International study abroad programme
On this page you will find the following information:
- Exchanges and Study Abroad brochure
- Who is the programme open to?
- Programme fees
- Course Catalogue
- Entry requirements
- English language requirement
- Study Abroad Programme Providers
- Student Experience
- How to apply
- Application deadlines
- Accommodation
- Extending your stay
Exchanges & Study Abroad brochure 2011
We recommend that prospective students read our new Exchanges & Study Abroad brochure (ESA Brochure 2011 pdf (PDF, 4,865 KB) ) where you will find information about the university, the town, student life, classes and teaching methods.
Who is the programme open to?
International students who would like to experience academic life and earn academic credit at this university for one semester or a year may apply to the International Study Abroad Programme (undergraduates only). The 2012-13 programme fees are detailed below and all students admitted to the International Study Abroad Programme will be liable for these fees.
We welcome applications from around the world. In particular, we find many North American students take advantage of the compatability of our courses to spend their Junior semester or year abroad with us. Each year we accept non-graduating students from a large number of the finest North American colleges and universities.
Programme fees
The programme fees are priced in pounds sterling. Please note that accommodation costs are not included in the programme fee.
| Session | Academic year | Semester |
| 2012-13 | £14,450 | £7,225 |
| 2013-14 | £15,500 (tbc) | £7,750 (tbc) |
Please check with your home institution to clarify the fees you should pay directly to St Andrews, if any.
Course catalogue
Information about modules and credits at St Andrews can be found in the Exchanges & Study Abroad brochure on this page. The St Andrews course catalogue gives prospective students further information about the modules available to study here, including semester availability, method of assessment and summary of content.
Please note that entry to Honours (3rd & 4th year level), and some sub-honours, classes are subject to you having the relevant pre-requisites. For example: a St Andrews student entering Honours will have studied at least 4 separate modules in the subject. We will check your transcript to ensure that you have the requisite background for Honours modules. The final decision will be made at the point of Advising on arrival in St Andrews. Students who wish to study Science subjects at both sub-honours and Honours levels must ensure that they have a background in the subject as many first-year level modules are not designed for beginners. You should check the required pre-requisites for your module choices to avoid disappointment.
Students who wish to take modules in the School of Physics should consult the School's web information for Exchange and Study Abroad students to ensure that they have the appropriate background for Physics modules.
Entry requirements
Since entry to the University is highly selective, applicants must have a strong academic record to support their application.
Candidates are expected to have a strong overall average grade. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent of a St Andrews grade of 14.5 or more in our grade conversion charts.
This is simply a guideline and your entire record and reference will be considered in reaching a decision.
English language requirement
Applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency at the time of application. This will be in the form of an English Language Proficiency test.
Please check our minimum requirements and the types of proficiency tests we accept which are listed on our English Language Teaching Centre website. You should ensure that you have a good level of written and spoken English to enable you to complete the necessary coursework at St Andrews.
Students who meet the minimum English language entry requirement and who would like to boost their English language skills, should consider attending a pre-sessional English Language course in our English Language Teaching Centre.
North American Study Abroad Programme Providers
The University of St Andrews works with a number of study abroad providers in the USA who offer a complete study abroad package for their students. If you would prefer to apply through one of the providers listed, please contact them directly.
Study abroad providers who have agreements with St Andrews are:
- The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University
- Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University
- Interstudy
- University Studies Abroad Consortium, (USAC)
Student Experience
As part of your research, you may wish to read through the profiles and view the photographs of students in our Student Experience section who have recently attended the University of St Andrews for a semester or year.
How to apply
Step one - check with your home institution to ensure that you are following the correct application procedures. Many universities will collect the complete application(s) from their students and send them to us with a cover email.
Step two - please read the Notes for Applicants (Word, 77 KB) before you complete the application form.
Step three - complete the Incoming Student Application Form (Word, 154 KB) . Please download both documents (Guidelines and Application) to your computer and complete the application as directed. It is preferable that you keep the application in Word format if possible.
Step four - Research the various Halls of Residence at St Andrews (see links below) and complete the Accommodation Application 2012-13 (Word, 24 KB) form.
Step five - please return your completed applications to us (preferably by email), and ensure that all supplementary documentation (listed below) is also submitted. It is important to check with your home institution to ensure you are following the correct application procedures.
Email: studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk
Post: Collaborations & Study Abroad, University of St Andrews, St Katharine's West, 16 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX, Scotland, UK
Supplementary documentation
To complete your application, we require you to submit the following items (these can be sent with or separate to your application):
- A letter of academic reference from a lecturer or tutor who knows your personality and capabilities well. This should be in the form of a letter, on letterhead and signed by the referee. Alternatively, your referee may send a reference in the form of an email directly to this office.
- An official transcript/record of grades emailed to us directly from your home university (either from their Study Abroad Office or their Registry Office). Alternatively, you can mail a hard copy of your transcript to the address in the right hand column of this page.
- Please note that we require both the page with your results and the page detailing the transcript guide/ transcript key (in most cases this is the reverse page). Your application may not be considered if we do not have this information.
- Please note that we require both the page with your results and the page detailing the transcript guide/ transcript key (in most cases this is the reverse page). Your application may not be considered if we do not have this information.
- Proof of your English language proficiency, if applicable. (See Notes for Applicants).
- A copy of the personal information/photograph page of your passport (year-long international applicants only).
Please do not duplicate any of the items listed above. Please do not send any extra information other than the items listed here.
Once we receive your complete application it will be processed and passed to the selection committee for review.
Application deadlines
15th April - First semester and academic year entry
31st October - second semester entry
We do continue to accept applications after these dates on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to enquire if we will still accept an application.
Accommodation
Undergraduates
Exchange and Study Abroad students who are undergraduates are guaranteed university housing provided you return the housing form by the deadlines. You should complete the Accommodation Application 2012-13 (Word, 24 KB) for university accommodation at the time of applying for the International Study Abroad Programme, and definitely by 31 May (September entry) or early December (February entry).
Key facts:
- there are 8 Halls of Residence for new undergraduates
- they are all co-ed, mixed nationalities and mixed age-groups
- we offer shared or single bedrooms
- we offer shared (standard room) or private (en-suite room) bathroom facilities
- we offer meal-plans or self-catering facilities
- we cannot guarantee you your preferred choice of Residence
More information can be found on the undergraduate Accommodation pages.
Postgraduate
Exchange and Study Abroad students who are postgraduates are NOT guaranteed university housing, however, those single applicants who apply for accommodation before July each year are normally offered University owned, managed or leased accommodation.
The University offers a wide range of accommodation for its postgraduate students in residences which offer both catered and self-catered accommodation. Further information about the residences available and the fees can be found on the Postgraduate Accommodation pages.
Information about how to apply for postgraduate accommodation, and the application form, can be found on the How To Apply webpage.
Private Sector Accommodation
Postgraduate students who wish to rent a room within the private sector in St Andrews are encouraged to use the new online search facility run by the Student Accommodation Service, Student Pad.
Students can also contact current postgraduate students at St Andrews who may wish to rent out a room by using the How To Rent facility on the Students' Union webpages.
After you have applied
Once you have applied for housing, you will receive an email to confirm receipt of the application. Once a room has been allocated to you, your contract will be emailed to you with instructions on how to respond. You should read the contract closely to ensure you know which items you are required to bring with you to furnish your room.
Enquiries regarding student accommodation can be made as follows:
Tel: + 44(0)1334 462510
Email: accommodation@st-andrews.ac.uk
Extending your stay at St Andrews
Every year, a number of study abroad students who are registered for Semester One at St Andrews ask about the possibility of extending their stay to a full academic year.
If you wish to extend your stay, please follow these steps:
- Ask your home university for permission to extend. If your home university approves your request, ask your home Study Abroad Office to send an email to studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk to confirm this.
- If you are attending St Andrews through a study abroad provider e.g. Arcadia, IFSA Butler, Interstudy or USAC, please ensure you notify them of your decision to extend your stay and clarify whether you are continuing through the provider.
- Email the CSA team: studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk with your request to extend your stay.
- Once the CSA team has your request, together with permission from your home university/ study abroad provider, we will arrange for your extension.
- We will notify Accommodation and Finance who will update their records accordingly and you will be allocated the same room in residence. If you wish to request a change of room/residence please do so directly with Accommodation by the deadline noted below.
The deadline for applying to CSA to extend your stay is Monday 14 November (Monday of Week 8), but please let us know sooner if you can. Extension applications received after this deadline may be considered, but there is no guarantee that applicants would be allocated accommodation in halls of residence.
Please bear the following factors in mind if you are considering an extension:
- Full year students are not eligible for alternative assessment. You must return for the January examinations. CSA will notify the Exams team of your decision to stay for a full year.
- If you are a non-EU student and entered the UK as a Visiting Student, you must return to your home country to apply for a Tier 4 visa from your nearest British Consulate. If you entered the UK with a Tier 4 visa, then you can apply to extend it either in the UK or in your home country. For visa assistance, please contact theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk