Estranged students

We will offer university accommodation to students from estranged backgrounds during all years of their study here.  We will continue to ensure that no deposit or guarantor is required for University accommodation, and that rooms are available for 365 days of the year.  Should a student wish to find private accommodation, we will offer assistance with finding this, including assistance with deposits.

We offer a range of financial aid for undergraduates, and the personal circumstances of the individual are taken into account when scholarships are awarded.  There are also several types of financial support including the Discretionary Fund which are prioritised for those without family financial assistance.  Our Money Advisers will advise and assist in applications to Student Finance and to the SAAS to make a case for independent status.

We recognise that estranged students may have particular support needs, and any student who identifies as estranged will be offered an initial meeting with a Wellbeing Adviser to ensure that they have access to appropriate support.

The University of St Andrews has two support coordinators for estranged students, who act as dedicated contact points for those who are estranged from their families.

Our dedicated contacts can offer ongoing support and impartial guidance as required and can direct applicants and students to relevant support services within the University.

If you have any questions about applying to the University of St Andrews or are currently studying at the University and would like more details about the support that the University offers, please contact the appropriate person below.

For pre-application enquiries
Joanna Fry – Assistant Director: Recruitment, Conversion & Fair Access
Phone: +44 (0)1334 462346 or email: estranged@st-andrews.ac.uk

For current University of St Andrews student enquiries
Lewis Reid - Access & Inclusion Adviser
Phone: +44 (0)1334 462720 or email: estranged@st-andrews.ac.uk

If you are an estranged pupil currently attending high school student in Fife, you may also be eligible to participate in our widening participation programmes. Please contact Joanna Fry by emailing schools.access@st-andrews.ac.uk if you think this may apply to you.

Advice and support are also available from Student Services, including personal support from our counselling and support team and academic support to ensure estranged students are aware of what their responsibilities and rights are with regard to attendance and assessment.

We have established a named contact point for each estranged student at the University, and will establish processes to inform applicants, offer-holders and current students of the University's commitment to support estranged students, and the routes through which they can seek support.