When Sophie Rose Jenkins announced she would not return to St Andrews University this academic year because of her experiences of classism on campus, she did not expect much of a response. But in the two weeks since she published her story on LinkedIn, it has resonated with hundreds of others.
“Working-class students have been made to feel ashamed of their home life at university,” the former comparative literature and classical studies student wrote in a lengthy post. “Arriving at a university ranked first in the UK at the time from a background like mine, I thought I was doing everything right.
“I don’t mean for this to be a sob story but an explanation. I recognise the privilege of access to higher education, however I am also brutally aware of the hidden privilege of having unobstructed access to studying for a degree. There is a deep gap between the two, and it is never addressed.”
For many responding, her comments touched on a growing tension at St Andrews, driven by the funding model of Scotland’s cash-strapped universities. Places for Scottish students, who study for free, are capped by the Scottish government and account for about 30% of students at St Andrews. Maintenance loans and bursaries cover basic costs, but those from lower-income families are still often left with less disposable income than their contemporaries – including wealthy international students who pay much higher fees.
St Andrews, ranked second in the Guardian’s university league table for 2026, accepts one of the highest percentages in the UK of privately educated students. The British aristocracy has long adored the medieval town’s cobbled streets, wind-swept beach and grand stone buildings: Prince William and the Princess of Wales met there.
View image in fullscreenSophie Rose Jenkins’s comments have struck a chord with some other students. Photograph: none
But the recent influx of wealthy US students has changed the dynamic on campus, students say. Americans account for around a fifth of undergraduates at St Andrews, the highest proportion in the UK, with each paying £33,250 for this academic year, more than three times what British students pay.
“My parents were worried about me coming here. They didn’t want me to be left out,” said one Scottish fresher who is on a scholarship to study classics. “Most of the people I have met are international students. I didn’t grow up with tons of money. Maybe they can be a bit ignorant to the cost of things.”
Another said: “There’s a Pret here. You have to ask yourself why that is in such a small town.”
Aspects of fraternity and sorority culture have started to blend with the upper-class experience of British university, some students say. Regular black-tie dinners and balls are now rivalled by fashion shows and exclusive societies. A short walk from the student union bar, an interior design shop advertises luxury bed linen for students, while a popular coffee shop sells designer clothes and candles alongside speciality matchas.
“I totally see her [Jenkins’s] perspective,” said one privately educated student from Edinburgh, who was returning from hockey practice with friends. “It can be quite segregated: the English hang out with the English, the Americans with the Americans. We knew lots of people from hockey already so it’s easy to feel left out if you’re not from that environment.
“The American culture is coming in and it massively influences everything at the moment. They compete with each other. If you look at how they dress, people arrive in lectures as if they are going on a night out.”
One student referenced a well-known student newspaper article published last year about how St Andrews had turned into the Scottish Upper East Side, which said: “Our beloved Scottish town is day by day turning into a microcosm of Manhattan’s elite world; complete with intrigue, privilege, and secrets that spread like wildfire.”
Underlining the point, an American studentWalking past the student union, someone says loudly to a friend: “Everyone will think you’re rich if you carry a Ralph Lauren bag. But that doesn’t make you rich.”
St Andrews said it had contacted Jenkins to learn more about her experience, but she chose not to engage for now. The university said it has a strong system for reporting student complaints, and only a few complaints have been filed in the past five years.
“Yes, some students arrive at St Andrews, and at every other university, with immature, offensive, and classist views. But they usually don’t leave with them,” said Vice-Principal Niall Scott.
“This isn’t a St Andrews problem—it’s a societal problem. Classism starts at home or at school, not at university. Universities like St Andrews play a key role in challenging these attitudes by bringing together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, and encouraging understanding, respect, and inclusion.”
Debate about classism at Scottish universities is nothing new. In 2024, Edinburgh University issued guidance on how students should treat each other after a rise in discrimination and classism complaints. “Don’t be a snob!” the advice read. At St Andrews, some students said classism isn’t only tied to the rise in American students.
“It’s mostly an attitude thing. There’s an idea that working-class students can’t speak about issues happening elsewhere in the world because they haven’t traveled as much,” said one science student. “At St Andrews, even for moderately wealthy people, it feels like there’s an old-money level above you that you don’t even get to talk to.”
Rasmus, a Danish student, said the social dynamics at the university puzzled him.
“It took me two weeks to meet a Scottish person. They’re surrounded by people who can afford international tuition, which is a pretty narrow group. I can imagine that being quite a difficult experience,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the classism controversy at the University of St Andrews involving American students
What is the Scottish Upper East Side referring to
It is a nickname for St Andrews a small historic university town in Scotland It refers to the high concentration of wealthy privately educated studentsmany from the USand the exclusive expensive lifestyle that dominates the social scene there
What is classism
Classism is prejudice or discrimination based on social class It means judging or treating people differently because of how much money they have their family background or the type of school they attended
Why are American students being blamed for classism at St Andrews
Critics say the growing number of wealthy American students has changed the culture Many arrive with expectations of an Ivy Leaguestyle experience drive up rents and form exclusive cliques that make less wealthy students feel excluded
What is the St Andrews bubble
It is the feeling that the university and town exist in their own world separate from the rest of Scotland Inside the bubble wealth accent and social connections often matter more than they do elsewhere
What are some common examples of classism at St Andrews
Examples include dinner party culture where invitations depend on status expensive traditions like 2000 gowns for balls and subtle comments about which private school someone attended
Is this a new problem
No St Andrews has had an elite reputation for centuries But the recent surge in American applicantsmany paying full international feeshas made the wealth gap and cultural clash more visible
How do American students contribute to the problem
Not all do But some bring a paytoplay mindset join expensive clubs and stick to Americanonly friend groups This can unintentionally push out local and less wealthy students
What is shame and snobbery in this context
Snobbery is looking down on people with less money or status Shame is the flip sidestudents from poorer backgrounds feeling embarrassed or hiding their background to fit in
Why do some students feel ashamed of their background at St Andrews
Because the social scene often revolves around expensive events and brands If you cannot afford them you may feel left out or judged leading to shame about your finances
