Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Gateway to Science 2025 entry
The Gateway to Science provides supported entry into degree-level study at St Andrews for Scottish applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades and meet some, if not all, of the contextual criteria noted in the eligibility section below.
Our flexible degree structure allows students to benefit from a supported transition programme into the University of St Andrews. After successfully completing the first and second years of study, Gateway students will progress directly into year three of one of the named degree programmes within the Faculty of Science.
UCAS code
CFG2
Start date
September 2025
Duration
Two years full time, with direct progression to year three of honours programmes
School
Access and Widening Participation Team
Entry requirements
Eligibility
Typically, candidates for Gateway programmes are those who have fallen short of minimum requirements and meet some, if not all, of the following contextual criteria:
- live in Scotland in an area of deprivation defined by the Scottish Government as SIMD20
- attend a low progression school
- are care experienced as defined by the local authority
- were a registered young carer
Typical entry requirements
Typical academic entry requirements are: SQA Highers****BBBB
This should include any required subject or subjects for your intended degree path. Highers can be taken over more than one sitting.
Offers will be determined on individual applications, taking into consideration contextual admissions information as well as academic performance.
Applicants under serious consideration for this route will be required to attend an interview with a member of the Admissions team and a member of academic staff to discuss their application in more detail.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to BBBB at SQA Higher.
- SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No prior knowledge is needed for the Gateway to Science programme. However, some of the Science subjects may require previous knowledge. Applicants should have studied a range of subjects relevant to their intended degree interest.
Course details
The Gateway to Science BSc (General) is one of our Supported Pathways programmes coordinated by the Admissions department.
The pathway provides supported transition to university through out the first two years of undergraduate study. Supported Pathways students enter the first year of study with a specific Honours degree route in mind and during their first two years of study, will take all modules required for their intended Honours degree in the same way as if they had entered on that degree route.
Supported Transition
Students on a supported pathway will have:
- a designated Adviser of Studies who will provide support and guidance for academic matters over the first two years of study
- a single point of contact within Admissions for signposting and guidance on where and when to seek help should issues arise
- weekly peer-to-peer mentoring through year one of study to support skills development and aid transition to university
- continued support through to graduation from an Admissions contact person
- opportunities to attend workshops and events specifically designed for supported pathways students
At the end of the second year, if students have met all academic requirements for their chosen Honours route, they will progress to junior Honours (typically the third year of a four-year Honours course). Students who have not met the requirements will progress as per current Senate Regulations for progression.
Modules
In the first two years of the programme, Gateway students will undertake the standard compulsory sub-honours modules for the degree they intend to complete, as well as additional subjects from the full range of modules offered in the faculty.
See module information, teaching format and assessment for different Honours degrees on the course pages.
If Gateway students successfully progress to the Honours programme of their choice, the full range of third and fourth-year modules are available to them.
If Gateway students progress to a General degree route, they will be able to choose from third and fourth-year modules for which they meet the pre-requisites.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Teaching
- Assessment
- Support
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements.
To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Tuition fees
This course is only available to students with the fee status Home : £1,820
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to students each year.
Careers
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
University of St. Andrews
Overview:
The University of St. Andrews is Scotland's first university, established in 1413. It is renowned for its academic excellence, particularly in postgraduate studies, and consistently ranks among the top universities in the UK.
Services Offered:
The university provides a comprehensive range of services for students, including:
MySaint:
A student portal for accessing various resources and information.Moodle:
An online learning platform for course materials and communication.Library:
A well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.MMS:
A student support system for managing academic and personal matters.Accommodation:
On-campus housing options for students.Fees and Funding:
Information on tuition fees and financial aid opportunities.Scholarships:
Various scholarships available for eligible students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
The university offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience, characterized by:
Close-knit community:
A strong sense of belonging fostered by the small town setting.Academically stimulating environment:
Opportunities for intellectual growth and engagement.Active research:
Involvement in cutting-edge research projects.International community:
A diverse student body from around the world.Numerous extracurricular activities:
Opportunities for social interaction and personal development.Key Reasons to Study There:
Top-ranked university:
Consistently ranked among the best in the UK.World-leading research:
Access to cutting-edge research facilities and resources.Excellent postgraduate programs:
A wide range of taught Masters degrees and online courses.Strong academic reputation:
A prestigious institution with a long history of academic excellence.Supportive and welcoming community:
A close-knit environment that fosters a sense of belonging.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including: