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Scotland Study Abroad Program at the University of St. Andrews

University of St. Andrews

Required GPA: 3.2 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: April 15 for fall or full year
October 15 for spring
Program advisor: Lindsey Jendraszak

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Program Snapshot

University of St. Andrews is a Rapid Response program
What is this?

Hallo agus fàilte! We’re so excited that you’re preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the University of St. Andrews as your destination. St. Andrews, Scotland is a student-friendly, beach town that is the birthplace of golf. The University of St. Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and is preparing to celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2013. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

What St. Andrews has to offer

The oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1413

A university small enough to give its student individual attention yet large enough to attain a high level of academic achievement

The university has topped U.K. student satisfaction ratings for five straight years
A compact and friendly setting
The largest operational optical telescope in Britain and the most sophisticated lasers in Europe
A dedicated marine laboratory on site
The world-renowned Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Violence
A modern sports center next to athletic fields

Housing

Housing is in one of eight residence halls that vary in character, size and traditions
Rooms are single or shared and the halls have common rooms and a library
Some students live in one of two apartment-style buildings, with single study-bedrooms that share a kitchen and living area
Halls and flats are located in and around the town
Both catered and self-catered housing is available

Academics

Famous for teaching in the humanities, arts and sciences

Students take two to four courses per semester, depending on course weight

We look forward to working with you! You can learn more about the University of Saint Andrews by visiting their web site.

Academics

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
You can find the University of St. Andrews online course catalogue here.

Select the subject(s) that you are interested in from the list of subjects. Courses will be listed in .PDFs for the entire department and are split into ‘1000/2000 Level’ and ‘Honours Level’ (3000 and 4000).

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the British academic system is generally an intensive, three-year program.

First-year (1000 level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
Second-year (2000 level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
Third-year (3000 level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
Fourth-year (4000 level) courses are equivalent to courses for a postgraduate degree. You may not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student

Course Restrictions

Study abroad students can take classes in more than one department at St. Andrews but usually have a difficult time cross-registering between the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Sciences due to timetable conflicts.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. At the University of St. Andrews, a full course load consists of 60 units per semester or 120 units per year. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. For information on the credit weight, please look below.

10 University of St. Andrews Credits = 2.5 U.S. semester credit hours
15 University of St. Andrews Credits = 3.75 U.S. semester credit hours
20 University of St. Andrews Credits = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
30 University of St. Andrews Credits = 7.5 U.S. semester credit hours

Registration

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Accepted students will receive their provisional schedule shortly after an admissions decision is made. This schedule will be based on the courses listed on the course preference form.

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of St. Andrews course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Stirling. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad.

Standard catered room (John Burnet, McIntosh, St. Regulus, St. Salvator’s, University Hall)
En-suite catered room (John Burnet Annex, David Russell Apts.- limited meal plan with option to purchase lunch card)
Standard self-catered room (Albany Park- limited spaces for study abroad students)
En-suite self-catered room (David Russell Apts., New Hall, Fife Park Apts.)
Andrew Melville Hall (a mix of self-catered, catered, ensuite and standard rooms)

Standard housing means that you would share a bathroom with other students. En-suite housing means that you would have your own full bathroom.

What is catered accommodation like?
The meal plan usually includes 19 meals per week (breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday) at your residence hall cafeteria. Meal plans at the University of St. Andrews are different from most meal plans in the United States. Rather than an all-you-can-eat buffet, you can choose between limited items (e.g., juice or milk, not both). Most residences offer only one vegetarian option per meal. Meal plans are not included in your fees and you will not be billed for the meal plan until after you arrive at St. Andrews.

What is self-catered accommodation like?
Some students prefer the greater freedom of self-catered accommodation, where they prepare their own meals (especially an advantage for those with dietary restrictions and food allergies). Some student houses accommodate six students in single-study bedrooms on two floors with central gas heating. The houses are fully furnished and include a kitchen. Students share communal bathrooms. Some self-catered accommodations are arranged with five students in en-suite single- study bedrooms. These apartment-style accommodations are fully furnished and include a kitchen. Some halls offer a section of self-catered accommodation where 12 students share a kitchen/dining area. Generally, the self-catered facilities are a farther walk from the academic buildings for St. Andrews than the catered facilities. However, keep in mind that St. Andrews is a small town and most walking commutes are around 25 minutes. There are also local buses available for transport.

Will I have a phone and internet connection?
All accommodation includes a telephone and Internet connection.

I have a friend who went to St. Andrews and recommended certain buildings. Can I request those buildings?
The housing preference forms provide space for you to request a certain type of housing only. St. Andrews and IFSA-Butler guarantee accommodation to all IFSA-Butler students. However, the university does not guarantee placement in the type of accommodation you requested. Many students are placed in modern housing on the edge of town, which is about a one-mile walk to the town center where most of the university buildings are located. The older buildings located in the center of town are very popular and space is very limited. To increase your chances of getting a building closer into town, you should consider a standard catered room as your first preference.

Will I have to walk a lot?
Even though St. Andrews is a small town, plan to walk a lot. You may find that you have up to a 25 minute walk to class or the store.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur. Some university housing requires students to move out during winter and spring breaks. If you wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during university breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Scotland for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

Location Info

Population: 18,000
Location: Fife, in eastern Scotland

City features

Scotland's oldest university town, first settled in the sixth century
Twisting streets and preserved medieval buildings
A great sense of community as well as a sense of history

Do more!

If you have a handicap that meets the standards of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, play on the world-famous Old Course of St. Andrews for a surprisingly reasonable fee

Enjoy hiking and backpacking in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds the city
Travel north to climb and ski in the Cairngorms, home to some of the highest peaks in Britain
Visit the beautiful Scottish Highlands and the Angus Glens

Take a train from Edinburgh (one hour away) for a night on the town

Links
Visit St. Andrews!
Welcome to St. Andrews
Royal and Ancient Golf Club
Cairngorms
Scottish Highlands

Dates & Fees

University of St. Andrews Dates

Individual program dates coming soon!
Click here to view our full Scotland program calendars

University of St. Andrews Fees

Individual program fees coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Scotland program fees

What's included in our Scotland program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Scotland personal cost estimates

Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the University of St. Andrews program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the University of St. Andrews must complete five additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the University of St. Andrews for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the University of St. Andrews program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Scotland:

lindsey scotland Senior Program Advisor Lindsey Jendraszak assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Lindsey can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, extn. 3638. Lindsey has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past four years. After studying abroad herself as an undergraduate in England and Ireland, Lindsey earned a masters degree in student affairs and came to work for IFSA-Butler. She currently acts as a senior program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

alt Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office in Edinburgh. Click here to read more about Resident Director Ruth Casey.

Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

Get Connected

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Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following: