Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering

St Andrews offers courses in all the humanities and social sciences fields, and is particularly strong in international relations, politics, finance, and theology. Other strong fields include biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics. The breadth of psychology and neuroscience taught at St Andrews is a notable strength of this program. The School of Psychology and Neuroscience has invested significantly in its research infrastructure and takes pride in its research-based academic culture.

Unique study opportunities

St Andrews offers an outstanding range of courses in neuroscience and psychology.

  • Complement studies in your major with interdisciplinary courses across a number of themes such as Scotland, Sustainability, and Travel and Exploration.
  • Psychology majors can take courses on research design and analysis which aim to give students a firm grounding in the principles and practices of research.
  • Join academic families, a type of mentoring program that welcomes visiting students to collaborate with faculty and peers in your academic field.

Language

Language of instruction: English

Foreign language study available. Notable options: Persian, Russian, Arabic, Greek, and Latin. Check host institution catalog for additional offerings.

Courses and Credit

Requirements while abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study while abroad: Two to four courses for 24 quarter/16 UC semester units per semester.
  • You may take up to one-third (33%) of your total unit load pass/no pass.

Current Program Courses

At the University of St Andrews, you have the opportunity to select courses from a range of disciplines. See the Academic Offerings guide in the Catalog and Resources section for more information on the fields of study available. Courses may transfer as lower or upper division to UC. 

After arrival, on-site staff will help you find and enroll in classes.

Prerequisites may be required for some courses.

Course Restrictions

Research project courses usually require a full year. If you want to complete a research project on this program, you will work with a supervisor to identify an area of research and produce a research plan.

Catalogs and resources

  • Academic offerings: See an overview of academic offerings at all Scottish partner institutions.
  • University of St Andrews catalog: Search by subject area. Tip: The catalog doesn't show whether courses are open to visiting students or not. It's recommended to choose multiple courses just in case your academic record doesn't have the necessary prerequisites.
  • See interdisciplinary topics for study abroad students across a broad range of themes, including Scotland, sustainability, travel and exploration, science for arts majors, and Unique to St Andrews.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Studying abroad in Scotland helps you develop an independent learning style, with strong writing skills and active participation in your own learning.

  • St Andrews boasts one of the lowest student-staff ratios in Scotland, ensuring you receive personal attention from staff and faculty.
  • Many lower-level courses at Scottish universities are equivalent to upper-division UC level. Third- and fourth-year courses are specialized and demand significant background knowledge.
  • There is more emphasis on writing and independent reading than at UC, and your participation can influence the final grade.
  • Differences in teaching style may include less detailed instructions, fewer in-class sessions (except science classes), and fewer in-term assessments.
  • Many courses are taught with lectures and seminars. Lecture class sizes can be quite large and seminar groups are smaller.
  • Faculty (called lecturers) don't often hold office hours, but welcome individual questions and are eager to help visiting students. Several instructors may teach a single course, each lecturing on their specialist area.
  • Past exam papers are available and local students use them to prepare for exams. Your final grade will heavily—and sometimes fully—depend on the final exam.
  • Exam dates are not flexible, and UC policy doesn't allow UCEAP participants to retake exams (called re-sits).

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for the fall semester are typically available late March, and grades for the spring semester are typically available late July or early August. Course grades may transfer as lower or upper division to UC.

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.