Undergraduate scholarships

The University of St Andrews has always been committed to attracting and admitting students with outstanding academic potential, regardless of race, religion, or circumstances. Scholarships lie at the very heart of this mission.

Undergraduate scholarships not only open doors to academic excellence but also allows students to fully immerse themselves in the intellectual, cultural and community life that defines this University.

Your support is an investment in talented students whose future contributions will make ripples far beyond their time here.

Why I give

"I decided to fund five Wardlaw Scholarships at the University of St Andrews – the Malika Aly-Khan Wardlaw Scholarships. I hope that others will consider making similar donations for current students to honour and remember the people and places they have loved at St Andrews."

Fiona Hill
- MA 1989

Two female undergraduate students wearing red gowns, pictured walking away down a stone pier towards historic cathedral ruins.

Wardlaw Scholarship recipient Luke Macleod shares his St Andrews story.

Video transcript

I'm Luke MacLeod. I'm a fourth year, final year student here at the University of St Andrews, and I study Computer Science. I come from the Isle of Lewis, a small island off the west coast of Scotland. Coming to St Andrews was at first off the cards, I didn't really know about the opportunity, but a Maths teacher said “Luke, there’s a scholarship available for St Andrews, would you think about applying”, and I went for it, and here I am.

What I like most about my course is the freedom to follow what you are most passionate about. it's not been one course for everyone, one size fits all. You choose it as your own course from day one. For my dissertation what I wanted to do was bring Gaelic and its culture to our young people, where I'm from, to the islands through a game experience that would make the proverbs and stories of where we're from engaging in the same way that they might engage with their other content or games online.

Music is by far my biggest outlet, and that takes me back home to Lewis, where I was handed an accordion, I think, I was about seven or eight years old, and I've been playing ever since.

My biggest passion since I was young was planes, and I've had the very lucky opportunity to join University Air Squadron here at St Andrews. I might have a met brief in the morning, go flying, and then a lecture in the afternoon.

My degree is so much more than a piece of paper at the end, it's an evolving story, and one of my biggest questions arriving at St Andrews was ‘where in the world is there an island like Lewis that speaks different languages, but might be further ahead, might think differently than we do’. And I’ve had the opportunity to study at the University of Hong Kong. I was in the centre of a place managing three official languages across media, education, and culture, and that was so much more than an exchange, it was an exchange of friendship, of learning, and lifelong characteristics that I will now hold true to myself.

From my first year I hit the ground running coming out of St Andrews, so my first summer I interned at the BBC. In my second year I travelled with the Air Force to France, Malta, Italy, and then in my third year I interned with Baillie Gifford in Edinburgh and worked on some really interesting projects very closely relating to what I've learned here in Computer Science Now that I'm leaving, I'm going to Harvard University in the summer to study AI negotiation strategy and simulations.

This town here is beyond any other place for opportunities, and for me going out there, putting yourself out there makes all the difference.

Having a scholarship here at St Andrews was enabling, and it taught me that one door can open many others, but you must knock on that door before it is opened. I've been supported by the Dr Donald Malcolm MacArthur Scholarship, and that scholarship tells a story of somebody just like myself who left the Isle of Lewis and came to St Andrews, and from that opportunity wanted to support people following his footstep.

That story tells something about what Saints are after leaving St Andrews. They're generous people who always want to give something back, and that philosophy and mentality is something I want to adopt and hold on to and bring with me forward into my life, and hopefully one day do the same.

About undergraduate scholarships at St Andrews

Undergraduate scholarships at St Andrews open doors for talented students from all backgrounds, providing vital financial support that helps them access opportunities, thrive during their studies, and achieve their full potential.

Wardlaw scholarships

Wardlaw Scholarships were established in 2004 in response to the growing financial pressures facing students. They provide essential support for undergraduates by helping to cover their living costs while at St Andrews. They are awarded solely based on financial need.

International undergraduate scholarships

International scholarships at St Andrews were created to ease the growing financial challenges faced by students coming to the University from around the world. They provide vital support that helps outstanding undergraduates to manage the additional costs associated with studying far from home.

Saints Abroad

We offer undergraduate students a number of exciting opportunities to spend a semester or a year abroad as part of their St Andrews degree programme. Saints Abroad scholarships and bursaries support students to embrace these opportunities and can be directed towards students studying specific subjects.

Sanctuary Scholarships

Sanctuary Scholarships support individuals seeking sanctuary in the UK, many of whom have little or no access to student finance. Since 2019, St Andrews has proudly offered these awards at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Meet some of our undergraduate scholars

Undergraduate scholars supported by the generosity of alumni, families and friends share their experiences of studying at the University.

Grant Family Gateway to Physics Wardlaw Scholar

‘This scholarship represents more than financial support – it represents belief in my potential and investment in my dreams. Your generosity has allowed me to fully immerse myself in both the academic and social fabric of St Andrews. I am committed to making the most of this incredible opportunity, using it as a foundation for meaningful contributions to scientific research and discovery.

‘The ripple effects of your support extend far beyond my journey. Every research project I undertake, every problem I solve, and every barrier I break will carry forward the investment you have made in me.’
Canada Wardlaw Scholar

‘Thanks to the financial support of this scholarship, I’ve been able to experience university life in a fuller and more balanced way than I otherwise could have. It has helped cover everyday expenses and eased financial strain, which in turn gave me the space to focus on my studies in Comparative Literature and Philosophy, and on my personal development.

‘Without this support, I would have had to make difficult compromises between academic work and other aspects of university life. Instead, I’ve been able to throw myself into my courses, connect with new communities, and explore a range of experiences that have been incredibly meaningful.’
George & Stella Lee Hong Kong Scholar

‘I chose to study my degree in Computer Science here for many reasons, but in part due to the outstanding reviews of the teaching experience and the lecturers, and I can say that I have found it to be a wonderful experience, far exceeding my expectations.

‘It’s clear to me that choosing to study here at St Andrews is one of the best choices I have made in my life. The University, the town, and the people have already made a lasting impact on me.

‘I’m very grateful for the George & Stella Lee Hong Kong Scholarship, which has made it financially possible for me to study here and fully immerse myself in all these experiences.’