University and Whitehorn Halls | Accommodation Overview
So your accommodation offer finally came through, maybe you were one of the lucky ones that got it early or maybe you were later. It doesn't matter because you all move in on the same day.
Welcome to University and Whitehorn Halls.
University Hall is the hall I've called my home for the last year and it was recently joined by Whitehorn Hall that shares it's grounds. I've loved living in Uni Hall during my first year and I'm returning in September as the hall committee treasurer but I'll explain more about hall committees in a future post.
University Hall is the University's oldest purpose built hall of residence, opening in 1896 as an all female hall of residence (although clearly it's moved on from that). It now has 3 distinct wings each with their own character and they're all a little different. Old Wing (right), Lumsden Wing, which was build later and has smaller rooms but is a bit warmer, and Wardlaw Wing (below) which is the only remaining all female wing.
University Hall isn't located in the middle of town like most of the other older halls. It's situated a bit further out (and I mean like 10 minutes walk from the Union but after a while distances become relative in St Andrews and sometimes that seems like an eternity) and can be found just above the North Haugh where you'll find the majority of the science buildings so it's ideal for students studying those subjects. I had a 9am Maths lecture in the Chemistry building this year and after they put in the new stairs from the back of Uni Hall it was about 90 seconds between my room and the lecture theatre (See how easily distance can become relative).
University Hall is a catered hall of residence which offers Standard Catered and En-suite Catered in both single and shared rooms. There's even a few triple rooms. Most people don't have en-suite so will share bathrooms of which there will be a few on each floor with a shower, sink and loo.
In October 2018, following several delays which resulted in the new residents being placed in the soon to be demolished Albany Park (which was a fair distance from Uni Hall), Whitehorn Hall opened it's doors to students for the first time.
Whitehorn Hall is a hall of two halves when it comes to room options. It's got a roughly even split of Standard Self Catered rooms, who share a kitchen/living area between a handful of rooms, and En-suite Catered rooms, which if you get will mean eating in the main Uni Hall dining room.
All Uni Hall and Whitehorn residents have access to all the facilities of the other giving Uni Hall residents access to much more study spaces for individual and group work (which I personally used when working on a large group project for my second semester physics module which was a lot of work but I digress). It also means that the residents of Whitehorn Hall gain access to the nice areas in Uni Hall such as the gorgeous wood paneled Old Wing Dining Room which now serves as a common space with a grand piano, and the games room which has table football, table tennis and a pool table. That's not to say Whitehorn doesn't have recreational facilities. It has it's own music room (as does uni hall) and this year the hall committee will be buying an air hockey table for the Whitehorn games room.
Speaking of Hall Committee, University Hall and Whitehorn Hall share a combined committee that oversees the running of events for all residents from the events in Freshers Week, which will include plenty of pre parties, garden parties, film nights, pizza nights and a Rodeo Night (complete with Mechanical Bull), hall ceilidhs, and High Table Dinners, to the biggest event of the year, the Hall Ball which is always a highlight of the year for Uni Hall residents.
If you've been given a place at Uni Hall or Whitehorn then the committee is really your voice in the hall and I would encourage you to run for election for the remaining positions in first semester because with so many freshers it helps to hear their opinions on committee. Our Senior Students, Chloe Fielding and Amy Myers lead the committee but there are plenty other positions which I encourage you to run for in the elections later in the year. So it's not just me telling you about the hall, I asked our senior students to comment about their role at University and Whitehorn Halls:
We
are best known for our regular ceilidhs, which are a fantastic way to meet some
new people. Recent years have seen the return of the UWH Lecture Series, during
which external lecturers will visit the hall and give a talk about their
subject. Throughout the year we hold a number of formal High Table dinners, as
well as transforming the dining room into Hogwarts’ Great Hall at Halloween.
UWH has one of the higher rates of returning students, ensuring that the
community is diverse and supportive. The recent addition of Whitehorn has seen
the number of both social and study spaces in hall greatly increase. UWH prides
itself on offering a range of inclusive events; we like to make sure there’s
something for everyone! We are assisted in this goal by our fabulous Wardennial
team who hold Coffee & Cake and Wine & Cheese events once or twice a
semester.
Uni Hall has a great community atmosphere, especially among the catered students because you'd be amazed at how big a difference just eating with people can make. It's not uncommon for you to make some of your best friends in halls but don't just take my word for it. Below are some comments from Uni Hall residents from this year.
Welcome to University and Whitehorn Halls.
University Hall is the hall I've called my home for the last year and it was recently joined by Whitehorn Hall that shares it's grounds. I've loved living in Uni Hall during my first year and I'm returning in September as the hall committee treasurer but I'll explain more about hall committees in a future post.
University Hall is the University's oldest purpose built hall of residence, opening in 1896 as an all female hall of residence (although clearly it's moved on from that). It now has 3 distinct wings each with their own character and they're all a little different. Old Wing (right), Lumsden Wing, which was build later and has smaller rooms but is a bit warmer, and Wardlaw Wing (below) which is the only remaining all female wing.
University Hall isn't located in the middle of town like most of the other older halls. It's situated a bit further out (and I mean like 10 minutes walk from the Union but after a while distances become relative in St Andrews and sometimes that seems like an eternity) and can be found just above the North Haugh where you'll find the majority of the science buildings so it's ideal for students studying those subjects. I had a 9am Maths lecture in the Chemistry building this year and after they put in the new stairs from the back of Uni Hall it was about 90 seconds between my room and the lecture theatre (See how easily distance can become relative).
University Hall is a catered hall of residence which offers Standard Catered and En-suite Catered in both single and shared rooms. There's even a few triple rooms. Most people don't have en-suite so will share bathrooms of which there will be a few on each floor with a shower, sink and loo.
In October 2018, following several delays which resulted in the new residents being placed in the soon to be demolished Albany Park (which was a fair distance from Uni Hall), Whitehorn Hall opened it's doors to students for the first time.Whitehorn Hall is a hall of two halves when it comes to room options. It's got a roughly even split of Standard Self Catered rooms, who share a kitchen/living area between a handful of rooms, and En-suite Catered rooms, which if you get will mean eating in the main Uni Hall dining room.
All Uni Hall and Whitehorn residents have access to all the facilities of the other giving Uni Hall residents access to much more study spaces for individual and group work (which I personally used when working on a large group project for my second semester physics module which was a lot of work but I digress). It also means that the residents of Whitehorn Hall gain access to the nice areas in Uni Hall such as the gorgeous wood paneled Old Wing Dining Room which now serves as a common space with a grand piano, and the games room which has table football, table tennis and a pool table. That's not to say Whitehorn doesn't have recreational facilities. It has it's own music room (as does uni hall) and this year the hall committee will be buying an air hockey table for the Whitehorn games room.
Speaking of Hall Committee, University Hall and Whitehorn Hall share a combined committee that oversees the running of events for all residents from the events in Freshers Week, which will include plenty of pre parties, garden parties, film nights, pizza nights and a Rodeo Night (complete with Mechanical Bull), hall ceilidhs, and High Table Dinners, to the biggest event of the year, the Hall Ball which is always a highlight of the year for Uni Hall residents.
If you've been given a place at Uni Hall or Whitehorn then the committee is really your voice in the hall and I would encourage you to run for election for the remaining positions in first semester because with so many freshers it helps to hear their opinions on committee. Our Senior Students, Chloe Fielding and Amy Myers lead the committee but there are plenty other positions which I encourage you to run for in the elections later in the year. So it's not just me telling you about the hall, I asked our senior students to comment about their role at University and Whitehorn Halls:
"Hello!
Amy and Chloe here to tell you a bit more about University and Whitehorn Hall
(UWH). As we are one of the larger halls in St Andrews, our committee is headed
up by two Senior Students (us) with the rest of the executive committee
consisting of a Treasurer, Secretary and Head of Events. Our role is to keep
the many UWH traditions alive and to provide events that bring the four wings
together.
We
are best known for our regular ceilidhs, which are a fantastic way to meet some
new people. Recent years have seen the return of the UWH Lecture Series, during
which external lecturers will visit the hall and give a talk about their
subject. Throughout the year we hold a number of formal High Table dinners, as
well as transforming the dining room into Hogwarts’ Great Hall at Halloween.
UWH has one of the higher rates of returning students, ensuring that the
community is diverse and supportive. The recent addition of Whitehorn has seen
the number of both social and study spaces in hall greatly increase. UWH prides
itself on offering a range of inclusive events; we like to make sure there’s
something for everyone! We are assisted in this goal by our fabulous Wardennial
team who hold Coffee & Cake and Wine & Cheese events once or twice a
semester.
For
years now we have had a strong and bitter rivalry with John Burnet Hall – the
reason is a bit foggy at this point, but it has something to do with them
stealing an animal head from us. Ultimately though, all you need to know is
that UWH has an amazing community spirit and is the best hall to live in."
- Amy and Chloe
Uni Hall has a great community atmosphere, especially among the catered students because you'd be amazed at how big a difference just eating with people can make. It's not uncommon for you to make some of your best friends in halls but don't just take my word for it. Below are some comments from Uni Hall residents from this year.
"I loved uni hall because I got to meet loads of people in the dining room who I might not have met otherwise" - Sarah Sinclair
"Best thing about uni hall was the Ball - definitely one of the best events of the year because you know everyone there and it's just a brilliant evening" - Alice Martin
"Quite random things but that are very specific to uni hall - I loved being so close to the sports hall, and being slightly out of town meant there was the feeling of walking 'home' each day which I really liked" - Madeleine Matthews
"I loved the size of uni hall- and definitely being catered was so helpful to meet friends and really feel like you were living in community. I never felt lonely which I think can happen in a flat more easily- and it’s a lovely walk through Kennedy Gardens to town everyday. It also has a lovely mix of old and new and the hall library’s are lifesavers if you don’t want to walk into town but want to work outside of your room" - Rachel Henry
"Quite random things but that are very specific to uni hall - I loved being so close to the sports hall, and being slightly out of town meant there was the feeling of walking 'home' each day which I really liked" - Madeleine Matthews
"I loved the size of uni hall- and definitely being catered was so helpful to meet friends and really feel like you were living in community. I never felt lonely which I think can happen in a flat more easily- and it’s a lovely walk through Kennedy Gardens to town everyday. It also has a lovely mix of old and new and the hall library’s are lifesavers if you don’t want to walk into town but want to work outside of your room" - Rachel Henry
If I haven't made it abundantly clear yet, Uni Hall and Whitehorn Hall are great places to live. I look forward to meeting you in Spetember if they turn out to be your home. If you have any other questions about Uni Hall or Whitehorn then please comment below and I'll do a follow up post after I've talked about all the halls answering as best I can and thank you to Amy and Chloe for their help with this post.
Next time, I'll talk about the largest hall under one roof. Agnes Blackadder and Powell Halls.
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