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).
“Having seen our daughter’s course outlines, syllabi, and some of the lecture notes, it is clear to us that the depth and breadth of the subjects covered is outstanding; in our opinion, the academic rigour is clearly world class and on a par, and probably superior to that of any of the Ivy Leagues here! There is no question in our minds that St Andrews has to be one of the best values for the dollar investment in education anywhere in the world.”
John and Steffie – Parents of Ludmila 2011 and Julian 2014
Bryn Mawr, PA, America
There are two routes of entry to the University for North American undergraduate applicants.
Students intending to graduate from St Andrews
North American High School graduates may enter into the first year of a full-time Honours degree programme at St Andrews.
There are two ways for North American students to apply for a four-year degree at St Andrews:-
- If you are applying to other UK universities aswell 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).
- 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.
For information about fee categories please go to this page: Fee Status Definitions
For information about the Entry Requirements for North American students please read the Direct Application page.
Transferring into St Andrews
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.
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.