How to Apply for Physics at the University of St Andrews: Four-Year BSc and Five-Year MPhys Degrees Accredited by the Institute of Physics, with Mathematics and Physics Required, for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of St Andrews is in Scotland, and undergraduate physics is taught by the School of Physics and Astronomy in the Faculty of Science. Scottish degrees usually take four years: in the first two (sub-honours) you also take mathematics modules from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, and the last two are the Honours years. This guide follows the St Andrews website for 2027 entry and covers UK applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Which physics degrees you can apply for

• Physics BSc (Honours): UCAS code F301, four years full time.
• Physics MPhys (Honours): UCAS code F300, a five-year Integrated Masters; the final-semester project is full time and usually with one of the School’s research teams.
• Theoretical Physics MPhys: UCAS code F340, also an MPhys, typically five years.
• Astrophysics: the BSc is F511 and the MPhys is F510.
• Joint degrees: Mathematics and Physics BSc (FG31), Philosophy and Physics BSc (FV30), Mathematics and Theoretical Physics MPhys (FGH1) and Chemistry and Physics MSci (FF13).
• Accreditation: St Andrews says all its Physics and Astronomy degree programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics for the UK and Ireland.
• Choosing a subject: you apply directly to a specific degree and UCAS code. St Andrews says that by your choice of modules in first and second year you may be able to change your final degree topic, and that at the start of third year your choice of degree title largely determines your third-year modules.
• The School also has taught postgraduate courses such as an Astrophysics MSc, which are not covered here.

2. Course structure

• Years 1 and 2: core physics modules (Year 1 Physics 1A and 1B cover mechanics, waves and optics, properties of matter, introductory quantum physics, classical mechanics and lasers; Year 2 Physics 2A and 2B cover mechanics, special relativity, oscillations, thermal physics, quantum physics, electricity, magnetism and classical waves) alongside modules from the School of Mathematics and Statistics (Year 1 Mathematics; Year 2 Linear Mathematics and Multivariate Calculus among others). Depending on how many mathematics modules you take, you may add subjects such as astronomy, chemistry, computer science or philosophy.
• Laboratory work: each core physics module in the first two years includes 2.5 hours in the teaching laboratory, in pairs in first year and individually in second year; Physics BSc students also take two laboratory-based modules at Honours level, each running two afternoons a week in different semesters. St Andrews says there are no additional fees for labs and lab equipment.
• Honours years: third year covers electromagnetism, electronics, laboratory skills, mathematics for physicists, quantum mechanics and thermal and statistical physics, plus “Transferable Skills for Physicists”, for which most students are expected to attend a residential conference weekend in the Scottish countryside and contribute (currently) £50. Fourth year offers advanced options and a major project, often within a research group; in the final semester about 20 hours a week go to the project.
• Direct entry to second year: see the next section.
• Overseas study: physics and astronomy students can apply to the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. The course pages do not mention a placement year.

3. Entry requirements and prerequisites (2027 entry)

• Standard (international applicants use this): SQA Highers AAAA including an A in both Mathematics and Physics; A-levels AAA including an A in both Mathematics and Physics; IB 38 points (HL 6,6,6) including HL6 in both Mathematics and Physics. The Physics BSc, Physics MPhys, Theoretical Physics MPhys, Astrophysics BSc and Astrophysics MPhys pages show the same Standard grades.
• Minimum (widening access applicants, Physics BSc and Physics MPhys pages): Highers AAAB (A in Mathematics and Physics); A-levels AAB (A in Mathematics and Physics); IB 36 (HL 6,5,5) with HL5 in both Mathematics and Physics.
• Prior study: applicants must have studied both Physics and Mathematics at SQA Highers, GCE A-levels or equivalent; preference is given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.
• General requirements: SQA National 5 (B) in English and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Geography, Applications of Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology; or GCSE (5) in English language or literature and one of Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology; or equivalent.
• Admissions tests and interviews: the physics course pages read for this guide do not mention a physics admissions test or interview; the application page says most applicants are not interviewed and physics is not among the exceptions. To confirm, email the School at physics@st-andrews.ac.uk.

4. Direct entry to second year

• St Andrews says this route is particularly popular with students applying to study Physics: well-qualified applicants can enter the second year of the Physics BSc and finish in three years (four years instead of five for the MPhys). It reduces the flexibility of module choice usually found in Honours degrees. Direct-entry students can apply to study overseas in their second year.
• Requirements for single Honours Physics BSc: Advanced Highers AA including Physics and Mathematics with Highers AAAA; A-levels AAA including Physics and Mathematics; IB 38 points (HL 6,6,6) including HL6 in Physics and Mathematics.
• Among joint degrees, Physics and Mathematics (FG31) and Mathematics and Theoretical Physics MPhys (FGH1) also allow direct entry; the course page says to ask Admissions for the details.

UK applicants (A-levels, SQA Highers and Advanced Highers, IB)

• Every course page lists requirements for SQA Highers, GCE A-levels and the IB, and St Andrews accepts a broad range of other qualifications; check the entry requirements page by country.
• UK applicants use the University’s qualification indicator to see whether Standard, Minimum or Gateway applies. The course pages do not give separate grades for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; they distinguish only qualification type and entry level.
• General requirements (all programmes): SQA National 5 (B) in English plus one subject from the list on the course page, or GCSE (5) in English language or literature plus one subject from the list on the course page, or equivalent.
• Fee status is Scottish, RUK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or Overseas; see the fees section below. Scottish undergraduate degrees take four years: the first two (sub-honours) let you take other subjects alongside your main one, and the last two are the Honours years.

International applicants

• Use the Standard requirements: the UCAS page says applicants from other countries and territories should use the Standard entry requirements. St Andrews always lists SQA Highers, A-levels and the IB, and accepts a broad range of other qualifications; check its entry requirements page for your country.
• English: see the English language section below.
• Proof of funds: St Andrews says international students must show sufficient funds for their studies when applying for a student visa. The amount and documents are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the UK visa website and St Andrews’ visa pages.
• Qualification verification: St Andrews may request supporting documents at any stage of the process. Beyond the China page and what is written here, any verification-agency requirement is not given on the pages used for this guide.

Applicants from China

• What the China page says: if you have graduated from a high school with a national school leaving certificate, St Andrews also expects one of the following: the University’s own International Foundation Programme certificate; a US curriculum profile (one form of standardised testing plus a transcript with A to B+ grades: AP three subjects at 4+ and 5 in required subjects; SAT Subject Tests three subjects at 650+ with 700+ in required subjects; ACT 28+; redesigned SAT 1320); IB 36 (HL 6,6,5) to 38 (HL 6,6,6 plus SL 6,6,6); A-levels AAB to A*A*A; or SQA Highers AAAB to AAAAB. You must also meet the requirements on the course page of your chosen programme.
• Gaokao: the China page lists no Gaokao score or percentage, and whether the Gaokao can be used on its own is not published. The page also says each application is considered on its own merit; email the China team (china@st-andrews.ac.uk) to ask.
• The China page gives University-wide ranges; for a specific programme, follow the grades on its course page below rather than applying the ranges to it.
• International Foundation Programmes: the course pages say these prepare international students from many countries for undergraduate study, and reaching the threshold score gives entry to a degree. The Foundation Programmes’ own entry requirements, fees and threshold scores are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the Foundation Programme pages on the St Andrews website. Completing the programme with the threshold score also exempts you from an English test (see the English section).
• English and pre-sessional courses: your offer may require a 10-week or 4-week pre-sessional course. For a student visa you need a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT); some tests St Andrews accepts may not be accepted by UKVI.
• Contacts and agents: the page lists agents in mainland China (IDP, ISA, JESIE, Liu Cheng and UKEC) and the China representatives’ contact details; the China team’s email is china@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Routes, deadlines and documents (September 2027 entry)

• Three routes: UCAS (St Andrews’ UCAS name is STA, institution code S36); overseas students may also use the Common Application or St Andrews’ direct application, and each counts as one of your five UK choices. The transfer page adds that the direct application can be used if you are classed as Overseas and St Andrews is the only UK university you apply to; applying to more than one UK university means using UCAS. For UCAS fees and procedure, check the UCAS website.
• Equal consideration deadline: the UCAS page gives 6pm (GMT) on 13 January 2027 (Medicine has a separate deadline of 15 October 2026). It adds that international applications after that date may still be considered where places remain, depending on subject and course availability. Another page (Academic entry explained) lists 14 January for other UK applicants and 30 June for other international applicants, which differs from the UCAS page; both are given here, so check the course page and the UCAS page when you apply and confirm with Admissions.
• Documents: grades achieved or predicted, a personal statement and a reference (required; an application without one is incomplete). The UCAS personal statement answers three questions. For the 2027 cycle, documents uploaded to UCAS are not an official submission route to St Andrews, so the University may ask you to upload them to the ‘my application’ portal or email myapplication@st-andrews.ac.uk. If St Andrews contacts you about SAT, ACT or AP scores, unofficial score reports are accepted.
• Interviews: most applicants are not interviewed; the exceptions are Medicine, supported pathway programmes and part-time study.
• Decisions: applicants who apply by the relevant equal consideration deadline receive a decision by May of the year of application.
• Deferred entry: St Andrews expects you to apply in the academic year immediately before you intend to start; if you take a gap year, it recommends applying during the gap year and explaining the gap in your personal statement.

How to read the three entry levels

• Each course page lists Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry grades: Standard is what most applicants need; Minimum is for applicants who qualify as widening access students; Gateway is a bridging programme for applicants who narrowly miss the Minimum grades but meet contextual criteria.
• Applicants from other countries and transfer applicants use the Standard requirements, as both the UCAS page and the transfer page state.
• Widening access criteria include living in an area under-represented at St Andrews by postcode, attending a school or college with low progression to St Andrews, taking part in the listed widening access programmes, being care experienced, or having caring responsibilities. The guaranteed offer scheme applies only to applicants who declare a care-experienced background, or who live in the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland (SIMD20) and attend a school with 30% or lower progression to higher education, provided the subject’s minimum requirements are met and any test or interview is passed. Use the University’s qualification indicator to see whether this applies to you.
• St Andrews stresses that grades alone do not guarantee admission; it also considers context, the personal statement and the reference.

English language requirements

• You may not need a test score (Faculties of Science, Arts and Divinity) if you are a national of the UK or of a country on the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries; if you hold an English-medium secondary school leaving qualification taken at a school with a substantial English-language environment where you were registered for at least the final two years, including at least one subject with a substantial component of writing in English; or if you completed a St Andrews International Foundation Programme with the threshold score. Otherwise you must submit a valid test score, and St Andrews may ask for further evidence.
• Test scores are normally accepted only if obtained within two years of the start date. Evidence can be sent after you apply; if you do not have it yet, English will be part of any conditional offer, and you may be required to take a pre-sessional course.
• Faculty of Science (English language profile 7-D): IELTS Academic (including One Skill Retake) 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT from 2026 4.5 overall with 4.0 in each, earlier tests 81 overall with Reading 16, Writing 19, Listening 16, Speaking 19; Duolingo English Test 130 (115 in each); PTE Academic 70 (64 in each); Cambridge English 176 (169 in each); LanguageCert Academic 70 (65 in each).
• A student visa needs a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT); some tests St Andrews accepts may not be accepted by UKVI.

Fees and scholarships

• Overseas (international) students: each course page lists “EU and overseas” at £34,910 a year. The international students’ fees page says tuition for 2026-2027 in the Faculties of Arts, Divinity and Science is £33,250, and that fees are adjusted annually, typically by 3% to 5%. The two figures differ, so check the latest figure on the website when you apply.
• Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland (RUK): course pages list £10,050 (“yet to be confirmed by the UK Government”); the English students’ page says 2026-2027 fees are expected to be £9,790. Eligible English students can apply for a tuition fee loan (full-time, normally living in England, first degree).
• Scottish students: course pages say fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government; the Scottish students’ page gives £1,820 for 2025-2026 and says the 2026-2027 fee will be published when confirmed. Eligible Scottish students (normally living in Scotland, full-time, first degree) may have fees paid by the Scottish Government through SAAS. The exact 2027 entry figure is not published on the pages used for this guide; check the University’s fees page.
• Scholarships: St Andrews lists international scholarships covering full or partial tuition and funding for UK students; what you can get depends on programme, residence, household income, academic record and fee status. It advises not to wait for an offer before applying; after you apply, use ‘My Scholarships and Funding’ in the my application portal. Individual award names and amounts are in the scholarships catalogue and were not checked one by one for this guide.
• Other costs: accommodation and living costs are your own; international students must show sufficient funds for their studies when applying for a student visa.

Transfer students

• St Andrews accepts only a small number of transfer applications each year; places are limited and entry is competitive. Transfer students usually need an exceptional academic record and a valid reason for moving, and must already hold the minimum grades and subject prerequisites for the programme. Applicants from other countries use the Standard requirements.
• You cannot transfer into the final year of a four-year degree, and transfer into the Faculty of Medicine is not possible.
• The routes are the same as for first-year entry (UK applicants use UCAS; overseas-fee applicants whose only UK choice is St Andrews can use the direct application). Your personal statement should say you are applying to transfer and why, and your current institution goes in the ‘Your education so far’ section.
• Supplementary documents to send directly: a second academic reference or referee’s report; a detailed transcript from your current university (with an explanation of any non-standard grading); for international students, a high school transcript with final-year grades; and your syllabus, so that St Andrews can establish which of your courses are common to its degree. It will transfer credits where possible; how many is not published on the pages used for this guide, so ask Admissions.
• The deadline is also 6pm (GMT) on 13 January 2027; places are rarely available after January, and international transfer applications after that date may be waitlisted.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Decide which degree (Physics F301/F300, Theoretical Physics F340, Astrophysics F511/F510 and so on) and copy the UCAS code correctly; meet the Mathematics and Physics requirement in Highers, A-levels or the IB
• Submit by 6pm (GMT) on 13 January 2027; a reference is required

International applicants (including China):

• AAA at A-level (A in Mathematics and Physics) or IB 38 (HL6 in Mathematics and Physics), or another qualification St Andrews accepts; applicants from China should first email china@st-andrews.ac.uk about the Gaokao, or consider the International Foundation Programmes
• An English test score (Science profile: IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component) or a qualifying exemption
• Apply through UCAS, the Common App or the direct application; do not wait for an offer to apply for scholarships

Transfer students:

• Relevant mathematics and physics results; apply by 13 January with a second reference, university transcript and syllabus

Sources: University of St Andrews, Physics BSc; Physics MPhys; Theoretical Physics MPhys; Astrophysics BSc; Astrophysics MPhys; Direct entry to second year (Physics BSc); Physics and astronomy subject page; How to apply; Applying through UCAS; Academic entry explained; Entry requirements: China; Undergraduate English language requirements; International students: fees; English students: fees; Scottish students: fees; Scholarships; Transfer students; Direct entry into second year. Information is for September 2027 entry; where a page prints no year, check that the date applies to 2027 entry. Check St Andrews for the latest details.