University Relocates Classes To Student Union

The University of St Andrews’ Student Association will be used as a teaching space for classes for the 2025-26 academic year, a move which also marks a reshuffle in the Union’s structure following the Democracy Review approved last December and implemented this year.

The development has prompted questions from students over logistics and communication. Some have voiced surprise and frustration at attending lectures in a venue often affiliated with social gatherings, while others say the location is convenient. The repurposing of Union rooms highlights a wider challenge for the University: accommodating rapid growth in student numbers with limited teaching space. Applications have surged in recent years — including a 15.9% rise in applicants from the United States this year — which increases pressure on University facilities and leaves many students frustrated with the lack of an explanation. 

According to the Union’s official website, the building is spread across multiple floors and includes a variety of rooms available for hire. Two larger meeting rooms are located on the middle floor, with a further six smaller meeting rooms on the top floor. The Union lists three rooms specifically described in “classroom” terms: SUN: RM101, branded as a “Classroom Style” room with a capacity of 32, SUN: RM201, as a “Boardroom Style” room with a capacity of 24, and SUN: RM202, another “Classroom Style” room with a capacity of eighteen. 

These facilities are not equipped with audiovisual equipment such as projectors or lecture-capture technology typically found in most university classrooms. 

For some, the adjustment to learning in the Union has been challenging. Isabelle Knox, a student in GG4259: Glaciology, described her experience attending classes in SUN: RM202, a room designed for fewer students than were enrolled.

“I actually couldn’t believe how small the room was,” she said. “The lecturer explained we were located in the Union because the University has become so popular, but I do not think lectures in the Union are a viable solution. The room was uncomfortably crammed, and there weren't enough desks for everyone, so my peers had to sit with their laptops on their laps for three hours. I’m lucky to be Scottish and get free tuition, but if I had to pay for tuition, I would not be at all happy nor satisfied.”

Other students echoed concerns about facilities and teaching conditions. Pippa Ashworth, a third-year Philosophy student, shared her perspective after finding her two-hour lecture relocated to the Union. She described feeling “disappointed”: “The room is small with many chairs with attached desks shoved into it. All the chairs are not placed in rows but in unorganised clumps around the room, creating an awkward divide between everyone in the class and [which] makes it difficult to facilitate group discussions.”

Ashworth also told The Saint that “the room also has many exposed pipes and therefore echoes a loud noise [...] the whole class tends to become distracted, taking away from lecture time.” 

“I feel that I am unable to pay attention to the lecturer when I am thrown into a learning environment that doesn’t feel thought out or considerate of a student's academic needs,” she said. 

The University of St Andrews’ website specifies that undergraduate students are required to purchase their own printing credits, aside from a small credit provided at the beginning of their first year. Without functional audiovisual support in Union rooms, Ashworth said that she and her peers were encouraged to print out the slides to follow along during classes. This has prompted concern from students about the financial and environmental implications, relying heavily on printed materials in spite of the University’s sustainability commitments. 

Yet not all students have experienced these difficulties to the same extent. Despite the unusual setting, some say the Union offers advantages, particularly in terms of central location. 

Vienne Brett, a fourth-year student, reflected on the situation: “I honestly don’t mind where I have my classes. It doesn’t change much for me, but it was definitely strange being in the Union for my seminar. However, as it’s near the library and the quad, I actually found it convenient.”

While it is not unusual for universities to repurpose social or conference spaces as temporary classrooms, the lack of official communication about the change has left students uncertain as to whether the move to the Union is a stopgap or a more long-term plan. 

The Saint reached out to the Union President of Education, Emily Bannister. “The Students’ Association is committed to ensuring that students have access to suitable study spaces in appropriate locations, and we are enjoying welcoming more students into our building,” she said. “The new Executive Officers have made considerable efforts to introduce these additional study spaces while minimising the impact on student activities. We will continue our discussions with the University to identify a way forward that complements the requirements and opinions of our students.” 

At the time of this article’s publication, the University had not provided a formal statement on why the Union is being used to teach academic classes during the 2025-26 year, or whether this will continue throughout the semester. 

Image by Manraj Gill