# Part-time daytime study

**Source**: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/part-time/daytime/
**Parent**: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/part-time/

If you are returning to education after a long period away you can apply to study on a part-time basis through our MA or BSc General degrees.

The General degree allows you to study part-time and choose from a wide range of subjects across the Arts, Divinity and Science Faculties. It is suitable for those who have other commitments and aren't able to study full time.

As a part-time General degree student, you will study alongside our full-time students, taking the same classes and lectures. You'll take a variety of classes across the week, from Monday to Friday, depending on the subjects you have chosen, which means there is some flexibility for you to choose subjects that fit around your other commitments.

If you are accepted to study our General degree you will have the option of progressing to a named Honours degree, on a part-time basis, on completion of the equivalent of the first two years of full-time study, if you meet the requirements for entry to Honours.

Apply below for either Master of Arts (MA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc).

[Apply for MA General degree](https://e-vision.st-andrews.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=DUAGPARTSART&code2=0005)[Apply for BSc General degree](https://e-vision.st-andrews.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=DUSGPSCISSCI&code2=0004)

## Course type

Master of Arts (General degree)

Bachelor of Science (General degree)

### Course duration

Part-time students can take up to two-thirds of the workload of a full-time student, normally two modules per semester, and can take between five and nine years to complete their degree programme.

### Entry requirements

Qualifications for entry to a part-time General degree should be recent, ideally within the last three years, and equivalent to the entry requirements for our full-time [FE-HE Programme](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/pathways/fe-he-pathways/). Subject entry requirements apply for some courses, for example, students wishing to study Chemistry must hold a recent qualification in this subject.

Examples of accepted qualifications are:

- BBBB at Higher
- Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject area
- SWAP Access Courses
- Open University Credits

## Course information

The part-time **Master of Arts** (**General**) and **Bachelor of Science** (**General**) degrees are available to students who are unable to undertake a full-time course.

A General degree is awarded after the equivalent of three years of full-time study (360 credits) and is not specific to any one subject. This provides a great way to study multiple subjects without having to specialise in any particular one.

It will typically take between five and nine years to complete, depending on how many modules you complete each year.

You will study a maximum of 80 credits per year, usually four modules in first year, and you will have one or two subjects that you are considering taking forward for more specialised study in the later years of your degree.

Part-time students wishing to transfer to full-time study will be required to complete and submit a full UCAS application. It is not possible to transfer to our Medical programme.

## Teaching

### Teaching format

As a part-time day student you would be undertaking the same classes and lectures as full-time students.

The average class time per module is between four and eight hours per week, depending on the subject. As a part-time student you will be taking one or two modules per semester. You will, in addition to this, be expected to undertake around eight hours per week of independent study per module.

Classes will be a mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, which will be spread over the week.

### Support

There is additional support in place to help you make the transition into higher education successfully.

Pre-sessional induction days are held just before the start of term to ensure that you meet other new part-time students and to introduce you to a few of our current students who can share their experiences with you.

You will have a single point of contact within the Lifelong Learning team who will be there to help and support you over the first two years of study and into Honours. They will be there to act as a signpost to ensure that you always know where to go when you need advice, whether it's academic or personal.

The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs. More information can be found on the [students with disabilities webpage](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/support/students-with-disabilities/).

## Fees

Fees for the part-time General degree are charged on a modular basis, therefore the fee charged is dependent on your fee status and the number of credits being taken.

Part-time Honours students will be charged as a half time equivalent of the full-time fee.

For example, in the academic year 2025-2026, a Home Fee student would pay £303 per 20 credits studied.

For details of current full-time study fees and fee statuses, see the [undergraduate fees and funding page](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees/).

### Funding and scholarships

Daytime part-time students are eligible to apply for a [part-time study scholarship](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/scholarships/scholarships-catalogue/undergraduate-scholarships/st-andrews-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, you can also apply for the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) part-time fee grant, which provides financial support for your tuition fees. Further information about this process is available on the [SAAS webpage](https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time/undergraduate-funding).

## Careers

As a part-time student, you will have full access to the range of facilities available through the [Careers Centre](http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/) to help you develop your skills at graduate level and explore employment options.

## Student life

The University of St Andrews offers a variety of events and opportunities that result in a unique student experience. These events, and the choice of more than 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from, ensure a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

There are 11 subcommittees (or ‘super societies’) and all St Andrews students are automatically members. One of these subcommittees is dedicated to supporting students who have entered the University over the age of 21, the Lifelong and Flexible Learners Forum, or ‘Lifers’ as it is known. Lifers provides representation for students who enter university through alternative routes or after a break from education. They host social events for all students and encourage greater integration within university life and traditions.

The [town of St Andrews](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/why/town/) itself has lots to offer. As you walk around you will encounter ancient and modern buildings, including University buildings, parks and beaches, providing a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning.

[Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/why/life/)

### Commuter students

If you choose to live outside St Andrews, there is support in place to help you make friends and reach your full academic potential.

There is a Commuter Students Common Room, conveniently located across from the University Library, that provides a place to relax before or after your classes. Tea, coffee and juice are provided and the room's kitchen facilities are free to use.

Commuter students have a dedicated student society, the Townsend Society, which is open to all students who are not linked to a hall of residence or who commute from out of town. Each year, if you declare yourself to be a commuter student, you will be invited to join this society, which meets early in Orientation Week  at the beginning of the year and hosts social and sporting occasions throughout the year for students and their families.

The Townsend Society is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet other commuter students and enjoy a full and vivid social life during your time in St Andrews. To contact the Townsend Society, please email [townsoc@st-andrews.ac.uk](mailto:townsoc@st-andrews.ac.uk).

## Contact

**Admissions**\
University of St Andrews\
16 The Scores\
St Andrews\
KY16 9AX

Email: [lifelonglearning@st-andrews.ac.uk](mailto:lifelonglearning@st-andrews.ac.uk)

## Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our [admissions policy](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/policy/).

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the [course archive](https://archive.st-andrews.ac.uk/courses/).

## Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing our students’ learning experience. Find our more about our [approach to course revision](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/policy/academic-policies-curriculum-curriculum-at-st-andrews/curriculum-at-st-andrews.pdf).

### Tuition fees

The University will explain any compulsory fees and charges a student has to pay, and clarify conditions for any fee variations, at the time of an offer to study at St Andrews. Find out more about our [approach to fee setting](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/fee-setting/).