Rooms and facilities for commuter students

Commuter students can use various dedicated rooms and facilities in the University, as well as study spaces in other universities in the UK and Ireland. 

You will need a commuter card to enter some of the University’s dedicated spaces. You can get a commuter card from the Advice and Support Centre (ASC). 

Commuter common room (North Street)

The following facilities are available for undergraduate and postgraduate commuter students: 

• kitchen with microwave, fridge and kettle 
• social and study space 
• lockers 
• lockable showers 
• toilets. 

Commuter students can use this room to have lunch or to take a break.  

Access to the Commuter common room

Main entrance is off North Street, down the path to the Main Library and at the back of the ASC.  

Commuter lounge (North Haugh)

Commuter students can use the following facilities in the Commuter lounge: 

• open plan social and study space 
• individual desks 
• sofas 
• a small kitchen 
• lockers 
• toilets. 

Access to the Commuter lounge 

The Commuter lounge is open from 7.30am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday.

The lounge is in the St Andrews Technology Centre, behind the John Honey building in the North Haugh. 

There is step-free access inside the building. 

Postgraduate lounge (Butts Wynd)

Postgraduate students can use this space to have lunch and socialise. The following facilities are available whether they commute or live in St Andrews: 

• cubicles for group study  
• big central table for up to ten people 
• microwaves 
• hot water taps to prepare hot drinks 
• sinks 
• fridge 
• lockers 
• printer 

Undergraduate commuter students with accessibility needs who cannot access the Commuter common room can email theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk to request access to the postgraduate lounge.

Access to the postgraduate lounge 

To get to the lounge, use the automatic door at street level on Butts Wynd or the entrance across from the Main Library. The lounge is one level up, stairs and a lift are available to access the level. 

Old Burgh School

Postgraduate students can use the Old Burgh School as their main workspace. The following facilities are available whether they commute or live in St Andrews: 

• study and social space 
• individual desks (you can book a desk for regular use) 
• kitchen 
• vending machine  
• lockable gender-neutral shower cubicles 
• gender-neutral accessible toilets. 

Undergraduate students can email theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk to request access to the building’s shower cubicles. 

Access to Old Burgh School

The main entrance has a wheelchair-accessible ramp. The rest of the building is on the same level as the main entrance. 

Car parking is available. 

Non-University libraries and study spaces

Students can get free access to libraries in the UK and Ireland that participate in the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL) access scheme. To use these libraries and their study spaces, apply for SCONUL access. 

Short-term and emergency accommodation

Short-term temporary accommodation may be available for commuter students who need to stay in St Andrews for short periods of time or at short notice.

Short-term temporary accommodation could be used for students wanting to attend a social event or around exam time. You can apply for this accommodation through the accommodation web pages.

In an emergency, such as weather warnings for example, there may be accommodation available at short notice. Please email accommodation@st-andrews.ac.uk during office hours or contact the Security and Response team on 8999 overnight or at the weekend. A fee is usually charged for emergency accommodation.