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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: Four Ways to Apply:

• Direct Application
• Common Application
• UCAS
• Transfer from another University

Not sure if you are classified as Overseas or UK/EU (Home) - go to this page: Fee Status Definitions

 

Direct Application

How to Apply:

Please note that you should only use the Direct Application if you are:-

1. ONLY applying to the University of St Andrews within the UK
2. If you are liable to pay tuition fees at the overseas rate
3. If you are not applying via UCAS or the Common Application

Choose your degree: click here for a full list of degree options

USA Entry Requirements:

Our selection committee expects 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 College Board (institution code: 7775 SAT & AP; and for ACT 5316) 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.

Canadian Entry Requirements:

Applicants taking the High School Diploma are required to have an overall average grade of 85%+ in academic related subjects (commonly a combination of 4U and at least 2 4M, courses in academic related subjects).  International Baccalaureate offers tend to be in the 35-38 points range.

Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer based upon their final Grade 12 subjects or IB result.

Note: 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.

Note: 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.

If you have any questions about the entry requirements, please contact International Undergraduate Recruitment.

What additional information do we require:

1. A Personal Statement detailing why you are applying for the course.
2. An up-to date transcript showing the subjects you are taking at high School and any grades achieved or predicted, together with a School Profile if one is available.
3. One Teacher or High School Counselor evaluation of your general character, academic ability and likelihood of success at university level (written in the form of a letter on letterhead and signed).
4. If you have taken any of the following external tests, then we would like to see the scores - SATs I & II, ACT and APs.  The College Board reference number for St Andrews is - 7555 (SAT & AP) and 5316 (ACT).
5. Please DO NOT send anything else.  If the University requires any additional information, you will be contacted via e-mail requesting it.

The Form:

Download it here - International Direct Application (PDF, 655 KB)

Guidance notes on how to complete it are also available - Guidance Notes for Direct Applicants (PDF, 60 KB)

The deadline for submission of completed forms, including supplementary documentation, is May 1st although we will continue to accept applications after this date on a case-by-case basis - please contact us to ensure that your application will be accepted after this date.

Note: the deadline for Medicine for overseas students is January 31st without exception.

Application Fee

In order for us to begin processing your application, payment of an application fee is required. The application fee of £50 (50 pounds sterling) should be paid online at the University's storefront.

How to submit your application

Send us your complete application either by Mail:

International Undergraduate Admissions
The University of St Andrews
St Katharine's West
16 The Scores
St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AX
Scotland, UK

Or by E-mail:  If you wish, you can send the application form and additional documentation, as attachments via e-mail to:  International Undergraduate Admissions.

Once we receive your complete application, it will be processed and passed to the selection committee for review. You should expect to hear their decision, by email, within 4 weeks.  Should there be anything missing, we will contact you directly.

Accepting your offer of a place and what next:

1. We will send you an e-mail and follow this with a letter.
2. Check that the offer is correct and if it has ‘conditions’ (such as: English Language Requirements, or obtaining a certain grade).
3. Accept the place, preferably by e-mail to:  International Undergraduate Admissions.
4. Tell us right away if there are any changes required.
5. Keep checking your e-mails for regular updates and essential information.
6. Applications for accommodation are available on-line from 1st April, for more information go to Accommodation.

The Common Application

How to Apply:

• You should only use the Common Application if you are ONLY applying to the University of St Andrews within the UK.
• If you are liable to pay tuition fees at the overseas rate.
• You are not applying via UCAS or the Direct Application.

NOTE: Applicants who wish to apply to other British Universities in addition to St Andrews should not use the Common Application but should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS): www.ucas.com

The Application: Common Application

The deadline: 01 May (31 January for Medicine) for submission of completed forms including the supplement.

Note: All applicants are required to fill in a supplement.

The fee: $75 for all applicants.

USA Entry Requirements:

Our selection committee expects 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 College Board (institution code: 7775 for SAT & AP; and for ACT 5316) or the score can be incorporated within your school transcript and verified by your school counselor. In general, the committee looks for a good overall application.

Canadian Entry Requirements:

Applicants taking the High School Diploma are required to have an overall average grade of 85%+ in academic related subjects (commonly a combination of 4U and at least 2 4M, courses in academic related subjects)
International Baccalaureate offers tend to be in the 35 – 38 points range.
Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer based upon their final Grade 12 subjects or IB result.

Note: 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.

Note 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.

If you have any questions about the entry requirements, please contact International Undergraduate Recruitment.

Other International Qualifications are available using the World Map.

What Next?

When you will know: Applicants can normally expect a decision within 4 weeks of receipt of a completed application. Decisions will be sent out by email and a letter of offer will also be mailed to successful applicants.

Late applications may be considered but places at the University fill up quickly and it is in the applicant's best interest to apply as early as possible. We normally receive the bulk of applications between September and February each year. Please remember you are only permitted to use this form if you are NOT applying to any other UK university.

Accepting your offer of a place:  To accept your place, send an email confirmation to International Undergraduate Admissions.

Student Accommodation: please visit Accommodation and complete the online application.  Applications open on the 1st April and close on the 30th June. 

 

UCAS

What is UCAS? - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Applicants who wil be applying to other universities in the UK as well as to the University of St Andrews do so by making a single online UCAS application.

What You Need to Know about applying to St Andrews via UCAS
UCAS codes for St Andrews are:    Institution Name:  STA    Institution Code:  S36
UCAS Official Web Page: http://www.ucas.com/
UCAS Course Codes can be found in Degrees and their Entry Requirements for 2014 (PDF, 552 KB)

The Check List:

Applications can be submitted online at UCAS from September onwards.

• Check the courses available by using our degree list or visit the UCAS web site where you may use the Course Search facility to look for courses in your chosen subject area.
• Check for subject specific prerequisites for the course.
• For North American qualifications check USA entry requirements below.
• For International qualifications check the World Map
• If there is a choice of course between the Faculties of Arts (MA) and Science (BSc) decide which Faculty is for you.
• Your UCAS personal statement should be a focused reflection of your choice of course/subject.
• Your Academic Reference /Referee Statement should reflect your academic ability.
• Applying to more than one institution; your five choices.
• Submit your UCAS application by the appropriate deadlines.
• Tracking your application: You do this through UCAS Track
• Further Information

USA Entry Requirements:

Our selection committee expects 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 College Board (institution code: 7775 for SAT & AP; and for ACT 5316) or the score can be incorporated within your school transcript and verified by your school counselor. In general, the committee looks for a good overall application.

Canadian Entry Requirements:

Applicants taking the High School Diploma are required to have an overall average grade of 85%+ in academic related subjects (commonly a combination of 4U and at least 2 4M, courses in academic related subjects).
International Baccalaureate offers tend to be in the 35 – 38 points range.
Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer based upon their final Grade 12 subjects or IB result.

Note: 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.

Note 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.

If you have any questions about the entry requirements, please contact International Undergraduate Recruitment

For other International Qualifications see the World Map.

Personal Statement

This is a very important part of your application. Most of our applicants will be well qualified so decisions on who will receive offers will often be determined by the quality of the Personal Statement. You are encouraged to spend time drafting and re-writing your statement so that it is organised and well-written.

You should give some relevant background information about yourself, your interests and especially reasons for your choice of course. You might want to highlight any relevant work experience or voluntary work you have done. You might have some idea of what your career choice might be and if so you may wish to include this as well.

In summary, your personal statement should give the Admissions Officer(s) a picture of someone who is interested in the subject area for which you have applied and who has the motivation and potential to do well in a university environment.

Referee's Report

If you are at school your Principal or Head of Year, College Counselor, or Teacher will generally write your Referee's Report. If you are not at school you will need to supply a reference from a responsible person who knows you well enough to write about you and state if you are suitable for higher education. References from family members or close friends are not normally acceptable.

Your Five Choices

You may apply for up to five choices of institution or course on the UCAS application. You should not feel obliged to use all five choices. If you wish to apply for more than one degree programme at the University of St Andrews you will have to make separate entries on your application.

There is no facility for you to express an order of preference in your institutions or courses, and all your applications will be treated equally. Universities will not see the other choices you have made so all your applications will be treated on an equal basis.

When to apply

Applicants are advised to apply only after they have carefully read our guidance notes on Choosing your degree which will answer many of the questions you might have about the admissions process at the University of St Andrews.

Deadlines

The relevant deadlines for submission of applications to UCAS are:

• 15 October for those applying to study Medicine or who are also applying to Oxford or Cambridge;
• 15 January for Home (UK/EU) applicants (e.g. those ordinarily resident in the UK and EU). Please note for 15th January deadline: applications received after this date are considered at the universities our own discretion, and we cannot guarantee to give them the same level of consideration as those received by the deadline;
• 31 January for those applying to Medicine who are classed as Overseas fee payers
• 30 June for international applicants who are classified as Overseas fee payers (e.g. those domiciled out with the European Union).
• Transfer applications from another institute of Higher Education are advised to apply before 31 March.

Further information on completing the On-line Form:

1. Submitting early. No distinction is drawn between applications which arrive early and those which arrive at UCAS just before the closing dates. It is, however, in your own interest to submit your form as soon as possible.
2. Personal details. You should provide full personal contact details including email addresses and telephone numbers on your UCAS form. Email is the preferred method of communication at the University.
3. Qualifications. You are responsible for the accuracy of all statements made concerning qualifications and may be required to submit original certificates at Matriculation if your application is successful. International students may also be required to submit a School Profile.
4. Courses offered in more than one Faculty. If you are applying for a course in one Faculty which is also offered in another Faculty, great care should be taken to cite the UCAS code numbers correctly (e.g. it is possible to study Psychology in both the Faculties of Arts (leading to an MA degree) and Science (to a BSc degree).
5. Application fee. There is a fee to apply to UCAS when you submit your completed application. You should refer to UCAS instructions regarding methods of payment.

 

Transferring from a North American University

Applicants who live in North America and are classed as Overseas may apply directly to the University for transfer from universities or colleges in the USA or Canada.  All other transfer applicants MUST apply through UCAS.

What you need to know before you fill the form in:

Additional Documentation:  In addition to the Application Form, we will need:

TWO academic references (sometimes called Referee's Report).

TWO academic transcripts - first from your current institution showing the academic subjects you have taken and the marks/grades obtained. This should include an explanation of any non-standard grading systems. Second an academic transcript from your High School (final year grades).

For each of the subjects you are currently taking, a copy of your syllabus(es) (subject content and description) so that we are able to judge how much work you have covered that is common to our degree programmes here.

Note:  Make sure that all Documents are clearly marked with your Full Name on it.

A Second Subject

You will need to give us an indication of a second academic subject, one that you have already been studying at your current, home, institution and which you wish to study if you are offered a place in Year Two. The structure of degree courses at St Andrews requires that you must take two subjects at second year level, and consequently your application must be acceptable to two academic Schools or Departments. It is best to request this second subject in your covering letter when submitting your application form.

The decision process

Consideration of your application will involve several stages:

• Marks and Grades meet our entry criteria
• Content of subjects you have/are taking, matching subjects offered at St Andrews University at 1st and/or 2nd year level
• Personal Statement and References
• Second Subject

Once we have made a decision on your application we will inform you by email and letter. Our offer will specify the point of entry (ie, 1st, 2nd or 3rd year) and the amount of transfer credit that has been approved.

Deadline

Applications for direct transfer must be submitted with all supplementary documentation by 1 March of the year of entry.

Important Information:

1. One application per year. Applicants who apply directly to St Andrews may not apply to other UK universities in the same academic cycle.
2. UCAS applications. Under no circumstances can a transfer application made directly to the University be considered alongside a UCAS application.
3. Faculty of Medicine. It is not possible to transfer into the Faculty of Medicine.
4. Transfer into Year Four. It is not normally possible to transfer into the final year of a four-year MA or BSc degree programme at the University.

THE FORM: Application - Transfer Direct (PDF, 784 KB)

 

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 Application - USA Direct (PDF, 314 KB) application form and select the option to state you are applying for 1 year or 1 semester (Fall Semester). The entry criterion for this programme is the same as for our four year degree programmes.

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.