How to Apply

To submit your application to study abroad or on exchange with the University of St Andrews:

Discuss your application with your home institution.
Some partners will submit your application to St Andrews on your behalf, while others will expect you to apply directly. Please discuss this with your home university if you are unsure. If you are applying to an exchange programme through a partner university, you must be nominated by your home university.
Check the entry requirements.
Review the information provided on this website. It includes important information about choosing modules, the St Andrews advising system, as well as information on things to consider before submitting an application. There is also information on what to expect before and after your arrival in St Andrews, including information about accommodation.
Before submitting an application you must review the exchange and study abroad student policy. This includes information about deferred entry, applicants with disabilities or extenuating circumstances, disclosure of criminal convictions, fraudulent or plagiarised applications, withdrawal, and requests for admission to a second semester.
Complete an application form and submit it by the published deadline. Please ensure that all supplementary information (see below) is attached to your application.

Please note that the module selection at the application stage is only provisional and used as an indication to assign the most appropriate reviewer to your application.

Sometimes at the application stage, not all available modules show up accurately in this section of the online form. Please do not worry as you will be asked to resubmit your module selection as part of the pre-advising process once you have received an offer of admission.

Application deadline

The application window for January 2025 entry has now closed. Further information about the application window for September 2025 entry will be updated closer to the next application cycle.

Completed applications are considered continually from the application opening date. Applicants will usually receive an answer within four weeks of submitting a complete application, though review may take longer depending on module choices and other circumstances.

Please contact the Global Office by emailing studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk should you have any enquiries.

Supplementary information

In addition to your application form, you must submit supplementary information by the deadline.

This includes academic transcripts, an academic reference, and proof of English language ability (if English is not your first language).

Academic transcripts

The transcript must be official and up to date, and you should include transcripts for time spent at other universities, if relevant. Applications cannot be accepted that are marked as unofficial.

Upload your official transcripts directly to your application, or ask your home institution to email them to studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Academic reference

Your reference must be written by an academic member of staff at your current home institution. It must be signed and written on official headed letter paper.

Upload your reference directly to your application, or ask your referee to email it to studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk. Please note that a reference is not required for IMACS exchange students.

Proof of English language ability, if appropriate

If your first language is not English, you must submit evidence of your English language ability as part of your application. See English language requirements.