Exchange and study abroad student policy
This page details the University's policy on the admission and registration of non-graduating exchange and study abroad students to undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.
Definitions
Exchange student
A student nominated to St Andrews by one of the University’s Erasmus+ or international exchange partners as part of a reciprocal student exchange programme. Exchange programmes are designed to balance the numbers of inbound and outbound exchange students.
Study abroad student
A student who applies to spend a semester or academic year at St Andrews through the international study abroad programme. A student may apply independently or through one of the University’s partner institutions and providers.
Information and communication
The University is committed to the provision of accurate and appropriate pre-entry information, support to prospective students and liaison with partner institutions and providers.
The University makes every effort to ensure that the information it provides is accurate at the time of publication. All information that is subject to change after publication, such as course content, selection criteria, University processes and financial matters, is available and kept up-to-date on our website.
The University of St Andrews works with a number of partner universities and study abroad providers around the world. Students who apply through a partner institution or provider should note that information, communications and decisions will be shared with the partner. This may include, but is not restricted to, information about an applicant’s status, information about a student’s hall of residence, contact details at St Andrews, module choice, academic progress and module results, any disciplinary or academic misconduct case involving the student. For further information, please refer to the exchange of student personal data privacy notice (PDF) .
In addition to the details outlined in this document, students who apply to and attend St Andrews through specific partners may be subject to other terms and conditions as agreed between St Andrews and the partner.
The primary contact for all enquiries related to exchange and study abroad programmes and partnerships at the University of St Andrews is the Collaborations and Study Abroad (CSA) office.
Monitoring and review
This policies outlined on this page are reviewed annually to ensure any changes in legislation and University regulations are reflected. Concerns regarding these policies should be addressed to the Assistant Registrar (Academic Partnerships and International Experience).
Application and admission
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Applicants for the undergraduate exchange and the undergraduate international study abroad programmes must have completed at least one year in full-time higher education by the point of intended entry to St Andrews.
Applicants for postgraduate taught programmes, whether exchange or study Abroad, are expected to have already completed a first degree programme.
The selection process will include consideration of the following information as part of the candidate’s application:
- higher education academic record to date
- the context in which results have been achieved
- personal statement
- academic reference
- English language ability, where appropriate.
Only complete applications will be considered.
The University of St Andrews admits students from all over the world and has experience in considering a wide range of international qualifications against its entry requirements. Undergraduate candidates should have a minimum average grade of 3.2 (on a US 4.0 GPA scale) or equivalent.
Postgraduate candidates should have a bachelor’s degree with Honours (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, with a final overall grade of 2.1 (UK), 2.2 or B+ (Europe), 3.6 GPA (USA) or equivalent. In addition, postgraduate candidates should have a strong average grade in their current degree programme.
Candidates who are not in good standing at their home institution will not be offered a place at St Andrews.
The University may from time to time review selection requirements as appropriate. Should this be the case, any additional requirements will be made available to applicants through the normal publication and communication channels.
Where competition for places on the undergraduate international study abroad programme is high, preference will be given to suitable candidates who are nominated to St Andrews by a strategic partner or provider.
Nomination by a partner institution or provider does not guarantee an offer of a place at St Andrews. All decisions on admission are made by the University of St Andrews.
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An application is considered complete when it includes:
- a completed St Andrews application form
- an up to date and official academic transcript. Applicants who have attended more than one higher education institution during the course of their current degree programme should include all relevant transcripts with their application to St Andrews. Postgraduate applicants should also include a transcript of their undergraduate studies.
- an academic reference
- evidence of English language ability, where appropriate
- nomination by a partner institution, where appropriate
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Complete applications are considered on a rolling basis from the application opening date until the published deadlines. Applicants may normally expect to hear the University’s decision within four weeks of submitting a complete application. Applicants who submit complete applications before the opening date should not normally expect a decision until after the opening date, at which point the four-week decision period will commence.
The opening dates and application deadlines are as follows:
September entry
- Opening date: 15 February
- Application deadline: 15 April
January entry
- Opening date: 1 September
- Application deadline: 31 October
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Applications will only be considered if submitted by the application deadline.
Where an applicant wishes to defer an offer of a place, this request will be considered on an individual basis, and, where relevant, in consultation with the partner institution or provider.
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Applications from students with disabilities are subject to the same academic selection process as all applications, and will be assessed using our normal admissions practices and policies.
Where applicants have stated a disability on their application form, this information is passed to the Disabilities Team, who make an initial assessment and follow up as appropriate. The disability assessment is done independently from the decision-making process.
The University will make reasonable adjustments in line with its legal duties to meet the needs of applicants with disabilities. However, we may not be able to make an offer to candidates in some circumstances.
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The University will not offer applicants a place if they have not met the minimum entry requirements; however, if there are mitigating circumstances, these may be submitted with the application and they will be considered as part of the application review process.
Mitigating circumstances are events that have significantly affected the applicant’s progress or results; they may include, for example, personal or family illness, or other significant family circumstances.
It is recommended that information about mitigating circumstances that have affected or are likely to affect academic performance be included in the referee’s report or nomination information from the partner institution.
Information about extenuating circumstances that is supplied after a decision has been made on an application will not be considered.
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Applicants are required to report criminal involvement when applying to the University. The University aims to maintain a safe environment for all students and must take appropriate steps to protect students, staff and other members of the University. For this reason, the University will collect and record information on any offences committed by a student, or any ongoing investigations, unless these convictions are defined as ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Find out more about declaring criminal proceedings.
Applications from students who have declared a criminal conviction are subject to the same academic selection process as all applications, and will be assessed using the admissions process outlined in this policy. The declaration of a conviction will be followed up independently from the application process by the director of Student Services. The University reserves the right to make any decisions it considers appropriate in the light of all the information provided. These may range from ascertaining appropriate levels of support to withdrawal of an offer or place.
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The University will not admit students based on fraudulent or plagiarised applications or documents, and will investigate any student found to have submitted any fraudulent material as part of their application, even when this information comes to light after an offer has been made or a student has matriculated.
Any cases of non-academic misconduct as defined in the policy will be addressed through the University’s Non-academic misconduct policy (PDF) . The University will take appropriate action up to and including the withdrawal of an offer or place.
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Application decisions will be sent to applicantsor partners via email.
Successful applicants are admitted to one of three faculties: Arts, Divinity or Science. The applicant’s degree programme, background and indicated module choices at St Andrews will be used to determine the most appropriate Faculty.
Applicants who wish to take modules at 3000 level and above are expected to have completed at least two years of higher education and must have sufficient background in the relevant field. Candidates who do not meet these criteria, but who are otherwise strong applicants, may be made offers for sub-honours study only (that is, module choice will be restricted to 1000 and 2000 level modules).
An offer of a place does not constitute a guarantee that the applicant may pursue the modules listed on the application. Final module choices will be determined as part of the academic advising process when the student meets with academic advisers on arrival in St Andrews.
Offers made by St Andrews are usually unconditional, but conditional offers may be issued where:
- an applicant has not yet satisfied English language proficiency requirements
- the results of courses in progress at the time of application are required.
If an applicant who has received a conditional offer fulfils the conditions of the offer as specified, an unconditional offer will be issued.
Acceptance of an offer is binding and constitutes acceptance of the conditions outlined in the offer email.
Conditions must be met by 31 August for Semester 1 entry and 10 January for Semester 2 entry.
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Re-application
If an application is unsuccessful, the applicant may re-apply in the following cycle. The new application will be considered against the standard entry criteria for that year of entry.Feedback
To request feedback on an unsuccessful application, the applicant should contact the Collaborations and Study Abroad office within ten days of the decision being issued. Feedback will be provided in writing within a reasonable timeframe. Feedback does not constitute a reconsideration of an application.Appeals and complaints
While the University will not accept appeals against the academic decision made on each application, any evidence of a material procedural error or irregularity taking place during the decision-making process will be handled according to the University’s complaints handling procedure.Applicants who wish to make a formal complaint (defined as a specific concern in connection with procedural error, irregularity or mal-administration relating to the admissions procedures or policies) should address their complaint to the Assistant Registrar (Academic Partnerships and International Experience) in the first instance, and the complaint will be handled according to the framework laid out in the University’s complaints handling procedure.
Registration
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Exchange and study abroad students from outside the EU who will study at St Andrews for a full academic year are required to obtain a Tier 4 visa before entering the UK. The CSA office will issue a CAS number and visa information to students once they have accepted their offer of a place.
Exchange and study abroad students from outside the EU who will study at St Andrews for one semester are expected to enter the UK as a Short-term Visitor. The CSA office will issue a letter of support to students once they have accepted their offer of a place.
Students who will be studying in St Andrews for one semester and wish to obtain a Tier 4 visa should contact the CSA office for advice. The University will not normally issue a CAS number to one-semester exchange and study abroad students.
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All students must complete the matriculation process in order to become registered students of St Andrews. This includes completion of the academic advising process, completion of online Matriculation (including verification of personal details, confirmation of financial arrangements, and completion of the Matriculation Agreement) and attendance at the matriculation event during Orientation Week (including, if relevant, passport and visa verification). Entrant students who fail to complete the matriculation process on time will be subject to the failure to register policy.
Students are registered in a Faculty for either one semester or a full academic year as indicated in the offer of a place.
Students are expected to remain in St Andrews for the full duration of the semester or academic year in which they are registered.
While registered at St Andrews, exchange and study abroad students have access to the same University facilities and services that are available to other registered students of St Andrews. In addition, the CSA team run daily student consultation hours during term-time (2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday), which are designed to provide an extra resource for exchange and study abroad students while in St Andrews.
While registered at St Andrews, exchange and study abroad students are subject to the same rules and regulations as other registered students of St Andrews. In addition to the University’s learning and teaching policies, students should note the information provided in relevant module and School handbooks.
Undergraduate exchange and study abroad students are not permitted to spend more than two semesters in total as non-graduating students at St Andrews.
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Exchange and study abroad students are expected to complete pre-advising for modules before arrival in St Andrews. Information on the pre-advising process will be available on the webpages for new undergraduate students. Details will be emailed to students who have accepted their offer of a place at St Andrews.
Exchange and study abroad students are expected to enrol in a normal full-time course load.
Exchange and study abroad students are expected to take modules available in their Faculty, however where the timetable allows and subject to having the required background for any given module, students may be permitted to take modules from other faculties (with the exception of Medicine).
Exchange students who attend St Andrews through a subject-specific programme are expected to take at least one module per semester in the subject of the exchange.
In addition to pre-requisites for specific modules, students should note that entry to modules at 3000 level and above requires significant background knowledge of the subject (usually at least two years of study at university).
Module enrolments are finalised during academic advising and are a compulsory part of registration.
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At the end of an exchange or study abroad period, the University will produce a transcript of results. Where appropriate, transcripts will be sent directly to partner institutions or providers.
While exchange and study abroad partnerships are based on mutual academic understanding of the curriculum and teaching and learning approaches, the University of St Andrews is not responsible for the transfer of credit back to students’ home institutions. Exchange and study abroad students should confirm credit and grade transfer arrangements with their home institutions prior to the commencement of studies at St Andrews.
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Students admitted to the University as exchange students will not be liable for tuition fees at the University of St Andrews. Exchange students may become liable for tuition fees if they extend their stay at St Andrews beyond the original period stated in their offer of a place.
All students admitted to the University through the undergraduate international study abroad programme will be liable for the standard programme fee, irrespective of nationality or domicile.
Where a student’s programme (or accommodation) at the University of St Andrews is sponsored by a partner institution or provider, the partner or provider will be liable for payment of the programme fee (or accommodation fees).
Study abroad students admitted to taught postgraduate programmes will be liable for the appropriate pro rata Home or Overseas fee of the relevant taught postgraduate programme.
There are a number of expenses that are not covered by tuition fees and all students will be liable for these as appropriate. Such expenses may include field trip costs, Music Centre and Sports Centre memberships, and photocopying costs. In addition, all students will be liable for the General Council and Graduation Fee or Completion Fee, payable at matriculation.
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Exchange and study abroad students registered at St Andrews for one semester only will not be eligible to request a leave of absence, but may request a withdrawal from their studies at St Andrews.
Exchange and study abroad students registered at St Andrews for a full academic year may, during the course of the first semester, be eligible to request a leave of absence until the second semester. In such cases, the normal leave of absence rules and procedures will apply. A student will not be eligible to request a leave of absence in their second semester of study, but may request a withdrawal from their studies at St Andrews.
Any student considering a leave of absence request must discuss their intentions with their home institution. Where a student is from a partner institution or provider, St Andrews will liaise with the partner about the student’s request.
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Exchange and study abroad students who are considering withdrawal from St Andrews during the semester should seek advice immediately from the CSA office and their home institutions. Where withdrawal is necessary, students must seek permission from the Registry Officer (Student Support).
Students who withdraw after Week 4 of the semester will be liable for the full programme fee for the semester.
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Students who are registered for one semester and wish to apply for admission to a second semester should email the Collaborations and Study Abroad (CSA) office at studyabroad@st-andrews.ac.uk by the end of Week 7 of the first semester.
The email should include:
- St Andrews student ID
- reasons for applying for a second semester
- indication of module choice in the second semester.
Students attending St Andrews through a partner institution or provider must ask their home institution or provider to write to the CSA office by the end of Week 7 to confirm their permission to apply for a second semester.
All applications will be reviewed and students will be informed by email by the end of Week 10 whether or not they have been successful. The following information may be considered in the review process:
- feedback from current tutors
- reasons for applying and indicated module choice
- consultation with the Pro Deans
- competition for places (including from new applicants)
- consultation with partner institution or provider, if appropriate
- exchange balances, if appropriate.
Where appropriate, students who are admitted for a second semester are responsible for securing a Tier 4 visa. The CSA office will assist students with the process.
Students whose application is unsuccessful may seek feedback by writing to the CSA office within ten days of the decision being issued. Feedback will be provided in writing within a reasonable timeframe. Feedback does not constitute reconsideration of an application.
While the University will not accept appeals against the academic decision made on each application, any evidence of a material procedural error or irregularity taking place during the decision-making process will be handled according to the University’s complaints handling procedure.
Applicants who wish to make a formal complaint (defined as a specific concern in connection with procedural error, irregularity or mal-administration relating to the admissions procedures or policies) should address their complaint to the Assistant Registrar (Academic Partnerships and International Experience) in the first instance, and the complaint will be handled according to the framework laid out in the University’s complaints handling procedure.
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It is expected that students return to their home institutions at the end of an exchange or study abroad period. However, every year a small number of students apply for admission to graduating status to complete their studies and graduate from the University of St Andrews.
Undergraduate students who are considered to have a ‘home fee status’ for tuition fee purposes must apply to transfer through UCAS, by the standard UCAS deadline (15 January). Transfer applications will be considered alongside all other UCAS applications.
Students who are considered ‘overseas’ for tuition fee purposes may submit an application for admission to graduating status to the Registry Undergraduate Team (registry-ug@st-andrews.ac.uk) by the published deadlines.
Overseas students in their second semester of an exchange or study abroad programme may apply for admission to graduating status with the permission of their home institution.
Overseas students attending St Andrews through an exchange or study abroad programme for Semester 2 only may apply for admission to graduating status with the permission of their home institution.
Decisions on applications from overseas applicants will not be made until module results from the second semester are released. Candidates will be expected to have successfully studied modules that can build a clear pathway to a degree programme; for example, first year candidates may be expected to achieve a minimum average grade of 11 across all modules attended at St Andrews.
Where appropriate, students who are admitted to graduating status are responsible for securing a Tier 4 visa. Student Services will assist students with this process.
Students whose application is unsuccessful may seek feedback by writing to the Registry Undergraduate Team within ten days of the decision being issued. Feedback will be provided in writing within a reasonable timeframe. Feedback does not constitute reconsideration of an application.
While the University will not accept appeals against the academic decision made on each application, any evidence of a material procedural error or irregularity taking place during the decision-making process will be handled according to the University’s complaints handling procedure.
Applicants who wish to make a formal complaint (defined as a specific concern in connection with procedural error, irregularity or mal-administration relating to the admissions procedures or policies) should address their complaint to the Assistant Registrar (Academic Partnerships and International Experience) in the first instance, and the complaint will be handled according to the framework laid out in the University’s complaints handling procedure.