St Andrews University concerns

[woollymammal]

All advice gratefully received.

DD has an offer (Biochemistry) but a family friend has suggested that she thinks twice because of how the 'SNP extremist position regarding gender ideaology and anti- English sentiment' might affect teaching.

Is this valid? I know there was hoo-ha when an article printed in a student mag deriding Sturgeon was defended by the local NHS head, who called the Uni 'anti-scottish, full of oxbridge rejects' but as far as I could tell, the University dismissed this.

Its such a far way for her to go, and in a small isolated town, I'm concerned that if it is a rampant hotbed of politics it will detract from her experience.

(Exiled Scot myself, and DD is, yes, oxbridge reject 🤷‍♀️)

St Andrew’s is one of the better universities in terms of rabid gender ideology. There are some students who buy into it but their voices aren’t that loud. Edinburgh is far, far worse.

And lots and lots of international and English students there so definitely not anti English!!

My DD a recent graduate of St A's

Your friend is talking rubbish. The teaching & staff are excellent, there are political societies/clubs but that's about as far as it goes.
Yes scotland is a left of centre country but not radically so, my dd shared a room in halls with an American girl. High US & English contingent. Scottish kids don't tend to go for oxbridge as standys is equal & in some cases better than oxbridge and is of course free for Scots kids.

The town is lovely with beach & very much town & gown intertwined.

Your daughter will love it I'm sure

Any other questions feel free to pm. Many of my family have gone there

TY @beachcitygirl

Just to update if anyone is interested, she has firmed St Andrews (insurance Bath, even though Bath's offer is higher than StA's 🤷‍♀️)

She's had a very polarised reaction to her decision, it really has been a clean split between 'why would you want to go there?', and 'how could you refuse?'.

But, we went back to the town for a second visit and stayed for nearly a week over Easter: she revised and walked all round, looking at where the various halls were, spoke to loads of students - they seem to work in every cafe and bar! - and it seems it will suit her very well.

Time will tell but thank you all.

My dd also bio hem has firmed Bath and insurance choice is st As.The reasons are mostly financial in that Bath has a guaranteed bursary for low income students where as St As doesn't and also the Bath campus was so much nicer

@woollymammal if you are genuinely concerned that St Andrews is a 'hotbed of politics, then I would suggest the following university:

Texas Christian University

It really is about the only major university out there that is less of a hotbed of politics than St Andrews.

When I was at St Andrews, there were as many English as Scottish students. No anti-English sentiment though there was plenty at Scottish secondary schools at the time. I think you should discount that comment. St Andrews feels like a little, rather international world all of its own.

I haven't read the whole thread. I don't think it is too much of a risk as Sally Mapstone the Principal and Vice-Chancellor (ex Oxford) made some 'balanced statements' during LGBT week a couple of years ago. Dr Margaret McCartney has also very visibly spoken out about sex being what matters in medicine.
Your friends are right to be concerned though in general with the political situation in Scotland but as opinion polls have shown most people are not on board with genderwoo, not even SNP voters.

St A is a magical place so if she goes there I am sure she will find her people and be happy. The science building is new and space age so a very impressive place to study biosciences. The neuroscience and psychology buildings are in beautiful old quadrangle for contrast.

Accom is a mixed story - many get uni acom for more than one year - mine got 2 and it’s great value. She was fine getting a flat with friends though it’s £££. The often go out in Dundee at weekends so best of both worlds. It will work out whichever she ends up in I am sure