Welcome and Orientation Schedule for new Visiting, Study Abroad, and Exchange Students
We wish all our new visiting, study abroad, and exchange students a very warm welcome to the University of St Andrews!
Many of you will be arriving in St Andrews over the next few days and will begin settling into the town which will be your new home for the next few months (or longer for those of you joining us for the full year).
We know that this is a busy and exciting time for you all, but that some of you may also be worried about meeting new people and getting settled into a new academic culture. To help with the transition, we have put together a schedule of events for your Orientation week and other useful information as you start your journey at St Andrews. We hope to see you in person at the events next week and encourage you to take advantage of these informative and social activities.
Orientation Events
Monday 9 September 2024, from 9am – Advising and Matriculation, Gateway Building
Before teaching begins you must attend Advising and Matriculation in person. Matriculation for exchange and study abroad students will take place at The Gateway Building and attendance is compulsory. During the matriculation event, you will attend a UK Visas and Immigration check. Please remember to bring your passport and visa or biometric residence permit where applicable.
Note: students who do not require a visa to study in the UK will still be required to complete an identity check, so please bring your passport and boarding pass (or other evidence of your entry and departure dates) with you to matriculation.
You will also meet with your academic adviser to discuss module choices and have them approved. Advising meetings will be held between 1pm and 5pm in the Gateway Building. We recommended that you bring a copy of your up-to-date transcript to aid the advising process and you must complete pre-advising before attending your in-person appointment
Note for postgraduate taught students: Advising meetings for postgraduate taught students may take place on a different day where they are arranged by appointment and students should contact their advisor of studies as soon as possible once they have been allocated one.
If you are unable to attend matriculation, please inform the Global Office as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] so that we can offer further guidance and support.
Tuesday 10 September 2024, 11am to 5pm – Freshers’ Fayre (Students’ Association) and Sports Fayre (Saints Sports Centre)
Thinking about joining a group but not quite sure which one yet? The Freshers’ Fayre in the St Andrews Students’ Association and Sports Fayre at Saints Sport Centre are the perfect place to explore what you might like to get involved with during your time at St Andrews.
Each sports team, society, and subcommittee will have a stand where you can go and chat with members about what they involve. It’s also the perfect time to sign up to give-it-a-go sessions!
There will be university departments and local and national companies handing out freebies as well, so don’t miss out!
Quiet hour will run from 11am to 12noon.
Wednesday 11 September 2024, 10am to 12:30pm – Student Wellbeing and Academic Culture Session, Buchanan Lecture Theatre
This essential information session will be split into two parts and attendance is mandatory.
The first half will cover student wellbeing, with a focus on accessing support and healthcare, while at St Andrews. Taking care of your health and wellbeing during your studies is important and navigating a different health system in a new country can be tricky. This session will give you the information you need to feel confident accessing support and health services while here.
The second half will focus on the academic culture at St Andrews. Teaching and learning styles may be different from what you are used to at your home institution. This session will give you the best chance of settling into our academic culture quickly and help to prepare you for a successful academic journey at St Andrews.
Thursday 12 September 2024, 2:30pm to 4:30pm – “Welcome to Scotland” Pub Quiz, Sandy’s Bar (Students’ Association)
Don’t miss the opportunity to show off your Scottish knowledge and meet other study abroad and exchange students in our “Welcome to Scotland” pub quiz. Prepare to answer a wide variety of questions about Scotland from arts and culture to history and geography.
The focus is having a good time, meeting new people, and showing off your Scottish expertise. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!
Friday 13 September 2024, 10am to 12noon – Student Life Information Session, Younger Hall or online (Microsoft Teams)
Settling into a new place can feel daunting which is why we have put together this online session to introduce you to student life at St Andrews and all the people and facilities here to help you. There will be brief presentations from Saints Sports, the Students’ Association, Saints LGBT+, the BAME Society, Library Services, Halls Life, Chaplaincy, Music, the Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development (CEED), and others. These will be followed by the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about these aspects of student life
This session will be hosted as a hybrid event with opportunities to attend in-person or to join online.
Friday 13 September 2024, 12noon to 2pm – Global Office Scavenger Hunt, starting from Younger Hall
Join your fellow visiting, study abroad, and exchange students for the Global Office Scavenger Hunt. Learn about some of St Andrews’ famous and unique landmarks, find out where some key University services and buildings are located, whilst also making new friends from around the world.
The scavenger hunt will depart from Younger Hall immediately following the Student Life information session. Participants can meet back at the Global Office (Room A11, Bute Building) at 2pm for the chance to catch up with other new visiting students and to sample an iconic St Andrews delicacy (for those who wish to do so).
If for any reason you miss the start of the Scavenger Hunt from Younger Hall, please make your way to the Global Office where Global Office staff will be on hand to give you the scavenger hunt clues and set you on your way.
More information about your arrival in St Andrews
Please familiarise yourself with further information and our guidance on things to do when you arrive on our Global Office – Once you arrive webpages. You can also check out our other Global Office blog posts to read other students’ testimonials, top tips for studying abroad, and other important information.
Orientation App
For further information about Orientation, your journey to St Andrews, and other essential next steps, the University has put together dedicated webpages with all the necessary details on the Orientation website. We also recommend that you download the Orientation App from the website where you can see a full schedule of University-wide events as well as those hosted by the Global Office.
Emails and Social Media
The main mode of communication at St Andrews is via email, so please make sure to check your St Andrews email inbox at least twice a week to ensure you are up-to-date with any important information.
We know the volume of emails can feel overwhelming, so do make sure to follow our social media on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram to help you stay informed of any events and important updates as well.
On Hand to Help
During your time at St Andrews, the Global Office will be here to support you. Please remember that you can email us at [email protected] or drop by the office during our open hours (Monday to Friday, between 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm) if you have any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help.
Reminder: Consultation hours will run during Orientation week as well, so do drop by if you have any concerns or if you need help with signing documentation for your home University.
We wish you all the best as you settle into St Andrews, and we look forward to welcoming you to the University in person over the next week!