The University of St Andrews is the most highly renowned and the oldest university in Scotland. Along with >The University of Edinburgh, St Andrews is considered to be the best university in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom, on the same level as Oxford  or Cambridge.

Regularly classed as the third best university in the United Kingdom in all the national rankings, their students are the most satisfied in the U.K (Complete University Guide, 2018)! St Andrews, the university was established between 1410 and 1413- the first in Scotland- and comprising three colleges (University College, St Mary’s College and St Leonard’s College). Today, its student body of around 8000 at undergraduate level and 2000 graduates is composed of more than 135 nationalities and 45% are international students.

So, St Andrews is one of the most international universities in Scotland! The Complete University Guide classifies the Management, Divinity and the Middle Eastern and African Studies among its academic programs with the school of English, Philosophy, Anatomy and Physiology equally very well ranked by The Times and The Sunday Times.

Situated in the very picturesque city of St Andrews, the university was established between 1410 and 1413 and comprises three colleges (University College, St Mary’s College and St Leonard’s College).

Along with the University of Edinburgh, St Andrews is considered as the best university in Scotland and one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom, on the same level as Oxford or Cambridge

The University of St Andrews in a few words

With more than 135 nationalities represented and 45% of students being international, Saint Andrews is one of the most international universities in Scotland.

The university is composed of 4 faculties. Their departments of Physics and Astronomy, of International Relations, of Information Technology, Geography, English, Management, Philosophy and Theology and African and Oriental Studies are among the most reputed at the university and are in the national top 3. Indeed, in the 2019 Complete University Guide, 24 out of the 25 subjects offered by St Andrews rank within the top 10 nationally making St Andrews one of only three multi-faculty universities (along with Cambridge and Oxford) in the UK to have over 95% of their subjects in the top 10.

Numerous illustrious mathematicians, scientists theologians and philosophers are graduates or affiliates of the University of St Andrews, from which there are six Nobel prizes.Recent alumni include the former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond; former Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon; HM British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward; United States Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell; Olympic cycling gold medalist Chris Hoy; and royals Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Six Nobel Laureates are among St Andrews’ alumni and former staff: two in Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine, and one each in Peace and Literature.

What is the profile of the students at the University of St Andrews?

Because of the high selectivity of the university, we recommend to send your application to these universities only if you can demonstrate that you have excellent academic results and are sure of obtaining at least a ‘Bien’ grade at Baccalaureate.

The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1582 and is the 6th oldest university in the English speaking world.

Numerous buildings in the center of the sublime old city of Edinburgh are part of the university.

In 2018, Edinburgh was ranked 19th in the world in the QS World University Ranking.

The University of Edinburgh

Considered to be among the best universities in Europe (6th according to the U.S News’ Best Global Universities Ranking), the University has played a fundamental role in the reputation of Edinburgh as one of the great intellectual centers of Europe during the Enlightenment, which has even earned the city the nickname of ‘The Athens of the North’.

The University is also home to many famous former students like Charles Darwin, David Hume, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sir Walter Scott as well as 23 Nobel pries, 1 Fields medal and 3 U.K Prime Ministers.

The University of Edinburgh receives 60 000 applications per year, which makes it the second most popular university in the U.K by volume.

With the University of Saint Andrews, it is the most selective university in Scotland and it therefore requires A grades at A Level or at least a ‘mention bien’ in the baccalaureat in order to be considered for admission.

How do I apply ?

The selection process at the University of Edinburgh is divided into multiple steps which we will describe to you below :

• The Conditional Offer of Admission Finally, if you succeed in the selection process, you will receive a ‘conditional’ offer of admission. This means that you will not definitely be accepted unless you obtain the minimum grade in the Bac and in an English exam (generally the IELTS).
• The application on UCAS You must first submit your application on the UCAS platform, the equivalent of Parcoursup in England. This file comprises a cover letter (Personal statement) as well as a letter of recommendation from one of your teachers.

When do you have to start preparing for the University of Edinburgh?

The deadline for applying to the University of Edinburgh is fixed at January 15th of your final year.

In all cases, take into account the preparation necessary for admission to Edinburgh, we strongly advise you to start preparing your application from your penultimate year to maximize your chances of getting accepted.

What is the profile of the students at Edinburgh University?

Given its high selectivity, we recommend that you only apply to this university if you can show very solid academic results and that you are sure to obtain a ‘Bien’ grade in the Bac.