Academic Induction 2024 entry

This two-week course is for any international undergraduate student who would like an all-round introduction to academic study at St Andrews before starting on their degree.

The course has a strong focus on writing and presenting information in academic contexts.

Staff members on the induction course will help you navigate many of the most important University's administrative procedures so that you can start finding your way around the library, lecture halls and service buildings before your degree starts.

You will meet students from other countries and have the opportunity to participate in a range of social activities so both your social life and your academic life should be off to a flying start.

Start date
Friday 23 August 2024
End date
Thursday 5 September 2024
Duration
Two weeks with mandatory course orientation day on Friday 23 August
School
International Education Institute
How to apply Meet us to find out more

Entry requirements

To apply for this course, you must be an international student and hold an unconditional offer for an undergraduate course at the University of St Andrews beginning in September 2024.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

This course is highly intensive and entails mornings and afternoons of class contact each week in addition to workshops, information sessions, and independent learning.

Information sessions focus on aspects of studying at St Andrews, including navigating the library and using referencing software. There is a question and answer session on the advising system and institutional teaching policies, and an introduction to a variety of University services.

Morning sessions

Morning classes are divided into blocks of 60 minutes. Most classes are dedicated to essay writing and aim to enhance your command of academic language and style, and help you to develop clarity and cohesion in your written work. This means structuring and organising your argument or discussion in the way most appropriate to each subject you study. The remaining classes are dedicated to research, presentation and seminar skills, as well as dedicated sessions on critical thinking.

Afternoon sessions

In the afternoons, there are subject-based lectures delivered by staff from a range of academic Schools. These lectures give you the opportunity to understand the rationale behind the different teaching methods used across the University and the role they play in your learning.

Social activities

There will be a number of social activities during the programme, which will typically include at least one excursion and a ceilidh (a Scottish dancing evening), with live music from a local band.

Other evening activities, such as theatre trips or events at the Students’ Union, are not included in the course fee. However, as students on these courses typically live together in University accommodation, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know each other, and there is never any shortage of informal social events.

Teaching

The general emphasis of the course is on essay writing and the presentation skills necessary for success as an undergraduate. Classes will include strategies for working with a variety of sources from books, journal articles and lectures, both in libraries and online.

Lecture programme

Attending a variety of lectures from different Schools will enhance your confidence in your ability to operate in what may be a new, less familiar teaching style. This part of the course is also valuable in giving you the opportunity to practise listening and note-taking while dealing with different styles of delivery and different accents.

There are small changes in the lecture programme every year, but in 2022 subject-specific lectures included:

  • An Overview of International Relations
  • The History of the University of St Andrews
  • Biological Energy
  • What is Sustainable Development?
  • Scandinavian Design
  • The Black Death
  • What Makes Us Human?
  • The Cinematic Appeal of Spiderman
  • Scottish Literature
  • Building and Developing Business Relationships Online

Writing for university

During the course, you will plan, draft, edit and submit a short essay on a topic related to your main area of study.

Topics will be agreed in consultation with your tutor, with whom you will have one-to-one meetings to get advice on the process of planning, researching and drafting your essay. You will receive personalised feedback on your work-in-progress.

The course covers the following topics:

  • review of and practice in academic writing styles
  • improving accuracy and clarity at sentence level
  • developing cohesion in paragraphs and extended writing
  • avoiding plagiarism: good practice in citation and referencing of sources
  • dealing with different task types, including writing for examinations
  • specific written assessments such as report writing or annotated bibliographies.

Communicating for university

Each student will have the opportunity to practise giving a presentation on an academic topic. Classes will focus on creating an appropriate blend between demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of content and effective presentation techniques on which you will be informally assessed. You will receive a formative grade and written feedback on your presentation, and you will also have the opportunity to reflect on this task with your personal tutor.

This course includes the following:

  • an overview of presentation style, techniques and strategies 
  • effective and appropriate use of PowerPoint
  • referencing sources in an academic presentation 
  • dealing with questions from your audience 
  • presenting in different settings, including academic seminars.

The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.

Fees

£1180

A non-refundable deposit of £100 is required from students with unconditional offers. You should pay your deposit for the Academic Induction course when you accept your unconditional offer for your undergraduate degree.

The full fee for this course must be paid by Friday 9 August 2024.

Tuition fees do not cover the cost of your accommodation during the course but you will be able to apply for University accommodation if required.

Payment can be made by international bank transfer or credit card through the online payment portal.

When making a payment by bank transfer or credit card, please choose the Tuition fees option and enter the relevant amount. This applies to deposits and balance payments.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.

Accommodation

Students on the course can choose to apply to live in University accommodation. University accommodation will be available from Thursday 22 August 2024.

When you complete the online application for accommodation, you must also ensure that you apply for accommodation for the Academic Induction course. This is to ensure that you will be allocated accommodation for both this course and your degree.

Private accommodation

If you do not want to apply for University residential accommodation, please be aware that you are responsible for making your own alternative arrangements. International Education Institute staff cannot assist you in finding private rented accommodation before or during the course. St Andrews can be very busy during the summer months, and it may be difficult to find an affordable room or flat.

Find out more about private accommodation in St Andrews.

Careers

Whether you have questions about your application or student life, or you would like to meet a member of staff from the School you wish to study in, you can do so no matter where you live.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 2255
Email
academicinduction@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
International Education Institute

Lorna Fleming, Course Director

University of St Andrews
Kinnessburn
Kennedy Gardens
St Andrews
KY16 9DJ

International Education Institute website