St Andrews culture(?)

I've decided to go to the uni, but I'm still worried about the 'culture' there, as in I'm coming from a working class background and I've heard some bad things about the classism there. If anyone had any insights that would be good!
Also I'm going in blind really as I couldn't afford to get to the town for the offer day, so general advice is also good!

Reply 1

jean_eggshells

9

Original post by Anonymous

I've decided to go to the uni, but I'm still worried about the 'culture' there, as in I'm coming from a working class background and I've heard some bad things about the classism there. If anyone had any insights that would be good!
Also I'm going in blind really as I couldn't afford to get to the town for the offer day, so general advice is also good!

There's a big golfing culture in St Andrews, and its an "oxbridge reject" uni so the private school count will probably be quite high, there are also a lot of Americans, not too sure why, but there are lots, and apparently some are very lovely. What's important is, when you're applying to competative universities you're always going to be competing with privately educated kids who's parents have essentially paid for their A-Levels. They're everywhere. That's why its so important that when you get to Uni you get involved in clubs through the Student Union because that's where you'll meet to people who think like you do. Those first few weeks are gonna be tough because you'll be a treck from home and you won't know anyone, but persevere, put yourself out there, and you'll find your people! You'll know who to avoid, they tend to stick out like sore thumbs! (St Andrews does have an alarmingly high student satisfaction rate, so I'm sure you'll be in good hands)

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

I've decided to go to the uni, but I'm still worried about the 'culture' there, as in I'm coming from a working class background and I've heard some bad things about the classism there. If anyone had any insights that would be good!
Also I'm going in blind really as I couldn't afford to get to the town for the offer day, so general advice is also good!

I have been worried about this too. I’m a student from NI and I come from a working class background as well. I don’t know anyone going and I have heard about the stereotypes. I am still debating whether to go as another issue is that the accommodation and living cost is expensive. I am unable to do the joint subject study that st andrews offers at my local university, therefore I would have to settle in terms of degree. Staying at home, however, would be cheaper. It’s such a hard decision to be honest I don’t know what to do

Reply 3

Anonymous #3

Original post by Anonymous

I have been worried about this too. I’m a student from NI and I come from a working class background as well. I don’t know anyone going and I have heard about the stereotypes. I am still debating whether to go as another issue is that the accommodation and living cost is expensive. I am unable to do the joint subject study that st andrews offers at my local university, therefore I would have to settle in terms of degree. Staying at home, however, would be cheaper. It’s such a hard decision to be honest I don’t know what to do

I don’t think you should settle for a course, as you might regret it. You will get maintenance loans ( could be a bit more than normal if you come from a lower income) and can find a part time job in the area before you start, to support yourself.

Reply 4

S1098

8

Don't be put off by the stereotypes. Yes there are students that fit the stereotypes but there are many more that don't. A large proportion of the Scottish students get in with contextual flags, so typically lower income. As a previous poster has said, you just need to get out there and find like minded people. On accommodation, yes it can be tricky but it is getting easier now that the COVID years students are graduating. Again, easier if you make friends through clubs and find fourth years who are graduating and giving up flats. Others choose to live in Dundee which is cheaper but you have to commute. I'd definitely recommend a visit. But if you can't, then do research where you are picking. It's a small town. Don't go if you want the city student experience. It can be really sociable but mostly through student societies/flat parties - not clubbing!

Reply 5

Anonymous #4

I am also a NI student from a lower income family. I've applied to St Andrews, waiting to receive an offer back. I hope you have applied for the St Andrews access scholarship the deadline is today at 11:59 pm. You can get up to about £4000 per year grant for maintenance from the uni. I wouldn't be concerned about classism - there will certainly be well off people there, as with any uni, but I don't think that reputation should stand as much any more, given that everyone can access tuition fee loans, and the difference in cost of living is not major. I imagine there will be a good mix of economic classes.

Reply 6

Anonymous #5

Original post by jean_eggshells

There's a big golfing culture in St Andrews, and its an "oxbridge reject" uni so the private school count will probably be quite high, there are also a lot of Americans, not too sure why, but there are lots, and apparently some are very lovely. What's important is, when you're applying to competative universities you're always going to be competing with privately educated kids who's parents have essentially paid for their A-Levels. They're everywhere. That's why its so important that when you get to Uni you get involved in clubs through the Student Union because that's where you'll meet to people who think like you do. Those first few weeks are gonna be tough because you'll be a treck from home and you won't know anyone, but persevere, put yourself out there, and you'll find your people! You'll know who to avoid, they tend to stick out like sore thumbs! (St Andrews does have an alarmingly high student satisfaction rate, so I'm sure you'll be in good hands)

private school students don’t ‘pay for their a levels’. yes, they have more opportunities or better/more specialist teachers; at the end of the day, we all sit the same exam! they are also not by default classist / rely wholly on parents, academic wise, there are private school kids who do very badly.

Reply 7

Anonymous #5

also, it’s extremely important to recognise private schools kids don’t all have equal access to that level of opportunities. there are parents who work really hard to get their one kid into the private sector. i go to a private school, certainly most are not aristocrats. the line between state and private need not be this distinct

Reply 8

S1098

8

Original post by ReeseJamPiece

I've been put off applying for St. Andrews as I am from a 5% deprived SIMD area and went to a low-ranked state school. The university is prestigious on paper but if you can't socialise or make friends because of your background, it ruins the whole experience and you end up isolated. I would rather go to university locally and be with people similar to me than be stuck alone in an expensive place full of toffs. Edinburgh Uni is meant to be the worst for it, hardly any Scottish students there.

Hardly any Scottish students at Edinburgh uni? Yes fewer than at other Scottish unis but still 29% of students.

Reply 9

S1098

8

Original post by ReeseJamPiece

I've been put off applying for St. Andrews as I am from a 5% deprived SIMD area and went to a low-ranked state school. The university is prestigious on paper but if you can't socialise or make friends because of your background, it ruins the whole experience and you end up isolated. I would rather go to university locally and be with people similar to me than be stuck alone in an expensive place full of toffs. Edinburgh Uni is meant to be the worst for it, hardly any Scottish students there.

Obviously you can choose to stay close to home. But don't presume you couldn't make friends in St Andrews. There is a diversity of students with a range of interests (and budgets).

Reply 10

Anonymous #6

Ok probably going to ignore this as an opinion from an old St Andrews grad (1992 medicine)from Scottish working class background. Life is what you make it. Having a chip on your shoulder about "class" is something that will hold you back. If you get a place in a very competitive uni you deserve to be there perhaps more so than others with easier lives. Most people are pleasant where ever they are from, some are ********s, that is life. Not doing something as you assume something that might just be your own silly prejudice holds you back forever. Just be brave

Reply 11

Picnicl

17

Original post by ReeseJamPiece

So not even a quarter in our own country? That's motivating. Definitely not a class barrier there at all.

That's because of the high international numbers too. In 2022, it was said that Edinburgh had 33% international. St Andrews had 40.4%.

Aberdeen 22.8%, Dundee 14.4%, Glasgow 20.8%.

(edited 1 month ago)

St Andrews culture(?)

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