Modules and credits at other institutions

If you are undertaking a study abroad placement, it is important to choose modules that you will both enjoy and will fit with your studies in St Andrews. Find out more about choosing modules at other institutions, and how this will effect your final degree.

Choosing modules

When choosing your modules overseas, remember to make sure that modules are:

  • A good match for your St Andrews degree programme;
    • Adequate preparation for the next level at St Andrews
    • No repetition of material already studied
  • The correct academic level;
    • No allowance will be made in grade conversion for unauthorised over-reaching. Authorisation to take a module at a higher level may only be made by Schools in exceptional circumstances.
  • The correct workload
    • Each semester should contain a normal credit load at the host institution. No allowance will be made in grade conversion for overloading; any shortfall in credits will have to be made up on return.

Please see the Credits and Grade Conversion for Study Abroad, especially Number of Credits and Choice of Modules and Levels for full details.

Credit loads

Undergraduate students participating in Study Abroad programmes are expected to register for a normal full-time credit load at the host institution. All courses and credits must be agreed with the St Andrews Study Abroad Co-ordinator(s) and detailed in a Learning Agreement.

The table below show the number of credits students are expected to take at each partner institution. Numbers in brackets represent the minimum number of credits students must transfer back to St Andrews in order to earn 60 St Andrews credits for their semester abroad, or 120 credits for a year abroad. Schools will determine the exact number of credits to be undertaken, within the ranges specified below (where applicable).  You must have permission from your Study Abroad Coordinator take the number of credits listed below in brackets.

St Andrews Abroad Programme

Partner institution Usual no.
of credits
per module		 St Andrews requirements:
Credit load for
one semester only		 Credit load
for full year
University of California: Quarters 3, 4 - 45 (42) for three quarters
University of California: Semesters (Berkeley and Merced only) 3, 4 - 30 (27) for two semesters
University of Auckland 15, 30 60 (60) 120 (120)
Macquarie University 10 40 (40) 80 (80)
University of Melbourne 12.5 50 (50) 100 (100)
University of Hong Kong 6 30 (24) 60 (48)
Hong University of Science and Technology 3 15 (12) 30 (27)
National University of Singapore 4 20 (16) 40 (36)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 3 15 (12) 30 (27)
University of Pennsylvania 1 - 8 (8)
Purdue University 3, 4 15 (12) 30 (27)
Queen's University 3 - 30 (27)
University of Richmond 1 5 (4) 9 (8)
University of Toronto 0.5 - 5 (4.5)
University of Virginia 3, 4 15 (12) 30 (27)
Washington College 4 16 (16) 32 (32)
Western University 0.5 - 5 (4.5)
William and Mary 3, 4 15 (12) 30 (27)

School Study Abroad Programmes

Students studying at a European institution, which uses the ECTS system are expected to take 30 ECTS credits per semester.  In exceptional cases, students may be permitted to take 24 ECTS credits per semester.  However, approval is required from your Study Abroad Coordinator.

Co-ordinating School/Partner institution Usual no.
of credits
per module		 St Andrews requirements:
Credit load for
one semester only		 Credit load
for full year
Biology: James Cook University 3 12 (12) -
Biology: University of British Columbia  3 15 (12) 30 (27)
Divinity: Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel 3 (but can range from 2 - 7) 18 (18) 36 (36)

History: Keio 

 2 16 (14) 32 (28)
International Relations: University of Hong Kong 6 30 (30) 60 (60)

International Relations: Renmin University of China 

 4-5 15 (12) 30 (27)

Chinese Studies: National Taiwan University

 1-3 12 (12) -

Chinese Studies: National Tsinghua University 

 1-3 16 (16) -
Spanish: Universidad de Montevideo 6 24 (24) -