‘How do I get into St Andrews’ is a commonly asked question. Students around the globe are attracted to St Andrews University for its international renown, academic rigour and idyllic location. St Andrews is also highly selective, so making your application as strong as possible is vital. Here is our guide on how to get into St Andrews, with answers to the most common application questions and strategic points, written by leading admissions consultants.

What is St Andrews admission rate? How hard is it to get into St Andrews?

St Andrews is a very competitive university – but with the right preparation, for many students this is still an achievable goal. In the last admissions cycle, St Andrews has a 9.0% acceptance rate and a 16.9% offer rate.

A note of wisdom from J&J Education’s admission consultants – while these St Andrews admission rates are useful indicators, they do require context to understand the full picture. St Andrews sets grade requirements for each course (with some exceptions to the requirements). This limits the pool of potential eligible applicants. Admission rates can also differ greatly depending on the precise course. Speak to a specialist St Andrews consultant at J&J Education to build a winning application strategy. Having the required grades alone, while usually a prerequisite, is not enough to gain admission to St Andrews.

How good is St Andrews University?

St Andrews is one of the best universities in the world and, by some rankings, voted the number one university in the UK. Rankings are based on a variety of factors, such as student satisfaction, research excellence, student retention, teaching ratios, career prospects and value add of the education.

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When is the deadline to apply to St Andrews? When do applications to St Andrews close?

The equal consideration deadline for St Andrews through UCAS is late January. Applications open much earlier than this (September), however. International students may be able to apply to some courses after the January deadline in certain cases (until May for Common App and usually late June for UCAS and direct applications). This is not guaranteed. Offers are given on a rolling basis, however, and many courses may be closed after the January date, so applying earlier is advisable. (Some subjects, such as medicine, will have a mandatory early application deadline).

Can I transfer to St Andrews?

Generally transferring to St Andrews from another institution and getting credit for your courses taken elsewhere is very rare. In some circumstances you may be able to apply to restart at St Andrews from another university, such as to move subjects/course, or due to extenuating circumstances.

What do I need to apply to St Andrews? How do I apply to St Andrews?

Most students will apply to St Andrews through the UCAS application portal, although you can also apply through Common App and through direct entry. Either way, you’ll need to submit a predominantly academic essay around the precise course you’re applying for, demonstrating your excellence, aptitude and dedication to your proposed subject area. This is not a personal, Common App style, essay. St Andrews will also be looking at the course you’re applying for, your teacher references, grades and, where relevant, extracurriculars and work experience. Some subjects, such as medicine, will have mandatory subject specific tests.

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How hard is it to apply to St Andrews from the US? How Do I get into St Andrews applying from the US? How do I apply to St Andrews from the US?

Applying to St Andrews from the US is a popular choice. St Andrews welcomes excellent US students to its programmes every year. But applying to UK schools like St Andrews requires a very different approach than applying to US schools. The application is primarily and almost exclusively centred around your academic motivations and background for one very specific course to which you’re applying. (Selecting your course is therefore a very important part of your strategy, which J&J Education can help with; it will determine your chances, competitiveness and, not least, the subject you’ll be studying if accepted.) St Andrews will be looking at your GPA, AP grades, SAT/ACT, references and more.

How do I apply to St Andrews as an international student?

Above you’ll see advice specifically for US applicants to St Andrews – generally students from non-English speaking countries will need to demonstrate their English proficiency through relevant tests. Only certain international qualifications are accepted and requirements differ depending on the precise course. In some cases, international students to St Andrews may need to apply for a foundation year programme, where their existing qualifications do not meet requirements.

What should I do to get into St Andrews university?

We’re so excited to hear you’re interested in studying at St Andrews. Nothing can replace working with specialist St Andrews/UK university admissions consultants – to guide you through each step of the application journey and develop a winning strategy. Join our hundreds of students at leading universities like St Andrews – reach out today to find out more about how our multi-award-winning support can help you gain your dream St Andrews offer. 94% of our applicants are accepted into their top two universities.

Top 4 tips for gaining an offer from St Andrews

DO: conduct extensive academic enrichment work beyond your syllabus – learning, reading and analysing more about your precise course of study you’ll be applying for.
DO: polish your personal statement over multiple drafts, so it reflects your talents and abilities.
DO: work with J&J’s 1:1 St Andrews admission consultants to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
DO: carefully select your St Andrews programme – seemingly similar courses can in fact be very different, with varying requirements and competitiveness levels.