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St. Andrews
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University of St Andrews
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University of St Andrews

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See all things to do
University of St Andrews
4.5
273 reviews
#7 of 63 things to do in St. Andrews
Educational sites
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Founded in 1411, this university forms the centre of town.
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
122 within 5 kms
The Seafood Ristorante
1,684
0.4 km$$$$ • Italian • Seafood • Scottish
The Keys Bar
297
0.2 km$ • Bar • Pub
The Criterion
443
0.3 km$ • Bar • Pub • Scottish
The Räv
374
77 m$$ - $$$ • European • British • Scottish
Playfair's Restaurant
1,045
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • European • British • Scottish
Jannettas Gelateria
1,134
0.3 km$ • Dessert • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
Haar Restaurant
596
0.5 km$$$$ • Seafood • British • Healthy
BlackHorn
570
0.2 km$ • Quick Bites • American • Fast food
Ziggy's
819
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • British
The Adamson
1,729
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • European • British • Grill
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Attractions
53 within 10 kms
St Andrews VisitScotland iCentre
67
0.2 kmVisitor Centres
Wardlaw Museum
10
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums
St Andrews Castle
1,153
0.2 kmCastles
St Andrews Bandstand
2
95 mArchitectural Buildings
Whyte-Melville Memorial Fountain
18
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
St Andrews Street Market
2
0.2 kmFarmers Markets
Hamish McHamish Statue
22
0.3 kmMonuments & Statues
Fraser Gallery St Andrews
56
0.3 kmArt Galleries
St Andrews Heritage Museum & Garden
67
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Martyrs' Monument
61
0.3 kmHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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See what other travellers are saying
  • Marvin G
    Ogdensburg, New York1,101 contributions
    I was in awe at the quality of education at this University
    I am a retired University administrator in the U.S. and looked forward to visiting St. Andrews University which is situated in the older portion of town amongst private homes and buildings housing pubs and boutiques. St. Andrews is the oldest of the four ancient universities in Scotland. This 600-year old is one of the top 100 universities in world, ranked for philosophy and divinity and rated better than Oxford and Cambridge in 2021. Research, teaching quality, entry standards and student satisfaction enter into these rankings. The buildings oozed with the history of this institution.
    Visited July 2022
    Written 3 August 2022
  • Victoria B
    Raleigh, North Carolina1,632 contributions
    Wonderful Sites
    Learning more and more since my visit. We walked through St. Salvador College, admiring Sally's Quad and the beautiful chapel. We also took a peek at St. Mary's College (the school of Divinity), now I'm learning that St. Salvador's College is considered "The United College" in conjunction with St. Leonard's College. All of it as a whole is The University of St. Andrews. Anyway, we really enjoyed ourselves in "The Courtyard of the United College" (Sally's Quad). The maintenance of the landscaping was pristine and the buildings hold such history! A must-see and if you can get a student-lead tour, go for it!
    Visited August 2022
    Written 19 April 2023
  • IAN D
    Wigan, United Kingdom19,464 contributions
    Lovely building
    I stumbled on and so glad. Went through a small gate and saw these lovely buildings based around a formal square. Third only university in the country dating from 15th century
    Visited October 2021
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
273 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
93
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Victoria B
Raleigh, NC1,632 contributions
Wonderful Sites
Aug 2022
Learning more and more since my visit. We walked through St. Salvador College, admiring Sally's Quad and the beautiful chapel. We also took a peek at St. Mary's College (the school of Divinity), now I'm learning that St. Salvador's College is considered "The United College" in conjunction with St. Leonard's College. All of it as a whole is The University of St. Andrews. Anyway, we really enjoyed ourselves in "The Courtyard of the United College" (Sally's Quad). The maintenance of the landscaping was pristine and the buildings hold such history! A must-see and if you can get a student-lead tour, go for it!
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura M
Bedford Hills, NY29 contributions
Student-lead tour was outstanding
Feb 2023
Anyone would be fortunate to be able to spend four years studying at the University of St. Andrews. From the storied traditions to the educational experience, we immediately got a sense of the tremendous value of studying there.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marvin G
Ogdensburg, NY1,101 contributions
I was in awe at the quality of education at this University
Jul 2022
I am a retired University administrator in the U.S. and looked forward to visiting St. Andrews University which is situated in the older portion of town amongst private homes and buildings housing pubs and boutiques. St. Andrews is the oldest of the four ancient universities in Scotland. This 600-year old is one of the top 100 universities in world, ranked for philosophy and divinity and rated better than Oxford and Cambridge in 2021. Research, teaching quality, entry standards and student satisfaction enter into these rankings. The buildings oozed with the history of this institution.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman J
Woking, UK558 contributions
Wonderful architecture
May 2022
This is a beautiful university, the main part set around a green quadrangle and other parts spread throughout the town. The third oldest university in the English speaking world and the oldest in Scotland it is well worth a visit
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramadama
New Providence, NJ2,250 contributions
Nice campus
May 2022 • Friends
Very nice to walk around the University buildings. So majestic and we'll preserved on the outside. We just walked and peeked in the various courtyards.
Written 10 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M. McCarthy
7 contributions
Beautiful Campus
Sep 2021
Inside the buildings is not accessible unless you are on a student tour. Just wandering the grounds is enjoyable. St Andrews is the oldest University in Scotland and was founded in 1413.
Written 9 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK19,464 contributions
Lovely building
Oct 2021 • Solo
I stumbled on and so glad. Went through a small gate and saw these lovely buildings based around a formal square. Third only university in the country dating from 15th century
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony N
St. Andrews, UK18 contributions
Other universities are available.
Sep 2021
A most unwelcoming place now, not the happy place of my younger years. Damp and mouldy accommodation where a blocked fireplace has not been compensated for by new ventilation. Mould growth in shower room must be threat to student and visitor health. Clearly profit put first rather than student welfare. Breakfast was not an inspection due to poorly cooked eggs.
Students tell stories of a petty dictatorship set up by ‘Aunt Sally’ and her little sister Claire?? Apparently students receive a weekly email telling them what they were allowed to do at the weekends. I thought this was a joke until I was shown one from a few months ago.
Academic departments sound good from the students I spoke to during my day and night here.
Shocked at the state of my old university.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard
London, UK237 contributions
Beautiful buildings
Sep 2021
Some beautiful buildings here, adding to the historic nature of the city centre. Town was buzzing with life. City tourist office was great in providing information.
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyTWolfe
Fife, UK56 contributions
University of St.Covid? Obsessed senior management ruining ancient university
Aug 2021 • Family
Covid obsession on the part of the senior management can be seen just by looking at the front page of the website. ‘Aunt Sally’ sends students regular emails to tell them how to be good little boys and girls as if they are all five year olds. Summer manifestation of Covid obsession was the far from subtle coercion of a mostly healthy body of students into taking an experimental vaccine as protection from a disease less of a threat to them than crossing Market Street. Remember, Big Sister is watching you!
Written 8 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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