Supporting documents and References
Supporting Documentation
All applications, including those made on-line, must include the following supplementary documentation before a decision can be made.
- CV/resume - your personal details with history of education and employment to date
- A sample of academic written work - see below
- 2 original signed academic references - see below
- Academic transcripts/degree certificates - certified copies only please with official English translations if applicable. Please do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.
- ELTS/CPE/TOEFL certificate - if English is not your first language.
- A research proposal - this applies to research students only. Applicants intending to read for a PhD / DLang / MPhil award should include an outline in English (not more than 500 words in length) of their proposed research topic, if required by the School or supervisor.
- Covering Letter/Letter of Intent (optional) - a very brief introduction letter stating why you wish to study University of St Andrews and your reasons for selecting the programme.
Note: if you are applying to more than one programme, please ensure that each application contains a copy of your supporting documents - this greatly speeds up our administration of applications.
Further Guidance for Supporting Documents
- an academic sample of written work, approximately 2,000 words - this can be an extract from your undergraduate dissertation/project. Applicants who are unable to provide an academic sample should contact the appropriate School directly for further guidance.
- a written sample is not required for applications to taught programmes within the Faculty of Science
- all Management taught applications, except MRes Management Studies, require a 2(A4) page personal statement instead of the academic written sample
Reference forms
Reference forms are available
- via our online application for taught programmes
- via the Prospects website
- by downloading Reference Form (DOC, 86 KB)
Points to note regarding references to avoid delay in processing your application
- On-line Applications: References are automatically requested via our on-line application form - applicants remain responsible for ensuring that references are sent to us
- Paper and Prospects Applications: Candidates are responsible for sending reference forms to their named referees and ensuring that they have been sent to us
- References may be sent directly by your referees to us by post (or email if from the referees own email address) or to you in a sealed envelope for forwarding to us - emailed or scanned copies sent from the applicant are not acceptable.
- One employment reference and one academic reference is acceptable for applicants unable to provide two academic references.
- Referees may use their own headed paper and should they wish to do so, please request that they include your full name and proposed programme of study.
- If you are applying to more than one programme, references will be required for each programme.
Submission of documents not uploaded when using the online application form
Documents not uploaded at the time of submitting an online application may be sent by email, fax or post - contact details will be provided in your application form. Please only use one method for when sending documents eg email only or post only.
Submission of paper applications and supporting documents
Email is our preferred method for sending documents but you may also send your documents by fax or post - email Postgraduate Admissions or see General Enquiries for address details. Please only use one method when sending documents eg email only or post only.
