How does the University get its money?

Universities are public sector institutions, with their primary source of income coming from the Government (from the Scottish Funding Council in Scotland).

They also receive money through fees, research grants, and fundraising. Whilst some people in Higher Education like to think of universities as businesses, this is false, and their primary aim is to provide learning and research opportunities, rather than generate income.

Scottish students don’t pay tuition fees, and students from elsewhere in Britain pay depending on their income, however the University receives a set amount per student from the government. Students from the EU have their fees paid by their home government, whilst students from outside the EU pay a competitive fee set by the University.

St Andrews is a research intensive institution, but this doesn’t mean teaching shouldn’t be highly valued.

This year, the President, Patrick O'Hare, will be researching possibilities to reinvigorate CHESS - the Coalition of Higher Education Students in Scotland - and to expand St Andrews' representation on a national level. As we are not a member of the NUS (National Union of Students) we need to find new and creative ways to make sure our voice is heard by Holyrood and Westminster.