Course type: Extended International Pre-Med
This is the University’s own pre-degree programme which prepares international students for undergraduate study in the UK, and at the University of St Andrews in particular.
Course dates
The schedule for this programme differs slightly from the standard University semester dates. From the programme start date to end date there will be teaching, in-class revision or assessment weeks, and independent learning weeks. There will also be winter vacation and inter-semester weeks, and a Spring vacation week in Semester 2. Detailed information is provided in programme handbook, and may be subject to change.
Who is this course for?
International students who are academically able, but whose high school qualification is not recognised for application to an undergraduate degree at the University of St Andrews.
“I have been fortunate to have Chemistry and Biology lab sessions, along with simulated patient consultation experiences. These have really exposed me to new and challenging environments, allowing me to adapt and enrich my overall learning experience. In many circumstances, we share these sessions with first-year students, allowing me to have a first-hand experience of what it feels like to be in University.”
- Malaysia
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
See typical academic requirements for the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med) programme.
If your qualification is not shown, please email ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk about the grades needed from your high school system.
You can demonstrate that you have met the academic requirements with a high school transcript from your final year at school. Any high school qualification you use as evidence of your academic ability should be from the last year you attended high school and dated within the previous three years.
You should apply before your final results are available, as the University can make you a conditional offer based on your past exam performance and predicted grades.
English language requirement
All International Foundation applicants must submit a Secure English Test (SELT) as evidence of their English language ability, unless they do not require a student visas to study in the UK.
You will be required to submit a UKVI IELTS academic test score for progression onto BSc Medicine so you must take a UKVI IELTS academic test to meet English language entry requirements for the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med) programme.
See a list of approved English language tests and required scores for this programme.
You do not need to have your result when you apply, as this can be a condition of an offer made by the University.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
You need to have studied sciences throughout high school. Strong grades in English, chemistry, biology, and physics or mathematics would make your application more competitive.
Application requirements
The University will ask you to provide the following documents as part of your application:
- your most recent high school transcript
- a personal statement
- an academic reference from your high school on their letterhead or from a school email
- your official English language test result
Application deadline
The deadline for applications is Monday 14 July 2025. You only need to provide your high school transcript and personal statement when you submit your application. You can provide your academic reference and your English language evidence later.
Course details
This two-year programme combines science and medicine to provide international students with a route onto the medicine degree at the University of St Andrews.
You will enjoy a friendly and supportive learning environment where you will study in small groups to accelerate your learning and adaption to the new culture. You will have access to a personal tutor to support you in your studies, help you to manage your time effectively and become an independent and reflective learner.
The course aims to ensure that students develop the analytical approach to learning and communication skills which are required to study medicine in a British university. The structure of the programme will provide you with dedicated support in the first semester when it is most needed, but progressively encourages you to work more independently and collaboratively as you will do on your medical degree programme.
You will learn to adapt to studying in a university environment and to develop a deeper knowledge of key sciences as well as general communication skills.
Classes integrate science and English language learning through a focus on writing laboratory reports, structuring essays, critical thinking and scientific methods of investigation.
In the second year, the programme will also introduce you to courses in medical ethics and clinical communication skills, as well as medical-related sciences.
By the end of Year 1, students will:
- demonstrate an overall appreciation of the body of knowledge of sciences required to study medicine
- demonstrate an understanding of differences between explanations based on evidence, research and other sources, and the importance of this difference in the study of sciences and medicine
- present and evaluate arguments, information and ideas that are routine to science and medicine and more general contexts
- select and use standard ICT applications to process, obtain and combine information for presentation of assessed and non-assessed work
- understand a wider range of demanding, long texts related to science, medicine, and society, and recognise implicit meaning
- use language flexibly and effectively for social and academic purposes
By the end of Year 2, students will:
- demonstrate an overall appreciation of the body of philosophies related to the study of medicine
- demonstrate knowledge that is embedded in the main theories, concepts and principles of the philosophies related to the study of medicine and apply that knowledge in practical contexts
- undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues that are within the common understandings of health and medicine
- demonstrate awareness of own and others’ roles, responsibilities and contributions when carrying out and evaluating tasks related to the study of medicine
- convey complex information to a range of audiences such as fellow students, medical professionals, and patients
- exercise autonomy and initiative in some activities in their learning
- manage, under guidance, ethical and professional issues in accordance with current professional codes related to the medical profession
Modules
All students will study the same five modules in Semester 1:
Foundation Academic Thought in Arts and Science: introduces you to the history and development of academic thought in both the arts and the sciences, which will enhance understanding of the key philosophical and analytical principles underpinning academic study. This module supports you in the preliminary stages of acquiring a discipline-appropriate academic voice.
Foundation Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: develops your existing knowledge and understanding of inorganic and physical chemistry and provides a useful introduction to many of the chemical concepts that are used in organic and biological chemistry courses.
Psychology A: will familiarise you with a wide range of the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of modern psychology, through the detailed study of classic and contemporary literature. This will include a solid grounding in the empirical approach to provide the necessary basis for conducting research in psychology and an appreciation of the diversity of psychology and its practical applications in modern society.
Communicating in Academic Contexts 1: helps you develop and practise productive and receptive academic spoken communication skills to use within the International Foundation programme and in your undergraduate programme.
Research and Writing for Science A: aims to explore a range of academic functions, features of academic style and organisation, and academic grammar and vocabulary in order to improve your overall academic literacy but with a focus on the texts you need to write for science. You will learn how to evaluate the reliability of a variety of published texts and develop your own academic voice.
In Semester 2, all students will study the same five compulsory modules:
Foundation Physiology 1: introduces the study of the physiological systems in the human body, covering cell structure, cell function and cell membranes, homeostasis, temperature regulation, metabolism and enzymes, the endocrine system, the nervous system and circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems.
Psychology B: further develops the skills introduced in Psychology A and shows you how research methods have helped to develop understanding in three areas of psychology, developmental, evolutionary and social, and aims to develop your research methods and analytical skills.
Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need to draw on in your degree programme.
Research and Writing for Science B: further develops the skills introduced in Research and Writing Skills for Science A in Semester 1 with students working more specifically on more extended research skills using references, and using them to support arguments in science.
Foundation Organic Chemistry: develops your existing knowledge and understanding of patterns in the periodic table, structure and bonding in elements and compounds, reaction kinetics, equilibria and acid base chemistry, redox reactions and electrochemical cells, and chemical calculations using the mole concept.
Clinical observation post Year 1
If possible, students are encouraged to undertake some clinical observation, usually in their home country. The key purpose is to enhance your understanding of the skills, qualities, practices and systems of care settings. This will prepare you for Year 2 of the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme where there will be a much greater focus on what is required to study and practice medicine.
The observation should take place in a care facility which you will organise in a location most convenient for you. It should only be undertaken if it is safe for you to do so. The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can provide documentation to support your application to the care facility.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2025 entry. Module content is subject to change.
Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
All students will study the same three modules in Semester 1:
Communicating in Medical Contexts 1: focuses on academic research and writing skills along with seminar and project skills. You will study medical ethics in order to understand how this links to clinical practice and medical professionalism. You will also have sessions on effective communication and will attend workshops with simulated and real patients in the School of Medicine.
Biology 1: will introduce you to molecular and cellular biology and covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers the origin of the elements, atoms and the Periodic Table, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics.
All students will study the same three modules in Semester 2:
Communicating in Medical Contexts 2: builds on the skills studied in Semester 1 to enhance your confidence and competence in communication, specifically for a degree in medicine. You will continue studying medical ethics and will also have a series of lectures on important themes in Medicine which are delivered by staff from the School of Medicine.
Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: includes lectures on the structure, stereochemistry and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.
Human Biology: covers all the key physiological systems within the topic areas, with an overarching focus on how disease affects these systems.
Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)
To prepare for the MMIs held by the School of Medicine in Semester 2 of Year 2, there will be workshops on the various interview stations so that students can develop their interview skills and MMI performance. You will also study medical ethics in order to transition into first-year medicine with an understanding of how medical ethics link to clinical practice and medical professionalism.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2025 entry. Module content is subject to change.
Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Teaching
Classes take place from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. You will spend approximately 16 hours per week on focused learning activities. During this time, you will experience a mixture of live lectures, laboratory practicals, and seminars or tutorials.
Class sizes are likely to be between 14 and 16 students.
As well as your timetabled classes, you will be expected to complete approximately 20 to 25 hours of independent study each week. As a fully matriculated student, you have access to the University’s libraries and study areas, but you will also work with the University's online learning tools (Moodle and Microsoft Teams).
Students are expected to do the following to prepare for classes and consolidate their learning:
- read and take notes from online or hard-copy textbooks, articles, and other online sources as required
- undertake additional research and self-study through the University library and online
- complete a range of homework tasks, individually and in groups
- engage with feedback on both formative and summative assessments
In Year 2 of the programme, students are introduced to simulated and real patients throughout the programme and are given opportunities to explore how to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds with a variety of health conditions.
Students are also encouraged to volunteer with a local charity during the programme.
There are assessments as part of each module. These may include:
- end-of-module examinations (in-person or online)
- lab and clinical reports
- academic essays
- reflective writing
- integrated skills exams (which include reading and writing on a topic)
- leading and participating in seminars
- presentations
- patient interviews
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements.
To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
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
The tuition fee for 2025 entry is £53,670 (£26,380 for Year 1 and £27,290 for Year 2).
This fee includes:
- access to all University facilities
- a transfer from Edinburgh or Glasgow airport, or Leuchars train station, when you first arrive
- the use of course books, handouts and other course materials
See further information on how to pay your International Foundation fees.
Accommodation fees
IELLI recommends that you request an en suite single room with either a self-catered or catered package as this ensures you have a place close to your classes and with other International Foundation students.
University accommodation is guaranteed for International Foundation students. See fees and further information on the International Foundation accommodation webpage.
Scholarships
Kinnessburn Scholarship
Students who successfully complete their International Foundation programme (IFP) at the University, with the required merit grade, and who move onto a degree at the University of St Andrews, will be eligible to apply for the Kinnessburn Scholarship.
This scholarship is awarded to two students annually in July. It provides a partial fee waive for each year of study on an undergraduate programme at the University of St Andrews, and an Ambassador's role to support future IFP students.
Undergraduate scholarships
During their first semester, students on the International Foundation programme will receive a conditional offer for a degree programme at the University of St Andrews. With this offer, students can apply to any of the undergraduate scholarships for which they are eligible.
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.
Your future
Requirements to progress from Year 1 to Year 2
To progress from Year 1 to Year 2 of the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry), students must pass all modules in the year and achieve a minimum grade of 11.0 in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) modules, and a minimum grade of 7.0 in all other modules. Modules are marked according to the University’s 20-point scale.
In addition, students must achieve a competitive score in UCAT in the year of entry onto Year 2 of the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme. This is a requirement of the School of Medicine for entry onto the BSc Medicine (A100). If this condition is not met in the year of entry to Year 2, the competitive score on UCAT can also be achieved in the year of graduation from the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme, prior to entry onto BSc Medicine (A100).
Additional information
Resit scores may be used to meet the overall GPA requirement for movement onto Year 2 of the programme.
Students are advised to undertake a period of clinical observation before starting Year 2.
Students who do not meet the progression requirements from Year 1 to Year 2 may exceptionally be allowed to continue onto Year 2 of the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme, but with no automatic right to move onto the BSc in Medicine (A100) at St Andrews following completion of the programme. Progression in these circumstances will be at the discretion of the Director of Foundation Studies. Any students who progress under these circumstances will be encouraged and supported to explore other institutions where they can continue their studies after completion of the programme.
Students entering the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med) programme in September 2025 will receive a conditional offer in Autumn 2026 for a place on the BSc Medicine (A100) starting in September 2027.
When you successfully complete the programme with the required module results listed above, and you have met the above entry requirements for the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, your offer to enter the BSc Medicine (A100) will become unconditional.
Requirements to move from Year 2 onto the BSc in Medicine (A100)
To move from Year 2 onto the BSc in Medicine (A100) at St Andrews, students must have met the progression requirements from Year 1 to Year 2, and then must pass all modules in Year 2, achieving:
- an average grade of 11.0 or above at first sitting across the following modules:
- Foundations for Medicine 1 (IE1101)
- Foundations for Medicine 2 (IE1201)
- Human Biology (IE1252)
- a grade of 12.0 or above at first sitting in the following modules:
- Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (CH1401)
- Biology 1 (BL1101)
- Organic and Biological Chemistry (CH1601)
Results are graded on the University's 20-point scale.
Students must also meet the following entry requirements of the School of Medicine:
- A competitive score in UCAT, achieved in the year of entry onto Year 2 of the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme. If this condition is not met, the competitive score on UCAT can also be achieved in the year of graduation from the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme, prior to entry onto BSc Medicine (A100).
- Satisfactory performance on the multiple mini interviews with the School of Medicine.
- Applicants who use English as an additional language and who cannot provide their English language ability through their school-leaving qualifications must achieve 7.0 in all four components of the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam, to be taken at one sitting. This is irrespective of any other English qualification achieved. The final four consecutive years of secondary or high school education in an English-medium school may in some cases be considered as evidence of English language ability. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis. IELTS scores have a recommended two-year validity period, and this time limit will be applied.
- Fulfilment of the 'fitness to practise' criteria listed on the School of Medicine entry requirements webpage.
Additional information
The programme director for the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med - September entry) programme is required to comment on your fitness to practise Medicine at the end of your studies, when you are considered for the BSc Medicine degree. Under the School of Medicine’s policy, any concerns about your health or previous conduct or both may be considered at the time of application or prior to entry to the medical course. For more information, please refer to the entry requirements for BSc Medicine.
Provided that you meet the above entry requirements for the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, you will be given an unconditional offer to enter first year of the BSc Medicine (A100).
Studying a Science degree instead of BSc Medicine (A100)
Students who do not move on to medicine but meet the academic requirements for the Faculty of Science may be able to study a science degree at the University. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account both student performance and capacity within the relevant subject area, and date of application. Students can also apply to secure a place at another institution. Programme directors will offer assistance in achieving the best possible outcome for you.
Join a live question and answer session
IELLI offers question and answer sessions to prospective International Foundation students who would like more information about St Andrews, university life and the application process at the University.
Meet us in your country
Staff of the University of St Andrews are always pleased to meet prospective students in person. We visit many schools, colleges and higher education fairs to talk about the University and provide support and information for those thinking about applying. Find out how you can meet us in your country.
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run.
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
- ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI)
University of St Andrews
Kinnessburn
Kennedy Gardens
St Andrews
KY16 9DJ
International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI) website