Competitive Debating
Debate Training
The UDS operates a weekly British Parliamentary debate training program, free for all St Andrews Students. Debate training is a great way to improve your critical thinking and public speaking skills. Training takes place every Wednesday at 2:00PM in the Large Rehearsal room. These sessions are open to everyone, regardless of prior experience.
Our training officer also holds advance sessions on Mondays evenings for those with more experience.
Competitions
The UDS sends teams to competitions across the UK most weekends during the semester. There are lots of different competitions to get involved with, from novice level competitions all the way to the national championships! Alongside this, the UDS normally sends teams to the European and World University Debating Championships in the summer break.
The society funds the registration fees for all of the competitions we attend, so students normally only have to cover their travel cost.
Travel Bursary Scheme
The UDS has a generous bursary scheme for students to reclaim the cost of travel to debate competitions across the UK and internationally. Debating shouldn’t be a hobby only accessible to the rich and it’s our mission to open up debating to everyone.
To find out more about the scheme, click the link below.
St Andrews Open
Every year, St Andrews welcomes debate teams from across the world for the St Andrew Open. This is a two day British Parliamentary debating competition held in the union building with the final in Lower Parliament Hall. Stay tuned for more details on the 2024 Open being held on the 9th-10th March!