PGR resources

As a PGR student in the School of Biology, you have access to various resources. Here are some that our EDI Committee PGR reps have highlighted as particularly useful:

  • Many international students will need a visa to study here. There are difficulties with visas particularly if you need to leave temporarily.

  • The University of St Andrews is spread out through St Andrews and sometimes it can be difficult to find your building. Use these helpful maps of the university to find your way to where you need to be.

  • Finding a new place to live can be difficult, so whether you are looking for a studio or a place with some roommates these websites are great places to start looking at your options:

    There are many towns around St Andrews that students choose to live in, some popular options together with bus frequency and journey duration are:

    • Dundee: bus 99, around 30 mins, leaves every 10-20 minutes
    • Cupar: bus X24/X59/94, around 20 mins, leaves every 30 minutes
    • Leuchars: bus 99/42, around 15 mins, leaves every 10-20 minutes
    • Guardbridge: bus 99/42/94/X24/X59, around 10 mins, leaves every 10-20 minutes

    Thinking of travelling in and out of St Andrews by bus? Don’t forget your Student ID to get Student discount on bus fares. St Andrews also has bus routes that stop by the surrounding towns such as Anstruther, Pittenweem and others that are definitely worth a visit. You can use Stagecoach website or app, or Moffat and Williamson website to see bus(es) and prices to take to your destination of choice. Stagecoach also has buses that go from St Andrews to Edinburgh (X59) and Glasgow (X24). If you want to travel to other places by train, you can always take a bus to Leuchars station, which is the nearest train station.

  • Postgraduate researchers contribute to the teaching mission of the School of Biology. They can: support students during lab practicals, run small group tutorials, and mark assessments in pre-honours modules. Opportunities are available for PhD students and MSc (Res) students, across a variety of modules. As a demonstrator, you will interact with undergraduate students and some postgraduate students on taught programs. The skills you develop are transferable to many career paths, especially roles in education. Depending on your preferences, you may work every week or just for a few days during the term. PGRs work with the Lead Demonstrator to ensure they demonstrate on appropriate modules and to plan a schedule which will work alongside their research responsibilities. Demonstrators are given a specific contract for their demonstrating work and are paid for their time. More information about the role of demonstrators can be found in the Doctoral Students who Teach Policy.

    Recruitment of biology demonstrators within the School of Biology takes place:

    • in July and August, for Semester 1
    • in December, for Semester 2

    Emails will be sent to all PGRs to ask for their interest in demonstrating during these times. Details will also be provided in the weekly School of Biology newsletter.

    All course materials are provided for the demonstrators and other support staff. Meetings are held prior to labs or marking to ensure you are fully prepared for your role. In addition, all PGRs who demonstrate must complete mandatory training which is run prior to the start of each semester. More information about the training dates and sessions can be found at CEED – Postgraduate Researchers who Teach.

    If you have any questions, or are interested in getting involved in demonstrating, please contact Dr. Susan Gurney, Lead Demonstrator, at [email protected].

  • There are many grant options to fund projects, travel and more throughout your PhD. Check out the universities research funding support. They can help you in finding funding for your research ideas as advising you on completing your application.

    Conference grants

    Need funding for conferences? Check out these options for funding your registration, travel and accommodation.

    • Sir Ken Murray Fund: the university will contribute a one time fund for a conference during your PhD (maximum of £500 for European based conferences and £1000 for international conferences). Email the postgraduate research administrator for more details.
    • Santander research mobility award (currently not available)
    • Often conferences will have specific grants related to travel and subsistence (especially if your are presenting) so make sure you look into it when you register

    Field work grants

    • Santander research mobility award (currently not available)
    • The Russell Trust award (currently unavailable, please contact the postgraduate research administrator for details)

    Students can receive compensation from the university for travel. Information and documentation requirements can be found here.

  • Often you will be given the opportunity to present a poster or presentation about your research or a project that you have been working on. Check out these resources to help you create and present your poster or presentation.

    Posters

    Presentation

  • The university runs a careers website and organises career days comprising of advice and presentations by people who have pursued careers in an out of academia. Keep an eye on your emails for notices for these events.

    Academic options

    Non-academic options

  • Counselling

    The University of St Andrews offers counselling free of change so do not hesitate to pursue counselling for any mental health issues that you might have. The process starts with a consultation meeting followed by one-off or ongoing appointments as appropriate. Information and contact information is listed on this site

    Disability services

    We provide many resources for postgraduate students with disabilities including long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disabilities. Here is a link to the support systems and contacts regarding disability services. The university provides assistance for specific disabilities, for instance, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or AD(H)D. To discuss specific assistance that can be provided, for testing or assessment or to discuss if you are eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance please email [email protected]. There are specific resources aimed at students who have an autistic spectrum condition.

    Examples of accommodations

    • Extra time in written class tests provided by School
    • Flexible deadlines (requested before deadline date) provided by School (note the request ALWAYS has to be before the deadline – we cannot accept requests for extensions after a deadline has passed unless this has been approved by the Director (or Deputy Director) of Teaching)
    • May be absent from class from time to time provided approval by School
    • Electronic presentation slides prior to lecture provided by School
    • Voice recorder (lectures only) provided by Student (note: recording of audio in lectures has to be approved by the Disabilities office, the default is that students cannot record audio from lectures themselves)
    • Coloured Overlays provided by Student
    • Laptop provided by Student
    • Student may require to check blood sugars during class tests. To be allowed food and drink during class tests.
    • Extended library loan provided by SSS
    • Student wears hearing aids. Will require any PPS/handouts in advance. Will sit at front of class.
    • Student has personal hearing system that requests teaching staff wear a small lapel mic, supplied by the student. Alternatively may use loop systems where fitted (lecture microphone). Please repeat any questions asked by other students (to ensure audible)

    • The University has a range of societies you can join! Take a look at all the societies available to you at the Union website and additional website about student’s life in St Andrews.
    • Join the Postgraduate biology network (Bionet), they organise social events for the School of Biology that are a great opportunity to meet people from the different buildings of the School.
    • Get to know other postgraduates in the weekly Friday evening pub. You don’t have to drink to come along! Location varies and in case you would like to join contact [email protected] for further information.
    • Every week on Thursdays between 10-11:30am the St Leonard’s Postgraduate College organises a Postgraduate Café in the Old Burgh School. This is an opportunity to take a mid-morning break socialise with other postgraduates (free refreshments are provided!).

  • Fancy playing tourist and get to know St Andrews and the surrounding areas better? Here are some useful links:

  • There are many groups within EDI with specific focus, for instance the BAME, LGBTQ+ and women in science networks, which you can find here.

    Please contact your Biology EDI committee with any issues, questions or suggestions. A list of all the committee members can be found here.

Athena Swan Gold Award

Contact

Dr Tracey Gloster
Director of Biology Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Email: [email protected]

Dr Carmel McDougall
Deputy Director BEDI and Gender Advocate
Email: [email protected]

Dr Carol Sparling
LGBT+ Advocate
Email: [email protected]

Prof Kevin Lala
Anti-Racism Advocate
Email: [email protected]

Donna Pierz-Fennell
Staff Wellbeing Officer
Email: [email protected]

Dr Fran Der Weduwen
Disabilities Coordinator
Email: [email protected]

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