Undergraduate Entrance Qualifications
In the last undergraduate UCAS cycle we received over 12,000 applications for approximately 1100 'Home' ie United Kingdom.European Union domiciled places. 'International' or non UK/EU domiciled applicants are not counted in this government-funded applicant pool. With around 10 applications per place, competition per place is intense and all candidates will be expected to achieve highly in the qualifications they are studying for.
The University expects all the following qualifications to be gained at the first diet of examinations. If there have been resit examinations in any module or component of the subject award, this should be declared by the candidates on their UCAS Personal Statement or Reference. If you are a non native speaker of English or the language of instruction is not English, you may be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability in addition to the following entrance qualifications. Further information for non-native English speakers can be found on the English Language Teaching pages.
For candidates wishing to study Medicine at the University of St Andrews, comprehensive information on entrance qualifications and the application process can be found on the School of Medicine website.
United Kingdom
- SQA Highers and please refer to the Degree List 2009 (PDF, 309 KB)
- A Levels - please refer to the Degree List 2009 (PDF, 309 KB)
- Access Course/HNC/BTEC qualifications
For candidates coming from the following countries, the entry requirements from national school-leaving qualifications are listed below.
International Baccalaureate - please refer to the Degree List for the points required for individual subjects. Offers tend to be in the 34-38 points range including the Theory of Knowledge.
Austria
Candidates should hold the Reifezeugnis or equivalent and be expected to gain a 'gut' at the very least although most candidates under consideration of a place would be expected to achieve 'sehr gut' in most subjects and preferably 'mit gutem Erfolg bestanden'.
Bulgaria
You should expect to achieve a minimum overall average of grade 5 with a grade 6 in two specified subjects - excluding Bulgarian. Candidates under serious consideration can be asked to achieve up to an overall average of grade 6 including English Language. These grade boundaries are based on the Diploma za sredno obrazovanie.
Canada
- Alberta High School Diploma - Five Grade 12 subjects at 80% or above;
- British Columbia - Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma with at least five grade 12 subjects at 80% or above;
- Manitoba - High School Graduation Diploma with at least five 405 courses at 80% or above;
- Ontario - For the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, six Grade 12 courses at 80% or above are required.
- Quebec - Diplome d¿Etudes Collegiales (DEC) with at least five Grade 12 subjects at 75%.
Czech Republic
Maturita Vysvedceni o Maturitni Skuske. Candidates are expected to achieve between an overall average grade of 2.0 or above with a grade 1 in specified subjects and an overall average grade of 1.5 (and above), again with grade 1 in specified subjects. English Language requirements include a GPA of 7 in English A or a GPA of 9 in English B.
Estonia
The Gumnaasiumi Loputunnistus must also have the Riigieksamid in specified subjects. Candidates are expected to achieve a minimum overall average of 90% or more with 90% in required/specified subjects. However, attainment with an overall average of 95% or more with 95% in required/specified subjects is preferred. A score of 90% or above in the state examination of English can be acceptable in lieu of other English language tests.
France
French Baccalaureate candidates are expected to achieve a minimum of a 'bien' pass (14-15) overall but it is normal for grades of 16 + to be required in specific subjects.
Germany
You should expect to achieve a minimum overall grade of 1.6 with scores of 13 + in specific subjects. In recent years most candidates holding the Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife (Abitur) have been asked to achieve an overall grade of 1.3 to include scores of 14 + in individual subjects.
Greece
The Apolyterion of Lykeio requires a minimum of a 17 overall but candidates under serious consideration should achieve a minimum of 18.
Italy
Grades of 93- 98% are expected in the Diploma di Esame di Stato with the majority of the offers coming at the top of upper range.
Latvia
Candidates are normally required to achieve a minimum of 7.5 with 8 in two specified subjects. However most offers ask for an overall average of 8 with 8 in three specified subjects or 8.5 (joti labi) with a 9 (teicami) in a specified subject.
Lithuania
For the Brandos Atestatas, candidates must achieve a minimum overall grade of at least 8.5 with a grade 9 in one specified subject at level A. In recent years the majority of the offers have been to candidates with an overall grade of 9 with two specified subjects at grade 9, Level A.
Poland
Matura. A minimum overall average of 85% is required with 72% in 2 required/specified subjects. A likely offer in the coming year would be for an overall average of 95% with at least 80% in 3 required/specified subjects at advanced level.
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundario. The requirements are an overall grade of at least 19.
Republic of Ireland
The grades requires in the Irish Leaving Certificate would normally be in the AABBB to AAAAAA at Higher Level. Specific subjects at A1 or A2 grades would be required as part of any potential offer.
Romania
Grades of 8 and above are required in the Diplom¿ de Bacalaureat although applicants can be asked to achieve an overall grade of 9.
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie o Maturitnej Skuske. As a minimum, at least three compulsory subjects at grade 1 and one at grade 2 are required. However, it is common for offers to ask for grades of 1 in all four compulsory subjects.
Spain
Titulo de bachillerato/Curso de Orientacion Universitaria and Prueba de Acceso Universidad. The minimum requirements are an overall score of 9 on the fianl Bachillerato/PAU with 9 in specified subjects. Offers can go to an overall score of 9.5 on the final Bachillerato/PAU with 10 in specified subjects.
Sweden
Slutbetyg fran Gymnaieskolan. Grade boundaries range from an overall average of VG with MVG in specified/required subjects to an overall average of MVG with MVG in specified/required subjects.
Switzerland
The minimum grades for admission are an average of 4.5 with three subjects at grade 5. The likely offer rate in the coming year will be an overall average of grade 5 with three subjects at grade 5.5.
United States of America
Candidates should offer the following profile:
- SAT 1 - 1950 or above;
- SAT 2 - not required but scores of 600 + are welcomed;
- ACT - 28 points or above. If you have a SAT 1, you do not need ACT also and vice versa.
- AP scores of 4 or 5 will enhance a transcript if the school offers them.
- B + average or GPA of 3.3-3.5 on a 4 point scale or equivalent on a rigorous high school programme.
If your school-leaving qualification are not listed here and you would like guidance on applying, prospective students and advisors should use the following email addresses:
United Kingdom/European Union - student.recruitment@st-andrews.ac.uk
International - international@st-andrews.ac.uk