Monastic Scotland: History and Archaeology

• Course content

  In Week 1, students will be introduced to the origins of Christian monasticism and the medieval religious history of Scotland, St Andrews, and Lindores Abbey. Field trips will offer opportunities to explore the history of monasticism along the River Tay.

  Morning lectures in Week 2 will delve into a range of specific topics in the study of medieval Scotland, including economic change and water use, along with field-based archaeological skills. Afternoons will be spent on library research, optional workshops, and excavation work at Lindores Abbey.

  Week 3 will focus primarily on excavation work, with two morning lectures on the history of religious orders in Scotland.

  In Week 4, students will continue excavation work, culminating in an open day and site tours at the Lindores Abbey site. Students may also choose to devote one or two days to library research or heritage work in St Andrews.

• Course fee

  The fieldwork course fee for 2025 entry is £5,510.

  St Andrews Summer Study course fees are inclusive of the following:

  • Tuition fee and instruction both in St Andrews and from staff at the dig site.
  • Accommodation in our residences, en-suite in shared five-person apartments (sharing with other Summer School students)
  • A programme of excursions, cultural and social activities
  • A number of catered meals including:
    • Breakfast 7 days a week (Monday – Sunday)
    • Lunch 5 days a week (Monday – Friday)
    • Dinner 5 days a week (Monday – Friday)
  • Access to Sports Centre for the duration of the summer school
  • Access to University services as a registered student of St Andrews, including the Library, IT Services, Student Services

  The Fee does not include airfare or getting to St Andrews, personal expenditure such as snacks and laundry.

• Credits

  The University of St Andrews is fully accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and recognised in the United States as a Title IV institution. Summer Study students earn credit under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

  This Fieldwork course is granted at 16 SCQF credits. Each SCQF credit is rated 10 hours of work (roughly 2/3 contact hours and 1/3 self-directed study. You will complete work for graded assessment and receive a University of St Andrews transcript and certificate.

  16 SCQF credits are equivalent to 4 US credits or 8 ECTS. Please check with your home institution about credit transfer arrangements.

• Entry requirements

  You must meet the following criteria:

  • have completed your first year of university study (at least two semesters in full-time higher education) or equivalent at the point of arrival in St Andrews. 
  • a minimum average grade of 3.2 (on a USA 4.0 GPA scale) or equivalent
  • must be aged 18 or over at time of arrival in St Andrews

  English Language Requirements 

  You must provide evidence that you can use English well enough to study effectively at St Andrews. The University accepts a wide range of language tests and qualifications as proof of English language proficiency. If you are from a non-English speaking country or use English as an additional language, you should include information about your English language proficiency with your application.

  For information on the language tests and qualifications which the University accepts, see the following:

  • undergraduate English Language requirements (follow the information for the Faculty of Arts and Profile 3-D)

• Prerequisites

  You should have an interest in the study of medieval history and be prepared for the sometimes physical challenging work of archaeology, outdoors in all types of weather. Normally students will be majoring in History or have done a few history courses at university level.

• Accommodation

  You will be housed in one of our student residences, David Russell Apartments (DRA). They are located on the western edge of town, about a 20-minute walk to the centre of town and local amenities, and a ten-minute walk from the Sports Centre. There are regular bus routes between DRA and the town centre.

  You will have a private bedroom with a double bed (four foot six inches wide), individual climate control and an en-suite shower room. There are five bedrooms per apartment, which includes a kitchen with a soft seating area, breakfast bar, oven, microwave, fridge freezer, tv and a dishwasher. There is basic cooking equipment and kitchenware, and an iron and ironing board. Wifi is free and available throughout the residence.

• Social programme

  Alongside all courses, there are a range of excursions, cultural and social activities held throughout the programme. Excursions and activities differ each year but previous years have included but are not limited to:

  • Welcome events
  • Pub Quiz
  • Day trip to Edinburgh (including Edinburgh Castle)
  • Day trip to Glasgow's West End
  • Local whiskey distillery
  • East Neuk of Fife
  • Highland Games

  Details for 2025 will be announced in the lead up to the start of the programme. 

• Travel and visa information

  If you are coming to the UK for study for less than six months this means you are visiting the UK as a Standard Visitor. Check on the UK government visa pages whether you need a Standard Visitor Visa, and what you will need to show at the border. You can also find more information on our support for international students – visas page.

  The closest international airports to St Andrews are Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow Airport. If flying to London, you also have the option of taking the Caledonian Sleeper service, an overnight train (London Euston to Leuchars). Leuchars is the closest railway station to St Andrews, situated approximately 6 miles outside the town. From Leuchars, St Andrews is easily reached by bus or taxi.

  See more details on how to get to St Andrews.

• Study Abroad Discount

  Students who complete a St Andrews Summer Study Course will be eligible for a 10% discount on their tuition fees for our- year-long or semester-long Study Abroad programmes.

  Please ensure that you have read our exchange and study abroad policy to make sure you are eligible for our Study Abroad programmes.

• Support

  Any queries prior to or during the summer school should be directed to shortcourses@st-andrews.ac.uk. 

• Terms and conditions

  Depending on demand, certain courses may not be available in 2025. If this happens, we will clearly communicate this to offer holders by late March.

  Students taking part in credit-bearing Summer Study at St Andrews will be registered as “summer visiting students”.  All students are obliged to adhere to the University’s code of conduct and have read the terms and conditions of study.

  Please make sure you have read the Monastic Scotland Terms and Conditions. 

  Admission and registration is governed by the policy on the admission and registration of exchange and study abroad students.

• How to apply

  The deadline to submit an application is Monday 17 March 2025.

  We recommend that you first check the entry requirements and discuss your application with your home institution, in particular if you want to transfer back credit from this summer school. 

  Complete the online Fieldwork course application form. 

  Please note the Terms and Conditions in the section above.

  Note that for the application, we will require: 

  Personal Statement

  This should tell us why you wish to study on your selected course and at St Andrews.

  Official Academic Transcript

  The transcript must be official and up-to-date, and you should include transcripts for time spent at other universities if relevant. Transcripts cannot be accepted that are marked as unofficial. Upload your official transcripts directly to your application, or ask your home institution to email it to shortcourses@st-andrews.ac.uk. 

  Academic reference

  Your reference must be written by an academic member of staff at your current home institution. It must be signed and written on official headed letter paper and can be submitted by the referee after you submit your application and the deadline.

  English Language Certificate

  If applicable, you will need to provide an English language certificate showing you meet the university's proficiency standards. You can find more information on our language requirements in the 'Entry Requirements' section.

  After submitting your application

  Applications are considered continually on a rolling basis from the application opening date until the application deadline therefore we'd recommend you submit your application as soon as possible before places fill up. Applicants will usually receive an answer within four weeks of submitting a complete application, though review may take longer depending on module choice and other circumstances.