Sojourn in St. Andrews
Experience the World-Famous University of St. Andrews
Sojourn in St. Andrews is a one-week lifelong education abroad program in St. Andrews, Scotland, a historic, seaside destination on many bucket lists. The program offers participants the opportunity to study at the oldest university in Scotland and the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of St. Andrews, which was founded in 1413 and embraces centuries of history within its walls.
About the Program
The program is open to alumni and friends. Each participant enrolls in one non-credit course of study taught by a University of St. Andrews tutor. During the program, participants will also take part in several excursions in the region that are either course-related or planned for all participants.
A typical day’s schedule includes classes in the morning and course-related excursions in the afternoon. Participants should plan to participate in the program in its entirety, which includes all course lectures, scheduled excursions and group meals, to maximize your experience. There is an abundance of activities in St. Andrews and the region of Fife and if you would like to explore these options, we respectfully request you plan to do so during scheduled free time and/or before or after the program. We cannot provide any assistance with personal arrangements.
For an idea of what the program entails, including a schedule, review the brochure from 2022.
Spouses/partners who do not register for the program may be able to participate in some excursions, for a fee and based on availability. Contact Elizabeth Wheeler via email for more information.
2025 Program
The dates and courses of study for the 2025 program are to be determined. If you're interested in receiving information about this program, contact Elizabeth Wheeler via email.
Program Accommodation
We strive to treat all participants fairly and equally and keep everyone safe while enjoying the program. To fully benefit from this experience, participants must be able to keep pace with the group.
This program will be challenging for anyone who has difficulty walking, other mobility issues, visual impairments, some pulmonary or cardiovascular conditions. Excursions involve walking that may range, over time, from one to three miles, less than half an hour to a couple of hours and may necessitate walking on uneven, steep or hilly ground, uphill terrain, unpaved surfaces or climbing steep and narrow stairs.
All participants should also be prepared to abide by all required safety protocols at their origin, destination and any points of transit, whatever these protocols may be at the time of the program
The MSU Alumni Office reserves the right to decline to accept or dismiss any participant from the program should their physical or mental condition, action or attitude impede the operation of the program or the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other participants. The MSU Alumni Office and St. Andrews cannot provide any ongoing assistance to participants. Any requested accommodation and/or physical or mental condition that may require special assistance or medical attention must be reported in writing at the time of application. Requested accommodation must be approved prior to travel and the MSU Alumni Office and St. Andrews cannot accept responsibility for any participant who does not communicate such requests prior to the program. This will ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the program for all participants.
Any requested accommodation and/or physical or mental condition will be kept confidential and shared only with relevant MSU Alumni Office and St. Andrews staff to ensure the participant’s requests are met to the best of our ability.
The well-being of participants is our highest priority. We respectfully request that prospective participants honestly consider the physical requirements and whether this program is a good fit for them. Prospective participants should also carefully consider their own health, including whether they are at increased risk for illness, and assess their personal risk tolerance. If there are any questions, we encourage prospective participants to contact the MSU Alumni Office prior to applying for the program.
2020-2021 Presentations on Scottish History, Literature and Culture
The MSU Alumni Office hosted several presentations featuring Garry MacKenzie, a University of St. Andrews tutor. Garry is an academic, poet and non-fiction writer based in Fife, Scotland. He tutors at the University of St. Andrews and the University for the Creative Arts and is one of the tutors for the Sojourn in St. Andrews program.
The presentations include:
- Battles, Migrations and the Loch Ness Monster: An Introduction to Scottish History and Culture
- Scottish Writers and Scottish Independence
- Robert Burns and Scottish Literature
If you missed any of these presentations, or would like to watch them again, they're available in our livestream archive.
You May Also Be Interested In
The MSU Alumni Office also hosts Odyssey to Oxford, a two-week lifelong education abroad program that takes you on a rare adventure to Oxford, England, “City of Dreaming Spires,” and to the University of Oxford, famous as a great center of learning since the 12th century. This is an annual program now in it's 38th year. The dates for 2023 are Aug. 20 - Sept. 2.