University Unveils The Grange

On 17 October, the University officially unveiled The Grange, its new sustainable housing development for postgraduates and staff. This project is a significant step forward in addressing one of the pressing challenges faced by the University: affordable housing. As accommodation costs have risen sharply in recent years, the lack of living spaces has pushed students to find accommodation out of town. 

The University partnered with Kingdom Initiatives, a subsidiary of the Kingdom Housing Association, whose main initiative is the management of Mid Market Rented Housing. By partnering with the University, Kingdom Initiatives provides rental solutions to students who would otherwise struggle to find affordable housing in St Andrews. 

The Grange consists of 61 homes — a mix of houses and apartments — designed for postgraduate students, staff, and their families. The housing development was handed over to the University by Kingdom Initiatives on 17 of October. According to the University’s official website, the development aims to have a “university village” feel, highlighting the community-focused nature of the project whilst emphasising affordability. 

Houses at The Grange, constructed to meet Building Control’s Silver Active Sustainability Standard, are designed with energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind. Each residence is equipped with solar panels and hydrogen-ready boilers. This choice allows the builders to operate on both natural gas as well as pure hydrogen, aligning with the UK’s transition to greener energy. By embracing renewable energy solutions, the development aims to significantly lower residents’ utility costs while contributing to the University’s net-zero sustainability goals. As part of the partnership with Kingdom Initiatives, the project demonstrates a strategic approach to combining affordability with eco-friendly design, supporting the University’s long-term vision. 

At the unveiling of the village, Principal Professor Dame Sally Mapstone emphasised that The Grange represents not only a commitment to the University’s postgraduate and staff community but also to its broader vision for sustainability. She said, “The investment made by the University in providing high-quality, affordable and sustainable housing demonstrates our commitment to enhancing the lives of postgraduate students and academics, as well as helping us meet ambitious net-zero targets.”

Photo by Elise Liu