China entry requirements

If you are a student living in China, there are specific entry requirements depending on which qualifications you are studying. There are also English language requirements and country-specific fees and funding arrangements for students living in China.

• Undergraduate - academic requirements

  For entry into undergraduate study at St Andrews, you must meet the University's entry requirements as outlined below.

  If you have graduated from a high school with a national school leaving certificate, we would also expect you to have one of the following:

  • Foundation programme certificate: Our International Foundation Programmes offer a range of programmes providing excellent preparation for undergraduate academic study at the University of St Andrews.
  • US Curriculum: one form of standardised testing, in addition to a school transcript with A to B+ grades in academic subjects. Applicants may apply with more than one standardised test, with scores as follows:
    
    • AP: Three subjects with scores of 4+ and 5 in required subjects.
    • SAT Subject tests: Three subject tests with minimum scores of 650 with 700 and above in required subjects.
    • ACT score of 28+ (writing optional). Applicants are welcome to submit all of their ACT test scores. We will consider the highest scores submitted for each section across multiple testing dates.
    • SAT: We will accept both the SAT Reasoning Test and the Redesigned SAT Test. SAT Reasoning test: Redesigned SAT Test (essay optional): Score of 1320.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): 36 (HL 6,6,5) to 38 (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6). From 2021, programmes requiring A-level Mathematics will accept either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at higher level.
  • A-levels: AAB to A*A*A
  • SQA Highers: AAAB to AAAAB

  You will also be expected to meet the University's general entry requirements as listed on the individual course page for your intended programme. 

  Applicants to Medicine should refer directly to the medicine course pages.

  This information is for general guidance; we consider each application on its own merits, as outlined in the admissions policy.

  For more information please contact the Admissions team by emailing admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

• Postgraduate - academic requirements

  Postgraduate candidates will be expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Entry requirements will depend on the university attended and the degree undertaken, with a minimum requirement of 78%.

  For more details, please contact our Admissions team including the university your first degree is from and the programme you are looking to apply to study at St Andrews.

  This information is for general guidance; we consider each application on its own merits, as outlined in the admissions policy.

• English language requirements

  All students entering the University must provide evidence that they can use English well enough to study effectively at St Andrews.

  We accept a wide range of language tests and qualifications as proof of English language proficiency. If you were educated outside the UK or use English as an additional language, you should include information about your English language proficiency with your application.

  Undergraduate English language requirements

  For full information about the language tests and qualifications that the University accepts for undergraduate applicants, please see the English language requirements for undergraduates.

  Postgraduate English language requirements

  For information on the language tests and qualifications which the University accepts for postgraduate students, please see the English language requirements for postgraduates.

  Pre-sessional courses

  In order to fully prepare yourself for academic study, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses. These combine language development with academic skills and orientation and provide an excellent introduction to university life.

  It may be a condition of your offer that you are required to take a 10-week or 4-week pre-sessional course.

  You can find out more about pre-sessional courses in the pre-sessional courses section.

  Visas and English language proficiency

  Overseas students typically need a visa to study in the UK. See the visa section below to find out more about the English language proficiency tests required to obtain a visa.

• Visas

  In order to obtain a visa, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires students to have passed a 'SELT' - a secure English language test. Language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University may not be accepted by UKVI, so you must take an approved SELT in order to obtain your visa. You can find a list of approved SELTs on the St Andrews language requirements page.

  For further information and guidance on visas, refer to the visas page.

• Fees and funding

  Undergraduate

  Undergraduate applicants to the University of St Andrews are classed as either Home (Scotland and the EU), RUK (rest of the UK) or Overseas for fees purposes. Information regarding fee status can be found on the UKCISA website. UKCISA is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of students and those who work with them.

  The current tuition fees for undergraduate students, as well as more information about financial assistance, can be found on the undergraduate tuition fees pages. To find out more about the scholarships available to undergraduate students, take a look at the undergraduate scholarships page.

  Postgraduate

  Postgraduate applicants to the University of St Andrews are classed as either Home (EU) or Overseas for fees purposes. Information regarding fee status can be found on the UKCISA website. UKCISA is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of students and those who work with them.

  The current tuition fees for postgraduate students, as well as information about financial assistance can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page. For information on postgraduate funding and scholarships, take a look at the postgraduate scholarships page.

• Country representatives and agents

  The University of St Andrews works with agents in mainland China: IDP, ISA, JESIE, Liu Cheng and UKEC.  See the full list of the country representative and agents in China.

  For more information about applying to the University of St Andrews as a student living in China, you may also contact the admissions team by email at admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

• Meet us in China

  Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes

  Nick Zhang and Angelina Yang are our Admissions representatives for China for undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research programmes.

  • Email Angelina at angelina.yang@st-andrews.ac.uk 
  • Email Nick at jz212@st-andrews.ac.uk
  • Email the China office at china@st-andrews.ac.uk

  Please contact Nick for information on when and where you can meet him.

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  International Foundation programmes, short courses, and in-country language tests

  Lesley Thirkell and Alison Malcolm-Smith are our representatives for China for International Foundation programmes, short courses and in-country language tests.

  • Email Lesley at lesley.thirkell@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • Email Alison at amm3@st-andrews.ac.uk.

  Please contact any of the representatives above for information on when and where you can meet them.

• China Scholarship Council

  The University of St Andrews has a collaborative agreement with the China Scholarship Council to develop research collaborations between the UK and Chinese universities and research institutions.

  Funding is available through the China Scholarship Council – University of St Andrews Scholarships (PhD programmes) to full and joint PhD students who have been offered a place to study a PhD at the University of St Andrews, and priority will be given to study within the following areas:

  • Science
  • Management
  • Economics
  • International Relations.

  Find out more about the China Scholarship Council.