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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)

944 replies

Newgirls · 11/12/2020 15:16

Ok can’t think of a catchier title! If anyone can send the other thread over here pls do!

Prospective and existing parents etc all welcome here. Transport, accom, cloaks, choirs, beaches and more to be discussed. Next year will be better surely!

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11
Stockpot · 30/12/2022 13:18

DD is having trouble getting a young Scott’s card because the address on her drivers license and passport is in London. Is there a way around this? Or are students without parents in Scotland not meant to have this card?

I hope everyone is having a lovely time with their DC home. I'm loving it. Just sewed DD a black Linton Tweed pencil skirt in case she might need to look smart for any reason. Considering a trip to Liberty to shop the sales for silk to make a blouse as well. Just at the hairdressers with her for a haircut. She feels very mousy at St Andrews. She thinks the students dress up more there than they do in London. Perhaps the American influence? I’m secretly pleased she wants to wear something other than trainers and sweat pants!

Aurea · 31/12/2022 08:33

I think the Young Scot Card is for young Scots (for families who live and pay tax in Scotland). You normally apply in school and it is valid up until your mid 20s.

My 21 year old son has a young Scot card although he now works in London and he uses it when he comes home.

Dahliafairy · 31/12/2022 09:58

@Stockpot We live in England and DS has a YoungScot card. He used his UK passport (no address on that) and downloaded the bank letter from the university portal as proof he was studying in Scotland. He was refused first time when he used his driving license though.

Dahliafairy · 31/12/2022 10:02

You just need proof you live in Scotland for at least 6 months of the year. Once DS resent his application with this information the card came through within a couple of weeks.

Stockpot · 31/12/2022 11:20

Thank you @Dahliafairy ! Very helpful, we shall try that.

EachandEveryone · 31/12/2022 15:52

My niece has just got hers last week she said it was a lot of faffing but worth it. She has quickly learnt not to go in rounds anymore said it’s a different drinking culture to being in Yorkshire. Her friends aren’t always forth coming when it comes to their turn. She’s going to try and stay in halls next year, hopefully self catering this time.

haggisaggis · 02/01/2023 23:24

The Young Scot card is worth it because it gives free bus travel up to age 22. Just need proof you are living in Scotland. DD’s Hungarian house mate used the waiver for council tax fromFife Council as proof of address to get one.

Stockpot · 01/02/2023 10:03

How is everyone?

DD just signed a lease and paid a deposit on a room in a large shared house in town. Such a relief!

I’m not sure what to expect this term for the DC with the strikes. DD is trying to soldier on, but is a bit disoriented. It seems they have no visibility on which lecturers are Union members and which classes will be cancelled. I’m not sure why they can’t know. There are other ways to productively use the time, if the students aren’t kept in the dark.

SayYouDontMind · 01/02/2023 10:24

That's great your DD has got next year's accommodation sorted Stockpot. Do you mind sharing the approximate monthly rent and what she had to stump up as a deposit? No worries if you don't want to share.

My DC thinks they've got one lined up with 3 other students but nothing signed. They're also putting in for staying in halls again. I think the rental is between £700-750 ex. bills which I think is expensive but apparently is not 'too bad'.

I've not heard anything about how badly strikes are going to affect their studies. I'm not even sure about when the Feb ' vacation' is as our communications are just of the 'hi are you still alive/happy?' variety with a bit of news thrown in. They're enjoying it all though and passed all their exams.

I must go online and look at the St A calendar. After being completely wrapped up in what they were up to at the start of the academic year, I have definitely 'stepped back' quite a bit 😊

Stockpot · 01/02/2023 10:55

She is paying £820/month and this includes utilities. I believe utilities would have run to £100/month if they were paid separately. She has paid one month up front.

Monkey2001 · 01/02/2023 12:17

I found I had to recalibrate what is expensive in my head! DS applied for a place last year which was in a great location, but £840 + bills and I was a bit relieved that he did not get it, although it would have been a fabulous place to live. He ended up in the "badlands" but only pays £525/month + bills. He was also lucky that the contract started in September and they are giving it up at the end of May, so only had to pay for 9 months.

£700 + bills in town is excellent, should decrease as you get further out. It is worth paying a bit more for a later start date, but most end up just signing for whatever they can secure.

SayYouDontMind · 01/02/2023 12:34

Thanks for sharing that info Stockpot - it's good that utilities are included. Dread to think how much the bills will be on top especially when they're used to well-heated halls and as many showers as they like.

Monkey2001 That 'badlands' property sounds amazing value. Such a saving! I'm hoping that this property they've found is just a 9 month let - I think it is?

We can't afford to give them any more money towards their rent than we've given them this year (well, maybe a bit of an annual percentage rise!) I've seen the new charge for the halls they're currently in. I guess I should check how much the minimum Scottish Student loan is this year - anyone know?

Stockpot · 01/02/2023 13:26

It’s right in town, so that is good. She has to pay through the summers. In my head it’s 720 rent + 100 utilities. It’s a large, listed property where the students rent individual rooms directly from the landlord. She has one friend moving with her. The rest will be a mix of old and new students.

It seems terribly expensive, but it seemed to be the going rate. We worried that if she waited and held out for a better deal, she might end up with nothing. So it was “a bird in the hand.”

She’ll be in town for a change which is nice. She has a part time job now, so that she can make up the difference.

Monkey2001 · 01/02/2023 23:18

@SayYouDontMind Scottish contracts end whenever the tenant wants them to, there is no end date. It is normal to have to pay for 12 months though, I think DS was lucky to find one which started in September, last summer may have been odd due to The Open. The next tenants in that house will probably be expected to rent it from 1st June. Definitely something to be aware of if you are trying to keep costs under control as could easily cost an extra £2k.

You can save a lot of money by living further out. DS is about 1.5 mile walk/cycle ride from university, which is a very long way by St Andrews standards. The house is fine, if lacking in character - a modern town house with 4 bedrooms - 1 double en suite and 3 single, sharing the other 2 bathrooms. They have a very well equipped kitchen, a decent sitting room, a garden and a garage. None of them will be staying next year, so it will be re-advertised.

Original poster
Newgirls · 02/02/2023 08:24

I hope dd is on top of all this - she says she is and I am trying to stay out of it…

it seems such a bun fight for properties

OP posts:
Valleyofthedollymix · 02/02/2023 08:48

Argggh will not get involved, will not get involved.

Although I foresee him living in Dundee next year...

Original poster
Newgirls · 02/02/2023 18:16

Dd goes out a lot in Dundee so if that is the back up option it will be ok

well not ideal with late night rehearsals etc but might have to happen

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Stockpot · 13/02/2023 23:48

DD was offered £350 for a day’s work as an extra in The Crown. Poor thing had to turn it down because she has a prior appointment.

£350 is good money for a student! Is anybody else’s DC scooping up some Netflix cash?

SayYouDontMind · 14/02/2023 01:00

Stockpot I told my student about the Extras work but they were so busy searching for a flat, working at their job and doing Uni work that they didn't get along to sign up. I was really keen for them to get involved - easy money!

EachandEveryone · 14/02/2023 01:11

I know my niece said its very hard to find a part time job there.

fifelife · 14/02/2023 14:14

Stockpot · 13/02/2023 23:48

DD was offered £350 for a day’s work as an extra in The Crown. Poor thing had to turn it down because she has a prior appointment.

£350 is good money for a student! Is anybody else’s DC scooping up some Netflix cash?

No one has been guaranteed any extra work yet,those that applied and got past the first filter have been told what dates they need to be available,there is absolutely no guarantee they will be called and no extra will be getting anything like £350 a day..

Stockpot · 14/02/2023 15:00

Ah, she shouldn’t feel so bad then! Thanks @fifelife !

Fingers crossed that your DC finds a flat @SayYouDontMind

WednesdaysPlaits · 14/02/2023 17:03

Hi all, could I crash the conversation please and ask about the various halls. DS will want accommodation that is as lively as possible. Which halls are known as more party halls?

Monkey2001 · 14/02/2023 17:16

@WednesdaysPlaits you get very little control over where you end up at St Andrews. I would think that self catered is less sociable than catered as you eat with your flat/corridor, whereas for catered you are eating with a much wider range of people. All the halls have big budgets for events, and I think all are sociable.

Original poster
Newgirls · 14/02/2023 18:19

All are sociable don’t worry

uni hall and st Salvators are probably the largest so that will give more socialising options. The union is very good and stuff on there all the time so that’s a good option wherever they live

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