About the university
Founded in 1413, St Andrews is Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world. It is a small university, with about 10,400 students, in the coastal town of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland.
St Andrews is ranked 4th in the Complete University Guide 2027 and named top university in the UK in The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. It is known for teaching quality and student experience, and the Guardian University Guide 2026 placed it first in the UK for Maths, History, Art History and International Relations.
Indian students mainly apply for one-year master's courses in computer science, artificial intelligence, management and finance. Most cost £32,700 for September 2027 entry, and several computing courses also take students in January. Entry is competitive: most courses ask for the equivalent of a UK 2:1 and IELTS 7.0.
St Andrews is a small, quiet town rather than a city, so student life centres on the university, its halls and its many traditions. It feels very different from studying in a big city such as Edinburgh or Glasgow.
- Founded
- 1413 (teaching began in 1410); Scotland's first university
- Type
- Public university in the town of St Andrews, Fife
- Total students
- 10,356 in 2024-25 (8,381 undergraduates, 931 taught postgraduates, 906 research postgraduates, 138 online)
- International students
- More than 120 countries represented in 2024-25
- Intakes
- September; some Computer Science master's also start in January
- Application fee
- £50 for postgraduate applications (waivers apply in some cases)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=115 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
4th of 130 UK universities
The Sunday Times Good University Guide (UK, as quoted by St Andrews) 2027
1st in the UK
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £31,450
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027; January 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
Computer Science Conversion MSc
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
Artificial Intelligence Conversion MSc
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
Machine Learning Conversion MSc
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £32,700
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (6.0 in each component); Duolingo 140
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence MSc | 1 year (full time) | £31,450 | ≈ ₹38.4 lakh |
| Computer Science Conversion MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence Conversion MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| Management MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| Finance MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| Machine Learning Conversion MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
| International Business MSc | 1 year (full time) | £32,700 | ≈ ₹39.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of St Andrews with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Postgraduate
St Andrews Graduate Discount
Value: 15% off postgraduate tuition fees
Eligibility: Graduates of St Andrews (or students eligible to graduate) holding an unconditional offer for a postgraduate degree. Applied automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Standard XII (CBSE, ISC and state boards): minimum average of 93% for Computer Science, Economics, Finance and Management, with 93% in any prerequisite subject.
- Other subjects ask for 85% or 90% depending on the course, for example 90% for Mathematics, Physics and International Relations.
- JEE: a rank under 2,000, with at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics where those subjects are needed.
- CBSE Mathematics (041) is required where A level Mathematics is required; Applied Mathematics (241) is not accepted in that case. Most St Andrews bachelor's degrees take four years.
Postgraduate
- A bachelor's degree (BA, BSc, BCom or BTech) of at least three years, with 60% to 80% or a CGPA of 7.0 to 9.0, depending on the institution attended.
- Most master's on this page ask for the equivalent of a UK 2:1; Computer Science MSc and Artificial Intelligence MSc expect a computer science degree, while the conversion MSc courses accept other subjects.
- Applications need a CV, academic transcripts and degree certificates, and an academic reference. The application fee is £50.
- For questions, St Andrews has an India team: india@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates (certified copies)
- Class 12 mark sheet for bachelor's applicants
- CV with education and employment history (postgraduate)
- One signed academic reference
- English language test score
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each component for the master's courses on this page (English profile 5-D). |
| TOEFL iBT | New-scale test (2026 onwards): 5.0 overall with 4.0 in each component. Older-scale test: 91 overall. |
| Duolingo English Test | 140 overall with 115 in each component. |
| PTE Academic | 76 overall is listed in St Andrews' English profile for these courses; check the course page before you book. |
| Visa note | UKVI may require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for your visa even if St Andrews accepts another test. |
Accommodation and living costs
Postgraduate residence fees are charged for a 50-week let and include utilities, internet, contents insurance and the hall committee subscription in most residences. The figures below are the current published fees for the whole let.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catered standard room (50 weeks)Angus House, Stanley Smith House, Fife Park and Gregory Place | £7,062–8,996per year | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh – ₹11 lakh |
| Self-catered en suite room (50 weeks)Gregory Place and Powell Hall | £11,439–12,739per year | ≈ ₹14 lakh – ₹15.5 lakh |
| Catered standard room, Deans Court (50 weeks)Includes 14 or 15 meals a week in term | £11,296–11,346per year | ≈ ₹13.8 lakh – ₹13.8 lakh |
| Self-catered studio apartment (50 weeks)David Russell Apartments, Fife Park and Gregory Place | £14,526–15,315per year | ≈ ₹17.7 lakh – ₹18.7 lakh |
| University-managed flats (38 or 50 weeks)Average rent; bills not included | £180per week | ≈ ₹21,960 |
Campus and location
St Andrews is a town-based university: its schools, libraries and residences are spread across the small town of St Andrews rather than on one closed campus.
- Small, close-knit community of about 10,400 students in a seaside town.
- Computer Science labs are open to students 24 hours a day.
- Postgraduate housing ranges from shared flats to studios, including Fife Park and David Russell Apartments.
- Distinctive traditions, such as 'academic families' where older students mentor first-years.
Careers and graduate outcomes
St Andrews has a central Careers Centre, and some computing dissertations are carried out with industry partners. For post-study work options in the UK, see our UK guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International staff | 25% of staff come from outside the UK | University of St Andrews Facts page |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at St Andrews?
Most master's courses on this page cost £32,700 for September 2027 entry. Computer Science master's starting in January 2027 cost £31,450.
Can I start in January?
Yes, for some School of Computer Science courses such as Computer Science MSc, Artificial Intelligence MSc and Software Engineering MSc. Management and finance master's start in September.
What marks do I need from an Indian university?
St Andrews asks for a bachelor's degree of at least three years with 60% to 80% (or CGPA 7.0 to 9.0), depending on your institution.
What does St Andrews need from Class 12 students?
At least 93% for Computer Science, Economics, Finance and Management, and 85% to 90% for most other subjects. Most bachelor's degrees take four years.
Which IELTS score do I need?
7.0 overall with 6.0 in each component for the master's courses on this page.
Sources
- St Andrews: Computer Science MSc (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: Artificial Intelligence MSc (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: Management MSc (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: Finance MSc (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: Computer Science BSc (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: entry requirements for India (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: postgraduate taught fees (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: postgraduate accommodation fees (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: graduate discount (opens in a new tab)
- St Andrews: facts (opens in a new tab)
- Complete University Guide 2027 league table (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.st-andrews.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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