how i got into st andrews

Find out about the journey that led me to studying in St Andrews and how I got accepted into the university! With insight into the application process, Oxbridge interviews, UCAS, and my experience at St Andrews so far this is a vlog which tells all!
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Follow Kiki and Tom on Instagram:
Kiki - @kiki.fazli
Tom - @t0mhodson

[@federicaconsiglio5328]

Thank you so much for sharing this! It’s crazy how similar my application process is to yours. I applied to Oxford for Classics too and got rejected after an interview, and last week I got a conditional offer from st andrews. It’s definitely my first choice so I hope I meet the conditions. Thank you for being so transparent about your UCAS experience.

[@justkiki3091]

Hey, no problem at all - I think so many people are in similar positions to you (as I was) so never feel bad about it! Congratulations on your offer - St Andrews is a really great place to study and live and I hope you really enjoy it. Hit me up if you have any more questions. Tom :)

[@alicehodges8072]

I’m still waiting to hear back!! Great video ♥️

[@lauramazzoni3477]

This is such a great video. I'm applying for uni this year for classics and St Andrews is my top choice. I really hope I can get in it looks like such a good university

[@sugmabigjuicyfatballs4186]

Did you? I’d also really like to go

[@-wealuka7367]

Just decided to firm St Andrews today for a BSc in Economics & Mathematics... With all the mess going on these days, I'm still unsure regarding how everything will go on. Hope to see you in St Andrews this autumn!

[@pixcaine]

hi! i applied for the same course this year, could i ask how youre finding it? as in course difficulty, how the balance is between the two and anything else i should know :)

[@-wealuka7367]

@@pixcaine Hi!! I'm now doing 3rd year, and after 2nd year I dropped Economics in favour for a degree in only maths. Course difficulty is pretty on point, if you are passionate there will be no issues(but it is still difficult, it's a great degree after all!). Basically all maths lecturers are legends, some slightly quirky but all brilliant teachers with great hearts. On the econ side though I'n afraid less so, but the online years could have something to do with it. But don't get put off by it, one good thing about here is you have so much flexibility in changing courses that you will never hit a dead end with path choices provided careful planning.

[@jas_313]

I’m so glad I’ve come across this channel! I’m thinking of applying to St Andrews this year for philosophy - it seems to be the perfect uni for me but the one thing that’s putting me off slightly is the distance from home! It’ll take me about 6 hours to get there from home and back and I don’t know if that’s just too far? It’ll be really helpful to see how you’ve found it as I’m guessing you’re based somewhere in England? I feel silly worrying about the distance as there’s so many students coming from the US or EU or just somewhere way further than I am but I can’t help it😅 thank you in advance :)

[@justkiki3091]

Hey, thank you for your kind words! Firstly, I would say 100% apply for St Andrews - it is a great place to be a student as I hope the videos show. From home to St Andrews it usually takes me just about 5 hours so the distance is probably quite similar to your situation. I don't personally find the distance from home bad, I actually quite like it haha. However, I do know that for some people such a distance is off-putting. I return home at the end of each term but I do know people who live even further from me in England who return home much more regularly. St Andrews is a really comfortable and welcoming environment! I hope this helps, Tom :)

[@jas_313]

Kiki & Tom ah thank you this has helped loads! I really do like St Andrews so I do feel like it would be a shame of me to not apply just because of the distance, so it’s helped to know that you and most students don’t find it too difficult...I may as well give it a shot when the time comes! Thanks again :)

[@user-yz8oi9ez1e]

I’ve applied for the same course this year:) How are you finding it?

[@nawalmirza2541]

I’ve applied to the same course this year too, how is it?

[@dawn8525]

Lol omg I got rejected from Cambridge for history of art and I got an offer from St Andrews for he same course that's too accurate

[@justkiki3091]

Congratulations on your offer!

[@mistymodhu8569]

Got rejected by oxford today. I applied for physics at St John's and my 2nd college interview was by Jesus College. I'm waiting for an offer from St Andrews. Currently have offers from Manchester and Birmingham. I have admission test for Imperial next month.

[@dazfriend6099]

Can u remember roughly when u got ur offer for st Andrews - still waiting and so frustrating!!!!! btw-love the vids!

[@justkiki3091]

Hey mate, I think I got my offer sometime in late February or March. Honestly, don't worry if you haven't yet received your offer, but I understand the frustration completely haha! Thanks so much for your compliments, let us know if there's anything else we can help with! Tom :)

[@ashmeigosman8974]

They try to get all offers sent out before the 31st of March, that's the admissions team's goal. They almost always achieve this goal so if you haven't received a decision yet, expect it in no more than 2 weeks.

[@amberlyying4800]

Hi! I’m currently deciding on whether I should firm St. Andrews, Durham, or Edinburgh for anthropology...I was so sure I wanted Durham but after watching your videos I’m not so sure now!! Were you ever conflicted about what uni to pick after Oxford ? If so, how did you decide ? Thank you !!

[@justkiki3091]

Hey! Haha thank you so much for saying our videos are making you conflicted - St Andrews honestly is such a lovely place to study and live so we hope we show that! After my Oxford rejection I have to admit that my university choices were also purely based on league tables and so St Andrews, with it being higher both for my course and overall, was naturally my firm choice. However, I would not recommend this approach haha. Academic success is so important, and all of the universities you have mentioned are academically rigorous (even if St Andrews just seems like a lot of fun haha), and so I would recommend you visit them all. Again I didn't do this. The type of place you want to live is so important and all three universities are in beautiful settings and probably have similar vibes, but I would still recommend really doing some research into the towns/lifestyles. For me honestly St Andrews was the natural and best next place after Oxford and so I was really only conflicted about which university to put as my insurance choice. I hope you can tell I am 100% in love with St Andrews, but of course everyone will be different. I really wish you luck in your decision and don't hesitate to get in touch and ask anymore questions! Tom :)

[@amberlyying4800]

@@justkiki3091 hii thanks so much for your response!!! It's really helped with my uni decisions - I think I've decided to firm St Andrews!

[@majj2370]

I'm thinking about doing anthropology at st Andrew's!!!! what have you thought of it?

[@elliana2825]

what did you pick?

[@elladavidson3073]

Hey! I just got an offer from St Andrews yesterday to study psychology. Up until now I’ve been set on going to York and wasn’t really considering accepting St Andrews if I got an offer purely because I feel it could be quite isolated? However, since I’ve got the offer I think my opinion is changing! I’m now choosing between St Andrews and York to put as my firm... any tips on how to make that decision? Thanks!

[@justkiki3091]

Hey! Firstly well done and congratulations on getting offers from two amazing universities! I can honestly assure you that St Andrews, though it is geographically isolated, is so much fun and so busy once you get here. I really recommend that you come for a visit if you haven't already so you can experience just how friendly and great life here is, and also watch our videos if you haven't to get a feel of the place. I think my best advice is see in what ways the two universities are different for your course, decide which you think would be better for your future, but also, most importantly, where you'd be most happy! Even though one place may be better than the other academically it doesn't necessarily mean it is going to be right for you socially for instance. It is all a really personal decision you have to make but I honestly would 100% recommend St Andrews! Tom :)

[@ZasZ21313]

And here I am, 1 year after this video is released, rejected by Oxford and firming St. Andrews with KCL insurance. XD

[@willemijnvancalker2963]

I want to go to a classic uni sooo bad, and I’ve got the money, the motivation, just not the brains

[@joefulton8434]

I’m also an oxford reject 😫 this is all so relatable I’m still waiting to hear back from St. Andrews to study philosophy and theology, does anyone know when these offers start coming in getting really nervous

[@justkiki3091]

Should be between Jan-March? Good luck x

[@joefulton8434]

@@justkiki3091 thank you so much ! really hoping for it ! Have watched so many of your videos thank you for all the advice ! X

[@ihatemyfish5683]

@@joefulton8434 You in?

[@lauraelizabethvandermaas7572]

Hi! I received an unconditional offer for the MLitt Human Resource Management just last week. So grateful but so confused, I was very set on London at first... any thoughts? How’d you say the postgrad experience is, as it’s mainly undergraduates? Bit worried I’d feel out of place after being away from uni life for a while. Thanks Tom!! -Laura

[@justkiki3091]

Hey, firstly congratulations on your offer! I think your choice honestly depends on the type of university you would like to study at. London and St Andrews are very different places - I would recommend also looking at each respective department and seeing what opportunities they can give you. For instance, is studying in London ultimately more beneficial for your course? Of course, I can only speak as an undergraduate, however I do know of some older postgraduate students who absolutely love their experience! I don't think you would feel out of place at all - everyone is very friendly regardless of year group or age differences. Hope this helps! Tom :)

[@lauraelizabethvandermaas7572]

Kiki & Tom -Thanks, Tom :) That helps!

[@elizabethhamilton5538]

if I wanted to take modules from a course that I didn’t apply for in my prehonours years at st.andrews, would I have to meet the entry requirements? what about to switch to that course?

[@justkiki3091]

hi gal, i'm not quite sure what you mean but you can do subjects that are not the same as your degree during 1st and 2nd year. if you wanted to change your degree then you would have to take enough credits for the subject you want to switch to and change at the start of second year. hope that made some sense; lmk if you need further clarification x kiki

[@stevemorse108]

Thank you for being honest but when I was at St Andrews I too met many Oxbridge rejects and they were known as Yaaaahs and tended to spend time at the Cross Keys pub and were snobby and not liked by the Scottish students. My father went to Oxford and i decided to go to St Andrews as my first choice. My feeling is that going to a wonderful university by default is less than sterling. By your own admission you knew almost nothing about St Andrews.

[@danielcrowleyjr.3445]

How would you compare the reputation of St. Andrews to that of an American Ivy League such as Harvard or Princeton?

[@justkiki3091]

Hey mate, whilst St Andrews is perhaps not as internationally known as Harvard for instance, it is definitely a renowned institution for learning and has so much to offer. It is the best university in Scotland and is either second or third overall in the UK! We have a great alumni system consisting of many influential and illustrious people in all sectors. I can assure you St Andrews possesses a strong and secure reputation! Let us know if you want any more information about anything! Tom :)

[@mojganasadian1298]

🌷🌷🌷

[@aprilausthetic443]

I really want to go to St Andrews it’s my dream.

[@IanMcCormick]

Fond memories of St Andrews! Class and Cloister: the St Andrews Correspondence. "the book is a homage to St Andrews in all its glory" --- THE SAINT.

[@redroses8907]

I'm a 13 year old and I really want to go to St Andrews and study chemistry and biology! Does anyone have any tips of how I can improve my revision techniques? x

[@justkiki3091]

flashcards are always a good way to go! keep notes of your work every week and do as many practice questions as you can once you've studied x

[@Priya-oo3xf]

hi nice video! What did you take for A-levels and what grades did you get?

[@justkiki3091]

Hey, so for A-levels I studied English Literature and History and received A* in them both and then also received an A in Classical Civilisation. I also did an EPQ and got an A* for that as well. If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to get in touch. Tom :)

[@PolskiXses]

Hello, what are the requriements of top UK universities?. Do I have to improve my score from B2 to C1?

[@bananaphysics1746]

Did you have to do an Interview at St.Andrews similar to Cambridge or Oxford?

[@justkiki3091]

Hey, no I didn't. St Andrews don't interview applicants, except for medicine I believe. Tom :)

[@bananaphysics1746]

@@justkiki3091 Thanks for replying so fast. I just started watching your channel a few days ago because I'm really wanting to go to St. Andrews plus your channel is actually really good and I enjoy watching. Baris oxx[]::::::::::::::::::::> (cool sword I learned how to type)

[@sagalali31]

At this point St Andrews is like my dream uni and I wanted to know like all the extracurricular (if you did) things that you did that you feel kinda helped you secure your spot?? I'm planning on doing computer science or physics and ive so many extracurricular things but I wouldn't know what to mention in my UCAS application. I love your videos and it'd be great to hear back ❤️❤️❤️

[@justkiki3091]

hey! leading up to applying, i think my extracurriculars like the music and drama exams i did were really good to have (but since your personal statement should be around 80% about academics and 20% about other stuff, i would recommend you get your tutor or teacher recommendation to include your activities more in depth so you don't use up your 4000 character count). if you have received any kind of award though that may be worth mentioning. i hope i answered your question but let us know if you have any more x kiki

[@amritadasgupta5229]

@@justkiki3091 I'm a highschool freshman just getting into this whole, messy university business and I absolutely adore the idea of going to St. Andrews - your tips are so helpful!! I've been looking for guidance on how to go about it and this comment section is absolute gold for me.

[@oliverqueen5883]

Lmao I, despite my entrance exam being around the offer-holder average, got rejected by Oxford (where I lived for a bit as a young lad) and got an offer from Saint Andrews last week 😂

[@schml1998]

To that opening comment, all I have to say is: HAHAHAHAHAHAHABAHABAAHAHA SO TRUE!

[@graceshi4554]

Hello Kiki & Tom, I love your channel! I'm Grace from St Andrews too! Let's have coffee sometime!

[@justkiki3091]

Grace Shi hi gal! we’d love to have a chat x if you see us around (most likely at the library) please don’t hesitate to come and have a chat! much love ❤️

[@rubydunn2008]

I think your channel would really benefit from a fun facts segment 😍 maybe you have a friend who could help with that?!

[@dawn8525]

I feel called out as a Cambridge reject👀👀👀

[@sophieemeny2347]

me: applied to study film at st andrews, just for funsies, with only one sentence in my personal statement about film saying 'i like watching star wars films in my spare time.' me then getting an offer: ᵒʰ ˢʰᶦᵗ ᶦ ʷᵃˢⁿ'ᵗ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᶦⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵃᵗ

[@justkiki3091]

AHAHAH ffs i cant

[@theological2400]

HAHAHA HOW

[@MW-xo9zm]

What grades did you apply with (like predicted) and what subjects did you take?

[@sophieemeny2347]

@@MW-xo9zm I took 3 a levels: photography (A*), media studies (A) and English literature (A). I also applied in early October, which may have helped as most applied in nov/Dec :)

[@MW-xo9zm]

@@sophieemeny2347 nice!, do you know If they are keen on BTEC, I understand its not as good as alevel but I'm planning on doing film and philosophy, and I do BTEC media studies, which I feel is way more practical than ALevel media studies, and then I do philosophy and graphic communications on top of that, if I explained why I took these really well in my personal statement do you think they'll be okay with that? also, do you have Instagram so I can possibly ask some more questions?

[@DeepakSharma-wm1rf]

Hey i am from india Got accepted to university of st Andrew's for msc applied statistics and data mining.. How is the university and can you help me to connect with someone who is studying the course..

[@justkiki3091]

Congratulations on receiving an offer! If you get in touch with one of us via instagram we can definitely help you find someone to contact about the course!

[@DeepakSharma-wm1rf]

Can you share your Instagram id

[@justkiki3091]

Deepak Sharma they’re always in the information box below the videos! - @kiki.fazli and @tomhodson12

[@Climatito]

I want to study in ST andrews

[@annyshiyashalet5096]

hi friend , i need your help to apply for send adrew

[@justkiki3091]

Hi, if you get in contact with either of us we are always happy to answer any questions you may have! We will be publishing a video soon about our personal statements so hopefully that will help you with your application!

[@prashanthisharma2526]

@@justkiki3091 Hi dear, even i need your help in application process. Where can i connect with you, any help would be highly appreciated!