‘It’s like the Scottish Upper East Side’: shame and snobbery as American students blamed for St Andrews classism
Online comments reflect class tensions at Scottish university between those from lower-income families and wealthier US undergraduates
TL;DR
- A former student's public account of classism at St Andrews University has sparked widespread discussion among students and alumni.
- The university's funding model, with capped places for Scottish students who study for free, contributes to a disparity in disposable income compared to wealthier domestic and international students.
- The rising number of American undergraduates, who pay substantially higher tuition fees, has been cited as a factor in changing the campus dynamic and fostering a culture of perceived exclusivity and materialism.
- Students from lower-income backgrounds report feeling ashamed, left out, and judged for their financial status, with some comparing the university environment to Manhattan's Upper East Side.
- The university acknowledges that classist views exist but states that it plays a role in challenging these attitudes through its diverse student body and inclusive initiatives.