St Andrews Reviews

Living in St Andrews

St Andrews, home to the university of the same name, is a small town nestled on the east coast of Scotland with a great deal to offer students. It has beaches, historic buildings, golf courses, cafes, shops.. 

St Andrews is known for two things, one is the University of St Andrews and the other is golf. The fact that this coastal town is also the internationally revered “home of golf” might be a bit surprising to you when you consider it’s reputation for some wild and windy weather, but it’s been said that you’re not a real golfing professional if you haven’t won a game in St Andrews, and there are seven golf courses locally if you fancy trying.

Of course, since you’re a student, it’s probably the university that you’re here for. The University of St Andrews is the oldest in Scotland, and the third oldest in the English-speaking world, so there’s a certain Wow-factor in telling anybody that this is where you’re studying.

Students make up a third of the town during term time, so the locals are well-used to having you around and although the town is small there’s enough shops to get your creature comforts sorted. St Andrews is on a large peninsula with no other big towns nearby, keeping you a comfortable distance from the main traffic routes. The nightlife is quiet, with a lot of pubs and bars rather than clubs (for those, and for major shopping trips, you want Dundee which is about an hour away by train) so it’s well-suited to those who have a ‘less is more’ attitude to student partying. St Andrews’ cinema is the New Picture House, and the building is a little slice of history where you can watch current movie releases in old-fashioned style.

On your days off you’re in a great place to explore the great outdoors. St Andrews' spot on the coast of north-east Fife means that the town is surrounded by stunning countryside to one side, and the North Sea with its small fishing villages to the other. St Andrews itself has some great beaches and dramatic cliffs, and the Fife Coastal path runs past it for those that want to venture a little further afield or get in some bird-watching. Each September there’s also a highly recommended airshow in nearby Leuchars.  If you find you just can’t stay away from the place, this should be enough to coax your back before term starts.

Quick! I need food!

• Marmaris: Your quick-fix kebab. Every town should have one
• Le Rendez-Vous: This little cafe does a stonking list of paninis and pizzas, and the price is nice and low
• The Seafood Restaurant: It’s more expensive, but you should try it at least once. Or wait for your parents to visit and get them to treat you!

Good to know

• Bus: The 99 is your number! This bus loops the town centre and goes to the train station at Leuchars, which is your route into Dundee.
• Taxi: HM Taxis does a deal to Leuchars station, and Town & Country Taxis has wheelchair access cabs.