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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.03.53.584 Student reviews
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*Students got a small reward for their timeBest time of my life. Changed me for the better
My University experience on a whole has been negative. At £24,000 in international student fees per year, plus an additional £8,000 per year for housing, I was really hoping that learning would be a priority at the University of St Andrews. I have quickly learned however, that the amount of information that can be conveyed in 12 contact hours a week, 9 of which that are in lectures of 500+ students is nowhere near the cost of attendance. In the real world we will be expected to be able to apply our skills and understand our disciplines, and I believe that requires practice -- practice essay, practice exams, conversations, presentations, feedback, mistakes, successes. Here at St Andrews we get none of that. We get 1-2 essays per semester and a single exam. 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 is simply attending lectures with the knowledge that your exam will determine whether you pass or fail, and once it has, what you learned will no longer be necessary for your university success.I was once told by a member of university staff that there were plenty of free classes on the internet. That there were hundreds of books in the library. That if I tried hard enough I could give myself my own feedback, teach myself, and while that's all very true, why am I enrolled in a degree with what by the end of 4 years will be an 100,000 pound price tag, if even the staff admit I can learn more and better by myself, for free? But even with a very poor return-on-investment for academics, my time here would have still been salvageable if there were some aspect of the social life that I could hold onto, but as a non-drinker, I unfortunately have failed to find my niche. I didn't grow up anti-social. I had a group of friends, and we did normal things together: shopping, just hanging and chatting, going on spontaneous trips to theme parks or skating rinks, and sometimes having a few drinks together, but the difference was we never went out solely to drink. We went out to spend time with each other and if we ended up with a few drinks or in a club, then we did, but that wasn't the foundation of our social life. Here, drinking IS the social life. Without it you are another nameless face, behind a closed door, because the only place to go once you open that door it is to the Union Club, or the Vic (the other club). Lectures are file-in file-out, no time for talking. Meals you fend for yourself in your kitchen, or if you are catered you have to come back to your hall (not any other catered hall), meaning your class schedule, your ability to walk back to hall on any given day, your dietary needs all determine whether you will or more likely will not be able to eat lunch with people you know. There are no communal spaces where students come together save for when they come together to drink, and the relationships you build when everyone isn't themselves through a cloud of alcoholic fumes isn't healthy or fulfilling. So 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 free alcohol because, to the average 18-year old, free alcohol is the definition of 'bliss' that gets St Andrews it's student satisfaction scores; and in many ways I guess the university is bliss to some: minimal classes or effort, a "name-brand degree" and the ability to live free of almost all responsibility for four years with few consequences; but I came to university to learn and grow, under the pretense that the skills I earned and the connections I build would be invaluable even in the face of debt. I was wrong.
The traditions of st andrews make it an unique experience . A lot of pressure to do well . working at the union has made it better.
Rather good
I am nearing the end of my first year here and have had the most amazing time so far. The quality of education that I have received has been really good and I have met the best group of people.
Unique international experience in a Scottish town. Diverse student body from all kinds of countries and walks of life. Many lecturers at the university are renowned and lecturers are in general, extremely helpful and willing to guide students.
Too small to avoid problems when they turn up. You will always see people and things you don't like, hard to escape and create your own identity. Ideal for making wonderful friendships.
The quality of the lecture depends heavily on who is teaching Some are awsome and you don't want the time to end, whilst others are boring and you're trying your best not to sleep. A great variety of societies are available with every preference served. Pricey accommodation, beware.
Saint andrews is a great university with a very diverse student body. It is a very small place, but if you are looking for a personal and fun town then st andrews is a beautiful place to be in. You will know almost everyone walking down the street and so there will always be a friendly face.
St Andrews is amazing, just make sure to get involved in a society or group which shares your interests. Uni accommodation is fine but finding flats in town is difficult, start early. Drinking culture is big here, go to lectures and study what you're passionate about.
The Gym here is gross, but the student life is great - recommended for my course and the university in general.
My course is great, as is the university, the clubs and societies are great and lots of choice. The gym here isn't great though.
Overall i have had a fantastic time at st andrews, city life is a bit lacking, but you know what you are getting into when you come here. Clubs and societies are top.
Myoverall college experience has been full of satisfaction and suprises . I enjoyed being able to join several societies and getting close to commitee members. The friendly atmosphere that surrounds most of the university services makes being a student here secure and empowering.
It is very cold up in St Andrews, we are by the coast so we get very windy weather, be prepared! Be very prepared! Wrap up warm!
It is really nice and the town is a good place for university. But it is not for everyone - you either love it or you hate it. Make sure you visit before coming here.
I love my time here, but the accommodation is poor and landlords are not friendly. We need more options club wise, and more places we can dance - this isn't a clubbing town. Student services can make you wait weeks, i had a very bad experience with depressed friends not being able to see someone for weeks.
Good uni. Worst thing is the price of accommodation barely affordable with my parents doing everything they can to help me.Great town, student support is very good and the uni is very accommodation to changing degrees. Advice - save up before you come here so you don't have to work a lot in term time.
4.3
