Two years ago when one of my students showed interest in possible study in Scotland, I started to deepen my knowledge about the Scottish university experience. I used connections in my international college counselor network and learned all I could to help her apply, and later consider her offers of acceptance to University of St. Andrews, University of Glasgow, and the University of Edinburgh.
Since then, my interest in Scottish higher education opportunities has continued to grow. Just recently, I was thrilled to join a tour of international college counselors to meet admissions officials, current students, and tour seven different Scottish campuses for a more in-depth look at the academic programs and student life. I’m sharing some of what I learned in this post.
I came away with a new appreciation for the Scot’s international reputation for cultural diversity, rich heritage and history, unique national traditions, and the quality of its higher education system. In fact, it’s well documented that Scottish emigrants were known for being literate and educated; many became tutors and teachers when they came to the US.
Fun Fact: Princeton University (previously founded as the College of New Jersey) was established by the Presbyterian Scots and had a big influence on the revolutionary movement and founding doctrines and documents that formed the United States of America.
Philosophy
There is quite a bit of similarity between American and Scottish higher education systems. The Scottish Enlightenment philosophers successfully exported their Common Sense Philosophy and influenced the liberal arts traditions in American college life.
It has been written that “Scholars, born and educated in Scotland, sought to understand the natural world and the human mind. They wanted to improve the world through new ideas, discoveries and inventions.”
These foundations of rigorous academic pursuits with the intent to make a positive global impact continue to be a hallmark of higher education in Scotland. Educators and researchers at the University of Edinburgh have taken their commitment to the liberal arts and to solving some of the greatest global challenges of our time to another level by launching a new interdisciplinary undergraduate field of study in the newly renovated Edinburgh Futures Institute in the middle of campus. They are committed to “Education Across Boundaries.”
“We will teach across disciplines, sparking unexpected connections between literature and data science, architecture and ecology, design and economics, politics and neuroscience. We are creating ways to combine methods and insights from humanities, data science, design, and future thinking.”
Edinburgh Futures Institute
Academics
While elsewhere in the UK, most students must stick with the one major they chose on their application, the Scottish undergraduate programs are generally more flexible with most majors (or “courses” as they are referred to in Scotland) giving students the opportunity to study a range of subjects in the first two years with the goal of choosing one or two to major in for years three and four. This allows students to study a broader foundation of academic subjects before narrowing in on their specialization in the third and fourth years.
The four ancient universities of Scotland still refer to the undergraduate degree earned in the social sciences, arts, and humanities as a “Master of Art,” because of diplomas established that pre-date the international standards that define the Bachelor’s degree. The Master of Art is the undergraduate degree commonly called a Bachelor of Arts degree in the U.S.
University of Saint Andrews – One of Four Ancient Universities
Below is an example of the two more typical academic plans of study undertaken at St. Andrews – the first showing the course leading to a “Joint Honours Masters” degree in Spanish & Philosophy and the other a “Bachelor of Science” in Marine Biology. This is a fairly common academic plan found in other unis across Scotland.
Classes are offered each term with 15-18 contact hours/week; the sciences may have a bit more hours in class because of lab time. Due to small class size and direct engagement with professors, students invest significant time away from class on their “reading lists” (materials assigned in preparation for in class work) and are expected to come ready to engage and participate. Tutor hours with the professor and group work with classmates are also essential to the learning model widely used in Scotland. There are also international exchange opportunities as well as co-op work experiences often built into most “courses.”
nestled throughout the old city.
So who is a good match for this dynamic, international, academically rigorous experience offered at St. Andrews?
There are high expectations for reading and analyzing texts. Synthesizing learning between class meetings is expected. Professors do not chase after students for their work and will judge students on their preparedness for class. In the first two years of study, no grades as assigned to give students time to explore and hit their stride. This is likely why students on the tours indicated the heavy emphasis on independence and the need to be self-disciplined. They shared that professors are very available to students and group work is an integral part of each academic class. In their final year of study, students complete a capstone or written thesis project.
While the admission chances hover around 20% overall at St. Andrews, US students who have an excellent academic record, meet the IB Diploma or AP Exam Score entry requirements noted for each subject area (major), and apply early, are at an advantage.
Admission
Since Brexit, Scotland has been re-envisioning its international student recruitment efforts and looking to further diversify the international student population beyond the more traditional mix of continental European students. For example, in the last five years, the international student applications to the University of Edinburgh increased from 6,000 to 15,000.
Scottish admissions officers seek to admit students who demonstrate suitability for the chosen field of study by way of high school coursework, grades earned, AP and IB exam scores, SAT/ACT scores, where available, and the context provided in the personal statement and reference letters (letters of recommendation).
The personal statement and reference letters are an important part of applying to all universities in the UK and must be tailored to meet the UK university expectations and practices. I was fortunate to be privy to advice directly from several Scottish admissions officers who explained what they look for in the personal statement and reference letters and how they differ from what students and teachers provide as part of US-based university applications.
Here are some key recommendations for how to approach a personal statement directed at UK universities:
- Demonstrate clear interest in chosen subject
- Write in well constructed and articulate language
- Indicate evidence of commitment, motivation, readiness to succeed in higher education and chosen degree program.
- Give evidence of career exploration.
In general, Scottish universities put forth standards that students need to meet to be admitted and then are ranked in order based on a student’s academic achievement. Who is admitted can vary based on the competitive applicant pool of each admissions cycle. For example, a US-based student wishing to study neuroscience at University of Edinburgh will likely be required to submit AP Bio and AP Chem exam scores of 4+, among other academic achievements, to qualify for admission.
Conditional admission offers are made based on predicted grades provided in the reference letter and how students compare in their achievement to other students in the applicant pool. In most cases, a US-based student will receive a firm admissions offer from a Scottish university only once final grades and AP/IB scores are reported. Therefore, it is recommended that a US-based student secure admission to a university in the US by May 1, while awaiting the firm UK-based offer contingent on final scores. (Offers of admission to most public European universities are usually contingent on a student’s final grades/exam scores.)
Student Life
Cities and universities in Scotland are vibrant, multicultural places that attract students from over 180 different countries. For reference, 30% of the students at the University of Edinburgh come from outside the UK. In a recent survey, 86% of students said they would recommend the Scottish experience to others.
Club and student society life at Scottish universities is unique. At the University of Edinburgh alone, there are over 300 student societies and many opportunities for students to volunteer in the community. I also observed how student unions are a big part of life at the University of Glasgow. This webpage shows the extent of engagement and opportunities students have to grow their social life, build community, and develop their networking and leadership skills beyond the classroom. And a look into the student societies at St. Andrews shows the broad range of interests that students cultivate during their university years. From Ballroom and Latin American Dancing to Sustainable Development to Women in Computer Science or Dogwalking and Filmmaking, there seems to be a group for every interest.
Tuition and Fees
The cost of attendance at Scottish universities varies widely depending on a student’s home country or passport. Compared to the US, university studies in most of Europe are very inexpensive with most programming supported with the investment of tax dollars.
A non-EU passport student who attended high school in the US can expect to spend $20,000 to $35,000 on tuition depending on the campus (University of Stirling on the lower end; University of Glasgow on the higher end) and a general estimate of $1500 a month on room and board*. In some cases, even with flights and travel considered, students can find that the cost of attendance to study in Scotland is comparable to a UC campus on the lower end and an out of state public institution, such as UW-Madison on the higher end.
*Student accommodations range from typical on-campus shared or individual student residences to off-campus private housing shared with other students. It is very common, in general across Europe, for students to have access to kitchen facilities and to be fairly independent in their food preparation. There are rarely the same full scale food programs for on- campus housing that are typical in the US for freshman students in the dorms.
Finding Fit
A student choosing the path as an international student in Scotland will be forever impacted by the global perspective and multicultural mindset the experience fosters. Expect a big learning curve in the initial year of transitioning to studying in Scotland; the challenge of the long distance from home is not to be underestimated. However, given the fact that there are so many international students in the Scottish universities, there are plenty of other students going through the same adjustments and plenty of services for students to take advantage of to help with the transition.
Of primary import is that a student applying to attend uni in Scotland possess the independence and can-do attitude required to make a successful transition. Students with an adventurous spirit who have already spent time traveling independently, or who may have already lived abroad with their family while growing up, are good candidates for Scottish universities. If a student demonstrates confidence in their independence while being excited about learning and living with students from all corners of the globe, preparing shared meals of international cuisines, traveling in between academic sessions, and is someone who is willing to forgo the more traditional US college experience, this student could be in a great position to take full advantage of the Scottish university experience.
There is so much more to share about study in Scotland! Let me know if you’d like to see if this might be a path for you!
