Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews is Scotland’s oldest university – and ranked Top University in Scotland. But here’s something that might surprise you: you don’t need straight As, a traditional background or even a recent qualification to study here.
Students Natalie and Amanda
The MA in Combined Studies is St Andrews’ part-time evening degree for adults returning to education. There are no formal entry requirements, and no pressure to follow a set path. It’s a flexible way to work towards a world-class degree, around your life and on your terms.
The course allows you to study in the evenings to work towards a degree. During the course, you will be able to choose from a wide range of subjects based on your interests.
A degree that works around you
Study part-time over four to nine years, balancing lectures around work, family and everything life throws at you. Classes are delivered in a flexible hybrid format – attend on campus, join live online or mix both depending on what works best that week.
“I was working full time and studying all at the same time. There were times when I used to say to my husband, I don’t know if I can do this — but I had a choice, I could have given up, but I didn’t want to.” – Amanda
Your experience counts
The programme takes a broader view of your experience. Your work history, caring responsibilities and life experience all matter. And if you already have relevant qualifications, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) could give you advanced standing, meaning you may be able to complete your degree in up to half the time.
“When I was at school, university just wasn’t an option. There were certain people who went and everyone else had to leave and find work. I didn’t know whether they would allow me [onto the programme] … but they did.” – Caroline
For everyone who thinks that university is not for them
The students on this programme come from all walks of life. Some haven’t studied in decades. Some never thought university was within reach. Some just needed a nudge from a friend.
“Joanne saw it on Facebook and she didn’t have the confidence to come herself – and I wouldn’t have had the confidence to come myself. We were just like, let’s do it.” – Nicola
“School was horrible for me. I hated it. Doing this makes me realise I can actually do something and my brain does work.” — Joanne
More than a qualification
Ask any student what they’ve gained, and it’s about much more than a certificate.
“Being in a classroom and somebody saying ‘I didn’t see it like that, but now I get what you’re saying’ has given me the confidence to know that I do have an opinion, I do have a voice. It’s probably the biggest thing I’ll take away from doing this course.” – Amanda
“You’ll be amazed at how much you love to learn when you actually have the chance to learn. It’s amazing, absolutely amazing.” – Nicola
“It’s kind of an honour to have this chance. A lot of people in the world don’t get it – and it’s such a special thing to learn.” – Caroline
Charles Clark
“There’s a whole world of discovering things out there – and this is a very, very good way of doing it.” – Charles
Whatever your background or starting point, there’s a place for you here.
The course has two entry points each year, in September and January.
September 2026 – direct applications are now closed
January 2027 – applications will open on 14 September 2026
September 2027 – applications will open 5 April 2027
Appears at Level 12 only where it is used in the phrase ‘demonstrate substantial authority’, reflecting a recognised high level and depth of expertise/expert knowledge and understanding, along with confidence. It does not mean ‘exercise authority over staff and resources’ etc, as that could clearly apply at earlier levels.
Glossary Term
Exercise
Used in connection with management and/or supervisory responsibility, denotes a requirement of a formal, substantive role.
Glossary Term
Directive
Applied to ‘supervision’, signifies a task or activity that is guided.
Glossary Term
Graphical Data
Encompasses maps, plans, diagrams, tables and graphs.
Glossary Term
Synthesis
Combine discrete elements into a coherent whole.
Glossary Term
Analysis
Examine in detail with a view to explanation and interpretation.
Glossary Term
Present
Set out, put forward, deliver information using a variety of mediums as appropriate.
Glossary Term
Hypothetical
Supposed, assumed for the sake of argument.
Glossary Term
Straightforward
Clear and uncomplicated activity, but not as demanding or systematic and therefore not as advanced as ‘routine’.
Glossary Term
Creativity
Often used in combination with ‘originality’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of creativity appears to be imagination.
Glossary Term
Originality
Often used in combination with ‘creativity’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of originality appears to be independence.
Glossary Term
Professional
Used throughout as an adjective and applied to terms including level, skills, techniques, practices, contexts, and issues where it bears broad interpretation as ‘behaving appropriately/doing things properly and well and to notions of accepted, (including externally) prescribed standards’, as well as narrow, relating to a specific occupation designated as a profession. In this latter sense, the term applies in all contexts including academic study, eg footnoting properly.
Glossary Term
Unfamiliar
New territory for an activity.
Glossary Term
Routine
Used as an adjective throughout and applied to terms including skills, tasks, elements, practices, contexts, methods and problems where it describes activity that is standard, usual, unvarying, customary, common.
Glossary Term
Everyday
Slightly more advanced and beyond personal but a known experience/activity encountered/applied regularly - less advanced than ‘familiar’.
Glossary Term
Familiar
Often encountered or experienced; common; something one has a good knowledge of - more advanced than ‘personal’ and ‘everyday’, not as advanced as ‘routine’.
Glossary Term
Personal
An experience relating only or primarily to the person – one would expect to start here then widen out into the rest of the world, so not as advanced as ‘familiar’.
Glossary Term
Critical
Fully informed, capable of supporting in-depth analysis and assessment.
Glossary Term
Discerning
Using judgement to recognise differences but not fully equipped/informed to analyse and discuss them in depth, so less advanced than critical.
Glossary Term
Awareness
Consciousness, including a background consciousness. Can be a starting point for further exploration.
Glossary Term
Appreciation
A sense, perception, a hold, fix or grasp of one or more of the various aspects of a subject/discipline/sector.
Glossary Term
Understanding
A thorough and firm grasp of a subject/discipline/sector or an element or elements of it, derived from education/study, experience and reasoning in appropriate combination. Can be defined as ‘know why’, as opposed to ‘know that’. More holistic knowledge of processes and contexts, so more advanced than appreciation and knowledge.
Glossary Term
Simple
Undemanding activity not necessarily part of a formal structure - not as advanced as ‘basic’.
Glossary Term
Knowledge
Facts, ideas, theories and concepts in a subject/discipline/sector acquired through experience and/or education – a surer grasp than appreciation so more advanced.
Glossary Term
Basic
Activity is early stepping stone on a structure or framework that can be built upon – more advanced than ‘simple’.
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