Online PGR study
The University of St Andrews offers online Postgraduate Research study by distance learning across most Academic Schools, for the programmes of PhD, MSc(Res), MSt(Res), MPhil (Research). Studying for a research degree online gives you the flexibility to conduct your research at a location and time that suits you while being supervised by an expert in your field of study and accessing our outstanding support, even from afar.
Benefits
There are numerous benefits in studying online:
- Flexibility: You can tailor your study schedule around your personal and professional commitments, making it easier to balance work, family, and education.
- Accessibility: Online learning allows you to study from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need to relocate or commute to a campus.
- Cost Savings: While tuition fees will be the same, you can save on travel, accommodation, and other associated costs.
- Technological Engagement: Our online postgraduate programmes use technologies like video conferencing, online course management systems, and discussion boards to keep you connected with professors and peers.
- Skills Development: Managing your postgraduate research by distance will help you develop valuable skills such as time management, self-discipline, and digital literacy, which are highly regarded by employers. You will also have access to numerous courses offered online as part of by our GRADskills programme.
- Networking Opportunities: In addition to a vibrant online community, many of our online programmes offer in-person events, providing opportunities to network and build relationships with fellow students and academic staff. Also, with over 75,000 alumni worldwide, we will help you build relationships globally and become part of an international and lifelong community after you have graduated.
- Career Advancement: Pursuing a postgraduate research degree by distance learning will enhance your qualifications and expertise in your field, making you more competitive in the job market. It can open up opportunities for higher-level positions, research roles, and academic careers, all while allowing you to continue working and gaining practical experience. You will also have seamless access to our Careers, and their extensive support for improvement of your employability skills and in searching for a job.
- Work-Life Balance: The flexibility of studying online can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress and allowing you to pursue your academic goals without sacrificing other aspects of your life.
Studying online for a postgraduate research degree is a substantial undertaking, with its own unique characteristics, opportunities and challenges! Make sure you have explored all the provisions and support offered to online postgraduate research students by St Andrews, and any considerations and limitations, to ensure they are good fit for you and your proposed research. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your prospective supervisor or School.
Eligibility and entry requirements
Entry requirements (including English language requirements) for an online postgraduate research programme are the same as for in-person study; you can find them in the relevant section of the Apply for Research programmes page.
Not all areas of research can be pursued online, as some academic fields require the use of specific equipment or access to material that can only be found in St Andrews. The assessors of your application to study online will review the feasibility of your proposed project, and they will only accept you if they are confident that it will be possible to offer you the appropriate support for the successful completion of your studies by distance.
Acceptance to an online postgraduate research programme is subject to the approval of the supervisors and the relevant Academic School, who will have the final saying on your application.
Mode of study (full-time / part-time)
You can study for an online postgraduate research programme either full-time or part-time, same as for the in-person programmes.
Mode of study (online / in person)
You would normally not be expected to change your mode of study between in-person and online. In special circumstances, it may be possible to change your mode of study from in person to online. The opposite (changing from online to in-person) would be rarer, particularly for students who would require a student visa to study in person.
Programme start dates
You and your supervisor will decide your start date, but you can include a preferred start date on your application.
We encourage students to start their studies in September, but the start date for research study can be any of the following:
- 27 August
- 27 September
- 27 October
- 27 January
- 27 May
How to apply
Finding a supervisor
As a prospective PhD, MSc(Res), or MSt(Res) student, you will apply to work with an individual supervisor or supervisory team within a School. It is therefore important that you look at staff research interests within the University and ensure that your proposed project matches an existing area of research.
If you are unable to identify a possible supervisor, please contact the School directly, who will be happy to advise you of the most appropriate academic for your chosen research area.
Feel free to contact potential supervisors to discuss your background and your proposed research. You will also need to discuss your plans and thoughts about research by distance, so that your supervisor can give you advice and satisfy themselves that the proposed project is feasible.
Completing your application
You will need to complete the Postgraduate Research Application form. Please read carefully the Apply for Research programmes page, and particularly the advice regarding the format of your research proposal and written sample that you will need to submit pertaining to the School to which you are applying.
Additional statement
As part of the application process, you will need to include a supporting statement articulating your rationale for pursuing online study. This statement should be included in your Research Proposal (and it falls outside the normal word limit).
In this statement, you should demonstrate how the online format will align with your proposed research project and plan, and include any other relevant information. Keep in mind that the School may request additional information later during the application assessment process. This is to ensure that you have carefully reflected on the implications of online study for your research project and that Schools can make informed decisions about the viability of supporting the proposed project.
Tuition fees
As a student at the University of St Andrews, you will be expected to pay tuition fees every year that you are in attendance. Fees may increase annually during the course of your study. The amount you will have to pay depends on the degree you are studying for and your fee status.
The online PGR programmes have the same tuition fee structure as their equivalent in-person programmes, including the differentiation between Home and Overseas fee status. This approach reflects the comparable academic provision, supervision, and institutional support and resources made available to online PGR students, which are equivalent (though not identical) to those received by in-person students.
Funding
As an online PGR student, you will be eligible for internal funding related to tuition fees (e.g. Handsel scheme) as normal. Online PGR students may not be eligible for any internal funding that covers stipend and living expenses – please see the terms and conditions of the relevant funding scheme.
Have a look at our Postgraduate scholarships for a full list of funding available to our students.
Academic Schools often offer additional funding to PGR students (e.g. for travel, etc). Please check the webpages of the relevant School for more information.
If your studies are funded through an external funding scheme, it is your responsibility to check eligibility, particularly for any funders’ requirements regarding location of study, and compliance with the relevant terms and conditions.
Visa and immigration considerations
The University cannot sponsor visas for students on online PGR programmes. There is no exception to this, as it is not possible within the relevant legislative framework.
Online PGR students are not eligible to apply for the Graduate Route visa.
Matriculation
You will be able to matriculate online using the Online Matriculation system, which you will be able to access through the student portal MySaint. You will receive email notifications prior to matriculation, explaining all the steps and tasks you will need to complete – the process should be seamless!
Keep in mind that you will need to matriculate annually for each year of your studies.
Terms and conditions of study
Online PGR students are subject to the standard Terms and Conditions of Study, the Student Conduct Policy and any other policy that applies to all students at the University of St Andrews. You will be informed and sign acceptance of the relevant terms and conditions during the matriculation process; and will be able to access and view all relevant policies in the Policies, procedures and guidance webpage (Governance Zone): https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/policy/.
Induction
As an online PGR students, you will be able to attend online induction activities and sessions, which will offer you an all-round introduction to academic study and postgraduate research at the University of St Andrews. It is unavoidable that we cannot replicate some of the in-person activities, but the University and your School will do our best to ensure you have all the information you need at the start of your studies!
Coming to St Andrews
In principle, you will not be required to come to St Andrews during your studies. However, some Schools may include optional visits to St Andrews for specific activities (e.g. School induction, PGR student conferences, etc). In such cases, you and the School will need to liaise with the University’s Student Immigration Service for advice, in advance of any travel to the UK.
Supervision
Supervision for online PGR students mirrors the established practices and quality standards of our in-person provision. Academic supervisors will maintain the same frequency of contact, intellectual engagement, and scholarly guidance through appropriate digital platforms. Documentation and record-keeping should follow the protocols used for in-person students. The core supervisory relationship remains unchanged, with adaptations made only to the medium of communication rather than to the substance or quality of supervision, ensuring that you will receive equivalent supervisory expertise as campus campus-based peers.
Access to resources
As an online PGR student you will have access to a wide array of electronic resources including e-books, electronic journals, and online databases, though some may have UK or campus restrictions, and some online resources are not available from specific countries (e.g. China). You will be able to request items not held in our collections. Articles or a single chapter from a book can usually be made available in electronic format and sent directly to you. Items only available in physical format cannot be provided.
As an online PGR student, you can receive equivalent support services including subject guides, email/chat enquiries, virtual reading room access, one-to-one appointments, and workshops on information retrieval and research skills.
Skills and Training
In regard to training offered centrally, the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute offers a substantial portfolio of online courses that you will be access seamlessly, including remotely-delivered GRADskills workshops, with recordings and materials typically available afterwards, and various others online resources specific to PGR students.
Having said that, some training opportunities will remain available only in-person, due to their nature and resource availability. Please have a look at the information in the pages above to ensure you are happy with our provision before applying for online PGR study. From the University’s side, we will be monitoring the training needs of our online PGR cohort and will try to adapt training provision accordingly, developing additional online training modules where significant gaps are identified.
Similarly, Academic Schools are reviewing their own provision and ways to incorporate online PGR students in current arrangements (if possible) or to create bespoke online training. Again, this is an area where the online study may fall short to study in-person, and something to take into account when deciding whether to pursue online studies.
Wellbeing
Our Student Services support undergraduate and postgraduate students of any background, protected characteristics, or stage/mode of study. Student Services team can offer wellbeing and coaching support. They also run online workshops available at different times through the year. Students will also have the opportunity to discuss support plan which could include teaching and learning adjustments, such as extra time, with a Disability adviser where they may need this.
Keep in mind, though, that as service provision depends on individual needs and circumstances, including location of study, it may be that online PGR students will not have full access to some of the services, particularly on counselling and mental health support.
Employability
As an online PGR student, you will have comprehensive access to careers support equivalent to on-campus postgraduate researchers. The Careers Centre offers remote appointments via Teams, including initial 15-minute consultations, CV and LinkedIn advice sessions, and longer 30-45 minute career guidance meetings tailored to students’ specific needs. You will be able to access these services through CareerConnect. Additionally, online PGR students can participate in remotely-delivered GRADskills workshops, with recordings and materials typically available afterwards. You will have full access to digital resources including subscription-based services such as CareerSet, Interview360, Graduates First, and GoinGlobal. While some in-person events like certain career fairs may not be directly accessible, the overall careers provision ensures that distance learners receive comparable support, including continued access for up to three years after graduation.
Progress monitoring
Your School will ensure that there is effective monitoring of the progress of your research and thesis. In addition to the implementation of the Progress Review policies and practices, online PGR students will be encouraged to develop a detailed study plan in collaboration with your supervisory team, establishing clear milestones and expectations for regular progress updates. You can expect robust monitoring systems with regular, scheduled check-in points to ensure timely identification of any issues and offer of support, when needed.
Assessment
The assessment of online PGR students will follow the norms of the in-person programmes and the Assessment of PGR students policy.
Award
Upon successful completion of your programme, you will be awarded the same award as the students who study the programme in-person, with no indication of ‘online’ or ‘distance learning’ in the title of the award. The remote element of the programme will be mentioned in any further documentation that will be provided to students and graduates.
Tutoring
It is common for doctoral students to be able to work as tutors during their studies. Unfortunately, teaching experience represents an area where online PGR students will have more limited opportunities compared to your in-person counterparts. Having said that, while you will not be able to participate in classroom-based teaching, online PGR students may have opportunities to contribute to the Schools’ online teaching, if available. However, significant restrictions apply for international students and those not domiciled in the UK, who will be excluded from online teaching due to employment and taxation regulations and HR compliance issues.
Studying online for a research degree is a substantial undertaking; you need to make sure that it is the appropriate mode of study for you, and your topic. Here are some considerations that you need to take into account when thinking about pursuing postgraduate research through distance learning:
Funding: Some funding for postgraduate research study may not be available for online study.
Face-to-Face interaction: Although our online learning programmes include extensive contact with supervisors and peers, studying online often lacks by default the in-person interaction with professors and peers, particularly in social context or in research seminars, workshops, conferences, etc. that take place in St Andrews.
Access to resources: Although a lot of the learning resources are available online, you may have limited access to material that is not digitised, and on-campus resources such as laboratories, reading rooms, and research facilities, which can be crucial for certain fields of study. You need to consider carefully and satisfy yourself (and your supervisor!) that you will be able to access all the material during your online studies.
Self-Motivation and discipline: Distance learning requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation. Without the structure of a traditional in-person setting, it can be challenging to stay on track and manage your time effectively.
Technical issues: Reliable internet access and technology are essential for online learning. Technical difficulties can disrupt your studies and communication with your supervisor and peers.
Social life: Studying online can sometimes feel isolating, as you may miss out on the social aspects of campus life and the sense of community that comes with it.