Geography and Geosciences

The School is structured into two departments: Earth & Environmental Sciences and Geography & Sustainable Development, both offering several degree options. We also support a lively and expanding community of both research and taught postgraduates within our major research groupings. The Department of Geography & Sustainable Development is a leading centre for geographical scholarship. It integrates the study of the earth system with its landscapes, peoples, places and environments. The Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences was established in 2012, following the appointment of Peter Cawood as Professor of Geology in 2010. It is part of a rich and ongoing tradition of research aimed at understanding our planet.

Some 45% of student come from outside the UK with one-eighth coming from other EU countries and around 15% from North America. Within the Student Services department can be found the International Student Advisors who help non-UK students with matters such as immigration and visas as well as support to learn English. They are also on hand to assist with matters concerning living in the UK and working while studying at St Andrews. Student life comes under the organisation of the University of St Andrews Student Association, which was founded in 1885 and it made up of the Students’ Representative Council and the Students’ Union Council as well as nine sub-committees for the various interests. There are over 140 student societies to become involved with including the Union Debating Society, which holds weekly public debates in the Lower Parliament Hall and is often visited by notable speakers. Student media also has strong traditions in the university with two newspapers and other student run publications, a radio station and independent websites. The Music Society organises the many student run musical groups including the symphony orchestra and chorus. One of the oldest groups is the Madrigal Group that performs an annual concert each year as well as a summer tour. In sports, there are around 60 different clubs under the Athletic Union including the Rugby Football Club that played a key role in the development of a number of international players.