The St Andrews acceptance rate was approximately 19.2% in the university’s 2025/26 admissions snapshot, compared with an offer rate of 43%. These calculations use full-time equivalent application and acceptance figures, rather than individual student headcounts. Recorded acceptances are also different from final enrolments, so neither percentage predicts your personal chances of admission.
For families considering the University of St Andrews in Scotland, the useful next step is to check the chosen course. Required subjects, grades and the applicant group all matter. This guide explains the figures and shows how to plan your preparation.
What Is the St Andrews Acceptance Rate?
The university released the following figures in an undergraduate admissions response dated 28 October 2025. Its Appendix A reports applications, offers and acceptances in full-time equivalents, or FTE, from an admissions snapshot.
| Measure | 2025/26 admissions snapshot |
| Application FTE | 22,204.9 |
| Offer FTE | 9,543.0 |
| Recorded acceptance FTE | 4,269.0 |
| Calculated offer rate | 43.0% |
| Calculated acceptance-to-application ratio | 19.2% |
The figures come from the University of St Andrews’ published admissions response. They show applications, offers and recorded acceptances at a particular point in the admissions process. However, recorded acceptances should not be confused with the number of students who ultimately enrolled.
Acceptance Rate vs Offer Rate
An offer rate tells you how often an application leads to an offer. An acceptance measure concerns a later stage, but its meaning depends on the dataset. Some sources report accepted places while others report entrants who begin studying.
For example, a student may receive an offer and choose another university. Therefore, a lower acceptance measure does not mean everyone outside that group was rejected.
When comparing university acceptance rates, check the year, application route, population and definition. Otherwise, two percentages can look comparable while measuring different things.
How Hard Is It to Get Into St Andrews?
St Andrews is competitive and meeting its academic requirements does not guarantee an offer. The university considers qualifications, the personal statement and academic reference. Depending on competition, GCSE or National 5 results may also inform its assessment. www.st-andrews.ac.uk
However, competition should help you plan rather than discourage you from applying. Start by comparing your qualifications and interests with the course, then consider what evidence you can provide of your readiness to study it.
For parents, a useful question is: “What does my child need to work on next?” That could mean improving a required subject, exploring an academic interest or asking a teacher about predicted grades. It is more useful than treating the St Andrews acceptance rate as a personal score.
University of St Andrews Entry Requirements
University of St Andrews entry requirements vary by course and entry route. Always check both the overall grades and the required subjects. Strong grades in the wrong subjects may not satisfy a course’s conditions.
The examples below show standard first-year requirements for September 2027 entry. They are not requirements for every St Andrews degree.
| Course | A-Levels | IB Diploma | SQA Highers |
| Mathematics BSc | A*A*A, including A* in Mathematics | 38 points with HL 6,6,6, including HL6 in Mathematics | AAAAB, including A in Mathematics |
| Chemistry BSc | AAA, including A in Chemistry | 38 points with HL 6,6,6, including Chemistry and an approved second subject at HL6 | AAAAB, including A in Chemistry and A in an approved second subject |
Sources: official Mathematics BSc requirements and Chemistry BSc requirements. For Chemistry, the approved second subjects include Biology, Computing or Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics, depending on the qualification. Human Biology is also accepted in the SQA list. www.st-andrews.ac.uk
Standard and Minimum Requirements
Some eligible UK applicants can be considered under minimum or widening-access requirements. These depend on circumstances, so the lowest published grades are not available to everyone. Non-UK-based applicants should consult the standard requirements.
Use the university’s entry requirements guidance to identify the appropriate route. Also check general qualification and English language conditions. Joint degrees and direct entry to second year may have different requirements.
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How Admission Rates Vary by Course and Applicant Group
A university-wide figure combines different courses and applicant groups. Consequently, it cannot tell you how competitive a particular degree will be for you.
Before relying on a statistic, ask whether it covers your course, the relevant fee-status group and the correct application route. School-level figures also need care: a school can contain several degree programmes.
International Applicants
According to the university’s undergraduate admissions guidance, applicants compete within their fee-status group, with a fixed number of places available for each course and group. Therefore, international applicants should check figures for their course and fee status rather than use the overall St Andrews acceptance rate to estimate their chances.
Check how your qualifications meet the course requirements and whether you need English language evidence. Fee status also requires its own assessment; it should not simply be inferred from nationality.
Medicine Admissions
Medicine illustrates why definitions matter. For the A100 rest-of-UK fee-status group, UCAS-only, in 2025/26, St Andrews reports 335 applications, 90 offers, 75 “Accepts” and 47 entrants. The calculated offer rate is 26.9%, while entrants represent 14.0% of applications.
These figures come from the official School of Medicine admissions data. They cover one route and group, rather than all Medicine applicants. Before applying, check the exact course’s academic, UCAT and interview requirements.
How to Prepare a Strong St Andrews Application
Preparation should begin with the course requirements, followed by a realistic plan for the areas you can improve. These steps can help you organise the work.
1. Check the Exact Course and Entry Year
Record the course title, UCAS code, required grades and subjects. Then check any extra selection stages. If you are comparing several universities, keep a simple checklist so that one institution’s conditions do not get confused with another’s.
2. Strengthen Your Required Subjects
Use teacher feedback and recent assessments to identify recurring gaps. For instance, a Maths applicant could focus on explaining unfamiliar problems rather than repeating questions they already know.
If extra support would help, A-Level Maths tutors can work through difficult topics and exam questions. Similarly, A-Level Chemistry tutors can help students revisit concepts that keep costing marks. Tuition should support learning alongside school or college study.
3. Explore Your Academic Interests
Choose a manageable activity connected to your subject, such as reading a book, attending a public lecture or completing a small project. Afterwards, note what you learnt and which questions it raised. This gives you specific experiences to reflect on rather than a list of activities with little explanation.
4. Follow the Current Personal Statement Format
For 2026 entry onwards, UCAS uses three personal statement questions covering your motivation, educational preparation and preparation outside education. There is a combined limit of 4,000 characters, including spaces, with at least 350 characters per answer.
Follow the official UCAS personal statement guidance to structure your answers. Use specific examples to explain your interest in the subject, what you have learnt and how your experiences have prepared you for university study. Write in your own words and avoid repeating the same points across answers.
5. Plan Deadlines and Ask for Help Early
Check the deadline for your exact course and give your school enough time to prepare the reference. For most St Andrews undergraduate MA and BSc courses, the 2027 equal-consideration deadline is 6pm GMT on 13 January 2027. Medicine’s deadline was 15 October 2026; other routes can differ.
Confirm details through the university’s application guidance. Our UK university application guide can also help you organise the broader process.
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Conclusion
The St Andrews acceptance rate is useful only when its source and definition are clear. For your own application, course requirements and academic preparation give you a more practical starting point.
Check the right entry route, discuss your plans with teachers and work steadily on areas that need attention. If you would like individual academic support, find a tutor and book a free 15-minute trial with Edumentors.
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FAQs
What Is the St Andrews Acceptance Rate?
The St Andrews acceptance rate was approximately 19.2% in the university’s 2025/26 admissions snapshot, calculated by dividing recorded acceptance FTE by application FTE. The corresponding offer rate was 43%. These figures describe different stages of admission and should not be confused with final enrolments or an individual applicant’s chance of receiving an offer.
What Grades Do You Need to Get Into St Andrews?
St Andrews entry requirements depend on the course, qualification and entry route. For standard 2027 entry, Chemistry BSc requires AAA at A-Level, including A in Chemistry. Mathematics BSc requires A*A*A, including A* in Mathematics. Eligible applicants may qualify for minimum entry requirements. Always check the official course page for required subjects and additional conditions.
Does Meeting St Andrews Entry Requirements Guarantee an Offer?
No, meeting the University of St Andrews entry requirements does not generally guarantee an offer. Admissions staff consider your qualifications, personal statement and academic reference, alongside relevant contextual information. Competition also varies by course and fee-status group. Therefore, focus on demonstrating your subject knowledge and preparation while building a balanced shortlist of universities.
Is the St Andrews Acceptance Rate Different for International Students?
St Andrews admissions figures can differ between fee-status groups and courses. Undergraduate applicants compete within their fee-status group, so the overall acceptance rate does not describe every international applicant’s chances. Check statistics for the relevant course and group where available. International applicants should also confirm qualification equivalence, required subjects and English language requirements.
Is St Andrews a Russell Group University?
No, the University of St Andrews is not a Russell Group university. However, membership is not a requirement for academic quality or competitive admissions. When deciding whether St Andrews suits you, compare the course content, teaching, entry requirements and student support. Choose a university based on your academic interests and circumstances rather than group membership alone.
