About the BA International Honours

The BA (International Honours) joint degree programme is a four-year undergraduate degree that combines the best of the Scottish and American educational experience. By studying in both the UK and the USA, you will call two world-class universities home.

The University of St Andrews has partnered with the College of William & Mary in Virginia, USA, to offer this truly global undergraduate degree. This programme is for the leaders of tomorrow who want to make their mark on the global stage.

Content

Discover the BA International Honours

Video transcript

[MUSIC]

- Introducing the new Bachelor of Arts

- International Honours degree

- from the University of St Andrews

- and the College of William & Mary

- Two universities, one incredible degree.

[MUSIC]

>> PROFESSOR FRANK MULLER: I think the main advantage of this programme is that students on it are not just visitors in two different academic worlds, but they're at home in two different academic worlds. And so I expect students to go out of this programme ready to pick opportunities from across the globe where they find them, and that they're confident about going to new places knowing that it may be a bit challenging, but it's also very rewarding to do so.

>> PROFESSOR COLLEEN KENNEDY: This program provides students the liberal arts education for which William & Mary is well known as well as the in-depth study that characterises the St Andrews education. In addition, more and more employers are looking towards study abroad experience, so the global awareness coupled with the liberal arts and the in-depth study make this an ideal programme.

[MUSIC]

[TEXT: Why did you choose this programme?]

>>VICTORIA: I chose this programme because of the opportunity to study abroad in both America and Scotland in two of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities.

>>KATIE: I'm from London and I chose this programme because it gives me the opportunity to have a degree in two different countries.

>>ANDREW: Two different perspectives, two different opportunities, and that just expands job opportunities.

>>ABBY: The real reason why I love this programme is because the people that are in the programme. We're a very driven bunch, but the thing that holds us together is that we're going through this very unique opportunity together and we can kind of support each other while we move from one university to the next.

[TEXT: How does the programme work?]

>>KATIE: This program is actually quite simple in the way that it works. You do your first year in the country that you apply to. So, for Chase that was America, for me that's Scotland. And then the second year, you go over to your other country - the other university.

- You then get to choose where you want to graduate and where you want to spend your third year.

>>KATIE: You must spend two years at two universities, but the order of where you go or where you graduate is up to you.

[TEXT: What is it like at William & Mary?]

>>LILIANA: So at William & Mary, the extracurricular life is very big. There's tons of school spirit. Tons of students go to all of our state sporting events.

>>CARLEY: It's great here at William & Mary. We have so much to do, you are always busy.

>>JOHN: William & Mary is fantastic. It's very personal, the people are very friendly, very smart.

>>KATIE: It's really nice because the class sizes are small so you actually get to know your professor.

[TEXT: What is it like at St Andrews?]

>>ROSEMARY: In St Andrews, there is a lot of stuff that goes on outside of academics. I'm in the Symphony Orchestra, and it's audition based, but they're really welcoming.

>>LU: I'm involved in the University Football League, and we play against Scottish locals.

- So here at St Andrews, I'm part of the volleyball club, and it's really different from William & Mary, because here you don't have as many people doing the club, so it's kind of just more for fun.

- One of the bests and most fun things that everyone can do is the idea of the academic family, which is really a support system here at the University of St Andrews, and they're especially involved with this weekend with Raisin where we all get dressed up and have a big foam fight in the quad.

[TEXT: What was the application process like?]

>>AEDAN: I was always gonna apply to William & Mary, but when I thought about the St Andrews programme, I went ahead and applied to the joint program as well.

>>LU: I came to St Andrews to do my foundation year to improve my English and academic skills. After successfully graduating from the foundation, I came to join this programme.

[TEXT: What are your future plans?]

>>CHASE: After I finish up my studies in this programme, I intend to go on and practice law, either in Britain or America.

>>KATIE: Possibly to work in America or at least in a foreign country for part of my time.

>>CONRAD: I'd like to do something probably in the developing world.

[TEXT: One word to describe the programme]

- Unique

- Unprecedented

- Dynamic

- Adventurous

- Challenging

- Magical

- Innovative

- Exhilarating

>>ALL: It can be you!

[MUSIC]

[TEXT: To find out more, please visit www.st-andrews.ac.uk]

Subjects offered

You will choose to specialise in one of the six subject areas offered by the BA (International Honours).

The BA (International Hons) in Classical Studies offers two pathways:
- Greek and Latin
- Ancient History and Archaeology.
Both pathways allow you to explore the cultures of the Mediterranean world in great depth, from the Bronze Age through Late Antiquity. You will also have the option to take courses from both pathways, giving you an all-round perspective on the Greek and Roman world.

The course provides an international experience which will make students more competitive in a globalised job market. A degree in Classical Studies is highly valued for the skills that are built in critical thinking, research and broad understanding of the past.

See the Classical Studies BA (International Honours) course page.
The BA (International Hons) in Economics provides a sound understanding of economics and insight into social issues and problems ranging from the most important and pressing that face the planet today, to everyday phenomena which are central to the way society is organised.

Students on the Economics BA (International Hons) will gain a highly marketable set of skills, including thinking analytically, critically and strategically. The course also provides international experience which will make students more competitive in a globalised job market.

See the Economics BA (International Honours) course page.
The BA (International Hons) in English will provide you with the opportunity to explore a range of historical periods and critical approaches to literature.

Through this course, you will develop your writing skills, sensitivity to language, awareness of the aesthetic and intellectual enjoyments of literature, and understanding of the cultural values reflected in literature. You can also choose to take creative writing classes.

See the English BA (International Honours) course page.
The BA (International Hons) in Film Studies explores the interrelated fields of television, print, radio, and other media. This study of contemporary and historical media will show you how representation affects our understanding of gender, sexuality, national identity, racial and ethnic identities, and the influence of global markets and politics.

Film Studies graduates are well placed to compete in today’s job market, having gained an extensive range of skills from written and oral communications to archival research and visual analysis.

See the Film Studies BA (International Honours) course page.
The BA (International Honours) in History will allow you to discover and analyse the full range of human activity over time.

At St Andrews, your studies will focus on medieval and early modern Europe, including the history of Scotland, England, the British Empire, and Middle Eastern studies.

At William & Mary, your studies will focus on the history of early America, and 19th and 20thcentury America and Europe, as well as early modern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

See the History BA (International Honours) course page.
The BA (International Hons) in International Relations will teach you to understand how major features of the international system operate as well as the major challenges it faces. You will learn to approach issues from different epistemological and methodological angles, and to relate your knowledge to issues including development, international political economies, environmental politics, human rights, and the various impacts of globalization, among others.

You will gain an understanding of how major features of the international system operate, as well as the major challenges it faces. You will engage with a range of issues, both thematic and regional in nature.

See the International Relations BA (International Honours) course page.

Degree structure

You will spend an equal amount of time at the University of St Andrews and the College of William & Mary.

For your first year, you will attend the university you applied to (your home institution). For your second year, you will transfer to the other university (your host institution).

Your interests and programme of study will help you to decide whether to spend your third year at your host institution or return to your home institution. You will move again for your fourth year of study so that you spend two years at each institution in total.

You will typically graduate from the institution where you choose to spend your fourth year (although arrangements can be made to graduate at the other).

There are two options for students starting at St Andrews:

Option 1

First year - St Andrews
Second year - William & Mary
Third year - St Andrews
Fourth year - William & Mary

Option 2

First year - St Andrews
Second year - William & Mary
Third year - William & Mary
Fourth year - St Andrews

About St Andrews

Offering world-leading teaching and research, the UK's highest-rated student experience and home to a global population of students, St Andrews is one of the UK's leading universities.

St Andrews offers students the opportunity to be taught in a forward-thinking institution that is backed by more than 600 years of history. Pushing what it means to be sustainable and to educate the next generation of leaders and great thinkers, students go on to work and study around the world with so much more than just an outstanding education.

Video transcript

[TEXT:]

Think you know St Andrews?
Actually...
We are so much more.
We come from more than 130 countries.
To become part of one incredible family.
We meet our best friends in hall, in class, and in the supermarket.
We celebrate our differences and acknowledge that we are all St Andrews.
We are supported academically.
We are supported personally.
We know when to offer a hand.
We know when to ask for help.
We are a community.
We like to challenge.
We are not interested in the status quo.
We work hard.
We play hard.
We have more than 55 sports clubs.
Over 140 student societies.
And Hundreds of events.
We learn, hit, run, play, perform, dance, thrive.
We have flexibility in what we study.
There are over 900 degree combinations.
We are taught by people who wrote the books we study.
We inspire their research.
Maybe you're here for six months.
Five years.
It doesn't matter.
St Andrews is:
Welcoming.
Diverse.
Safe. Thriving. Ancient. Modern. Sporty. Unique. Traditional. Cutting-edge. Ever-changing.
Home.
This is our St Andrews.
What will yours be?

About William & Mary

William & Mary is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the USA and today is a cutting-edge research university. As a 'Public Ivy' — one of only eight in the USA — William & Mary offers a world-class education that wonderfully complements the extraordinary teaching at St Andrews.

Built on more than 300 years of history, William & Mary transcends the boundaries between research, teaching, learning and living to produce some of the smartest and passionate students in the world.

There are currently more than 6,000 undergraduates from 50 states and 60 other countries across the three campuses of William & Mary, Williamsburg (Virginia), Washington Centre (Washington DC) and Gloucester Point (Virginia).

Video transcript

- At William & Mary, bold moments define us.

We push boundaries and find creative solutions.

We take risks and pursue our passions.

We ignite curiosity and change the world.

At William & Mary, we see bold in action.

We challenge what is known, explore what is new, and imagine a bold future.

We are, and always will be, a university for the bold.

[Music] I was born bold. I was born free.
[Music] Well, I'm taking the reins when the world gets cold.
[Music] I can't be bought or sold, you see,
[Music] I was born bold.

Further information

Fees and funding

See the programme costs for the upcoming academic year as well as funding opportunities available.

Accommodation

Accommodation is guaranteed for BA International Honours students for the entire programme (if applied for by the relevant deadline).

"The duality of this program is truly remarkable in that it pushes you to leave behind the comfort of a familiar academic system and group of friends only to encourage you to adapt to a new academic environment and to forge new, genuine friendships."

Layal
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

About the BA International Honours

Content

Discover the BA International Honours

Subjects offered

Classical Studies

Economics

English

Film studies

History

International Relations

Degree structure

Option 1

Option 2

About St Andrews

About William & Mary

Further information