Why study this course?
Social sciences and humanities play a crucial role in helping us to understand and shape the world around us. They allow us to go beyond our own experiences and form new perspectives. All of the subjects in the Faculty of Arts which can be taken after studying this programme are in the top 3 subjects in the UK in the Guardian University Rankings for 2026, with three subjects holding the number one ranking.  
- 12 subjects ranked in top 3 in the UK for Social Sciences and Humanities 
- 1st in the UK for International Relations, History and Art History  
- High progression rate
This programme covers a wide range of subjects, from History to Psychology and from English Literature to Economics. Students can experience a variety of possible subject areas before deciding on which area to specialise.
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 looking for a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree.
This programme introduces you to university teaching and research, with the aim of preparing you for an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts at the University of St Andrews. Popular courses from previous students have included subjects like English, Philosophy, Social Anthropology and Film Studies.
Modules
In this one-semester programme, all students will study the same three 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.
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- Foundation Academic Thought in Arts and Science: enhances understanding of the key philosophical and analytical principles underpinning academic study.
- 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 four introductory academic modules from the following list, which covers subject areas that are available to study at undergraduate level: 
- Foundation Art History
- Foundation Economics
- Foundation English Literature
- Foundation International Relations
- Foundation Management
- Foundation Mathematics
- Foundation Medieval History
- Foundation Philosophy
- Foundation Psychology 2
- Foundation Statistics
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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
- Examinations in-person or online
- Multiple choice tests
- Presentations
- Interviews
You will have regular coursework assignments in both semesters. 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.
What it will lead to
Students can progress onto the first year of an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts 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 Arts has outstanding rankings. In the Guardian University Guide 2026 we are: 
- 1st in the UK for International Relations, History and History of Art 
- 2nd in the UK for Economics, Sustainable Development, Film Studies and Psychology 
- 3rd in the UK for Archaeology, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Divinity and English
In The Times and Sunday Times UK University Rankings 2026, we are: 
- 1st in History, Art History, English, Anthropology and International Relations
- 2nd in Psychology and Classics
- Top 5 in Geography, Philosophy, Divinity and Economics
Facilities and environment
You’ll be based in the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute in the Kinnessburn Building at the University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Our foundation pathways are all in-house, and our safe and friendly town and campus are on your doorstep. University facilities for students include:
- Three libraries, including the University Collections with over 210,000 rare, printed books and extensive manuscripts
- Saints Sports, with over 50 sports clubs
- Cafes around campus
Support
Our academic teaching team are all University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 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
“I took the January Social Sciences and Humanities Foundation programme – I studied modules in Research and Writing, and Communicating in Academic Contexts, which are essential for any degree, but I also got to study History, Art History, Philosophy and Psychology. This is a wide range of modules, but this is the beauty and flexibility of the foundation programme – you can diversify your interests and find out what you like the most!”
- Georgia
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
See our typical academic requirements for an International Year Zero - Intensive Study programme. If your qualification is not shown, please email ifp@st-andrews.ac.uk about the grades needed from your high school system.
Personal statement top tip
Make sure you show the Admissions team why you want to study social sciences and humanities. Do you know which undergraduate programme you want to continue on to? How have you come to this decision? Try to demonstrate your passion for your subject and why you would like to join our academic family at the University of St Andrews.
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 apply 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.
Undergraduate scholarships
During their first semester, students on the International Foundation programme will receive a conditional offer for a degree programme at the University of St Andrews. With this offer, students can apply to any of the undergraduate scholarships for which they are eligible.
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: 3 April 2026