Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies

Discover your subject from a truly interdisciplinary perspective with the Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies. Interdisciplinary study Graduate School degrees use ideas from different disciplines to give students a more rounded understanding of their subject. Learning across subject boundaries Interdisciplinary learning is at the heart of the Graduate School. Core modules on Graduate School degrees use themed seminars led by subject experts from across the University. Students consider their subject from different disciplinary perspectives, developing an interdisciplinary understanding. This approach also enables students to show skills such as flexibility and creativity. Optional modules allow students to further develop the interdisciplinary character of their studies. In the end of degree project students explore a topic in depth. The project can also be interdisciplinary in scope and may have an applied character. On most degrees, students have a choice in how to present the project. This might be as a dissertation or in more applied format - such as a policy report or multi-media portfolio. Academic and personal skills Graduate School Masters degrees help students develop advanced subject knowledge and research skills. Students also develop skills in: critical thinking and creativity analysis and appraisal problem solving and decision making personal leadership and project management interpersonal communication and team working Core modules have an integrated skills development programme. The skills development programme connects academic learning with the development of professional skills. The skills development programme has three parts. Study support sessions prepare students for postgraduate study. Career support sessions help students look beyond their degree. Experiential sessions address real social justice problems faced by partner organisations. Community The Graduate School is a vibrant, stimulating postgraduate community. Graduate School events bring students together and help foster interdisciplinary identity. Students make social and intellectual connections within and across their Masters degree groups. St Leonard's Postgraduate College The University postgraduate community, St Leonard’s Postgraduate College, welcomes Graduate School students. St Leonard's Postgraduate College hosts networking and training events for all postgraduates. Through these Graduate School students can make connections with postgraduates from other schools. Postgraduate Society St Leonard’s Postgraduate College works closely with the Postgraduate Society. The Postgraduate Society is one of the Students’ Association's most active societies. All Masters students are welcome into the Postgraduate Society. The Postgraduate Society organises events for postgraduates. These include beach bonfires, day trips around Scotland, pub nights, and graduation balls. History and location The Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies welcomed its first students in 2018. The Graduate School now welcomes students from around the world. In 2020 more than 90 students joined Graduate School MSc and MLitt degrees. Since 2021, the Graduate School has been based in the Old Burgh School. The Old Burgh School has office, teaching, and study space for the Graduate School. It is also home to the University’s postgraduate study centre. Graduate School Meeting Room The Graduate School Meeting Room situated at the Old Burgh School is available to be booked by staff and postgraduate students Monday-Friday between 9am-6pm. The room has a capacity of 6 (current covid occupancy) and is equipped with a projector and screen. There is kitchen facilities directly adjacent. Staff can book directly via our online room booking system. For student room bookings, please email gradschool@st-andrews.ac.uk. Priority will be given to bookings related to Graduate School or Postgraduate St Leonards College activities. Please note, this room should not be booked by students as an additional study space.