Study at the University of St Andrews

The oldest university in Scotland

University of St Andrews

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

Study at University of St Andrews

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.

Student life

Admission to the University of St Andrews is reserved to the very best students and requires you to obtain excellent academic results.

Study in University of St Andrews

How do I apply?

  • The application on UCASYou 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.
  • Taking a standardized English testIt will also be asked of you to demonstrate an excellent command of the English language and you must also generally pass a standardized English test like the IELTS.
  • The Conditional Offer of AdmissionFinally, if your application is accepted in the selection process, you will then receive a ‘conditional’ offer of admission. This means that you will only definitely be accepted on the condition that you obtain the minimum results Baccalaureate (most often a ‘Bien’ reference in the French Baccalaureate) and at a standardized English exam (generally between 6.5 and 7.5 in the IELTS)
St Andrews University

When do you have to start to prepare for the University of St Andrews?

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

Always bear in mind the preparation work necessary for admission to Saint Andrews, it is strongly recommended to start preparing your application from your penultimate year to maximize your chances of success.


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.

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University of St Andrews

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