Supported
Pathways and
Flexible Entry
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University Guide 2021
Supported Pathways and
Flexible Entry
The University of StAndrews is committed to achieving a diverse and vibrant student
community made up of the best and brightest students, regardless of the route they have taken to
access higher education. We recognise that diversity comes not only through nationality, but also from a
wide range of backgrounds, experience and educational paths.
As such we have developed a range of exible entry routes for applicants with alternative
qualications or who may have narrowly missed our standard entry requirements due to mitigating
circumstances. These pathways not only provide entry routes, but also come with pre-arrival and
transitional support to ensure the students have the best possible start at StAndrews and go on to
achieve their full potential.
Co-ordinated by our Lifelong and Flexible Learning team within Admissions, and our academic
Schools, these Pathways cover a range of subjects and degree routes for a wide range of potential
applicants.
Our Faculty pathways provide a route to a named Honours degree from either the Faculty of Arts
or the Faculty of Science.
• The Gateway to Arts and Gateway to Science oer supported entry to anyone applying straight from
school who has narrowly missed our standard entry requirements.
• FE-HE Pathway to Arts and FE-HE Pathway to Science oer supported entry to applicants studying
towards alternative entry qualications at further education colleges.
We also oer two subject specic pathways which provide progression to a particular degree
or subject.
The Gateway to Physics and Astronomy programme is open to applicants across the UK. It oers
additional support with designated Gateway tutors. Students on this programme progress onto a
named degree programme after rst year.
The Gateway to Medicine is open to Scottish state school pupils who have completed S5
and narrowly missed the Medicine entry requirements. Gateway to Medicine students will come to
StAndrews in place of attending S6 at school and will study Biology and Chemistry as well as having
support for UCAT and MMI Preparation. After the Gateway year, students can progress to our Medical
degree or into another degree oered in the Faculty of Science, providing pre-requisites have been met.
Contents
1 Supported Pathways and Flexible Entry
2 Pathways by Faculty
4 Gateway to Arts and Gateway to Science
7 FE-HE Pathway to Arts or Science
10 Pathways by Subject
12 Gateway to Physics and Astronomy
14 Gateway to Medicine
16 Contacts
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1
During these rst two years, students will study modules
alongside all undergraduate students and progression to
Honours is dependent on passing all modules and achieving
the required grades for that subject in second year.
Students also have the option at the end of second year to
move to MA General Arts or BSc General Science degree
and graduate after completing their third year.
Pathways by Faculty
Our Faculty pathways oer a wide range of degree options. The exibility of our Faculty
system allows students to study a broad range of subjects in rst and second year before
making a nal decision regarding their Honours choice at the end of second year.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/study-options/faculties
32
Typical structure of the Gateway to Arts programme
This diagram shows an example of a student entering the Gateway to Arts programme intending to move to Honours in
English. This student chose a Joint Honours route, they could, however, have taken Single Honours in any one of the three
subjects or a joint combination.
Gateway to Arts and Science
programmes
What is it? The Gateway to Arts and Gateway to Science programmes are tailored
programmes with additional support. They are aimed at Scottish students who may not
have been able to obtain the grades usually required by the University to study their
chosen subject. www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/study-options/pathways/gateway
Who can apply?
Typically, candidates for Gateway programmes are those
who have fallen short of standard requirements and meet
some, if not all, of the contextual criteria below:
• live in an area of deprivation as dened by the Scottish
Government as SIMD20
• attend a low progression school
• are Care Experienced as dened by their local authority
• are a registered young carer
Applicants under serious consideration for this route will be
required to attend an informal meeting with the Director of
Admissions and a member of Academic sta to discuss their
application in more detail.
Entry requirements
Applicants will be considered for a place on the Gateway to
Arts or Sciences programmes if they have not obtained the
required grades to study their chosen subject at St Andrews
but we see that they have the potential to do well.
Oers will be determined based on individual applications
taking into consideration contextual admissions
information as well as academic performance.
Minimum grades are BBBB at Higher which should include
the standard Faculty entry requirements. This could be
taken over more than one sitting or include a combination
of Highers or Advanced Highers.
Structure and progression
Gateway to Arts or Sciences students can study a wide
range of subjects in our Faculties of Arts or Science*. Like
students on other programmes, Gateway students will
study up to three subjects in their rst and second years.
Information about the range of subjects is available online:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects
Provided that students on the Gateway meet the academic
requirements in their second year (just like every other
student), they will be transferred from the Gateway
programme onto their chosen named Honours degree
route. Gateway students will be treated as any other rst
year student; they will attend the same classes and have a
traditional rst year experience, with the addition of extra
support built into the programme.
* Some subjects require previous subject knowledge
First year Gateway to Arts
English Film Studies Social Anthropology
Second year Gateway to Arts
English Film Studies Social Anthropology
Several choices to progress to Single or Joint Honours
Third year MA(Hons)
English Film Studies
Fourth year MA(Hons)
English Film Studies
Typical structure of the Gateway to Science programme
This diagram shows an example of a student entering the Gateway to Sciences programme intending to move to Honours
in Geography. This student chose to change pathway completely and graduate with a Geography degree, however, they
could have chosen to take one of the degree routes oered within Biology.
First year Gateway to Science
Biology Geography Psychology
Second year Gateway to Science
Biology Geography
Several choices to progress to Single or Joint Honours
Third year BSc(Hons)
Geography
Fourth year BSc(Hons)
Geography
54
Additional support
Gateway students will have a dedicated point of contact
within our Admissions team. This contact will provide the
advice and support needed for a smooth transition to
university and ensure that students always know where
to go when they need advice, whether it be for academic
or personal reasons. Students are allocated an Advisor
of Studies who will ensure that they select the correct
modules, and that they have as many course options
available to them as possible. They will also be given
additional subject tutoring from senior students to support
their academic studies as part of the package of support
oered by the University.
Scholarships and funding
Gateway students are encouraged to apply to the range of
scholarships oered by the University. Students will also be
eligible for their tuition fees to be paid by SAAS.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
How can I apply
Applications should be made through UCAS before the
deadline of 15 January using the following course code.
Gateway to Arts: YOO3
Gateway to Science: CFG2
www.ucas.ac.uk
Applicants should ensure their personal statement focuses
on the main subject that they are interested in studying.
FE-HE Pathway to Arts or Science
What is it? FE-HE Pathway to Arts and FE-HE Pathway to Science provide entry routes for
applicants who full the specied entry criteria with a supported pathway into degree level
study at StAndrews. The aim is to provide exibility and additional support within the rst
two years of study with a view to progressing into a named Honours programme.
Who can apply?
Typically, candidates for FE-HE Pathways are those who have
not progressed to higher education at school leaving age
and are applying from further education colleges.
Priority will be given to those who full any of the
contextual admissions criteria:
• live in an area of deprivation as dened by the Scottish
Government as SIMD20
• attended a low progression school
• are Care Experienced as dened by the local authority
• were a registered young carer
• are currently studying at a further education college
• have family or caring commitments which limit their
higher education choices
Entry requirements
Oers will be determined on individual applications and the
course being studied. In addition to academic requirements,
contextual admissions information and Access Markers such
as SIMD20 will be taken into consideration.
Typical academic entry requirements for the FE-HE Pathway
to Arts could be:
• HNC – pass and B in Graded Unit
• SWAP – AAA prole
• Highers – typically BBBB
Typical academic entry requirements for the FE-HE Pathway
to Science could be:
• HNC Applied Sciences – pass and B in Graded Unit
• SWAP Access to Sciences – AAA prole
• Highers – typically BBBB (to include relevant science
subjects)
Applicants under serious consideration for this route will be
required to attend an informal meeting, with the Director
of Access and a member of academic sta to discuss their
application in more detail.
Structure and progression
FE-HE Pathways students can study a wide range of
subjects in our Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Science (for
both Faculties, some subjects require previous subject
knowledge). As with all StAndrews students, they will
study up to three subjects in their rst and second years.
Information about the range of subjects is available
online:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects
Provided that students on the FE-HE Pathways meet the
academic requirements in their second year (just like every
student), they will be transferred from the FE-HE Pathway
onto their chosen named Honours degree route. Pathway
students will be treated as any other rst-year student, they
will attend the same classes and have a traditional rst-year
experience, with the addition of extra support built into the
programme.
6 7
Typical structure of the FE-HE Pathway to Arts programme
This diagram shows an example of a student entering the FE-HE Pathway to Arts programme intending to move to
Honours in English. This student chose a Joint Honours route they could, however, have taken Single Honours in any one
of the three subjects or a joint combination.
9
Additional support
FE-HE Pathway students will have a dedicated point of
contact within our Admissions team. This contact will
provide the advice and support needed for a smooth
transition to university and ensure that students always
know where to go when they need advice, whether it be
for academic or personal reasons. Students are allocated
an Adviser of Studies who will ensure that they select the
correct modules, and that they have as many course options
available to them as possible. They will also be given the
opportunity to additional subject tutoring from senior
students to support their academic studies as part of the
package of support oered by the University.
Scholarships and funding
FE-HE Pathways students are encouraged to apply to the
range of scholarships oered by the University. Students will
also be eligible for their tuition fees to be paid for by SAAS
(Student Awards Agency for Scotland).
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
How can I apply
Applications should be made through UCAS before the
deadline of 15 January using one of the following course
codes.
FE-HE Pathway to Arts: YOO2
FE- HE Pathway to Science: CFG1
www.ucas.ac.uk
Applicants should ensure their personal statement focuses
on the main subject that they are interested in studying.
First year FE-HE Pathway to Science
Biology Geography Psychology
Second year FE-HE Pathway to Science
Biology Geography
Several choices to progress to Single or Joint Honours
Third year BSc(Hons)
Geography
Fourth year BSc(Hons)
Geography
Typical structure of the FE-HE Pathway to Science programme
This diagram shows an example of a student entering the FE-HE Pathway to Science programme intending to move to
Honours in Biology. This student chose to change pathway completely and graduate with a Geography degree, however,
they could have chosen to take one of the degree routes oered within Biology.
First year FE-HE Pathway to Arts
English Film Studies Social Anthropology
Second year FE-HE Pathway to Arts
English Film Studies Social Anthropology
Several choices to progress to Single or Joint Honours
Third year MA(Hons)
English Film Studies
Fourth year MA(Hons)
English Film Studies
8
10 11
Pathways by Subject
Subject pathways oer a supported entry into a specic degree or subject. On these
programmes students will study a core of modules in their rst year, as well as having
additional support for key skills in their subjects.
During this rst year, students will study modules
alongside all undergraduates and progression to Honours
is dependent on passing all modules and achieving the
required grades specied at time of entry.
At the end of this supported rst year, students can
progress into the second year of a named Honours degree
in a specic subject.
Students also have the option at the end of second year to
move to a BSc General Science degree and graduate after
completing their third year.
10
Gateway to Physics and Astronomy
What is it? The Gateway to Physics and Astronomy is an alternative entry route to a BSc or
MPhys degree in Physics or Astrophysics at the University of StAndrews. The programme
oers an interactive and tailored rst year, focused fully on the study of Physics, Astrophysics
and Mathematics.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/study-options/ug/degree-routes/physics-gateway
Who can apply?
The programme is open to talented and enthusiastic
students from the UK who meet some or all of the
University’s widening participation criteria:
• eligibility for Education Maintenance Allowance
• eligibility for free school meals
• be in the rst generation of their family to go to
university
• be looked after (or have been looked after) as a result of
a local authority order
• you are a young carer
• reside in an area of socio-economic disadvantage
• attend a school with low progression to higher
education
Entry requirements
Applicants should be predicted – or have achieved – grades
of at least ABBB, including A in Mathematics and B in
Physics (or vice versa). These may be over two sittings where
necessary.
Potential applicants should contact the University’s
Admissions team to determine their eligibility and are also
encouraged to make informal contact with admissions sta
in the School of Physics & Astronomy.
Decisions are made based on a judgement of potential
to succeed academically on the programme, taking into
account the background, academic record and personal
circumstances of the applicant.
Structure and progression
Students enrolled via the Gateway programme study
alongside other rst-year physicists and mathematicians, as
well as undertaking Gateway-only modules. These modules
are specically designed for Gateway students; they provide
a highly interactive rst year course in physics, mathematics
and study skills.
After successfully completing their rst year, students
enrolled via the Gateway will then progress to the second
year of the BSc or MPhys degrees oered within the School
of Physics & Astronomy, which include Theoretical Physics,
Physics, Astrophysics and joint degrees with Mathematics.
Additional support
The Gateway programme provides a highly supportive
learning environment with approximately 30 contact
hours per week in the rst year and includes tailored
academic and pastoral support for students. Students also
benet from small class sizes.
Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available for students
on our Gateway programmes, including some specically
for Gateway to Physics and Astronomy students. We
would strongly encourage potential students to look
at the information available online or ask a member of
Admissions or School sta for further details.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
How can I apply?
Applications are made through UCAS using the relevant
course code:
Physics and Astronomy (Gateway BSc): FH31
Physics and Astronomy (Gateway MPhys): FH3C
Suitable applicants may be invited to StAndrews in
February or March to discuss their application with
admissions sta in the School of Physics & Astronomy
before oers are made.
131212
Gateway to Medicine
What is it? The Gateway to Medicine is a one-year programme taught in the Faculty of
Science with contributions from sta in the School of Medicine. Aimed at pupils who
have completed S5 and have just missed out on the grades required to study Medicine,
the Gateway to Medicine is an alternative to S6.
medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/teaching/bsc-hons-medicine/gateway-to-medicine
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Gateway to Medicine programme
an applicant must have just completed S5, be studying
Highers and be eligible for their tuition fees to be paid
by SAAS.
Applicants should meet some of the following criteria:
• have engaged with a Reach project
• reside in an area of socio-economic disadvantage
• are being looked after (or have been looked after) as a
result of a local authority care order
• are a registered carer
• attend a school which has low numbers of pupils who
progress to higher education
• attend a school which has low attainment in relation
to Highers and Advanced Highers
Entry requirements
The entry requirements are as follows: applicants
must have achieved BBBB at Highers which must
include Chemistry and one other subject from Biology,
Mathematics or Physics. These must have been obtained
in one sitting in S5.
If Biology, English and Mathematics have not been passed
at Higher each must normally have been passed at
National 5 (A or B) or equivalent.
Structure and progression
Gateway to Medicine students will study rst-year
modules in Biology and Chemistry, plus one other
module alongside other undergraduate students.
At the end of this year to progress to the full medical
programme students must have:
• passed all rst-year modules at grades specied at
time of entry to Gateway to Medicine
• achieved a suitable UCAT score
• a pass in the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
If all modules are passed but not at the grades specied
at time of entry, students can remain in the Faculty of
Science with the opportunity to transfer to a BSc Honours
programme where pre-requisites have been met.
Additional support
There is a variety of support in place for students on our
Gateway to Medicine programme.
• a mentor in the School of Medicine
• a designated Adviser of Studies
• Reach Ocer as a designated rst point of contact for
any issues
• support in preparing for UCAT and MMI
• extra tutorial support in Biology and Chemistry
Scholarships
Scholarships for the Gateway to Medicine are available as
well as the opportunity to apply for further support upon
entry to a named degree programme.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
How can I apply?
• Towards the end of S5, potential applicants should
email a note of interest to the Schools Access Team
who will conrm eligibility to apply:
[email protected]
• On the day Highers are published, University sta will
contact potential applicants who have indicated an
interest to ascertain what Higher grades have been
obtained and advise if the pupils could apply for the
Gateway programme.
• Applications are made directly to Admissions and will
be accepted immediately after the release of the Higher
results.
• Suitable applicants will be called to interview.
• Oers will be made in time for applicants to enter the
programme in September of the same year (in place
of S6).
151414 15
FE-HE Pathways
Admissions: [email protected]
Gateway to Arts
Admissions: gateway[email protected]
Gateway to Physics and Astronomy
Admissions: gateway[email protected]
School of Physics & Astronomy: physics@st-andrews.ac.uk
Gateway to Medicine
Admissions: gateway[email protected]
School of Medicine: medic[email protected]
Produced by: Print & Design, University of StAndrews, October 2020.
Photographs by: Spencer Bentley, broad daylight, Linda Gibson,
Ian Gordon, Callum Hyland, Oli Walker/Tilted Frame Photography,
Laurence Winram.
Contacts
The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532.
www.st-andrews.ac.uk
+44 (0)1334 462150
[email protected].uk
Facebook: @uniofsta
Twitter: @uniofstandrews
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