Information for parents or guardians

Starting university is a significant life event for your student, but also for you. As the parent or supporter of a young person leaving home to attend university, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.

A new student’s nervousness should start to subside as they get involved in Orientation Week activities and as their studies get underway. The University’s Advice and Support Centre, Halls Life, Wellbeing, and Disability teams will be on hand for additional support if needed, and of course you're only a call away.

This page offers insight into student life in St Andrews and includes a glossary of terms, key dates, and helpful information about preparing for university, as well as details on Orientation Week and beyond. It also outlines the University’s range of support services.

Development runs the very popular Family Programme for the parents and guardians of current undergraduate students. This enables our families to be part of the St Andrews community, keeps them up to date with developments at the University and provides ways they can contribute to and share in its achievements. When you join the programme you will be invited to attend a welcome event in St Andrews on the first Sunday of orientation week.

Woman takes photo of student on a mobile phone

Preparing for university

Starting university can be challenging. It is common for new students to struggle with moving away from home, making new friends, and finding their way, as well as adjusting to the demands of their studies.   

While the University offers support services, you can help prepare your student by: 

  • Talking to them about what it means to live independently. Chat about their (and your) worries and identify avenues for advice and support in advance. Let them know that it’s completely normal to feel anxious and that seeking help early is better than letting problems build up.   
  • Chatting about what it means to live as part of a residential community and the reality of sharing living, kitchen, and bathroom spaces. Setting and respecting boundaries can be an important part of successfully navigating relationships with roommates and flatmates and will help establish a positive living environment. Having the confidence to address any issues with noise or cleanliness will also help with this. The onsite Halls Life team can provide support, but the students involved are encouraged to develop these important communication and negotiation skills themselves. 
  • Helping them develop their life skills over the summer: have them prepare a few simple healthy meals or do some batch cooking, let them do their laundry, and clean around the house. Discuss how to manage a weekly budget and how to prioritise spending. 

Arriving and settling into St Andrews

All new students should arrive at the start of Orientation Week to make the most of social and academic welcome events and activities. These events run from opening weekend until teaching starts on the Monday of the following week (known as week 1).  

Students living in University halls of residence (commonly known as ‘halls’) move in on the weekend before Orientation Week begins in early September.  

Students arriving at the start of Semester 2 can usually move in on the Wednesday before teaching begins in January.     

Your student should arrive early to ensure there is plenty of time to work through the orientation ‘must-do’ list, which includes: 

  • Completing matriculation - the process of formally registering at the University - and meeting with their Adviser of Studies to confirm their module choices.  
  • Completing mandatory online training courses - a core part of the matriculation process. These courses cover topics that are important to the University community and relate to the core values of our University Strategy and include equality, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, consent and bystander intervention, and good academic practice. 
  • Picking up their University ID card; some international students may also need to collect a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.
  • Following safety and security advice and familiarising themselves with their living arrangements and the town. 
  • Opening a student bank account.  
  • Registering with a local doctor (and for international students, getting a UK SIM card to access NHS services).
  • Getting to know the University’s libraries.

Participating in academic and social welcome events and activities is also an important part of Orientation Week. The University’s free orientation app is available to everyone and includes: 

  • the full orientation calendar including academic introductory lectures 
  • student club and society activities 
  • welcome events in the halls of residence. 

Students living outside St Andrews 

Students commuting into the town should select the ‘living outside St Andrews’ box when they complete online matriculation. This ensures they receive updates about resources and services for commuters.   

Students living at home 

To help them feel fully part of the student community, encourage them to participate in the many University social, student society and Saints Sport events and activities that take place each week.

Young students 

Students who are 16 and under will be contacted by a Wellbeing Adviser from Student Services and will be provided with their individual contact details so they can seek advice and guidance.  

Studying at St Andrews

The academic year has key dates including teaching weeks and exams. It is divided into two semesters: Martinmas and Candlemas.

Semester 1, also known as Martinmas, runs from early September until December.  Mid-way through the semester is Independent Learning Week, a week without mandatory classes, activities or assessments. Students can use this time to catch up on their learning and prepare for the rest of the semester.  Semester 1 ends with a week of revision, followed by a two-week exam period. 

Semester 2, also known as Candlemas, runs from January until May.  The semester includes a vacation week in February and finishes with two weeks of revision before the two-week exam period.  

Unless there is an unavoidable reason, such as illness or bereavement, please do not book vacations or arrange for your student to be away from St Andrews during term-time.  Failure to attend classes or meetings with academic staff may result in an academic alert and may affect an international student’s visa status. 

An extended absence will affect the student’s ability to fulfil their academic obligations. A formal leave of absence may be necessary.  

Full details of this and other academic requirements are available in the student handbook, including information about how to inform the University of an absence. 

Advice and support  

Making friends and settling in can be difficult for some students. Every student’s experience will be different and equally as valid.

The University’s specialist teams provide services such as:

For students who may be missing home and family, the University has some tips to manage feelings of homesickness.

The University also offers several student-led programmes providing peer-to-peer support:

  • Students who feel lonely or are struggling to make social connections can request a peer supporter.
  • Students with disabilities can request a peer orienteer to help them during the first few weeks of the academic year.
  • Many Schools offer academic peer mentors and buddies.

 Students who want to develop their employability skills or find part-time work can contact the University Careers Centre.

Emergency contacts and confidentiality


Student’s emergency contact information  

All students are asked to provide the name, address, and phone number of someone the University can contact in case of an emergency.    

Not all students will list their parent or guardian as their emergency contact, so you may wish to discuss this in advance.  

The University will only use the emergency contact with the student’s permission or in very serious circumstances where the student is in grave danger and unable to give permission. The decision to involve an emergency contact will be taken by two senior members of staff and will be based on the agreed necessity to protect the vital interests of the student.  

Confidentiality  

The University’s confidentiality code explains the lawful duty the University has to protect the privacy of all students unless there are exceptional circumstances, meaning that we will not disclose a student’s grades, attendance or other personal information without their permission. This includes passing information to parents, legal guardians and next of kin. 

Contact the University

Although the University may not be able to share information with you without the consent of your student, you should not hesitate to get in touch if you have concerns about your student’s wellbeing or safety.

The University will follow up as necessary and will encourage your student to stay in touch with you and, where appropriate, will ask for the student’s consent to keep you updated directly.

  • You can reach the University at any time by phoning the University’s Security and Response team on +44 (0)1334 46 8999. They are available every day, 24 hours a day.
  • You can call outside our regular business hours, which are 9am to 5pm (GMT) Monday to Friday, and we will respond according to the urgency of the situation. Non-urgent situations may be addressed on the next working day.
  • The Advice and Support Centre (ASC) can help if you have any questions: email theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1334 46 2020.