - I'm on a BSc but I took modules in history in first year. As long as they're no timetabling clash, you can take anything!

Oh! At an open day, the admission person giving the talk explained that, apart from languages, Science students could only take options from the Science faculty. Is that not true then? That would be great news actually!Can someone confirm either way?

Reply 9047

JTR__

16

Original post by cora06140

Oh! At an open day, the admission person giving the talk explained that, apart from languages, Science students could only take options from the Science faculty. Is that not true then? That would be great news actually!Can someone confirm either way?

My science friends have taken modules in ancient history, philosophy, economics, and french, so yes, you can take additional modules outside of science. 😀

Reply 9048

Oxy

14

Original post by cora06140

Oh! At an open day, the admission person giving the talk explained that, apart from languages, Science students could only take options from the Science faculty. Is that not true then? That would be great news actually!Can someone confirm either way?

Yes this is true, students enrolled onto Science faculty subjects can only take modules within the faculty. However some subjects are "cross-faculty" namely:

Economics
Geography
Management
Mathematics
Psychology
Sustainable Development

There may be exceptions where your degree is a "with" degree i.e. Computer Science with Economics....Apart from that there only thing preventing you taking a module are the pre-requisites.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9049

la_banane_verte

16

Original post by cora06140

Oh! At an open day, the admission person giving the talk explained that, apart from languages, Science students could only take options from the Science faculty. Is that not true then? That would be great news actually!Can someone confirm either way?

You can take modules outside of science, as long as you still meet the Faculty regulations for your degree (they're online somewhere if you want to look them up, but your advisor should keep you straight on that).

Reply 9050

bbrookeburton

Original post by cli3612

Hi all!

A couple of questions on extra-curricular activities at St Andrews:

How many can a typical fresher do without depleting your weeks of social life? I definitely want to join The Saint (hoping to eventually go into journalism), as well as do Water Polo and Swimming (Although I've heard that doing those two sports simultaneously takes up around three hours every day, not including games :frown:

((( ). I'm reading for both economics and IR. Is this too much?

If your sports are in the same season, then I think that might be a bit excessive! Most people participating in only 1 sport find it difficult to manage work. I usually have 2 nights a week with extra curriculars and quite often I attend other events put on by societies I'm a part of. I find this is easily manageable with work, though as I'm also on 2 committees, keeps me quite busy!

Reply 9051

bbrookeburton

Original post by cora06140

Hi, question from a foreign parent whose daughter is now offline for 3 months and will start at St Andrews in September. Want to make sure we have things sorted as there will be little time between her return and time to leave for uni.

Other than your clothes, what should you bring when you come over? She will be flying in, so wondering how much might be needed. We don't yet know her accommodation but assume that we can go to Dundee and buy all necessary bedding, etc. Or are the UniKitOut website packs any good?

Also need to check what happens during Fresher's week - any balls for which ballgowns or such attire might be needed and if so, are they easy to hire or should you plan to bring one with you? Anything else one needs to look out for or book in advance, etc.

And finally, are uni red gowns readily available - do you need to purchase one as soon as you arrive, are they needed immediately? I have read you can find them second hand, so will look out for this too.

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for your help!

My best advice as an international student myself is to pack as light as possible. She can always buy what she needs at uni (Dundee has basically everything and Edinburgh isn't so far away). I wouldn't buy the uni bedding as it's not that good quality...I actually brought everything but my duvet from home. Fresher's week is full of social events (not just for freshers either!). I don't know if you are familiar with american college orientation, but its basically nothing like that! Halls will have events ranging from barbeques (for self catered) to parties and socials to help residents get to know each other. The university also puts together a week of nightly acts which are usually great fun...though I only went to 2-3 of the events, so buying a fresher's pass covering all the events wasn't really worth it for me. If she's new to Scotland, the ceilidh is definitely the best of the year and was really a cultural experience. She should bring some fancy dresses for balls, depending on how many she'd like (and can afford) to attend. There usually aren't any balls in the first few weeks anyway! In regards to red gowns, they usually go on sale the Sunday before classes start and they sell the secondhand gowns first at the union. I think I waited in line for about 3 hours. Although they're part of the uni experience, there's no need at all to buy them. There are no occasions that they're required and they're very pricey for the amount of time students wear them in a year (1-2 times??) Many students don't buy them at all. Best of luck to your daughter!

Reply 9052

username941859

18

Original post by Oxy

Yes this is true, students enrolled onto Science faculty subjects can only take modules within the faculty. However some subjects are "cross-faculty" namely:

Economics
Geography
Management
Mathematics
Psychology
Sustainable Development

There may be exceptions where your degree is a "with" degree i.e. Computer Science with Economics....Apart from that there only thing preventing you taking a module are the pre-requisites.

That actually isn't true. Science modules can take 20 credits per semester from Arts/Divinity. The only restrictions are IR (as it's oversubscribed) and timetabling.

Reply 9053

kulpeiro

2

Hi! There is no decent flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow on Saturday&Sunday (5-6.09) so I need to decide whether come Friday (and book a room in a hotel) or Monday evening (and miss any event, party, meeting). Actually, is it really important to be there on September 7th? Thanks in advance :smile:

Reply 9054

bbrookeburton

Original post by kulpeiro

Hi! There is no decent flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow on Saturday&Sunday (5-6.09) so I need to decide whether come Friday (and book a room in a hotel) or Monday evening (and miss any event, party, meeting). Actually, is it really important to be there on September 7th? Thanks in advance :smile:

All students are technically required to be in St Andrews for the entirety of fresher's week (starting the 7th). If you are a first year student, I would recommend coming in on friday and staying in a hotel (maybe stay in edinburgh as it's cheaper?) and then come up and move in. It was easier for me to meet people on the saturday night moving in, as I knew that no one else knew each other! Our hall also put on multiple events over the weekend, so people could get to know each other. After first year, it doesn't matter so much (I am arriving on the Monday morning!) but sometimes there is mandatory advising and stuff that can be held on monday! (you defintiely don't want to miss that!) it also does give you more time to move in properly as fresher's week can get quite hectic!

Reply 9055

lphillipsss

Hi!! I'm sorry if this question has been asked already, but clearly there are ALOT of pages to look through hahaha.

What is the dating scene like? Is it mostly hookups, or long term dating? Are the students attractive? Do a lot of students get married to classmates? I'm a girl and am just curious about what the guys look like if i am going to be honest! What is the estimated male/female ratio? I'm sorry if this comes off as shallow, but I mean I just want to know!!

Sorry for so many questions! Thanks again :smile:

Reply 9056

Tina_R

Original post by kulpeiro

Hi! There is no decent flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow on Saturday&Sunday (5-6.09) so I need to decide whether come Friday (and book a room in a hotel) or Monday evening (and miss any event, party, meeting). Actually, is it really important to be there on September 7th? Thanks in advance :smile:

Hi, I'm probably going to be doing the same as well. Probably a connecting flight from London to Edinburgh (no good direct flights to Edinburgh :/) and then spend the night in a hotel or hostel there and grab a train in the morning :biggrin:

I'm just not sure yet wether to book a one way or a return yet.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9057

Gabrielxucram

8

Could a current student please help me decide whether to go to St Andrews or not?

I have a few concerns...

Firstly, can you go in depth in your desired subject of study at St Andrews or is the system more similar to that of the American liberal arts degree?

Are the students unprepared when compared to those of other universities of the same level (Durham, UCL) since the entry standards are much lower?

Are the Americans at St Andrews absolutely annoying or can one bear with them?

Lastly, do you think Durham is more respected than St Andrews in Scotland and England?

Ps: do you have any cautionary tales about the town, university or the people?

Reply 9058

Capricancer

10

Original post by Gabrielxucram

Could a current student please help me decide whether to go to St Andrews or not?

I have a few concerns...

Firstly, can you go in depth in your desired subject of study at St Andrews or is the system more similar to that of the American liberal arts degree?

Are the students unprepared when compared to those of other universities of the same level (Durham, UCL) since the entry standards are much lower?

Are the Americans at St Andrews absolutely annoying or can one bear with them?

Lastly, do you think Durham is more respected than St Andrews in Scotland and England?

Ps: do you have any cautionary tales about the town, university or the people?

1. Yes. If you do some research (e.g. the prospectus), it will tell you how the Scottish system works. First 2 years = usually 3 subjects, last 2 years = specialisation. If you're going into science, you can enter 2nd year (provided you have the grades) and take modules of only the subject you applied for. What subjects are you wanting to do? I did Econ, IR and Management so if you need more specific help - PM me.

2. Don't think St Andrews' entry standards are significantly lower than Durham's or UCL's so can't comment. Look at the average number of UCAS points for each university and they're broadly similar. Durham - 521, St Andrews - 516, UCL - 500.

3. I'm not going to generalise a whole nationality. No idea where you got the idea that all Americans are annoying, sure, some are loud but I'm not going to group them all together. If you have a vendetta against Americans then probably not the best idea to come here as there's a significant number of them here.

4. I would say they hold relatively similar reputations across the UK. St As is free for EU/Scots (Scottish govt. pays) so I know many people who have opted for St Andrews over Durham though.

P.S. The town is small, visit it to see if you can imagine yourself living there for 4 years. There are good transport links to Dundee/Edinburgh/Glasgow if you're keen to get out of 'the bubble'. Everyone I know seems to have enjoyed first year but it could be different for other people. There's criticism over the nightlife but I think the student union is building a club next year.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9059

Gabrielxucram

8

Original post by Capricancer

1. Yes. If you do some research (e.g. the prospectus), it will tell you how the Scottish system works. First 2 years = usually 3 subjects, last 2 years = specialisation. If you're going into science, you can enter 2nd year (provided you have the grades) and take modules of only the subject you applied for. What subjects are you wanting to do? I did Econ, IR and Management so if you need more specific help - PM me.

2. Don't think St Andrews' entry standards are significantly lower than Durham's or UCL's so can't comment. Look at the average number of UCAS points for each university and they're broadly similar. Durham - 521, St Andrews - 516, UCL - 500.

3. I'm not going to generalise a whole nationality. No idea where you got the idea that all Americans are annoying, sure, some are loud but I'm not going to group them all together. If you have a vendetta against Americans then probably not the best idea to come here as there's a significant number of them here.

4. I would say they hold relatively similar reputations across the UK. St As is free for EU/Scots (Scottish govt. pays) so I know many people who have opted for St Andrews over Durham though.

P.S. The town is small, visit it to see if you can imagine yourself living there for 4 years. There are good transport links to Dundee/Edinburgh/Glasgow if you're keen to get out of 'the bubble'. Everyone I know seems to have enjoyed first year but it could be different for other people. There's criticism over the nightlife but I think the student union is building a club next year.

Thank you for the reply. I got accepted to IR and Econ but changed to IR and Philosophy post offer. Anything you could tell me about the IR department?

I thought the average number of UCAS points was in the mid 400's and that's what worried me. Knowing that it is 516 puts me at ease.

I was mostly joking about Americans but they do tend to be... Well... Americans. Nevertheless, they are not a deal breaker.

The town's size doesn't really bother me. I am looking for a university town anyway, so if St Andrews is that, I am fine with it.

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