Community and events

The University of St Andrews offers a rich postgraduate experience. St Leonard’s Postgraduate College organises various events which provide opportunities to all postgraduates to come together, socially and intellectually, and make new connections; these include a welcome party for all new and current postgraduate students, a monthly Postgraduate Café with free hot drinks, biscuits and the occasional fudge donut, etc.

At the same time, postgraduates are encouraged to explore the wide variety of opportunities available to you. St Leonard’s College is keen to facilitate and promote any student-led activity – social or academic. If you have an idea and would like to organise an event that will appeal to your fellow postgraduates, funding is available – have a look at St Leonard’s Community Fund!

Monthly newsletter

St Leonard’s College sends a monthly newsletter to all postgraduate students of the University, to keep you updated about relevant events, activities, deadlines and funding opportunities. We send the newsletter by email, keep an eye for it! You can also read it be following the link in our home page.

St Leonard’s College Magazine

The St Leonard’s College Magazine is edited by postgraduate students of the University, and is published annually. It features news from the University’s postgraduate community, reflections on life as a postgraduate, and a look back at postgraduate activities and events from the past academic year, and beyond!

University Events

The University hosts a number of events which are free and open to the public and which postgraduates are welcome to attend. These include regular talks and lectures on a range of subjects presented by members of the University’s academic staff and distinguished visiting speakers.

For details of forthcoming events, please visit the University events diary. There are also talks and other events hosted by the University Library and the University’s three museums.

Schools and research institutes also run their own seminar series and often host academic conferences. Postgraduates should consider the intellectual and networking value of attending such events and, in the case of research students, attendance may be expected as part of your personal researcher development plan.

For more information about School events, please visit your School’s website or look for notices within your School.

Cultural Events

St Andrews, despite its small size, has a rich cultural life.

The University is home to a number of musical groups and societies which are open for postgraduates to join. There is also a busy programme of lunchtime and evening concerts by both student and professional ensembles including concerts hosted by the University Music Centre.

The Byre Theatre is run by the University and is a hub for the arts in St Andrews. It offer a year round programme of drama, concerts, dance, and exhibitions. Mermaids is part of the Students’ Association and supports student-led performances – it supports around thirty shows each year and also hosts an annual drama festival.

Sports

St Andrews has excellent sports and fitness facilities, which are open to all postgraduate students. Saints Sport is the overarching title and brand that encompasses all of the facilities, services and activities of the University of St Andrews sports department, including the autonomous Athletic Union, our teams, clubs, athletes and staff.

• You can find more about the Saints Sports facilities here.
• All postgraduate students are able to get either of the two different types of available memberships.
• The Saints Fitness programme offers a full range of services including a diverse exercise class programme, fitness consultations, personal training, gym inductions and strength and conditioning support. For more information on the fitness classes & personal training please click here; for information on Physiotherapy & sports massage please click here; for information on Saints Wellbeing can be found here
• There are over 52 Sports Clubs. They are all open to postgraduate students, and always welcome new members.
• Any postgraduate student can join the rec sport programme to meet new people, try something new or bust some study stress! The programme changes each semester and features dodgeball, netball and much more!

The indoor facilities cater for over 20 different sports, a range of fitness classes, and gym and fitness suite users. University Park is also home to some of the best grass pitches in Scotland as well as 3G and sand-dressed synthetic pitches and tennis courts that can used all year round.

Student Societies

Societies are the heart of student life in St Andrews, and they are open to all students at the University, regardless of level of study. There are more than 140 societies covering all sorts of interests including culture, politics, and special interest groups, and they all welcome postgraduate students as members. Societies are a way to meet other postgraduates who share your interests and make new friends. Postgraduates can also apply to set up a new society.