US applicants
Continue your sporting career at a high level whilst furthering your education at the UK’s top University.
Compete in the UK, regardless of the number of years played in the NCAA/NAIA – for graduate students there is no 4-year eligibility requirement.
St Andrews offers students a world-class academic education and a professionally run sports programme as part of the truly unique student experience.
The University
Founded in the 15th century, St Andrews is Scotland’s first university and the third oldest in the English speaking world. It stands for research and teaching of the highest quality and the pursuit of knowledge for the common good.
World Leading
St Andrews is one of the world’s most ancient universities; a world leader in education, internationally Scottish, independent, entrepreneurial and aiming to be a beacon for diversity and social responsibility.
The University’s fundamental goal remains to attract and nurture the most promising students from around the world, and provide an environment in which they can produce their best work for maximum societal benefit.
We consistently rank highly in both national and global league tables, with the QS World University Rankings 2024 placing us within the top 100 world universities.
Teaching quality
The University was named the top university in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024 and Scottish University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Research excellence
The most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021 ranked the University of St Andrews amongst the highest quality in the country. More than 88% of research carried out by the University was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Employment
The University’s fantastic reputation throughout the world makes St Andrews graduates highly valued by employers. According to the most recent Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2019), 92% of our undergraduate first-degree level graduates were in either full-time employment or further study.
With over six centuries of heritage, world-class teaching and facilities that are both historic and state-of-the-art, St Andrews offers an outstanding education.
Sport at St Andrews
Sport plays a significant part in student life at St Andrews and enhances the unique experience of studying at Scotland’s first university.
Whether you compete at national or international level, play socially or want to get fit, there are more than 50 sports clubs and sector-leading facilities waiting for you.
Saints Sport
Saints Sport is the overarching title and brand that encompasses all of the facilities, services and activities of the University of St Andrews sports department, including the autonomous Athletic Union, our teams, clubs, athletes and staff.
Over half of the student body are involved with Saints Sport in some way, making St Andrews one of the leading institutions in the UK for participation in sport and physical activity.
British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS)
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for higher education sport in the UK – equivalent to the NCAA in the US.
BUCS are responsible for the provision and delivery of high-quality competition for over 170 member higher education institutions in 12 regions of the UK, and over 50 sports.
Through their weekly tiered league structure, knockouts, and individual competitions, BUCS offers competition for all levels, from beginners to top athletes.
BUCS Big Wednesday is the annual team finals event showcasing Championship and Trophy finals across 16 league sports.
BUCS Nationals is an annual, three day, multisport event, and the pinnacle of competition for individual sports.
St Andrews enters over 80 teams into the BUCS championship each year, with our top teams competing in BUCS Premier leagues and the Championship knockouts – the top tier of University sport in the UK.
Performance sport
The University is committed to attracting high academic achievers with a talent for sport to come to study at St Andrews.
The Performance Sport programme aims to attract and support the very best athletes at St Andrews who aspire to gain a world-class education while competing at an elite sporting level.
Performance teams
The University supports a small number of targeted performance teams, each benefiting from increased support and a dedicated sport-specific Director or Performance Coach. Support is in place to help increase the amount of teams competing at the highest level of British student sport, with the aim of winning titles. Some performance teams also compete in national competition to help give our students the most extensive and challenging experience possible.
Many of our top teams compete at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier League level and most in the top tier within Scotland.
Performance programmes
Sports scholarships and awards
Our sports scholarships and awards have been developed to attract and then financially support exceptional students who wish to continue their sport at a high level whilst furthering their education at St Andrews.
Available scholarships
Sports scholarships are available across our performance teams and to exceptional individuals competing at an elite level (usually internationally depending on the sport and nationality).
- Basketball (Women)
- Soccer (Women)
- Golf
- Field Hockey (Women)
- Netball
- Rowing
- Rugby (Men)
- Tennis
- Saints Sport Scholarships
- Schechter Family Ultimate Disc Scholarship
Talented golfers may also apply for the prestigious Arnold Palmer Scholarship or an R&A Foundation scholarship.
Why St Andrews – Sport Scholars Perspective
After completing all my NCAA eligibility in the States, I realized I wanted to do one more year of school and one more year of basketball abroad. I could never partake in any of my previous university’s exchange programs. But, when Coach Callum contacted me, I realized that the University of St Andrews was the perfect opportunity to pursue my wishes. Aside from that, St Andrews’ history, location, beautiful scenery, and town drew me in even more, and I knew I had to attend.
Maddy Yelle, Postgraduate Basketball Scholar, MSc Sustainable Development (Niagara University)
I had an amazing experience in the US for my undergraduate degree, where I found a great balance of academics and golf. I think my time at St Andrews will be a perfect extension of that, allowing me to study at one of the best academic institutions in the world whilst practicing and playing at the Home of Golf. Being at St Andrews for just a year will push me to make the most of what the university, golf programme, and town have to offer.
Charlie Petrie, Performance Golf Scholar, Legal and Constitutional Studies (Dartmouth College, USA)
Student Sports Clubs
Are you looking for adventure, competition, excitement, exercise, exhilaration, exploration, fitness, fun, physical activity, team spirit and the ultimate St Andrews student experience? Look no further.
There are over 50 sports clubs at St Andrews, offering activities for all levels of ability or aspiration, whether that is competitive or recreational.
Over 100 teams compete annually in British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS), Scottish Student Sport (SSS), local and national leagues and cup competitions, with many more students competing on an individual level.
Most of our clubs offer recreational activities, giving students an amazing opportunity to regularly experience the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and travel further afield across the UK and around the world.
Sports
How to get involved
The annual Sports Fayre takes place during Orientation Week and gathers all the clubs in one place at Saints Sport.
This offers the perfect chance to discover a new sport or pick-up one you’ve always wanted to try. Throughout the week, our clubs run ‘Give it a Go’ sessions, giving you the opportunity to try a sport for the very first time.
Sport at St Andrews
University life
Nestled on the east coast of Scotland, life here is centred around an internationally renowned teaching system. However, it is the huge range of additional opportunities only St Andrews can provide which creates a unique experience. Our students leave St Andrews with an education that goes far beyond their degree.
High student satisfaction
The University of St Andrews is top in the UK for student satisfaction. Students at St Andrews are more positive about their education than students at any other mainstream university in the UK according to the results of the National Student Survey 2023.
According to the Complete University Guide 2023, students at the University of St Andrews are the most satisfied in the UK.
Traditions
The University of St Andrews is host to an array of traditions. These traditions create a community and result in a truly unique student experience.
Red gown and pier walk
Perhaps the most notable tradition is the red academic gown. Gowns are usually worn at formal occasions and for the pier walk.
The Pier Walk is one of the oldest traditions in St Andrews. Every Sunday, after chapel service, students in their red gowns walk down to the end of the pier, climb up the ladder and walk back along the top.
Academic families
Like many alumni before you, you can join an academic family. This is a spontaneous tradition where older students adopt first-year students as ‘children’. ‘Parents’ then help guide their children in a system of mentoring. This is a fantastic way for you to meet new people. Many of the friendships that begin as part of the academic family tradition continue throughout and after university.
Raisin Weekend
The mentoring provided by your academic family culminates in Raisin Weekend. This is a student-led event where the ‘children’ are entertained by their ‘parents’ and encouraged to play pranks and games. On Raisin Monday, hundreds of first-year students, are dressed in fancy dress by their academic parents. They then gather in St Salvator’s Quad for the annual Raisin Monday foam fight.
May Dip and soakings
Towards the end of the academic year, you may find yourself partaking in the May Dip. A tradition which sees hundreds of students plunging into the North Sea at dawn on the first of May. This spectacular tradition is said to promote good luck in exams.
Once your final undergraduate exam has finished there is one final tradition, soakings. Friends will meet you after your last exam and shower you with cold water. This is a very proud and invigorating moment and provides a great way to end the exam period.
Location
St Andrews is a unique place to study and live and boasts a rich and colourful history, which you are reminded of whenever you walk along the three main streets at the heart of this historic town.
Add in the wide variety of bars and restaurants set amongst the medieval ruins and ancient University buildings, and the beautiful beaches that blend in with the world famous links courses at the Home of Golf, you have a destination that is truly unique and one that differentiates us from any other University in the country.