Costa Rica entry requirements

This page outlines the entry requirements for students who normally live in Costa Rica and wish to study at the University of St Andrews. This includes the academic and English language requirements, as well as information on fees, scholarships and visas.  

• 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.
  • 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 Licenciatura from an accredited institution. with a minimum GPA of 8.5.

  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.