Navigating the Joint Degree Experience

Welcome, Current Joint Degree Programme Students

As a student in the William & Mary–St Andrews Joint Degree Programme, you’ll split your undergraduate experience between William & Mary in Virginia, USA, and the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Your home university is the one to which you applied and where you completed your first year; your host university is where you spent your second year. As part of the Programme, you must spend your second year at the host institution.

Planning Your Third and Fourth Years

As you approach the end of your second year, you'll begin working closely with your advisor to plan your third and fourth years. Your academic and personal goals will help determine where you should be for each year. Remember: whichever university you choose for your third year, you must spend your fourth year at the other. Please take into consideration your major's Fourth Year Research Requirement as you make this decision (St Andrews: Dissertation, William and Mary: Honors Thesis, Capstone, Independent Study). 

Life at William & Mary

During your time at William & Mary, your experience will be similar to that of other W&M students. You’ll participate in orientation, live in the residence halls, and have access to the full range of student services and activities—except for ROTC and select varsity sports due to program limitations.

Academic Structure and Expectations

Unlike most W&M students, you began your academic journey with a declared major. As a result, your coursework will follow a distinct path from that of your peers. Programme majors have unique requirements that may differ significantly from the standard W&M curriculum. Be sure to review the Programme Guide and Catalog Supplement for detailed information, including grading systems and academic expectations.

Frequent meetings with your academic advisor are essential to ensure you’re meeting all degree requirements and making the most of your time in the Programme.

Graduation

As a Joint Degree student, you're invited to attend graduation ceremonies at both institutions. Please note: if your final year is spent at St Andrews, you will receive a placeholder diploma at William & Mary’s ceremony. Your official diploma will be conferred after your final grades and any honors from St Andrews are processed.