Ratings and Reviews
The location is spot on – just a short stroll from campus and right in the heart of all the action in town.
University of St Andrews Ranking
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Ratings and Reviews
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Love St Andrews - fab uni, great lecturers, just wish accommodation was cheaper
As an exchange student from Hong Kong in St. Andrews, I have to say the quality of teaching in classes are very high., Nonetheless, because of student compositions that are predominantly English / Europeans , Eurocentric perspectives in classroom dynamics are quite prominent. Often times if you're from anywhere in Asia and you're the Asian in the class it makes you feel a bit inept at explaining / exploring / broaching up cultural discourses.that you find very real but others might find very vague / abstract / unfamiliar. They're also very inflexible when it comes to course load and class quota, with strange prioritization and inaccessible course fill data. No matter how early you enroll yourself in their course you'll be informed that it is full on the day you arrive and that's it, you'll have to go along with something else of a lower priority. I find this quite frustrating and it definitely lowers my impression of the university's committment to improving student experience.
I am currently a postgraduate student at St Andrew's. As far as facilities go st Andrews is pretty good, however, my experience this far academically speaking is the worst I have ever seen. lecturers have no clear standards as to what coursework should be or contain and give random advice to students. No clear instruction or mark schemes were ever provided and feedback was pretty vague. Some scheduling errors between modules appeared due to miscommunication between coordinators and instead of giving students a chance to attend the modules chosen, they basically forced us to forfeit our choice and take whatever is left no matter how meaningful or useful it will be in the career path we decided to follow. How is it that they can't communicate with each other properly and students are left to pay the price.
The university is fantastic. Great reputation, great social life.
Love this place, would recommend to all
My experience at St Andrews has been very disappointing. I feel the university does not invest much effort into genuinely providing students with an education, but rather simply likes to protect and project their long-established reputation of prestige through whatever means necessary. Sometimes that means handing the students the exam paper as a 'mock' before the exam to maximize pass rates, or providing 'free' alcohol using money from student housing payments to increase student satisfaction scores. Ultimately, St Andrews offers a "name-brand" degree that can be obtained through minimal class attendance and effort. There is no 'continuous' learning. There is no need for understanding. There is nowhere to ask questions. There is no taking feedback and using it to improve. There are simply exams that you memorize information for, however, the lack of emphasis on ensuring students understand the exam material means that what you learn has very little applicability in the real world.
The university is set in a stunning location. Careers service disappointing though capod did offer professional skills training. Aacademic faculties excellent. Lecturers were very approachable.
Really, there is nothing you can criticise St Andrews for. International reputation, top quality research and teaching and a wonderful environment. Standards are exceptionally high and, if you don't work, you fail or get kicked out, so you work and end up with a degree with real value. I have been to 2 other universities after St Andrews (both ranked in the top 10 nationally) and neither compares well to it. unhesitatingly recommended.
Perfect so far, the degree flexibility allows you to really investigate what career path you want!
There's loads of academic traditions in St Andrews that have lasted hundreds of years and are so much fun... Foam fights during Raisin ✅ Running into the North Sea to cleanse yourself of sin ✅ Avoid Cursed Spot at all times ✅ Never a dull moment! People here are super friendly
Fantastic academic university in the a beautiful location. Lots of opportunities to pursue the interests that you love whilst also having a lot of fun.
Strong academic ranking with amazing architecture and amazing student support
Finished my first year here studying medicine and genuinely couldn't fault it. Would recommend to anyone who is considering application.
Great uni. Small town so You're always bumping into friends (and professors of who's class you skipped). If your into pubbing instead of clubbing this is the uni for you! The cold winters also makes you work more.
Nice close knit community! Really fun
A great uni situated in a beautiful town! I have found the staff and disabilities team to be very helpful.
Fab, St Regulus hall was amazing
St. Andrews is the most magical place, and the university follows. I’ve never been happier or learned more than when I’m at St. Andrews, and I’m disappointed it isn’t #1.
There's no place I'd rather be. St.Andrews is a bubble and nothing can burst it; I wouldn't change my choice for the world.
Was a bit nervous about the size of the university before I visited, but now that I’ve spent a year there I’ve found the small town very welcoming and comfortable. There’s always something going on and countless amazing clubs to join.
THE BEST UNI EVER! Everyone should experience studying at St Andrews. I will miss it so much. Would recommend to anyone.9
Lovely town, close-knit student population, fantastic traditions. Don't be out off by the seeming lack of night-life: we make our own!
Not everyone is pompous and rich- the uni is prestigious but that does not make it discriminatory to those whose families aren’t in the top 5%. A great historic town with great professors and societies. Definitely full of character.
Literally just in love with the people and the stunning scenery
Student experience at St Andrews is life-changing. It is both an ancient university with loads of history, and also a very modern university with cutting edge facilities.
Why does the cafeteria not have spaghetti? This is unforgivable. Any and all spaghetti lovers should not attend this school.
Beautiful university, great professors in honors level, lots of societies and clubs to join and very active student life, however the careers services are very poor. They don't provide much support in contrast with other unis. Socially the top of the food chain is dominated by children of the political elite, investment bankers, CEOs, corporate bankers, socialites, etc., and the environment can be tough unless you come from that world.
Freaking awesome university, I would recommend going...however that would require you to be either super posh, or like me some dude who clearly doesn't belong there
Good thus far, students union could be a little better, but for a small uni it is still okay!
WiFi could be better. The sports clubs I'm in (Taekwon-do and Jujitsu) are very friendly and motivating.
I love St Andrews, there's very little else I can say...
It's historic. It's in a decent location, so long as you aren't too concerned with experiencing city life, because it's nothing like that here.
Something for everyone! For such a small uni it is amazingly well equipped with facilities and activities.
Freshman year here, but am enjoying it a lot.
I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying I should be studying
The best campus ever, everything within walking distance and it's all old and beautiful. Can't be beaten.
Best clubs and societies! So many to choose from and they are nearly all incredibly active.
wifi is the worst thing ever. constantly crashes
Best university you will ever go to. Great location next to the sea and you will meet people from EVERYWHERE
Best choice I ever made coming here!
It is a really vibrant place with a lot going on. I feel like the more you immerse yourself with the traditions and the life in St. Andrews, you the more you will enjoy the university. It's very different to other unis.
good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good good better than all the other universities
St Andrews is a great university that offers a range of social activities, so you will never become bored. On top of this, learning facilities and online organization is top notch.
Fantastic university, having the time of my life!
St. Andrews is the best university in the UK.
I am really happy with my experience at St. Andrews. There are many clubs and societies and most people are very welcoming.
Love the university, dubious about the wifi
Absolutely amazing! There's no better place to be than St Andrews!
Here you don't learn just facts and figures. Here you learn how to look for your voice, built upon it, and express it. Then, once you go out in 'the real world' and have more access to first-hand resources (no matter of your field) you are well equipped to be critical and insightful, to look beyond the first impression
The most amazing university experiences that I have experienced have come from being at St Andrews. Flexible course, an amazing support network, fun clubs and societies,
Amazing place, with incredible people. The university is extremely high on league tables and is very academic, however, there is a fantastic balance between work and play!
I love this school so much and i don't think i would be happier anywhere else.
St. Andrews is like no other university. I have never felt so welcome and encouraged by my piers than I have here. The teaching is first rate and as for the clubs - there really is something here for everyone!
Students and staff here are friendly and are all willing to help. I had no problems making friends and finding academic parents my first year here.
St. Andrews is amazing with a very close knit community and friendly attitude. It is very picturesque and has everything you need
So glad I came here! Fantastic people, lovely students, interesting classes. I think I'm having the best experience of all my friends back in the US.
One of the most beautiful, international, exciting and intellectual places I've ever been, and I'm so lucky to be able to study here, right next to the North Sea!
Huge strengths supporting and enhancing students' academic skills outside of the lecture theatre. Very strong community feeling. Abundance of charitable groups. Sports facilities aren't high tech and in terms of clubs there is less than what a bigger city might be able to offer, but it in no way diminishes the experience. In fact, it more than makes up for this with its quirky traditions and bonfires on the beach. Lecturers go above and beyond.
Has a great vibe, love it here.
I love the university, feel so at home here. I maintain that it is the best university in the world.
St Andrews is a small unique town which, just like the university, is full of character and opportunity. There are hundreds of different sports clubs and societies to join, and the careers centre is incredibly helpful at encouraging students to pursue extra curricular activities in order to increase your skill base and employability. St Andrews is an amazing and beautiful place to live and to study.
A great university with friendly lectures and and top class facilities. Big enough to be a great university but also small enough to be on first name basis with everyone. So glad that I came here.
Excellent academic programmes; stimulating environment.
This is the best uni in the world, I've never been as happy as I am here
Excellent academics, amazing environment, wonderful extra-curricular opportunities.
I love my uni and love living here! It's a small town with everything you need and more than enough going on to make it interesting. The student body is very international. It's difficult to score well but that also means we don't have grade inflation and the academics are rigorous to keep you working and learning.
Small, homely. So much to offer. Excels in the extra curricular activities you can get involved in.
International University. Great community at St Andrews.
Excellent academics. Wonderful and supportive environment. I would very mich recommend to anyone who wants to study at a world leading institution which offers an unparalled education and student experience.
St Andrews was definitely the right choice for me. I love this little town because it fosters such a strong sense of community among the students, while having the campus integrated into the town makes it feel less stifling. If you like anything, there will be a club for it. And if there isn't, you can always make one! I love this university and definitely made the right choice in coming here.
Seems awesome, nothing major to fault it with.
Love every single second here. Don't be put off by the stereotypes - there is massive diversity which means everyone finds something they love. Recommend 100%!
St. Andrews is a small town, but there is so much to get involved in!
Really really good fun. Not much nightlife but you'll always be doing something.
I have had a wonderful time at the university so far, but I've only been here for a month!
University in a beautiful town with events going on all the time!
The facilities really aren't so great, especially the sports centre is absolutely atrocious, however, the campus is so gorgeous... I had to give it four stars at least. Clubs and societies are very good, union is pretty poor actually, freshers week as organized by the union isn't too great (hit Starfields instead). Careers are very self-starter, you really need to search yourself, wi-fi is just kind of difficult and poor in general.
St.Andrews is just the best. I love how you can just walk around the town and see someone you know every few hundred metres.
As a place of academic study, this university is almost faultless. The courses are in-depth and challenging, and students must put in a lot of effort in order to succeed because of the high number of very intelligent students. This can make for a very pressured environment, and indeed, eating disorders and mental health conditions are perhaps more prevalent here than elsewhere. That said, the student support team are very good (probably because they have to be). The campus buildings are mostly pretty but walking between them can take up to 25 minutes, which can mean missing large chunks of classes depending on your timetable. Socially, the university is only good if you are extroverted or good at making friends. If you struggle with this, the small town and the small university can make you feel isolated if you do not have a social life to distract you. Overall, this university is like Marmite. Whilst it can be an incredible experience for some, it just isn't right for others.
Coming to this university has been my dream for a very long time. Being here is no less amazing than I thought it would be.
St Andrews is everything I'd hoped it would be. Count myself very lucky to be studying in such a fantastic place.
Aside from the shiny new union / fantastic range of societies and opportunities / great career prospects / academic excellence / quirky traditions / beautiful environment - the biggest selling point of St Andrews for me is its community. You can take me out of St Andrews but you can't take St Andrews out of me! Best 5 years of my life.
Absolutely love every second of it!
The new Students' Union is fantastic and the opportunities for students are incredible. The club nights at the Union are some of the best I've ever been to.
You have a connection to this place forever.
Small and quaint, and I can't imagine living anywhere else
Such a unique experience. No place like it!
Absolutely brilliant University! The facilities are impeccable along with the teaching! Love it!
Amazing place to study and live!
Amazing university, can't wait to go back in September
Wonderful, super friendly, great reputation, amazing lecturers. Wouldn't be anywhere else!!
St Andrews is and amazing uni to study at!! 10/10
It's one of the most beautiful settings with one of the countries best universities slapped in the middle. What's not to love
Such a great, cosy place to study; running into friends all over the place is definitely a recurring feature here. The various facility buildings are well equipped and suited for whatever subject it hosts and all members of staff I've come across have been welcoming and passionate about any inquiry you may have. Student accommodation is adapt and equipped to most things you may need, including various study areas and activity rooms within the dorms themselves (music room, movie room, etc.). The town itself is beautiful, with older rustic buildings and cobbled streets leading to beautiful beaches and ruins of a castle. With a gorgeous setting with wonderful traditions (like jumping into the North Sea at dawn on the first of May and a huge foam fight in the quad) and a union of the town and gown into a wonderful community, I'm definitely glad I chose to study here.
The sense of community in the quaint university town of St. Andrews is incredible. With incredible teaching, courses, staff, students and facilities, St. Andrews is a great choice. Not to mention the multimillion pound refurbished students union! I have one year left and I'm devastated I will have to leave. Once you come here you will fall in love with everything about it!
Quite an intense university even for freshers but an amazing experience with people from all over the world in beautiful surroundings. Top quality lecturers and there is a great variety of subjects for third modules
St Andrews is almost impossible not to love. The place is gorgeous.l, but despite the old facades of the buildings everything is renovated inside. Modern buildings are just as amazing, perhaps with the exception of the physics building. / One thing I'd advise people to be careful with is the fact that the university is the only one in the area and can be a bubble. Though as a big city person, I got used to it over time. If you are too bored, you can always take a trip to the nearest cities.
Lecturers who actually care. Brilliant disability services. Best uni.
I'm now going into my second year at St Andrews. It is a truly wonderful place to study with many opportunities to get involved in different societies and events from both traditional to modern. It is also a diverse place with students from over 100 countries. You find a great balance between studying and socialising at St Andrews. Keywords to describe St Andrews: friendly, diverse, traditional, historic, beautiful, and overall, excellent.
Traditions, fantastic community vibe and the unique social life in St Andrews are just a few reasons why it should take the top spot- not to mention academic success.