Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) September 2025 entry

Incorporating a unique blend of academic skills with medicine-related topics, the Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) programme has been designed in conjunction with the School of Medicine to develop the intellectual and communication skills necessary for success in a degree in medicine.

This programme adopts a holistic approach to preparing for the challenges of medical school. It includes insights into local practice, and you will study a diverse range of subjects, learning alongside students in the Faculty of Science.

Start date
8 September 2025
End date
5 June 2026
Duration
Nine months full time
School
International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute (IELLI)
Apply now International Foundation Programmes registration

Course type: 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?

This course is designed specifically for iInternational 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.

Who can apply

“My interest in experiencing a new culture is what compelled me to choose studying in St Andrews, Scotland, over England or elsewhere as it provided me with a unique balance of both strong academics and a unique setting. The staff at IE are always willing to answer questions and point you in the right direction. If you need an answer to something, there is always someone you can ask.”
Ahmed
- Egypt

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

See typical academic requirements for the Medical Sciences (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 visa 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 (International Pre-Med) programme.

See a list of approved English language tests and required scores for this programme.

You do not need your result when you apply, as this can be a condition of an offer made by the University.

Work experience requirement

Students are required to have experience that allows them to demonstrate interpersonal skills relevant to the practice of medicine. This may include clinical observations, or voluntary or work experience. Applicants are advised to keep a record (for example, a diary) of this, as students will reflect upon these experiences throughout their International Foundation programme.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

Students who wish to move onto the degree in Medicine at St Andrews will require a competitive score in the UCAT. 

The School of Medicine requires students to take the test in the same year they start the Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) programme. Entrants to the September 2025 programme must therefore take the test between July and September 2025.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

You need to have studied sciences at school, and Chemistry should have been studied in your final year at school. If you studied Chemistry only to IGCSE level or Grade or Year 10, you may be eligible for the Medical Sciences (Extended International Pre-Med) programme.

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.

How to apply

Course details

The Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) programme has been designed with the University's School of Medicine to develop your sciences and communication skills to prepare you for success in a degree in medicine.

By the end of the programme 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

You will be assigned a personal tutor. Each semester, you can discuss all aspects of academic work and life with them.

Your course tutors will work with you to develop your academic writing, your study techniques and your time-management skills.

Classes integrate your science and English language learning through their focus on writing laboratory reports, structuring essays, critical thinking and scientific methods of investigation. In addition, you will practice doctor-patient interaction, including with simulated patients, and have opportunities to:

  • consolidate your learning and attend a workshop to prepare for the multiple mini interviews (MMI)
  • volunteer with a local charity to develop your interpersonal skills
  • gain an accredited first-aid certificate

The programme enables international students to function effectively as undergraduates studying medicine, enhancing their discipline-specific knowledge and skills, and developing critical thinking and reflection.

Modules

Students will study the same three compulsory modules:

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 and understand how this links to clinical practice and medical professionalism. You will also have sessions on effective communication and attend workshops with simulated and real patients in the School of Medicine.

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.

Biology 1: introduces you to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, cellular structures and fundamental processes.

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 these compulsory modules:

Communicating in Medical Contexts 2: builds on the skills studied in Semester 1 to enhance 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. 

Human Biology: covers all the key physiological systems within the topic areas, with an overarching focus on how disease affects these systems.

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.

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs)

To prepare for the MMIs held by the School of Medicine in Semester 2, there will be workshops on the various interview stations so that you can develop your 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. Seminar classes are typically scheduled in groups of no more than 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

Students are assessed on coursework and end-of-semester examinations. 

Students will experience different kinds of assessment. These may include:

  • academic essays
  • end-of-module examinations (in-person or online)
  • individual or group projects
  • presentations
  • laboratory reports
  • class tests

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 £27,290. 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
  • laboratory coats and dissection kits, as required

See further information on how to pay your International Foundation fees. 

Accommodation fees

University accommodation is guaranteed for International Foundation students.

The International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute 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. 

See fees and further information on the International Foundation accommodation web page. 

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 waiver 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 for moving onto BSc Medicine (A100)

To progress onto the BSc Medicine (A100) at St Andrews, students must achieve:

  • a minimum grade of 7.0 on all modules on the programme
  • an average grade of 11.0 or above at first sitting across the following modules:
    • Communicating in Medical Contexts 1 (IE1101)
    • Communicating in Medical Contexts 2 (IE1201)
    • Human Biology (IE1252)
  • a grade of 12.0 or above at first sitting in each of the following modules:
    • Biology 1 (BL1101)
    • Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry (CH1401)
    • Organic and Biological Chemistry 1 (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 the Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) 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 (International Pre-Med) programme, prior to entry onto A100 BSc Medicine.
  • 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 (International Pre-Med) 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.

Students entering the Medical Sciences (International Pre-Med) programme in September 2025 will receive a conditional offer in Autumn 2025 for a place on the BSc Medicine (A100) starting in September 2026. Provided that you meet the above entry requirements for the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews, your offer to enter first year of the BSc Medicine (A100) will become unconditional.

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 student performance, 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

Email
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