David Russell Apartments - Accommodation

David Russell Apartments undergraduate accommodation

Undergraduate students at David Russell Apartments can choose between catered or self-catered accommodation available in either single or shared rooms. All rooms have an en suite which includes a toilet and shower.

This is one of the University’s largest and most diverse residences, welcoming undergraduate and postgraduate students from many countries. Find out more about postgraduate accommodation in David Russell Apartments.

Solar rooftop project

The University is installing rooftop solar panels on a range of buildings, including David Russell Apartments. There will be scaffolding on the building during the two to three weeks of the installation but it is not expected to overlook bedrooms. There will also be a short power shutdown while the system is connected.

Once the full programme is confirmed we will update this information and confirm the exact dates for each building. Find out more about the .

Costs for 2026-2027

Self-catered en suite, shared, 38 weeks

£8,001

Self-catered en suite, single, 38 weeks

£9,286

Self-catered studio apartment, 38 weeks

£11,598 – single occupancy
£5,847 – shared occupancy

Catered en suite, shared, 38 weeks

£10,450, including £2,449 catering cost

Catered en suite, single, 38 weeks

£11,735, including £2,449 catering cost

Included in residence fees:

utilities (gas and electricity)
internet access (through your own PC)
contents insurance from cover4insurance.com ( apply)
hall committee subscriptions

Fees vary depending on whether you are staying in catered or self-catered accommodation, whether your room is standard or en suite, and whether you are sharing or not. Check the costs during your application. If you are here for less than an academic year, email accommodation@st-andrews.ac.uk for details of fees.

Hall information

Rooms are part of five-bedroom shared apartments, over four levels and accessible by stairs. Each apartment has a furnished common room and shared kitchen. All single rooms have a double bed and a wet room.

There are 24 shared rooms available which accommodate two students. Shared rooms have two single beds.

Accessibility

There are a limited number of ground-floor apartments, and some have been adapted for wheelchair users. View the for information about physical access to this building.

Location

David Russell Apartments is on the western edge of town, near a number of Science buildings. It's close to Saints Sport, the University sports centre. It's a 20-minute walk from the centre of town and the Students' Union, and a 25-minute walk to St Salvator's Quad and the Main Library.

There are regular buses to the town centre, and a night bus service for students runs every night between 10pm and 2am during term time.

Many students choose to walk or use bikes to travel around campus and throughout the town. Find out more about travelling to and getting around 58吃瓜.

What is David Russell Apartments like?

The hall committee and wardennial service host a wide variety of events ranging from ceilidhs to film nights, pub quizzes and the largest student-run ball in St Andrews.

Video transcript

So my name is Ling, I'm from Malaysia, and I've been in DRA for about three years now.

And it's really funny because actually most of my close friends are all from DRA, and I knew them through mainly the events that the DRA committee has hosted in the Bistro.

And most of my close friends now we met from actually pool and table tennis tournaments.

For me, because I am part of the DRA committee, I feel like the student experience is really richer.

First of all, we have so many students of diverse backgrounds.

And not only that, but we also have a huge population.

So I think it is a chance to get to know everyone, and that's one of the best things I love about DRA.

DRA, mainly you can choose to be catered or self-catered.

And for those who are catered, we are provided breakfast and dinner on the weekdays and breakfast and lunch on the weekends.

And honestly, I feel as someone who has been used to school lunches, that DRA provides actually one of the best school catered meals I've ever had.

So we mainly have the Bistro area where there is a pool and table tennis table.

And furthermore, there are rooms that you can book, such as the cinema room that people usually use to study, have meetings or watch movies, obviously.

And we also have a music room where you can practice the piano, guitar and whatever, everything is provided in the room.

So for me, I live in a flat with five other people.

So I do not share a bathroom, but I do share the kitchen.

And I think for the studio, you don't share your kitchen nor your bathroom.

And for the shared rooms, I think you do share the bathroom, but you have your own room that you either have one other person with.

DRA is about a 20-minute walk from a town to and fro.

But there is also buses that you can take directly from DRA to the town that really helps if you're not a fan of walking.

But we are relatively close to the Sports Centre.

I would say less than 10 minutes it would take me to reach the Sports Centre, which I think is nice.

We have two laundry locations, and the one is located in DRA itself and the other one is located in Fife Pars, so you never really have competition to use it.

If you are someone who hasn't been away from home, bring a few items that really make you feel home and safe, because that's what I struggled with when I first came here.

In terms of making friends and everything, you don't have to worry about that because there are so many people in 58吃瓜 that will make you feel so happy.

Bedroom

Bedding is not included. You can bring your own duvet, blankets and pillow cases, or order bedding before arriving in 58吃瓜. Find out more on the bedding information page.

All bedrooms have:

desk, chair and desk lighting
mattress and mattress protector
shelves, wardrobe and drawer unit
general waste and recycling bins

Facilities

David Russell Apartments offers various facilities for students to use for studying or socialising.

Food

Students may choose to buy a meal card which allows them to eat in The Bistro.

Students on catered accommodation get 14 meals each week:

Monday to Friday: breakfast and dinner
Saturday and Sunday: breakfast and lunch

View the current .

Dragon's Den (situated in the Facilities building)

The Dragon's Den offers a place to meet friends, watch television, enjoy a game of pool, or simply relax. It serves as the venue for many of the committee's events, including the weekly quiz. The bar in this area is used for student events as required.

Kitchen

Shared apartments have a communal kitchen. These shared kitchens come equipped with:

kettle
fridge and freezer
microwave
oven and electric cooker
pots and pans suitable for induction hobs
steam iron and ironing board
clothes airer
basin, cutlery tray and sink tidy
dustpan and brush, broom, mop and bucket, and vacuum cleaner
general waste and recycling bins.

Information about which kitchen items you can bring with you can be found on the what to pack webpage.

Laundry

Washers and dryers are available through the Washnet app.

Computer room (situated in the Facilities building)

IT suite with 22 computers open all day every day so residents can access it any time.

Entertainment rooms (situated in the Facilities building)

The Nisbet room is a private space for different types of events.

The Cinema Room can be booked for up to four hours a day using the booking sheet on the door. It's a great space to watch a film with friends.

The music room is available for individuals or small groups and can be booked for up to an hour a day. It includes a piano and a practice drum kit.

More about how to book these spaces can be found in the Resident’s guide.

Parking

There is limited parking available. To park a car in a University building, you must get a student car parking permit.

Most students choose to cycle or walk in 58吃瓜 as University buildings and other places in town are not too far away from each other. Learn more about how to travel to and around 58吃瓜.

Internet and television

Each shared apartment has a TV in the common room. To use these or your own devices, you may need a TV Licence. See Use devices and wifi in student accommodation for more information on this and other equipment.

Cleaning

You are expected to keep your residence clean and tidy. University staff will carry out regular inspections. Check the Cleaning your student accommodation guide for more information.

Support

Each Residence has a team of staff who manage reception, porter and housekeeping teams and work closely with Catering, Halls Life and wardens and the Student Committee to ensure the hall operates smoothly and to help you enjoy your time in student accommodation.

From 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, these staff can answer questions about your accommodation and help you get help from other parts of the University.

All University halls of residence also have their own Halls Life and wardennial team who live within the hall and are trained to support students with advice on anything from academic matters through to first aid. New students will meet their warden and team of assistant wardens during their moving-in weekend.

Wardens and support

Contact David Russell Apartments

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 7100
Email: drareception@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address: David Russell Apartments
University of 58吃瓜
Buchanan Gardens
58吃瓜
Fife
KY16 9LY

Accommodation for Semester 1 only

If you are a student on an exchange programme or a short-term study abroad scheme, you can apply for accommodation for Semester 1 only. See all accommodation options and costs for Semester 1.