Learn English – What do you call someone who attends the same university as you

word-request

Can I call that person a schoolmate? Or is that a wrong word because a school isn't a university? In that case, is it common to call that person a university mate?

Best Answer

In the US at least, this person would be a fellow student, a friend from college or a friend (or acquaintance) from school.

Personally I've never heard "university mate." Also I've never seen or heard "an university" anything. It would be "a university" something. Because "university" starts with a Y sound, a consonant in this case.

A "classmate" is only for a student who's sitting in the same class with you.

I haven't heard "schoolmate" but I don't know why.