Summer Academic Experience Courses

Our Summer Academic Experience Courses are the only international summer school programmes available at the University of St Andrews for high school students. The three-week residential programmes bring together students from all over the world, offering an exclusive transformative experience. Our students immerse themselves in Scotland’s prestigious academic traditions and are taught by university staff; the fun packed schedule is designed to create lasting memories and friendships.

Students will receive a student ID card and will have free access to our world-class facilities, including the library and newly redeveloped sports centre.

Course dates

Start date: Saturday 11 July 2026
End date: Saturday 1 August 2026

Course fee

The course fee for 2025 entry is £6,850. This is an all-inclusive fee.

A deposit of £500 must be paid within two weeks of you receiving your conditional offer for the course, or by Monday 6 April 2026, whichever is sooner.

Scholarships

International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute SAEC applicants on the Sustainable Development and Cinema, Ideas and Society courses can apply to The Worldwide Scholarship.

Apply now

All of the courses on offer feature teaching from current academic staff from the University and offer students the opportunity to experience academic life in one of the UK’s oldest and highest-ranking institutions.

Find out more about each course and apply:

Courses available may be subject to change for 2026 entry.

Information for parents

A summary of useful information for parents, including travel and accommodation information, can be found on our Information for parents page.

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[intro music]

[Joanna] I've never really done a pre-college program or an academic summer experience of any sort. So I kind of came in very open to the whole experience, but I definitely had opportunities to have fun and enjoy myself and explore interests that are very unique to Saint Andrews.
[Ella] I had a friend who had come to the program last year, which is why I came, and she obviously told me great things. So everything I guess met up to what I was expecting.
[Rose] The way it's programmed, it really makes it feel like a summer experience where you have both classes and, like, trips, so you can experience both.
[Colm] I was expecting to learn a lot of new things, because the physical science thing includes the stuff that I'm doing in my A-level, and also it also included chemistry, which I don't do a lot of.
[Akinola] It's honestly been really, like, just lifechanging, like the experience I've gained. And it's really interesting because I think that we're given just the right amount of freedom to where we're allowed to explore, like, talking to people and interacting with locals as well. And it gives us a real taste of college life. I think that's the biggest thing.
[Joanna] I had the best time. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I really like the people, the teachers, the environment. I like that it's smaller, on the smaller side. I think it helps me stay focused as a student, but I also like that there are opportunities to go to bigger cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow or Dundee.
[Ella] The course I've done has been great because I didn't know exactly what I wanted to study. I had a general idea, but I've gotten to try out so many subjects that I would never be able to take in my school.
[Blake] Met a lot of new professors that really taught me new things, new ways to think, as well as met amazing people from so many different countries, I'm excited to keep in contact with.
[Rose] It has been wonderful. I made a lot of friends, a lot of international friends, and I learned more about other countries where I didn't know much from. And classes has been very interesting and shows really how the subject can be and how difficult it might be in the future. So it gives me a point of view of if I will do that and not waste my years in the future.
[Joanna] Speaking with people from all different places in the world was really good. It was a really great educational opportunity and I got to learn a lot about different cultures and people from different walks of life.
[Akinola] The coolest thing is, like, curfew is 10:30, but it's really nice being out just at ten with friends, just enjoying each other's like presence. I guess. Yeah.
[Ella] I really loved the philosophy classes, because I really like philosophy, that was great, but I think I also made amazing friends. People that I've, I've never met people like the friends I've made. And I think I learned a lot from my professors, but also from my peers, which is something I haven't experienced as much before.
[Rose] I thought that was really valuable. I think the way we did ultrasounds in medicine and experienced different kind of like medical procedures and also the trips where we can still visit the country and not stay in one place. So we could have a broader view of Scotland and experience your culture.
[Akinola] Anyone who's considering, like, even if you're not interested in Saint Andrew's, it's a great experience that you can take anywhere you want to go. And I really don't see any downsides to it.
[Joanna] So, apply just don't be scared. Yeah. It's a little intimidating, but I think it's worth a shot. I mean, I loved it here.
[Rose] Don't bring only winter clothes because I thought, like, oh, it will be very similar to the Belgian weather, So I only brought my winter clothes.
[Various] Five words? Definitely independence. International. Illuminating. Transformative. Unique. Exciting. Adventurous. Experience. Learning. Loving. Culture and. Fun.
[Colm] It is amazing. Just come.

You can also watch testimonials from our 2024 students on Instagram at this link - SAEC 2024 Video Testimonials