Talk and Tour

• What to expect

  The talk and tour programme begins at either 10am or 2pm, depending on the day that is most convenient for you. Each visit lasts two hours. The programme consists of the following:

  • A walking tour given by a current student - 10am or 2pm

  Subjects covered during the tour include the University's traditions and what life is like here as a student. Visitors are actively encouraged to ask questions. This tour takes place outdoors, and you should be prepared for the Scottish climate. The tour takes approximately 50 minutes.

  • A talk given by a member of Admissions staff - 11am or 3pm

  The general talk covers applying to St Andrews where relevant, degree structure and student life. We encourage visitors to familiarise themselves with the course information and entry requirements ahead of the visit; details of all courses can be found on the subjects page. This talk will take around 50 minutes and is your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

  The offer holder talk also includes information about degree structure and teaching, as well as student life, accommodation, and information to help students make an informed decision about their offer.

  We are unable to offer visitors access to University managed accommodation. In the summer, some accommodation is bookable on a B&B basis.

• Preparing for your visit

  There are a number of things you can do to make the most of your time with us.

  Check your reminder emails for any last-minute information regarding your talk and tour.

  Do some homework. Check our subject and entry requirement pages for information on our courses and flexible degree, or read our pages about student life at St Andrews, and make a list of questions you want to ask our students and staff.

  Dress for the weather. Our tours take place outside and will go in rain or shine, so please come prepared for our often variable Scottish weather.

• Travel to St Andrews and parking

  We can provide advice on accommodation and travel to St Andrews.

  Parking in St Andrews is limited and we recommend travelling by public transport if possible. If this is not possible, then we do recommend parking in one of the public car parks on the edge of town:

  • St Andrews public parking - parking charges may apply - 5 minutes to Admissions
  • Petheram Bridge Car Park - free parking - 10 minutes to Admissions
  • West Sands Coach and car parking - 10 to 15 minutes to Admissions.

  Accessible parking is available at the Admissions office, please contact us in advance for details.

• International visitors

  We recommend that visitors do not book their talk and tour on the same morning that they arrive in Scotland, as flights arriving in Edinburgh after 8am do not allow for visitors to reach St Andrews by 10am.

• If you cannot attend

  If you are unable to attend your booked session, please cancel through the link in your confirmation email, or contact us on admissions.events@st-andrews.ac.uk as soon as possible. You may find it helpful to attend a virtual information session, or view this recorded town tour.

  If you are visiting St Andrews on your own, our self-guided tour will help you find your way around and discover our town for yourself.

  Explore St Andrews online. Get a feel for the University and the town through our virtual visiting experience, featuring video tours and content from our students.