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Science (International Year Zero) January 2027

Discover the right degree for you in the Faculty of Science at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø with our intensive four-month programme in science, allowing you to progress into a single or joint Honours degree.

Application deadline: Monday 30 November 2026

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Starts

Thursday 21 January 2027

Ends in June 2027

Duration

Four months full time

School

International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute

Fees

£20,775

Why study this course?

One of the benefits of a Scottish degree is the four-year flexible undergraduate structure, which allows our students to gain breadth of learning before committing to a major. Our International Year Zero in Science allows you to experience foundational teaching in mathematics, statistics and chemistry, combined with academic skills. You will then progress into the first year of your four-year undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Science. 

Did you know? 

The University of St Andrews: 

  • is ranked 1st in the UK for Chemistry (The Times and Sunday Times University Rankings 2026)
  • has 6 science subjects listed in the top 3 in the UK 
  • has a high progression rate

Our January start programmes allow you to progress into the first year of your undergraduate degree in September. They are one semester of intensive study and are ideal for students who are looking for a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree. 

In this programme, you will:  

  • look at different academic texts, including research papers, textbooks, webpages and essays, and you will be asked to write some of these
  • consider how convincing arguments in science are constructed and will discuss the ethical issues involved, including the use of artificial intelligence 
  • learn how to present and discuss ideas with other students to improve your confidence in academic tutorials and seminars 

You need to have studied sciences at school. Strong grades in relevant subjects like mathematics or integrated sciences would make your application more competitive.

Students who wish to study geography, psychology, or sustainable development at Year Zero level, should apply to the January Social Sciences and Humanities (International Year Zero) programme.

Modules

All students will study the same compulsory modules.

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

    • Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need in your degree programme. 
    • Research and Writing for Humanities and Science 2: builds on the key academic subject knowledge, skills and strategies required for science-related degrees, with a focus on learner independence.
    • Foundation Mathematics:  aims to introduce students to basic mathematical techniques and methods that they require for further study of mathematics and other subjects, with an emphasis on differential and integral calculus. 
    • Foundation Statistics:  provides an introduction to statistical methods for students who may be choosing maths, business or other science subjects, or who have an interest in how data is presented in the media. It uses real-life examples to better understand descriptive statistics, probability theory, hypothesis testing and inferential statistics. 
    • Foundation Organic Chemistry:  introduces you to the key concepts of organic chemistry. The course will develop students' existing understanding of structure and bonding of covalently bonded molecules, and introduce them to a range of spectroscopic methods for determining the structure of organic compounds. 
    • Foundation Inorganic and Physical Chemistry:  develops students' existing knowledge and understanding of inorganic and physical chemistry. It also provides a useful introduction to many of the chemical concepts used in organic and biological chemistry courses.
  • Your classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. In a typical week you will spend around 16 hours a week on your focused learning activities. This will be a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. To ensure our students are getting tailored support, we schedule seminar classes with groups of no more than 16 students.   

    You will also be expected to complete around 25 hours of independent study each week to achieve your academic goals.

    Assessment

    Each module will have a range of assessments with regular feedback from our teaching team. These assessments may include: 

    • essays
    • exams in-person or online
    • tests
    • speaking and listening exam
    • integrated skills exams 
    • leading and participating in seminars 
    • presentations  
    • lab and practical or field trip reports 
    • research projects  

    You will have regular coursework assignments in both semesters. Some of these will contribute towards your final grade.

    You will also have a set of exams at the end of the semester.

What it will lead to

Students can progress to the first year of an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Science and can choose to take a joint or single Honours degree. You can study subjects such as: 

Why ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?

Quality and ranking

When you join Scotland's first university, you will join a long heritage of excellence.  

  • 2nd in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026 and The Times and Sunday Times University Rankings 2026)  
  • 1st for Student Experience in the UK (National Student Survey 2024) 
  • 113th in the world (QS world rankings 2025)  

The University of St Andrews Faculty of Science has outstanding rankings. In the Guardian University Guide 2026 we are:  

  • 2nd in the UK for Chemistry 
  • 3rd in the UK for Earth Science and Geology

In The Times and Sunday Times UK University Rankings 2026 we are:

  • 1st in Chemistry
  • 2nd in Geology 

Facilities and environment

You’ll be based in the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute in the Kinnessburn Building. Our foundation pathways are all in-house, and our safe and friendly town and campus are on your doorstep.

University facilities for students include:

  • practical training in award-winning, state-of-the-art teaching laboratories
  • Saints Sport, with over 50 sports clubs
  • University libraries

Support

Our academic teaching team are all University of St Andrews staff and have experience in teaching students all over the world. As a student, you can benefit from advisors in:

  • academic support
  • student services
  • health and wellbeing
“The foundation programme really prepared me for university studies. I feel like it was very useful in terms of introducing me to what university expects from us. It also gave me the specialised knowledge I needed to progress in my degree.”
Constance, International Foundation programme student
- Malaysia

Ask a student

If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

See our academic requirements for the Science (International Year Zero) programme starting in January.

We can only accept students who have graduated high school within the last three years. Students should apply before final results to obtain a conditional offer, which will be based on past performance, predicted grades and their personal statement.

English language requirements

All International Foundation applicants must submit a UKVI Secure English Language Test (SELT) as evidence of their English language ability before they can be made an unconditional offer.

See a list of approved English language tests and scores for this programme.

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, please click the link at the top of this page. Our Admissions team will need the following documents to make a decision on your application:

  • Your most recent high school transcript 
  • A personal statement

You will also need to provide the following documents, but you can do this later:

  • An academic reference from your high school
  • Your UKVI Secure English Language Test result

Fees and funding

£20,775

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 more information on how to pay your International Foundation fees.

Scholarships and funding

Kinnessburn Scholarship

Students who successfully complete their International Foundation programme (IFP) at the University, with the required merit grade, and who move on to a degree at the University of St Andrews, will be 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 to support future IFP students.

Search scholarships

Contact us

Still have questions? Please get in touch with our dedicated team at ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Start your journey

Legal notices

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the .

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Page last updated: 1 April 2026