The University of St Andrews, founded in 1413, is Scotland's oldest university and the third-oldest in the English-speaking world. It is a small, beautiful university in a small coastal town in Fife — and it is also one of the most prestigious in the UK, regularly ranked among the top five British universities. For a Pakistani student, St Andrews offers a world-class degree, a close-knit community, and a single flat overseas fee for almost every subject.
At a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK |
| Type | Public research university (founded 1413) |
| Overseas undergraduate tuition (2026-27) | £33,250 a year for Arts, Divinity and Science; £39,620 for Medicine |
| Postgraduate taught (2026-27) | £27,200–£31,450 a year |
| Total cost of attendance (reported) | About £49,626 a year including accommodation and living costs |
| English requirements (reported) | IELTS 7.0 and above, TOEFL, PTE |
| Degree length | Four years for most undergraduate degrees (five for some) |
Programmes
St Andrews is strongest in international relations, economics, history, philosophy, mathematics, computer science, physics and medicine. Its international relations and economics departments are among the best in the UK, and its medicine degree is one of the most competitive in the country. All undergraduate Arts, Divinity and Science programmes carry the same tuition fee of £33,250 a year regardless of subject — only Medicine is different, at £39,620, which includes the Scottish Government's mandatory levy for overseas medical students to cover NHS clinical teaching costs. The BA International Honours, a joint degree with the College of William & Mary in the US, is priced in US dollars, not pounds.
Fees and funding
Overseas undergraduate tuition for 2026-27 is £33,250 for Arts, Divinity and Science and £39,620 for Medicine. Postgraduate taught fees range from £27,200 to £31,450 a year. Fees are adjusted annually, typically by 3% to 5%. The total cost of attendance, including accommodation and living costs, is reported at about £49,626 a year. St Andrews offers international scholarships, including the International Undergraduate Scholarship — check the current list and deadlines on the scholarships page, as they change each year. You will also need a Student visa (£558), the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 a year) and maintenance funds of £1,203 a month outside London from 30 November 2026.
Admission
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS: the equal-consideration deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 and the fee is £34.50. St Andrews is highly selective — successful international applicants typically need very strong school results and an English test (IELTS 7.0 and above is reported as the usual requirement, with TOEFL and PTE also accepted). Postgraduate applications go directly to the university. The university's small size means competition is fierce, especially for international relations, medicine and economics.
Frequently asked questions
How much does St Andrews cost? Overseas undergraduate tuition is £33,250 a year in 2026-27 (£39,620 for Medicine), with a total cost of attendance of about £49,626 a year.
What is St Andrews best for? International relations, economics, history, philosophy, mathematics, computer science, physics and medicine.
What grades do I need? Very strong school results — St Andrews is one of the most selective universities in the UK. Confirm the requirements for your programme on the admissions page.
Can I stay after my degree? Yes — the Graduate Route gives 18 months (three years for a PhD) from 1 January 2027.
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Sources and verification: University of St Andrews official fees page (overseas UG Arts/Divinity/Science £33,250, Medicine £39,620 for 2026-27; PG taught £27,200–£31,450; fees adjusted 3–5% a year). UCAS equal consideration 13 January 2027, fee £34.50. Total cost about £49,626 a year reported. 2027-28 fees to be confirmed on st-andrews.ac.uk.