Applicants from North America
There are a number of opportunities for North American students to experience student life at the University of St Andrews.
St Andrews has long-standing and extensive ties with the United States and Canada and currently around fifteen percent of our undergraduate student body is from North America (including our Study Abroad students).
Full-time, Honours Degree
Three ways to apply:
- UCAS - If you are applying to other UK universities as well as St Andrews, or you feel that you may qualify for Home/EU fees status, then you must apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
- Common Application - If you are ONLY applying to the University of St Andrews in the UK you can apply through the Common Application
- Direct Application - If you are ONLY applying to the University of St Andrews within the UK, and you are definitely classed as Overseas for fees purposes then you should make a Direct application.
Not sure if you are classified as Overseas or UK/EU (Home) - go to this page: Fee Status Definitions
Entry Requirements
Our selection committee expect you to have taken a rigorous curriculum at school, with a GPA of around 3.6 and over. They look closely at your letters of reference, so choose your referee carefully. If you are applying to take a French course, you should have studied French to AP level (score of 4 or 5) or equivalent.
If applicable, we also expect you to have taken external tests such as SATs, APs and the ACT. If you have taken any APs we require marks of 4 and 5; 1950 + for SATs (across all 3 elements) and a score of 28+ in the ACT. You should submit to us at least one of these external results either directly from the Collegeboard (code: 7775 SAT & AP; 5316 ACT) or the score can be incorporated within your school transcript and verified by your school counselor. In general, the committee look for a good overall application.
Applicants to International Relations. For 2013 entry applicants to International Relations will be expected to obtain the following: 700 in both the reading and writing component of the SAT I OR 700 in two SAT II tests OR two AP's at 5.
Applicants to the Faculty of Medicine. If you are applying to the Faculty of Medicine, you should have studied Chemistry to AP level (score of 4 or 5) or equivalent, plus at least one other science subject (Biology, Physics or Maths). All applicants must arrange to take the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). The exam is administered world-wide and there are many registered venues to choose from. The deadline for all applicants (including international students) taking the test is September in the year prior to the year of course entry. For further information please check the Faculty of Medicine webpage.
Please note that admissions decisions are based on your academic results only.
If you have any questions about the entry requirements for North American applicants, please contact International Undergraduate Recruitment.
Transferring from another University
Applicants who are currently registered at a North American university or college and who would be liable to pay tuition fees at the Overseas rate may apply directly to the University for transfer into the second year or above of a full-time Honours degree programme. See more information here Transferring into St Andrews.
Visiting (non-graduating) students
North American applicants who wish to graduate from their home institution but would like to experience academic life at St Andrews may apply for a Visiting Studentship. Many students spend a semester or a year with us on Study Abroad programmes.
Freshman Semester or Year Abroad
High School graduates who already hold a place at a North American college or university may apply to spend their Freshman Year (or the first semester of that Freshman year) at St Andrews, often transferring full credits back home when they leave St Andrews.
If you wish to apply for this programme please complete the Direct Application and select the option to state you are applying for 1 year or 1 semester (Fall Semester). The entry requirements for this programme are the same as those apply for the four year degree. Please send the application form, personal statement, transcript of grades plus a school profile (if your school has one) and two recommendations. Further information regarding changing from Freshman Year Abroad to the full degree programme, can be found at: Non-graduating students
Junior Semester or Year Abroad
Students already enrolled at a North American college or university may apply to study at St Andrews for one semester or a year prior to transferring home to graduate from their home institution, often taking with them full credit for their work at St Andrews. For more details please see Collaborations & Study Abroad.