Due to the flexible nature of this degree, students can take between four and nine years to complete it.
There are two different entry points available for this course, September and January:
- January 2025 – application deadline of 15 December 2024
- September 2025 – application deadline of 15 July 2025
“I'd really recommend evening study. This flexible degree is a secret gem of Scotland. You can join online or come into class, and it’s been a really positive and lovely experience.”
Entry requirements
We expect applicants to have a basic level of education at school level, which should include English and Mathematics. This will be discussed at interview and does not have to be evidenced through formal qualifications.
We will consider work experience, professional qualifications and other forms of evidence of ability to study if you don't have recent formal qualifications.
We look for applicants who have a willingness and desire to learn and can succeed in a demanding academic environment.
Application process
- Personal statement: a short statement outlining why you are interested in the course, the subjects that you want to study, and an overview of your educational and professional background.
- Reference: add the details of a referee who can discuss your professional or educational background. This can be someone who knows you professionally (like your manager) or someone from your community.
We will review your application and will be in contact if we need any further information. Successful applicants will then be invited to attend a short, informal online interview with two members of the Admissions team. The interview is a great opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the course.
Recognition of prior learning
Whilst you don't need qualifications other than a basic level of school education to take this course, we can review any previous studies and prior learning beyond school level to see if you are eligible for credit transfer towards your Combined Studies MA (General) degree.
You can transfer up to 180 credits from qualifications gained at SCQF level 7 or above, SVQ level 4 or above, or equivalent, including:
- HNC or HND qualifications, or HN-level modules
- Degree-level courses or modules (completed degrees are not eligible)
- Education-level qualifications awarded by professional bodies, such as nursing, accountancy, chartered surveying, where these have been mapped onto SCQF qualifications
For qualifications which are less than five years old, full credit value of the award may be granted. Qualifications more than five years old will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Due to the pre-requisites in place for several of the more advanced modules on the Combined Studies degree, it may not always be possible to use the full amount of any transferred credit.
It is also possible to gain credits for work-related learning. You will need to demonstrate clear learning outcomes from your experience and how these skills are applicable to the Combined Studies degree.
It may be possible to use work experience to gain credits for specific modules when your experience is clearly aligned with the module content. For example, if you have extensive computer skills from your work, this can be considered in place of the compulsory Information Technology module.
Please see the Recognition of Prior Learning policy for more information.
Course details
The Combined Studies course allows you to study in the evenings to work towards a degree. During the course, you will be able to choose from a wide range of subjects based on your interests.
You will take either one or two modules over a 12-week semester, and each module has a weekly class delivered between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Combined Studies classes run using a hybrid format, which means that students have the option to either join online or attend in-person each week.
Over the course of your programme, you will take modules at levels equivalent to first, second and third years of full-time study. You will complete a total of 360 credits over the course of your degree. Each module is typically worth 20 to 30 credits.
First and second level modules provide a firm foundation within each subject which allows you to progress to modules at a third level. Third level modules are more in-depth and cover a specific area of the subject.
Within your first 120 credits, you must complete the following subjects at level one:
• Reading English
• Information Technology
• Introduction to Psychology
These are the core subjects which will equip you with skills you need to successfully complete your degree. The rest of your degree programme can be tailored to suit your personal interests.
Aside from the compulsory three modules above you can choose modules to suit your interests from the range of subjects available each year. Some subjects are offered at lower levels only, and others progress into more specialised level 3 modules, which can be taken toward the end of your degree programme.
The Combined Studies course also offers a range of flexible study options, including classroom-based teaching, blended digital learning and collaborative opportunities with the University of Dundee and the Open University in Scotland.
Not only will you finish your studies with a reputable qualification and a wealth of knowledge on the topics you have studied, but you will also develop and improve a variety of transferable skills:
• verbal and written communication
• team working
• organisational and time management skills
• research, interpretation and analytical skills
• computer literacy
• interpersonal skills
• dedication and personal motivation
• listening skills
• presentation skills
• critical thinking and evaluation
• confidence
If you need support getting started back into study, you can take the pre-sessional induction programme which covers study skills, good academic practice, and an introduction to student life.
Modules
Semester 2 runs from January to May each year. These modules will be available in 2025.
Mondays
- Walter Richard Sickert and European Art c1880 to 1940 (Level 3 Art History)
Tuesdays
- Art in the Modern Period (Level 2 Art History)
- Crime and Passion in Popular Culture 2: Since 1900 (Level 3 English)
Wednesdays
- An Introduction to Anthropology (Level 1 Social Anthropology)
- Morality and Human Nature (Level 1 Philosophy)
Thursdays
- Reading English (Level 1 English – compulsory)
- Introduction to Psychology 2 (Level 2 Psychology)
- The Effective Manager (Level 2 Management)
- An Anthropology of Global Social Issues (Level 3 Social Anthropology)
Semester 1 runs from September to December each year. These modules were available in 2024. Module options vary slightly between years and an updated module list will be available in summer 2025.
Mondays
- The Early Modern Western World (c1450 – c1770) (Level 1 History)
- The Country, City and Society in Nineteenth-Century French Art (Level 3 Art History)
Tuesdays
- Information Technology 1 (Level 1 Information Technology – compulsory)
- Western Art from Renaissance to Baroque (Level 1 Art History)
Wednesdays
- Matters of Life and Death (Level 2 Philosophy)
- Today’s World (Level 2 Social Anthropology)
Thursdays
- Introduction to Psychology 1 (Level 1 Psychology – compulsory)
- Writing Scotland: Creative and Critical Approaches (Level 2 English)
- City Life: From Ur to Athens to Motown (Level 3 Social Anthropology)
To make your degree journey as flexible as possible, we have collaborative agreements with two leading institutions, the University of Dundee and The Open University, which allow you to tailor your degree to your needs. Modules from these institutions can be taken alongside your St Andrews modules and will be recognised on your final degree award.
To make sure you have the best experience on the Combined Studies degree, it is not possible to study with the University of Dundee or The Open University in the first year or last year of the degree.
University of Dundee subjects available include:
- Languages for All – French
- Languages for All – Spanish
- Languages for All – Italian
The Open University subjects available include:
- Mathematics
- Business and management
- Economics
- Statistics
Teaching
Each module runs over a 12-week semester, with one class per week, delivered in the evenings between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Students may study either one or two modules per semester.
Teaching in each module varies slightly depending on the content, but most take the form of a combined lecture and tutorial. Modules in science subjects may also include lab work.
Most classes involve a combination of group work and discussion, but also involve individual study outside of the class times to prepare for future classes and enhance your subject knowledge.
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge in their subject.
Almost all of the modules in the Combined Studies course are assessed by a balanced combination of coursework and class tests.
The exact breakdown of the assessment method will vary between subjects and modules.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
The Combined Studies MA (General) degree will be awarded after 360 credits have been achieved. This should include 80 credits at Level 2 and 60 credits at Level 3. For more information about the rules for general degree programmes, please see the rules by degree.
In addition to your studies, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted by the University. This includes an optional Study Skills course specifically for Combined Studies students that runs prior to the beginning of studies.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Combined Studies students can apply for the SAAS part-time fee grant to cover the cost of tuition fees. To be eligible for SAAS funding you must earn less than £25,000 per year in gross personal income (before tax and national insurance). For more information about SAAS funding for part-time study, please refer to the SAAS website.
Tuition fees will be calculated on a pro-rata basis dependent on your fee status and the number of credits taken. For example, in the academic year 2024-2025, a Home Fee student would pay £303 per 20 credits studied. Please see the fees table for further information.
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
Students on the Combined Studies programme are eligible to apply for a part-time study scholarship to help with the costs associated with being a student, including travel, books and childcare.
If your personal earned or pension income is under £25,000 and you are taking at least 30 credits each academic year, then you can apply for the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) part-time fee grant. The part-time fee grant provides financial support for your tuition fees.
Further information about this process is available on the SAAS webpage.
Careers
As a part-time student, you will have full access to the range of facilities available through the Careers Centre to help you develop your skills at graduate level and explore employment options.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact us
- lifelonglearning@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- Access and Widening Participation Team
Admissions
University of St Andrews
16 The Scores
St Andrews
KY16 9AX