College Hall Guidelines
College Hall is the first port of call for prospective students and their families on
Visiting Days, so as an Ambassador you will play a crucial role in creating the vital
first impression of St Andrews and its student inhabitants.
Key points:

When you arrive at the start of your shift, please make sure that you tick
yourself off the list. If you do not, you will not be paid!

Please try to minimise the number of personal belongings you bring with you
to College Hall. We do not have space to store them, and it can look untidy.

There should always be an Ambassador positioned at three keys stations
within College Hall; the front door, the bottom of the stairs and the entrance to
Upper College Hall. Please use your initiative; if you see that one of these
stations is not covered, please step in- don’t wait to be asked!
o The Ambassador at the front door is responsible for greeting and
welcoming all visitors.
o The role of the second Ambassador at the foot of the stairs is to
politely, but firmly, ask guests to wait in LCH while prospective
students register upstairs.
o The final station is at the entrance to UCH. The role of the Ambassador
there is to check whether prospective students have booked in advance.
If they have, they should be directed to the front of the room, where
Ambassadors are waiting to greet them, if not, they should be directed
to helpdesk at the back of the room. The terminology here is important;
they book in advance, and are instructed to register on the day. It may
seem simple, but it is important to be clear here so as not to cause
unnecessary confusion.

Even in quiet spells please do not hang around talking to other Ambassadors;
make sure that there are no prospective students waiting to register in Upper
College Hall. If everyone has been registered, please take the initiative and go
and talk to prospective students and their families in Lower College Hall,
making sure that you make particular effort to speak to anyone who appears to
be on their own. If everyone is being attended to, then make sure all the
stations mentioned above are covered, and then see if any areas of the Halls
need tidied, or if any of the supplies (maps, packs etc) need restocked.
Obviously if everything is in order, then there is no harm in taking the time to
get to know the other members of the team!

If you are asked a question that you do not know the answer to please do not
guess, or worse, attempt to make up an answer. Prospective students and the
guests (particularly parents!) will appreciate your honesty more than being
given misleading or incorrect information. If you are unsure about
ANYTHING please ask one of the Admissions staff.

If you are unable to find a prospective students itinerary in the appropriate
place, please do a quick check of the other piles in case it has been misplaced.
If you still cannot locate it, double check that they booked in advance, and
then refer to the staff member at the help desk.

No matter what, remain happy and polite. Even if it is extremely busy please
try to remain calm; if you are feeling stressed, you will not be giving the
prospective student your full attention.

Always try and enjoy yourself; knowing that you have made someone feel
welcome, and perhaps contributed to one of the biggest decisions they will
ever make, is a satisfying feeling, so enjoy it!
Registration procedure
1. When a prospective student approaches the tables at the front of UCH, please
ask for their full name and locate their itinerary in the relevant bundle. When
you find the corresponding itinerary, double check their name and the
departments they have selected to visit. If they wish to change their afternoon
appointments please direct them to the helpdesk at the back of the room.
2. Grab a map and a folder and find a seat
3. Always remember to introduce yourself clearly; it will immediately make the
prospective student feel more at ease with you.
4. How much time you dedicate to each visitor depends on how many people are
waiting to be registered. If it is extremely busy, keep it brief; never appear to
be rushed- politely run through their itinerary and point out key things on the
map, but if there are a lot of people waiting, keep it as efficient as possible!
Please be sensible and use your own judgement; if they have a lot of questions
or seem particularly unsure, then give them a little more time. Obviously, if
there are sufficient numbers of Ambassadors dealing with registration or the
follow of people is steadier, then take your time. Talk a bit about yourselves
and your life in St Andrews; ask them questions and encourage them to ask
you any questions they might have.
5. Direct them down to LCH. Explain that there is the opportunity to talk to other
Ambassadors as well as representatives from Admissions, the Collaborations
and Study Abroad Team, the Sports Centre, the Music Centre, the Student
Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Societies and to collect information on
the Chaplaincy, Student Support and Careers Centre.
6. Explain that they are welcome to go to come back to the Quad or go to
Admissions, St Katharine’s West if they have any questions between noon and
5pm.
7. When you are sure that they don’t have any further questions or concerns,
please direct them downstairs. Explain that Tours generally depart every 10
minutes until 11:30am and will be announced.
Tour Guidelines
Aims
 To work as a representative of the university and the St. Andrews community.
 To provide what the university prospectus cannot – a personal link between
the prospective students and the institution.
 To show people the town and the community.
 To give an insight as to what it is like being a student at St Andrews.
 Make sure the tour doesn't go over 40-45 minutes. Make sure to ask if they
have questions. Try to use at least some of the details found in this guide. And
HAVE FUN!!
Hints
 Be yourself – a personal tour will give far greater insight to the university than
following the manual like a Bible!
 Try not to seem like you do this three times a week every week – this is the
only tour your group will see!
 Be positive, enthusiastic and vibrant.
 Be diplomatic – when discussing subjects such as Raisin Weekend, please try
to focus on the traditions these events spring and the community feeling they
help build rather than how much you drank during your first Raisin Weekend!
 Be honest – it is better to admit that you don’t know an answer rather than to
make it up. Refer back to a Senior Ambassador or the staff at Lower College
Hall if you are struggling.
 Please keep the tour to 40-45 minutes – use your common sense. If the tour is
in danger of running over time, skip something that you think is less important
(not always the library!) – visitors have a very long, tiring day and making
them walk around town for 90 minutes, regardless of the fact that they are
receiving the world’s best town tour, may not be appreciated by all!
 Don’t dwell on historical aspects – link them to today with enthusiasm.
 Tailor make your own tour, but keep to the rough guide outlined below.
Tour Routes
Standard
Reversed
St Salvator’s Quad
↓
Patrick Hamilton
↓
St Salvator’s Hall
↓
Younger Hall
↓
The Scores and the Castle
↓
The Library
↓
The Union
↓
Hall of Residence
St Salvator’s Quad
↓
The Library
↓
The Scores and the Castle
↓
St Salvator’s Hall
↓
Younger Hall
↓
Patrick Hamilton
↓
The Union
↓
Hall of Residence
John Burnet & New Hall Via Scores
St Salvator’s Quad
↓
Patrick Hamilton
↓
Younger Hall
↓
The Scores and the Castle
↓
The Library
↓
Scores via History Arch -towards old course
↓
•Turn left after Rusacks hotel –Cross street at new street lights
↓
Continue to JB or new Hall
Points to Highlight at each location
1. Lower College Hall
•Introduction and welcome – Introduce yourself to the tour group with your name,
year and subject of study. Welcome them to the university, mentioning that it was
founded in 1413, making it Scotland’s oldest university. Point out that we are about to
start celebrating our 600th Anniversary, making it an exciting time to be considering
St Andrews.
•Mention that the quad was built in 1450, and point out schools II and III where some
of them will be having their Information Session later that day – emphasise the
importance of attending.
•The Gown – be sure to mention your gown (if you are wearing one!) as it can be a
good starting point. Mention the academic strip tease as a fun way of introducing the
gown – you can encourage visitors to try and spot students from different years as
they go around town on a Wednesday! Some interesting points about the gown are: • In 1413, when the university was founded, they were used as a way of
separating students and town members.
•There are some byelaws in St Andrews relating to the gown i.e. you cannot
legally be served alcohol when in a pub, and that 3 red gowns or one divinity
gown will stop traffic.
•Mention and explain your Raisin String if you are wearing one
2. Patrick Hamilton
•Student who was burned at the stake on 29th Feb 1528 for his protestant teachings.
•His soul is immortalised in the face engraved on the wall of the tower (5 ½ blocks
above coat of arms).
•If a student walks over the PH they will bring bad luck on themselves and fail their
degree.
•This bad luck can be countered by participating in the May Dip – a swim in the
university swimming pool at dawn on the 1st May or running backwards, naked, three
times around the Quad during the change of class.
3. St Salvator’s Hall
•On the walk to Sallie’s, point out the Irvine building for any geographers..
•Mention very briefly that this is one of 10 university halls of residences, and that all
students will be given the option of choosing catered or self-catered accommodation.
•Mention the variety of halls of residence within the university, and possibly one or
two of your own positive experiences of halls.
•Please point out that this section will be brief, as they will be given more detailed
information on halls of residence during their hall tour later on that day.
4. Younger Hall
•Uses – music centre of the university, with practice rooms and a concert hall. There
are grants and bursaries available for music lessons.
•Younger Hall is also used for exams, graduation, and dances (mention the suspended
floor)
5. The Castle and the Scores
•Show the tour group the St Andrews Castle, which was built in 1203 by Bishop
Roger as a fortress and ecclesiastical home.
•Also make a special point of showing the group the swimming pool on Castle Sands,
where the May Dip takes place every year. This is a good way to link the castle with
the university’s history.
•Also show the group the Scores, where you will walk down before you turn up Butts
Wynd to visit the library. Mention the departments you will pass: English, Philosophy
and Logic, Classics and History. Also direct your group’s attention to MUSA
(mentioning that it is open to visitors on Visiting days) and the Principal’s House.
•As you walk down the Scores, you may also wish to point out Lower College Lawn
as the site of the Opening Ball and the Graduation Ball.
6. The Library
•When arriving at the library (accessing it via Butts Wynd), point out the New Arts
Building to visitors.
•Explain that we have just completed the first phase of a £7 million redevelopment of
the library facilities.
•Major improvements to heating, ventilation and lighting as well as an
upgrade of furnishings and fixtures.
• The changes have increased the amount of study space available, including
more flexibility for group working and the facility to book study rooms.
•Provision of an onsite café.
•Explain the different types of loan system and how this allows everyone to have a
chance to read books.
•Mention the IT facilities and stress that it is not necessary for students to bring their
own computer to university, but that if they do, the library is equipped with wireless
internet.
7. The Union
•Briefly mention societies. There are over 100 different societies, ranging over all
areas of interest. Explain about Fresher’s Fayre; you could even mention one of your
own societies.
•Talk about the services found in the building, particularly Student Support.
•From your position outside the Union point out the Careers Centre and the
Chaplaincy Building, both situated on St Mary’s Place, across the street from the
Union.
8. Halls of Residence
•After you have finished the tour at the union, tell the tour group which Hall of
Residence you will be taking them to and head off immediately.
•Let the group know that they can ask you any questions they might have on the way
there, this will save you time!
•Make sure that you leave your group with a Hall Ambassador, and never abandon
them outside.
Historical Tour Guidelines
The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410 and 1413, being given full
University status in 1413, when Pope Benedict XIII issued the academic institute the
necessary Papal Bulls. Our present degree system, whereby degrees are conferred
after 4 years of study, is based on the ancient Parisian tradition that the university
adopted. Students are conferred MAs, Magister Artium, as undergraduates, with
further postgraduate studies being awarded MLitts, etc.
The three colleges of the University of St Andrews were St Salvator’s, founded in
1450, St Leonard’s founded in 1511, and St Mary’s, founded in 1537. In 1747 St
Salvator’s College and St Leonard’s College were merged to form the United College
of St Salvator and St Leonard. St Leonard’s is now associated with the postgraduate
community.
Red gown
Tradition of the red gown was first introduced in 1672. Students were obligated to
wear the gowns as a uniform, being that they were mostly in their teens, and the
various pubs and bars would be able to identify them and therefore not serve them.
St Mary’s Quad
One of the oldest parts of the university:
- First building acquired by the university is the modern day Psychology
building, which was acquired in 1419, when it was called the Chapel and
College of St John the Evangelist, a building for the lectures and
accommodation for the Faculties of Theology and the Arts.
- Thistle tree was planted by Mary Queen of Scots on one of her many visits
here.
- St Mary’s College was founded in 1537/8, by Archbishop Beaton and its
main intention was to be a seat of Roman Catholic learning, to preserve the
sanctity against the more heretical practises of the Reformation.
- In 1579, 40 years after its founding and 19 years after the Reformation, St
Mary’s College was reconstituted as the Faculty of Divinity, in order to
encompass the duality of the religious nature of the students at the time.
- King James library, founded by King James VI in 1612
- Nowadays houses Biology and Psychology, and Divinity (St Mary’s).
Holy Trinity Church
Our most historic church in St Andrews:
- Originally built in 1144 by Bishop Robert Kennedy, next to the Cathedral
- Relocated to its present day site, coincidentally, between 1410 and 1412, a
move brought about by Bishop Warlock.
- John Knox, leader of the Reformation would deliver sermons here for the
first time in the late 1540s, and on the 4th June 1559, he delivered the
infamous sermon that led to the stripping and destruction of the cathedral.
St Leonard’s College
Second college founded in the university:
- Founded in 1511 by Archbishop Stewart as a result of the decline of the
pedagogy that was built at St John’s College in St Mary’s Quad.
- The first provost was a Dominican friar John Annand, and a result,
students who were members of St Leonard’s College would have
experienced more serious conduct than the students at the then established
St Salvator’s College.
- In 1747, the University sold the buildings at this site owing to financial
difficulties, and St Leonard’s College was amalgamated, along with St
Salvator’s College, to form the United College of St Salvator and St
Leonard.
- The site of St Leonard’s College is presently the site of St Leonard’s
School, an independent school, teaching boys and girls from 4 to 18 years
of age.
Cathedral
At one point the largest building in Scotland:
- Started off with St Rule’s Church, this was founded sometime between
1120 and 1150, during the time of Bishop Kennedy.
- After Kennedy’s death in the 1150s, his successor Bishop Arnold began
the construction of the cathedral in 1160.
- The cathedral was fully completed and consecrated in 1318 by Bishop
Lamberton, and remained intact until its stripping in 1559 during the
Reformation.
- After this, its destruction and decay is owed mainly to stone robbing, until
1826, when its ruins were acquired by the barons of the Exchequer.
Castle
-
First erected 12th-13th centuries, served as a home to bishops and
archbishops of St Andrews.
Changed hands between the Scottish and English several times during the
Wars of Independence, and was destroyed and rebuilt heavily as a result.
Between 1296 and 1314, it was taken by the victorious English after the
sack of Berwick.
Between 1314 and the 1330s, it was taken by the Scots after their victory
at the battle of Bannockburn, and it was repaired by Bishop Lamberton.
In the early 1330s, it was again taken by the English who could not defend
it fully enough from the Scots, and so in 1336, the Scots decided to tear it
down themselves to prevent further mishap.
Also used as a prison: during the Reformation, cardinal Beation
imprisoned many Protestants, among them George Wishart, who was burnt
at the stake on March 1st, 1546.
Cardinal Beaton got his comeuppance in the end: on May 26th of 1546,
Wishart’s friends snuck into the castle and murdered the cardinal, hanging
his body from the window.
What is left of the castle today dates back to only the 16th century, between
1549 and 1571, and today it is part of Historic Scotland.
Younger Hall
-
Acquired in the early 20th century, sold by the Younger family.
Site of many landmark events for students and university.
St Salvator’s College
- One of the oldest parts of the University
- Founded in 1450 (chapel)
- Merged with St Leonard’s College in 1747 to become United College
- Site of Raisin Weekend