University of St Andrews — Attraction in Great Britain

The University of St. Andrews is one of the most beautiful universities and campuses to visit and explore. It is the third oldest university in the English speaking world and the oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1413. Its motto is …”For Ever to be the BEST!” And is it ever! St. Andrews is made up of a variety of different institutions and three colleges. The University of St. Andrews has had several notable attendees including, the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales, Prince William was taught Geology by my next door neighbour in Fife. The town really let Prince William be… and town members did not encourage the paparazzi! The town surrounding the campus has many shops, restaurants, a quaint movie theatre, a Tescos, fish and chippie shops along with some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had. The university is situated next to the 🥶 North Sea and also next to the Royal and Ancient where GOLF ⛳️ was invented. A little over 10,500 students attend the university and if you’re planning on attending and are accepted, tuition can be in the upwards of £25,000 for overseas students, not including room/boarding. By today’s rates, that’s only $28,762 per semester if you’re from the USA. Not that bad if you think about the expensive tuition in the USA. If you live in Scotland and are Scotland based, you may be able to go to the university for free. Imagine that? I would visit the university and walk on the campus and explore the rich history. Check out the oldest living tree on campus. Afterwards, go to Forgan’s or Balgove Larder - a few of my personal favourites - for tea. Then, walk on St. Andrew’s beach and play the Chariots of Fire on your phone. Don’t take my word for it,...

Our son, Kiro, studied Philosophy at the University of St Andrews, and as parents, we feel it is only right to share something of our experience. This is not a review of teaching methods or academic structures; we cannot speak for those, but rather a personal reflection on life as the parent of a student, and the joy we felt in discovering this remarkable place alongside him.

St Andrews itself is unlike anywhere else. Nestled on the coast, it feels both remote and timeless, with an atmosphere so enchanting that it seems almost unreal at times. Coming from London, each visit felt like stepping into another world, peaceful, picturesque, and steeped in history. The journey may not be the easiest by public transport, but perhaps that very distance is what has allowed the town to preserve its beauty and authenticity!

We visited Kiro often, and every time we were struck by how safe and welcoming St Andrews felt. We never encountered difficulties, and the town always gave us a sense of reassurance, a gift for any parent sending their child away to study. Walking its cobbled streets, exploring the coastline, and sharing moments of everyday life with our son there gave us memories we will always treasure.

We are deeply grateful that our son had the opportunity to study at such a distinguished university, in such an extraordinary setting. As parents, we too feel enriched by the experience of St Andrews, its charm, its history, and its warmth. It has been a privilege to know it and...

Certainly an established institution, from a student experience perspective, St. Andrews leaves a lot to be desired. From enrolling too many students and running out of housing to never being able to find a seat in the library during the semester, it's clear they are shifting toward commercializing education as a commodity for profit, following the example of American schools. In the divinity school, however, some respect for ancient traditions remain, though that includes the dust and lack of basic technology as well (white boards are about as modern as equipment comes for most rooms). To be fair, I'm told the two "lecture halls" they have are out to use by the occasional Undergrad modules, and they seem to have a modicum of basic technology and teaching equipment. Professors are valued for their research, not teaching proficiency (& are tasked with overwhelming administrative duties), so for taught PGs the outlook is grim. My cohort did not even get carrels or dedicated office space so had to cease work based on the unpredictable and inconvenient library hours. I had I not had most of my tuition paid by my American GI Bill as a veteran, I might feel even more upset. A good education, but dismal experience when...