Tour Tuesday: University St. Andrews
I try to visit 30–50 college campuses each year, and starting now, I’m going to share more of those experiences here on the blog. These posts will include my personal notes, impressions, and images from each stop - some practical, some purely observational. Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or just someone who enjoys exploring different college environments, I hope this series gives you a better sense of what these places are really like on the ground!
University of St Andrews: Ancient Roots, Global Students, and a Tradition of Rigor
Overview
Founded in 1413, St Andrews is Scotland’s oldest university. Its mix of history and high academic expectations creates a special college experience. Students here are known for their curiosity, their willingness to engage deeply with big ideas, and for being part of a richly international community.
With roughly 8,000 undergrads, St Andrews draws students from around the world - about 39% international students according to recent stats. The campus is beautiful and traditional, yet the culture is forward-thinking. Families often hear the word rigor from the president and professors, not just in reference to grades, but to how students are trained to think: analyze complexities, break things apart, and put them back together better.
Joint degrees are popular: many students start with three subjects in their early years, then narrow to two, sometimes to one, but with flexibility. The structure allows for exploration and growth, which often means many students graduate in a different discipline than the one they started.
Quick Look
Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland - historic town, coastal; ~1 hour north of Edinburgh by train/bus
Heritage: Founded in 1413, St Andrews is Scotland’s oldest university and one of the UK’s “ancient universities,” known for centuries-old traditions blended with modern academic excellence.
Students & Demographics: ~8,000 undergraduates; ~39% international; ~59% female / ~41% male
Academics & Structure: 4 colleges (Arts, Divinity, Science, Medicine); strong joint degree/triple subject beginnings - heavy emphasis on rigor and analysis, top research reputation, world-leading faculty
Student Life & Culture: 55+ sports, high student satisfaction, traditions, large global student body, active engagement, and civic traditions. Vibrant arts and music culture
Cost for International Students (2025-2026): Tuition ~£33,250 for Arts/Science; Medicine ~£39,620; total cost of attendance (including housing, food, books, travel) roughly US$65,000-70,000 depending on lifestyle and exchange rates
Who Thrives Here: Students who like deep thinking, cross-disciplinary inquiry, historical and global perspective, and a campus community that values tradition, challenge, and connection.
Location & Campus Environment
St Andrews sits in Fife, on Scotland’s east coast. The town is picturesque - cobbled streets, historic buildings, beaches, coastal cliffs - and the campus weaves into this setting. The feel is intimate and historic. Not sprawling, but rich in texture.
Though it feels like its own world, St Andrews isn’t remote: Edinburgh is about 50-60 minutes away by train/bus, and Glasgow a bit farther. For families visiting from abroad, there are international airports in Edinburgh or Glasgow with train or shuttle connections.
Housing is mostly in town or near campus. Many students live in halls or university-managed residences. The living environment tends to lean toward communal and academic, with lots of shared spaces, small seminar rooms, and common areas where students meet for discussion.
Academics & Degree Structure
One of St Andrews’ hallmarks is flexibility and complexity in what’s studied:
Students often begin with three subjects (outside of Medicine or other specialized programs). After the first year or two, they pick two to continue. Some continue with two all the way, others narrow to one for the final year. This gives space to explore before specializing.
There are 4 colleges: Arts, Divinity, Science, and Medicine. Majors are roughly grouped by those divisions, with some overlap and possibility for interdisciplinary study.
Joint degree programs are popular. Students often pair subjects (e.g. Classics + Economics; English + History; Film Studies + International Relations). These degrees allow you to graduate with strong skills across multiple disciplines.
Research & academic rigor are embedded: St Andrews is highly ranked for teaching quality, with very high first-year retention (nearly 100% of students continue from first to second year) and high levels of student satisfaction.
Assessments often go beyond written exams and include essays, projects, oral presentations, and critical analysis of texts or data. The goal is to build analytical thinking, creativity, and the capacity to handle complexity.
William & Mary Joint Degree Program
St Andrews also partners with the College of William & Mary in Virginia to offer a unique Joint Degree Program. Students split their time - two years at each institution - and graduate with a degree from both universities. Available fields include Classics, Economics, English, Film Studies, History, and International Relations. With roughly 200 students enrolled at any given time, it’s a small, selective program that gives participants the best of both worlds: a U.S. liberal arts education and a historic Scottish university experience.
Student Life & Traditions
Life at St Andrews combines academic seriousness with a strong sense of community and tradition:
Over 55 sports clubs are available, from more common options like soccer, rugby, rowing, to less typical ones. Whether your student wants to compete or just stay active, there are many ways to be involved.
The Old Course of Scotland is located a stone’s throw from campus, and golf is very much apparent in the city itself.
The campus culture is known for being warm, inclusive, and global. Students from many countries contribute to halls, societies, music, and volunteer efforts.
Traditions are rich: formal halls, academic gowns, weekly events, and ceremonies that draw on centuries of history.
Many students switch majors or subject focuses - it’s expected. The system is built around allowing academic exploration.
There is a strong arts and music presence. With the Conservatory (if your student is interested in music) and many performance opportunities even for non-music majors, there’s room for creative passions.
Admissions & What Families Should Know
St Andrews evaluates academic qualifications from applicants according to rigorous standards - they expect strong performance, especially in relevant subjects.
U.S. students are generally advised to apply via Common App (or UCAS in some cases) and to prepare a strong personal statement as well.
Admission criteria include grades, subject preparedness, personal statement, and sometimes additional assessments depending on the program.
Cost & International Student Perspective
From a U.S. family perspective:
Tuition (2025-26) for international students (Arts, Divinity, Science): about £33,250/year. For Medicine, higher (~£39,620).
Total cost of attendance, including room & board, travel, books, and living expenses, is estimated at around US$65,000-70,000/year, depending on exchange rate and lifestyle.
This is higher than UK/home student costs, but comparable to many U.S. private colleges. What helps is that there are scholarships and bursaries for international students, as well as some optional cost-savings (shared housing, economical living, etc.).
Final Thoughts
St Andrews is ideal for students who want both tradition and academic challenge. If your student thrives in settings where thinking deeply, engaging across subjects, and being part of a global, historic academic community are as important as athletics or student life, then St Andrews delivers.
