Student Stories: “The guidance and support available here are invaluable”
First-year MBChB (ScotCOM) student Sejan Vigneswaralingam shares his experience of starting his medical degree at St Andrews.
My name is Sejan, and I’m currently in my first year of the MBChB (ScotCOM) programme at the University of St Andrews.
Why St Andrews?
I’ve always known I wanted to study medicine, but choosing where was the real question. Since it’s a long degree, I wanted to be somewhere I would genuinely enjoy living for five years. I chose St Andrews because the town is beautiful, and I love the focus on community within the university.
The medical course itself was also a perfect fit, offering a strong mix of theory-based learning and early clinical exposure. It’s also reassuring to know I can easily get support from both staff and fellow students. The sense of mutual support among students in particular makes the experience truly worthwhile.
First impressions
It’s only been a month, but I’ve loved my time here so far. Starting the course, meeting a lot of new people, joining different sports clubs and societies, and exploring the town have been amazing.
Life as a medical student here is certainly busy, but it’s very exciting. I’m trying to get involved with as many things as possible, while also making time to socialise. I’ve even taken part in my first tradition, the Pier Walk, which was really fun! I’m keen to learn more about the other traditions the university has.
Life in St Andrews
I absolutely love living in St Andrews. The town is beautiful, and everything is within walking distance, which makes getting my daily steps in easy! I enjoy exploring the streets, and I’ve already found some lovely new cafes and libraries in which to study.
The call to medicine
There are many reasons why I chose medicine, but the main one is the opportunity to help others and have a significant, positive impact on their lives.
What I enjoy most about studying medicine so far is the content itself; it’s been so interesting! I’m learning about a lot of topics for the first time, like medical sociology and medical imaging. I also appreciate the structure of my timetable, which provides a great mix of lectures and practical sessions.
My biggest highlight has been studying basic anatomy. It’s fascinating to learn about the human body in such detail and see how all the different parts and systems work together. Looking ahead, I’m most excited to learn more about the brain and nervous system; it’s such a complex and endlessly fascinating topic.
Advice for future students
If you’re interested in medicine, the main thing I’d stress is to make sure you have a genuine passion for it. It’s not an easy degree, and you need that motivation to stay on top of everything.
For balancing university life and preparing for your medical studies in St Andrews, I have three main tips:
- Treat your days like a 9 to 5. You rarely have lectures back-to-back all day, so if you have an hour or two between classes, try to get some studying done then. This frees up your evenings to relax.
- Get involved in university life. Go out with friends, join societies and clubs, and explore the town. St Andrews is a beautiful place, so make the most of your time here!
- Make friends on your course. You’ll be together for the next few years, so it’s vital to have a support network of people who understand your experience.
Would I recommend St Andrews?
100% yes. I’d recommend St Andrews both generally and for the medical school. The main reason is the incredible community; staff and students genuinely want to support each other. For the medical course specifically, the second and third years are also always willing to give guidance and support, which is invaluable.