St Andrews University (Student Life)

Accommodation: All within walking distance, from £40-ish a week. All very sate.

Eating: Wide range. Meal on campus £2+. Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Littlejohns from £6 for main course. Many student deals. Coffee shops abundant. Tescos in centre of town.

Drinking: SA cheapest (£1.50+ a pint). Happy hour at most pubs.

Nightlife: Pub oriented. Union for ents, bands, discos. Cinema, Byre Theatre, Crawford Arts Centre. Dundee and Edinburgh for occasional nights out, but most people stay around for the weekend parties.

Locals: Reserved but friendly.

Sports: 8 golf courses and cheap student pass.

Travel: 5 miles to nearest train station, frequent buses to all main cities.

Financial help: Through Student Support Services.

Jobs: Mostly in pubs, restaurants, shops. Occasional jobs with golf tournaments and tourist events.

Annual living costs: The minimum amount students say you need to live on each year (covering all living expenses but excluding tuition fees) is £5800 (in uni accommodation), £6300 (in private accommodation).

Best features: Biggest beach in Scotland, community spirit.

Worst features: Cold winter.

More info: Enquiries to Students' Association on Tel: 01334 462700

Past students: John Knox, Jean Paul Marat, Sir Hugh Cortazzi, Colin Young, Fay Weldon, Hazel Irvine, Alastair Reid, Eric Anderson, James Michener, Siobhan Redmond, Zoe Fairbairns, Michael Forsyth, Allan Stewart, Alex Salmond, George Reid, John Suchet, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, Crispin Bonham Carter.