Course type
International Year Zero
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.
Additional information on course dates
The schedule for this programme differs slightly from the standard University semester dates. All weeks from the programme start date to end date are teaching, in-class revision or assessment weeks, other than the following:
- independent learning week: 16 to 20 October 2023
- winter vacation and inter-semester weeks: 20 December 2023 to 12 January 2024
- February vacation: 19 to 23 February 2024
Vacation dates may be subject to change.
This course is for:
International students who are academically able, but whose high school qualification is not recognised for application to an undergraduate degree at St Andrews. International Foundation students typically use English as an additional language.
“I think the classes and activities of the International Foundation programme for Social Sciences and Humanities provide a well-designed bridge to university study and life. With an emphasis on academic English skills, the language courses equipped me with confidence in essay writing and class discussion. I built up my basic knowledge in social sciences and humanities through the introductory courses of the first semester. In the second semester, I explored my interest in specialised subjects.”
- China
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
See typical academic requirements for an International Year Zero 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 have a UK passport.
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?
No, but candidates should have strong grades in any subject relevant to their intended degree subject.
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 outlining why you wish to study Social Sciences and Humanities at St Andrews and reflecting on your life and learning experiences to explain why you feel you would be successful on this programme
- 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 31 July 2023. You only need to provide your high school transcript and personal statement when you first apply so that the University can consider your application. Your academic reference and your English language evidence can be provided later.
Course details
The aim of this programme is to prepare you for the demands of an undergraduate degree programme in Arts, Humanities or Social Science subjects. The combination and integration of academic study skills and academic lecture courses is designed to give you a broad base of academic subject knowledge from various disciplines as well as the intellectual skills to critically analyse concepts to a high level.
You will study a range of subjects, providing you with a useful basis for further exploration of all academic disciplines within the Social Sciences and Humanities. This experience will allow you to understand some of the underlying political, philosophical and economic ideas which underpin many of the subjects you can study at St Andrews.
Students develop the skills to read and interpret academic texts, as well as to develop the language and techniques to structure arguments so that they become more skilled at writing assignments and speaking and presenting in seminars.
Working on projects to develop research skills, along with the course's integrated approach to language and academic subjects, will allow you to develop a more analytical approach to your studies.
By the end of the programme, students will:
- demonstrate an overall appreciation of the body of philosophies related to the study of social sciences
- demonstrate knowledge that is embedded in the main theories, concepts and principles of the philosophies related to the study of social sciences and apply that knowledge in practical contexts
- using a variety of written or spoken texts, undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues that are within the common understandings of social sciences
- communicate complex information in a range of written or spoken formats within a social sciences context.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Modules
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2023 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
All students will study the same five compulsory modules in Semester 1:
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 Social Sciences and Humanities 1: helps you develop the key skills you will need to succeed in the main types of assessment in your undergraduate degree programme.
Foundation Academic Thought in Arts and Science: enhances understanding of the key philosophical and analytical principles underpinning academic study.
Foundation Psychology 1: gives a brief overview of different approaches to psychology and covers the many different ways in which mind and behaviour can be studied.
Foundation Modern History: focuses on three main periods of European history: the Reformation, the Enlightenment and the French Revolution to the Congress of Vienna.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2023 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
All students will study the same two compulsory modules in Semester 2:
- 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 Social Sciences and Humanities 2: builds on your academic skills by allowing you to undertake reading and research into topics specifically related to your undergraduate degree subject.
In addition, you will take two introductory academic modules from the following list, which covers subject areas that are available to study at undergraduate level:
- Foundation Economics
- Foundation International Relations
- Foundation Mathematics
- Foundation Medieval History
- Foundation Philosophy
Plus two introductory academic modules from the following list:
- Foundation Art History
- Foundation English Literature
- Foundation Management
- Foundation Psychology 2
- Foundation Statistics
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2023 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
Teaching
Classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm (UK time). You will spend approximately 16 hours per week on focused learning activities. During this time, you will experience a mixture of live lectures, 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.
The programme includes a variety of types of assessment to give you the experience of different ways of being examined. These may include:
- essays
- end-of-module examinations (in-person or online)
- multiple-choice tests
- interviews
- presentations.
You will have regular coursework assignments throughout both semesters, and some of these will contribute towards your final grade.
You will also have two sets of examinations, one set at the end of each semester. You will receive feedback on practice tasks and tests to help you prepare for the assessments.
The University’s student services team can help students who have additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
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 2023 entry is £22,840. 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
The International Education 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.
University accommodation is guaranteed for International Foundation students.
See fees and further information on the International Foundation accommodation web page.
Funding and scholarships
IFP September scholarship
If you are an offer-holder for a University of St Andrews International Foundation programme starting in September 2023, and you submitted your completed application before Wednesday 1 March 2023, you can apply for this scholarship.
Successful candidates receive £2,000 towards the cost of tuition fees.
The deadline for scholarship applications is Thursday 30 March 2023. Find out more about applying to the IFP September scholarship.
Kinnessburn Scholarship
Students who successfully complete an International Foundation programme and move onto a degree at the University of St Andrews are 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.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.
Your future
Studying your degree at the University of St Andrews
There are many degree and post-study options available to successful International Foundation students.
In order to progress onto a degree at the University of St Andrews, students must achieve a final overall grade of 11.0 or above on the University’s 20-point scale. Other specific progression requirements are provided in the course handbook at the start of the programme.
Students have the potential to progress onto a single or joint (two subjects) Honours degree programme. Previous International Foundation students have stayed at St Andrews to study subjects such as:
- Art History
- Economics
- English
- Film Studies
- International Relations
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Social Anthropology
- BA International Honours
Your undergraduate offer
Students entering the Social Sciences and Humanities (International Year Zero) programme in September 2023 will receive a conditional offer in Semester 1 for a place on their intended degree programme at the University of St Andrews starting in September 2024.
When you successfully complete the programme with the required final overall grade listed above, your offer to enter the degree programme at St Andrews will become unconditional.
Studying your degree at another university
Previous International Foundation students have used their International Foundation qualification to study degrees at other universities, in subjects such as:
- marketing
- media studies
- sociology.
Join a live question and answer session
The International Education Institute offers question and answer sessions (Q&A) 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
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2255
- ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- International Education Institute
University of St Andrews
Kinnessburn
Kennedy Gardens
St Andrews
KY16 9DJ