South Africa entry requirements

This page outlines the entry requirements for students who normally live in South Africa and wish to study at the University of St Andrews. This includes the academic and English language requirements, as well as information on fees, scholarships and visas.  

  • If you are interested in undergraduate study at St Andrews, you must meet the University's entry requirements as outlined below. 

    • National Senior Certificate (NSC): Overall average of 80% with 80% (or 7) in at least five subjects, including required subjects. Mathematical Literacy is not acceptable for degree programmes where Mathematics is a required subject.
    • International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 (HL 6,5,5) to 38 (HL 6,6,6, plus SL 6,6,6). From 2021, programmes requiring  A-levels Mathematics will accept either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at higher level.
    • A-levels: AAB to A*A*A
    • SQA Highers: AAAB to AAAAB

    Please note that as a Mathematics pre-requisite Mathematical Literacy subjects scores are not acceptable. We will only accept Mathematics.

    You will also be expected to meet the University's general entry requirements as listed on the individual course page for your intended programme. 

    Applicants to Medicine should refer directly to the medicine course pages.

    This information is for general guidance; we consider each application on its own merits, as outlined in the admissions policy.

    For more information please contact the Admissions team by emailing admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

  • Postgraduate candidates will be expected to hold a bachelor's (Honours) degree with a minimum grade of 70%.

    This information is for general guidance; we consider each application on its own merits, as outlined in the admissions policy.

  • All students entering the University must provide evidence that they can use English well enough to study effectively at St Andrews.

    We accept a wide range of language tests and qualifications as proof of English language proficiency. If you were educated outside the UK or use English as an additional language, you should include information about your English language proficiency with your application.

    Undergraduate English language requirements

    For full information about the language tests and qualifications that the University accepts for undergraduate applicants, please see the English language requirements for undergraduates.

    Postgraduate English language requirements

    For information on the language tests and qualifications which the University accepts for postgraduate students, please see the English language requirements for postgraduates.

    Pre-sessional courses

    In order to fully prepare yourself for academic study, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses. These combine language development with academic skills and orientation and provide an excellent introduction to university life.

    It may be a condition of your offer that you are required to take a 10-week or 4-week pre-sessional course.

    You can find out more about pre-sessional courses in the pre-sessional courses section.

    Visas and English language proficiency

    Overseas students typically need a visa to study in the UK. See the visa section below to find out more about the English language proficiency tests required to obtain a visa.

  • In order to obtain a visa, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires students to have passed a 'SELT' - a secure English language test. Language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University may not be accepted by UKVI, so you must take an approved SELT in order to obtain your visa. You can find a list of approved SELTs on the St Andrews language requirements page. 

    For further information and guidance on visas, refer to the visas page.

  • Undergraduate

    Undergraduate applicants to the University of St Andrews are classed as either Home (Scotland and the EU), RUK (rest of the UK) or Overseas for fees purposes. Information regarding fee status can be found on the UKCISA website. UKCISA is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of students and those who work with them.

    The current tuition fees for undergraduate students, as well as more information about financial assistance, can be found on the undergraduate tuition fees pages. To find out more about the scholarships available to undergraduate students, take a look at the undergraduate scholarships page.

    Postgraduate

    Postgraduate applicants to the University of St Andrews are classed as either Home (EU) or Overseas for fees purposes. Information regarding fee status can be found on the UKCISA website. UKCISA is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of students and those who work with them.

    The current tuition fees for postgraduate students, as well as information about financial assistance can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page. For information on postgraduate funding and scholarships, take a look at the postgraduate scholarships page.

  • For more information about applying to the University of St Andrews, you may contact the international Admissions team by email on admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

    Alternatively, the University of St Andrews has the following agents in South Africa. Find out more about the University's relationship with local representatives.

    Global Education - Johannesburg office
    The Zone @ Rosebank, Office F05, The Zone Phase 2, 177 Oxford Road
    Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196

    Phone: 27 11 268 6545
    Email: panos@global-education.co.za   
    Web: www.globaleducation.co.za

    Global Education - Cape Town office
    Cube Workspace, Office 111, 183 Albion Springs (Corner Main Road & Albion Springs Close)
    Rodebosch, Cape Town 7700

    Phone: 27 21 140 1530
    Email: ashleigh@global-education.co.za 
    Web: www.globaleducation.co.za

    Global Education - Durban office
    Spaces Umhlanga, 2 Ncondo Place, Ridgeside
    Umhlanga, 4319

    Phone: 27 21 140 1530
    Email: nico@global-education.co.za
    Web: www.globaleducation.co.za 

    Sable International Study Abroad Ltd - Cape Town office
    Ground Floor, Block B1, Regent Square, Doncaster Road
    Kenilworth, Cape Town 7708

    Phone: 27 21 657 1543
    Email: study@sableinternational.com or admissions@sableinternational.com

    Sable International Study Abroad Ltd - Johannesburg office
    Parc Nicol, 4, 3001 William Nicol Drive
    Bryanston, Johannesburg 2021

    Phone: 27 21 657 1543
    Email: study@sableinternational.com or admissions@sableinternational.com