How to apply for undergraduate study
Source: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/ Parent: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Every year, we receive thousands of undergraduate applications from students who wish to study at the University of St Andrews. Our focus is on finding the students who will challenge ideas, make innovative findings, use their leadership talents in new areas, and take advantage of the breadth as well as the flexibility of the University’s offerings. Find out which application process is most appropriate for you below. All applicants should note that the maximum number of applications permitted to UK universities in one year is five.
Most applicants for first-year entry will apply to other universities as well as to the University of St Andrews through a single online Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application.
Overseas students may apply through the Common Application, and your application to us will be counted as one of your five UK choices.
Overseas students may apply through the direct application, and your application to us will be counted as one of your five UK choices.
A small number of students each year are offered the opportunity to join the University of St Andrews from another university.
Some students who wish to enter the Faculty of Science have the opportunity to proceed directly into the second year of their course.
For applicants not looking to undertake full-time study, we offer part-time study in both during the day and in the evening.
If you are interested in information about how we decide to offer places, or when you are likely to receive a response to your application, take a look at our 'after you apply' page.
Frequently asked questions
What are we looking for in applications?
We offer places to the students who meet our academic requirements and are deemed to have the most potential to benefit from their course and contribute to academic life at the University. Your grades – both already gained and predicted – are the first area of consideration, and you should be aware of the entry requirements before you apply. You can find information about any specific subject pre-requisites on the individual course pages.
For more information, please refer to academic entry explained.
Specially trained staff at the University will review your application and consider the following areas:
- The grades and qualifications that you have already achieved, or are predicted to achieve.
- The context in which your qualifications have been or will be achieved - this could include your location, whether any resit exams were taken, and any extenuating factors. Home Funded and Rest of the UK (RUK) fee status applicants may refer to our use of contextual data information for further details.
- Your personal statement.
- Your academic reference.
- Performance at interview (for Medicine, Gateway and Pathway programmes).
- Relevant work or other experience, where appropriate;
- English language ability, where appropriate.
Gap years and deferred entry
We expect that you will apply to the University in the academic year immediately before you intend to start your studies. For example, if you plan to take a gap year before starting university, we recommend you apply during the gap year.
If you have taken a gap year, ensure you clearly outline the motivation behind it and any experiences and skills gained from the gap year that are relevant to your chosen subject(s).
You can find out more in our Admissions policy.
If you chose to apply for deferred entry for the subsequent academic year, please make sure you reference your plans in your personal statement. You should provide us with a full picture of why you wish to defer, what you will be doing during this time, and how these activities will strengthen your application to your chosen subject(s).
References
If you are at school or college, your Head of Year, University Counsellor or another teacher will generally write your reference. If you are on a gap year after achieving your school-leaving qualifications, the reference should also be provided by your school or college.
If you are not at school or college and unable to provide a reference from a former teacher, you will need to supply a reference from a responsible person who knows you well enough to write about you and your academic capabilities. Avoid using references from family members or close friends as they are not normally acceptable.
- UCAS: referees should submit their report to the UCAS online application process.
- Common Application: references should be on headed paper and include a signature.
- Direct Application: reference letters can be provided on headed paper with a signature, or written in the direct application referee report (PDF) clearly marked with your name. This can be included with your application, sent separately, or we can email the referee directly if you tell us their name and details.
You must provide a reference in support of your application. Any applications submitted without a reference are incomplete.
Will I be interviewed?
Most students who apply to the University will not be required to attend an interview. The exceptions to this will be if you are applying for:
When will I receive a decision on my application?
We aim to let you know the decision on your application as quickly as possible, but we will take the time required to review each application carefully and in full, in line with all the care and attention you have put into your application to us.
Students who apply by the relevant equal consideration deadline will receive a decision on their applications by the month of May in the academic year they apply.
All applicants can track their applications through their applicant portal, and UCAS applicants can also track the progress of their application through UCAS Hub.