St Andrews

The Guardian reports on a growing class divide at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where American students are being blamed for fuelling snobbery and shame around wealth. Critics compare the small Fife town's social scene to New York's Upper East Side, with wealthy US students accused of dominating the social hierarchy and squeezing out less affluent British students.

Students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland say the institution has become 'like the Scottish Upper East Side', with wealthy American students blamed for fuelling snobbery and a culture of shame around class. Critics describe an elite social scene dominated by rich internationals, squeezing out local and less affluent British students.

American students at the University of St Andrews are being accused of fuelling classism and social snobbery at the Scottish university, with critics comparing its social scene to New York's Upper East Side. A Guardian report describes a divide between wealthy international students, many paying high fees from the US, and local students who say they feel shamed or excluded. The story has prompted debate about privilege, tuition-driven admissions and the changing character of one of Scotland's oldest universities.