St Andrews Access Award
- Application period opens
- Wednesday 3 June 2026
- Application period closes
- This scholarship deadline has now passed (Wednesday 10 June 2026)
- Notification date
- The week commencing Monday 29 June 2026
- Entry
- 2026
Apply now
The St Andrews Access Award was established to provide financial assistance with the cost of studying at the University of St Andrews.
Depending on your household income, you could be eligible for a non-repayable guaranteed award for the duration of your Undergraduate course.
The Access Awards are based on financial need. Students should demonstrate a below-average household income and a need for funding in their application.
Applicants with a household income less than £34,000 can apply once to be considered for support from the Access Award. Details of the value of the award are provided below.
Applicants with a Home or RUK fee status with a household income greater than £34,000 may still apply and be considered for non-guaranteed scholarship, provided they meet the criteria and funding is available.
Widening participation applicants
Scholarship applications are particularly welcome from applicants who meet any of the following widening participation criteria:
- Live in a SIMD decile 1-4 (Scottish postcode area checker)
- Are care experienced
- Are estranged from family and living without family support
- Are seeking asylum or have refugee status in the UK
- Are a Carer (providing unpaid care)
If you meet these criteria, you can apply by completing a short application form.
Value of award (per year)
Guaranteed and non-guaranteed award values:
| Eligible (Household income) | Maintenance | Accommodation | Sports membership* | Freshers Pass** | Total possible award value (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care experienced | £2,900 (guaranteed) | £1,900 (guaranteed) | 100% reduction (£205) | 100% reduction (£60) | minimum £5,065 |
| £0 - £20,999 | £2,000 (guaranteed) | £1,900 (guaranteed) | 100% reduction (£205) | 100% reduction (£60) | minimum £4,165 |
| £21,000 - £23,999 | £1,750 (guaranteed) | £1,900 (guaranteed) | 50% reduction (£102.50) | 100% reduction (£60) | minimum £3,812.50 |
| £24,000 - £33,999 | £1,500 (guaranteed) | £1,900 (eligible, not guaranteed) | 25% reduction (£51.25) | no reduction | minimum £3,451.25 |
| £34,000 and above | £700 (eligible, not guaranteed) | £1,900 (eligible not guaranteed) | 25% reduction (£51.25)* | no reduction | minimum £2,651.25 |
* Saints Sports membership values to be confirmed for 2026-2027. Value shown is the 2025-2026 membership.
** Freshers pass discount is only valid for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Award values are based on evidenced household income at the time of application.
Payment terms
£1,900 paid directly towards university accommodation. Private accommodation is paid as monthly maintenance. Maintenance is paid in ten monthly instalments directly to your bank account (BACS) from September to May, with a double payment in February.
Where maintenance is payable on an award, you can offset all or part of your maintenance towards university accommodation during matriculation (registration).
Duration of award
The Access Award is paid annually for the duration of the undergraduate programme. Please refer to the specific criteria for all other funding awarded as part of this award.
At what stage of my course application can I apply for this scholarship?
You can apply for the scholarship after you have submitted your course application for a place at the University of St Andrews. You do not need to wait until you have received an offer of a place before applying for the scholarship.
Application restrictions
Study level
Available to students studying at:
Subjects
Available to students studying:
Domicile for fee status
Schools
Available to students in the following Schools and Departments:
Application assessment
Available to
Mode of study
Geographical criteria
Additional criteria
Selection is based on financial need.
As part of the application, you will be asked to upload a number of documents.
Household income
Evidence of the total household income as stated in your scholarship application.
Please read the Complete the financial funding tool and calculate household income guide where you can find helpful advice on how to calculate your household income. The guide will assist you in completing the financial funding tool in My Application and preparing the correct evidence when applying for means-tested scholarships based on financial need.
Where financial evidence is not available, please provide bank statements or electronic statements with the last three months highlighted to show proof of income. Please provide multiple documentation in one PDF or similar format.
If you are care-experienced and unable to provide household evidence, please upload a document that states this. You do not need to upload evidence of your care experience, if this has already been provided to Admissions.
If you are an asylum seeker and are unable to provide household evidence, please upload evidence confirming your official Home Office status.
You must apply to the University for funding, giving complete and accurate information before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
How to apply
This scholarship is available for application through the St Andrews Access Award application in View and continue my scholarships and funding in the Scholarships and funding section of My application.
Terms and conditions
Applicants will be guaranteed the above funding in line with their declared household income, supporting evidence is required. Where evidence is not provided or does not support the declared amount the committee reserves the right to amend or reject the application.
Non-guaranteed funding will be awarded where funds are available, the award value will be at the discretion of the committee.
The Access Award may be funded from a combination of University, donor or external sources to the value represented in the table above.
Distance learning (online) courses are not eligible.
Sports membership discount will be applied directly and is not transferable (non-cash).
Freshers pass discount will be applied directly and is not transferable (non-cash).
If awarded, data (student ID and discount amount) will be passed to the University Sports Centre for the sports membership and student ID, email address and discount amount to the Student Union for the Freshers Pass.
When will I know the outcome?
The outcome of your scholarship application will be available in My Application, Scholarships and Funding, View my funding applications by the end of June 2026.