International Excellence Scholarship 2026 at University of St Andrews Opens for Global Applicants
The University of St Andrews—one of the world’s most prestigious and historic institutions—has officially opened the application window for its International Excellence Scholarship 2026, inviting gifted international students to compete for one of the most respected undergraduate awards in the United Kingdom.
Designed exclusively for Overseas fee-status applicants beginning their undergraduate studies in 2026, this scholarship aims to support outstanding young scholars who can demonstrate exceptional academic merit and the potential to contribute meaningfully to the St Andrews community.
A Scholarship That Recognizes Excellence and Global Leadership
The International Excellence Scholarship is awarded only to the highest-achieving students from around the world. Although the final value and number of awards will be confirmed by early December 2025, the scholarship is known for providing significant annual financial support throughout the full duration of the undergraduate program.
Beyond financial benefits, recipients join a distinguished circle of global student leaders, gain exposure to exclusive opportunities, and are expected to represent the University as Student Ambassadors—participating in outreach, admissions events, and engagement programs.
Eligible Degree Programs and Academic Areas
This scholarship supports a wide range of undergraduate majors offered at St Andrews, with the exception of Medicine and the BA International Honours joint program with William & Mary. International applicants entering Year 1 or direct entry into Year 2 are eligible, provided they apply full-time (or part-time daytime mode) for 2026 entry.
Eligible Schools and Departments include:
Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science, Divinity, Earth and Environmental Sciences, English, Film Studies, Geography and Sustainable Development, History, International Relations, Mathematics and Statistics, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology and Neuroscience, Social Anthropology, and the Business School.
The Selection Committee assesses applications purely on academic merit, encouraging applicants to clearly articulate their academic achievements, personal motivation, and leadership potential through the application form’s free-text sections.
Who Can Apply: Key Eligibility Requirements
To be considered, applicants must hold an Overseas fee status and be entering the first year of their undergraduate degree in 2026. This includes students entering directly into Year 2, but excludes transfers from other universities.
Candidates should:
- Demonstrate outstanding academic excellence.
- Submit one academic reference and one personal reference, each up to 250 words.
- Provide a strong statement of motivation (maximum 2000 characters) outlining why they deserve the scholarship, how they will contribute to university life, and how the award will shape their academic journey.
- Show evidence of leadership potential, co-curricular engagement, community involvement, or other achievements that highlight their promise.
The personal reference must reflect the applicant’s non-academic qualities and cannot be authored by a family member.
Important Timeline for 2026 Entry
The application window for the International Excellence Scholarship 2026 at the University of St Andrews will officially open on Monday, 1 September 2025, and will close on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. Applicants can expect the scholarship results to be announced during the week commencing Monday, 16 March 2026, allowing students sufficient time to prepare for the 2026 academic session.