University of St Andrews Students' Association

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The University of St Andrews Students’ Association represents students at the University of St Andrews. It runs both student representation and student life activities. It is not a member of the National Union of Students (NUS), having left Membership in several referendums over the years.

A short history
Student representation at St Andrews goes back to the 1880s with the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). In the 1920s, separate Men’s and Women’s Unions formed social hubs while the SRC focused on representation. In 1963 the two Unions united, and in 1989 the SRC and the Union merged to create the modern Students’ Association. In January 2024, the Association began a Change Programme to review how it works and respond to today’s needs. In 2024 a referendum approved restructuring the union’s leadership into an Executive Team, with more changes planned to finish by August 2025.

How it is organised now
The Association combines representation and activities. It is led by elected Executive Officers who cover different areas, and it works with staff and a Board of Trustees to run day-to-day activities and set budgets. There are subcommittees and groups that let students get involved in specific parts of university life. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) remains the main body for representing students, addressing academic, welfare and community issues. In the Democracy Review, the SRC will be reorganised into three forums that feed into a single large meeting once per term.

Where you fit in
All matriculated students are members of the Students’ Association. This gives them voting rights in elections, the ability to run for positions, and access to its facilities and activities.

The Union building and facilities
The Union (the Students’ Association Building) is at St Mary’s Place. It houses Sandy’s Bar, the Rector’s Café, and spaces for clubs, performances and events, plus quiet study areas. The Association also runs ticketing and room bookings for student events. In 2013 the building was refurbished. In 2023 it was found to have RAAC, leading to renovations of Club 601 and the roof. The club and StAge reopened in August 2024 for the new academic year.

The Barron and Byre
The Barron Theatre was a small, student-run venue inside the campus. It closed in January 2020 after a long campaign to save it. The space was replaced with a Mermaids residency at the Lawrence Levy Studio Theatre in the Byre Theatre (the Barron at the Byre). This arrangement hosts many student-written and experimental performances each year, alongside other University venues.

Why it matters
The Students’ Association aims to represent students’ voices and support a lively social and cultural life at St Andrews. It blends student governance with practical services, helping students have a say in university life and a range of activities to enjoy during their time at university.