Information for students

The University application journey can be tough, with lots of different sets of questions and requirements to follow. This information is designed to show you what St Andrews has on offer and how you can make your application stand out from the crowd.

You can ask us questions using the live chat in the bottom right of your screen when our team is in the office (10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

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Entry requirements

While we look at all the information in your application to St Andrews, the entry requirements are an important part. So long as you meet the entry requirements, we will read your application and give it equal consideration.

Our entry requirements are set at different levels so we can take into account the context you achieved them in. You can find out which requirements you will need to meet using our qualifications indicator. You can also find out more about how we assess which requirements you need in academic qualifications explained.

St Andrews has three levels of entry requirements:

  • Standard entry grades: 
    Unless you are a widening access student, you will need these grades to be considered.
  • Minimum entry grades: 
    If you are a widening access student, you will need these grades to be considered.
  • Gateway entry grades: 
    If you are a widening access student, you may also be eligible for a gateway programme. You will need these grades to be considered.

Be sure to read the specific entry requirements for the subject you are applying to.

Each subject will list the standard, minimum and Gateway entry requirements for Highers, A-Levels and IB. If you are studying a different qualification, look at the Scottish entry requirements.

The UCAS process

All students in Scotland apply to university through UCAS. Through this service, you will fill out an application form with your details, previous qualifications and course choices, a personal statement and referee details. Give yourself enough time to familiarise yourself with the UCAS website and application form.

Start by creating an account and looking through the different stages of the application. By doing this early, you will give yourself enough time to understand the process and be able to ask any questions that may arise. 

Find out more about application guidelines and resources on the UCAS website.

Key UCAS information

  • You may apply up to five different courses (we recommend that you only apply to the one course at St Andrews).
  • You only write one personal statement which is read by all the universities you apply to - avoid referring to specific universities.
  • There is a character and line limit for your personal statement: 4,000 characters and 47 lines.
  • UCAS has an application fee: £22.50 for a single choice, or £27 for more than one choice.

The UCAS application: What to expect and how to prepare

Writing your personal statement

Your personal statement is a chance to show universities what you have to offer as a student. The personal statement is the main bulk of your application, and you should spend a good amount of time working on this.

The character and line limit may seem like a large amount at first, but you will soon realise the difficulty in keeping to the set limits. The limit is 4,000 characters or approximately 47 lines; do not surpass an A4 page on Microsoft Word.

Watch our short video for some hints and tips.

You can also find out more about writing a personal statement on the UCAS website.

Gateway programmes

We have Gateway programmes which are specifically designed to offer additional support and guidance for students.

The purpose of these programmes is to promote the uptake of higher education among those groups that are traditionally under-represented at university. All programmes provide supported entry into degree-level programmes at St Andrews. Students will study subjects in the faculty they apply to in their first two years before moving into year three of a full degree programme.

Use the qualifications indicator to see if you are eligible to apply to our Gateway programmes.

Degree structure

Degrees at St Andrews vary in length, but most are four years long (three for Medicine and five for Integrated Masters programmes).

The degree structure offers you a breadth of subjects and lots of flexibility in your first two years before you finalise your degree choice and specialise in your final two years.

Scholarships

Lots of students are eligible for additional funding to help them make the most of their time at university. St Andrews offers a range of scholarships, usually based on financial need or academic excellence. Unlike a loan from SAAS, you do not have to pay scholarships back.

Some notable bursaries and scholarships on offer:

  • St Andrews Access Scholarship: For entrant undergraduate students the access scholarship scheme groups a variety of different scholarships available each year with values ranging from £500 to £4,000 per year, most are awarded for the duration of a student's course. 

Applying for scholarships

You can apply for scholarships after you have applied for your main degree through your 'My application' portal. You will be sent an email with information on how to access 'My application' where you will find the 'My Scholarships and Funding' section.

Learn more about funding your studies.

Finance

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) provides Scottish students with non-repayable tuition fees at Scottish institutions. You need to apply for the funding, then it will be paid directly to the University.

SAAS also provides a loan towards your living costs at university. Most of these loans will be repaid once you have graduated and are earning a salary.

Careers and employability

Whilst your time at university is all about learning and developing your academic skills, it is also a time to prepare for your future.

At St Andrews, you are supported throughout your studies to help you increase your skills, gain internships and experience, and be in the best position to be successful wherever you choose to go next.

See more on the Careers Centre website

Hear from current students about the support available to enhance your future at St Andrews.

Have questions?

Our team are happy to answer your questions and you can contact us directly on schools.access@st-andrews.ac.uk

Some questions are best answered by our students - send yours to askastudent@st-andrews.ac.uk, and one of our students will get in touch.