St Andrews - 3 subjects in first/second year?

Recently found out about the protocol of taking three subjects in your first year at St Andrews. Any previous students or staff able to weigh in on how this works exactly?

For example: how is it decided which subjects you are allowed to take alongside your one/two you originally applied for?

Can you choose to move on with and complete a degree in the one/two subjects you did not originally apply for (after doing them in the first year), if so, what is the leniency on this?

Wondering if someone who selects e.g. psychology in their first year could actually move on with it to honours level without having originally applied for it?

Any help appreciated.

Reply 1

balletbean

3

You take whatever extra courses you want as long as they don't conflict with your mandatory degree courses. How many mandatory courses you have will depend on your degree. If you take enough optional modules in another area, you should be able to do a dual degree or switch fully to the other degree for honours depending on some factors like whether you have room in your timetable to take the prerequisites - your academic advisor will be able to help you structure your courses if this is your goal.

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Original post by balletbean

You take whatever extra courses you want as long as they don't conflict with your mandatory degree courses. How many mandatory courses you have will depend on your degree. If you take enough optional modules in another area, you should be able to do a dual degree or switch fully to the other degree for honours depending on some factors like whether you have room in your timetable to take the prerequisites - your academic advisor will be able to help you structure your courses if this is your goal.

Are certain extra subjects limited to what area of study your original subject(s) is in? For example, I assume you couldn’t take physics alongside English or Film etc as these are arts degrees, not science.

Reply 3

S1098

7

Original post by Anonymous #1

Are certain extra subjects limited to what area of study your original subject(s) is in? For example, I assume you couldn’t take physics alongside English or Film etc as these are arts degrees, not science.

I don't think it is strictly ruled out but I imagine you might have more problems with timetabling issues, as they will be aiming to avoid clashes for more obvious combinations. You also have to have the certain qualifications for some modules eg Physics and Maths A level for 1st yr Physics modules. You can see more about which modules you have to pick and which you can choose in the programme requirements ( https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/reqs/2023-24/list.html?v=ug). You can then also look at all the modules in the module catalogue (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/modules/). If there is a particular combination you are interested in then you can even see when they are timetabled to see if there are any clashes. There are quite a few people who change degree courses from the one they started on - but you do have to make sure you have done all the prerequisites for a course. And of course in your application you do have to demonstrate a passion for the original course you apply for!

St Andrews - 3 subjects in first/second year?

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