The Joint Degree Programme between William & Mary (W&M) and the University of St Andrews (St Andrews) is one of the few of its kind in the world. Students complete two years at each institution and earn a single degree - a Bachelor of Arts (International Honours) - with the insignias of both institutions. The requirements and restrictions unique to the Joint Programme are spelled out here; otherwise, Joint Programme students have access to the services and are governed by the policies spelled out in the front of this Catalog.

Mission. The Joint Programme melds the best aspects of two academic traditions, while offering to students a greater range of academic choices and the opportunity to acquire direct knowledge of two distinct intellectual and national cultures. Existing degree programs in each institution are designed according to contrasting principles: William & Mary offers a broad Liberal Arts education with a majority of study hours devoted to subjects outside the major; St Andrews offers less breadth in a degree characterized by increasing depth in a single discipline. The aim of the curricula in each of the six disciplines will be to offer more breadth than a traditional St Andrews degree as well as more specialization than is usual at William & Mary.

Programs. The six participating disciplines at William & Mary have identified significant complementarities with St Andrews. By effectively pooling faculty and courses in Classical Studies, Economics, English, Film Studies, History, and International Relations, the two institutions can offer students a broad range of new academic options unavailable at either institution alone or on traditional study abroad programs. Individual program requirements and William & Mary course offerings are explained below.

Admission to the Joint Programme

Students apply to the Joint Programme through either William & Mary or St Andrews; they may not apply to the Joint Programme through both institutions. Students apply simultaneously for general admission to William & Mary and for specific admission to the Joint Programme. Applications are due by January 1.

Students may apply early decision to William & Mary, but there is no early admission application to the Joint Degree Programme. Early decision applicants who would also like to be considered for admission to the Joint Degree Programme may submit the Supplement, but the decision for the Joint Degree Programme will not be made until April. Any applicant who accepts an early decision offer will be committed to William & Mary, but may still enroll later in the Joint Degree Programme if admitted.

Because students must spend two full years at each institution and because of the continuance standards specified below, transfer credits from other universities will not be awarded. Prior learning cannot be counted toward the COLL 150 requirement or requirements specific to the major. Prior learning may only be used to satisfy foreign language proficiency, quantitative proficiency, and the knowledge objectives, as described below.  There can be no concurrent courses, admission during senior year of high school, FlexTrack, or admission as a non-degree seeking student.

The institution to which the student is admitted is the home institution and the one at which the student will spend year one; the other institution is the host institution and the one at which the student will spend year two. Students’ interests and courses of study will determine at which institution they spend years three and four, but they must spend one of those years at each institution.

Transfer from William & Mary into the Joint Programme: First-year students at William & Mary may apply to transfer into the Joint Programme no later than January 15th of their first year. Students applying for a first-year transfer will have to demonstrate that they are on track to complete 30 credit hours at William & Mary (not counting AP, IB, transfer, etc.) before they begin their second year at St Andrews; and they must consult with the appropriate major advisor about enrolling in the appropriate first-year courses in the major during both semesters.

William & Mary students who apply to the Joint Programme after their first year will be admitted only under extraordinary circumstances and with the consent of both W&M and St Andrews; such students will still have to complete two years each at William & Mary and St Andrews, and so will very likely require five years to complete their requirements.

Students transferring from William & Mary into the Joint Programme may have to pay an additional entrance fee.

Transfer from the Joint Programme into William & Mary or St Andrews: Students admitted into the Joint Programme through William & Mary (i.e., whose “home” institution is William & Mary) may, at their request, become regular degree-seeking students at William & Mary provided they meet the normal requirements for continuance.

Students admitted through William & Mary who wish to become regular degree-seeking students at St Andrews must petition to the W&M Programme Director to transfer, and, if approved, they will be required to apply via St Andrews’ normal admissions process.

All transfers of students admitted through William & Mary from the Joint Programme to either William & Mary or St Andrews become effective at the beginning of the semester after the student receives permission or admission to transfer.

Students admitted through St. Andrews who wish to become regular degree-seeking students at St Andrews will be required to apply via St Andrews’ normal transfer admissions process. 

Students admitted through St Andrews who wish to become regular degree-seeking students at William & Mary must apply for transfer admission to William & Mary and should be aware of the following guidelines:

1. Students are strongly recommended to transfer after their second year in the Joint Degree Programme (i.e. after the first year at William & Mary) so that they may transfer to William & Mary as academic juniors. Transferring at this time will ensure that students are able to meet William & Mary’s minimum 60 credit hour residency requirement without extending their time to graduation. Please note that coursework taken at St Andrews as part of the Joint Degree Programme does not count towards the minimum 60 credit hour residency requirement.  For this reason, St Andrews home students who transfer to William & Mary may have to complete an additional year at the university.
2. Students should meet with the Director of Transfer Admission in Undergraduate Admission to discuss their transfer plans. This meeting can be scheduled prior to applying to transfer or after the application is submitted.
3. In order for St. Andrews home students to be competitive in William & Mary’s transfer applicant pool, it is recommended that students have a minimum cumulative program GPA of 3.0.

Readmission: Students whose home institution is William & Mary, who are in good standing in the Programme per the continuance standards below, but who have not been in attendance for one or more semesters must submit an application for readmission to the Office of Academic Wellbeing. Normal deadlines apply; however, readmission is contingent upon discussion with and the recommendation of the Programme Director and the consent of both institutions.

Summer School: Joint Programme students may take summer school courses for credit only at William & Mary (including W&M Summer Study Abroad).

Student Financial Aid. Financial aid for Joint Programme students is administered in the same way as it is for regular W&M students.  In most cases, we are able to meet the full need of Virginia students. The maximum grant for nonresident students is capped at one-quarter of the full cost of education.

Tuition and Other Expenses. The fee for the Joint Degree Programme is $48,400 for the academic year 2024-2025, to be charged at $24,200 each semester. This amount covers tuition and fees with the exception of the following:

Residence Hall fees and room damage deposit
Meal Plan fees
Orientation fee(s)
Special instructional fees (music, labs, art, activity courses)
Books and printing fees
Fines, returned check, and other penalty fees
Parking
Transportation
Summer School tuition
Personal Expenses
Commencement Fee

Because of the nature of this Joint Programme, there is no tuition differential based on domicile (for example, there is no in-state tuition rate for Virginia residents). Detailed information on these fees and other tuition policies can be found in the “Tuition and Other Expenses ” chapter of this catalog or on the Bursar’s Office website.

Academic Regulations

Academic Advising. Students whose home institution is William & Mary (and host students once they arrive at William & Mary) will be assigned to a Joint Programme advisor in their major; the individual program’s designated major advisor will advise the student during both years in residence at the W&M and, via email, when the student is at St Andrews. First-year students are required to attend one advising meeting during each registration period prior to registering. Second-year students (i.e., those for whom William & Mary is the host institution) are also required to attend three advising meetings: one when they arrive, one before they register for their second semester, and one at the start of the second semester to determine where they will spend their third and fourth years. Students must also meet with their major advisor at the start of the academic year in which they return to William & Mary, and, if they return for their third year, again before they register for their second semester and before they register for their fourth year. These are minimal requirements; students are encouraged to meet regularly with their Joint Programme major advisor when they are in residence and to communicate via email when they are at St Andrews.

Academic Records, Confidentiality and Privacy. Joint Programme students sign a release at the time of matriculation that allows William & Mary and St Andrews to share student record information. The federal laws and university policies explained in the “Academic Records, Confidentiality and Privacy ” section of the “Academic Regulations” chapter at the beginning of this catalog apply to all Joint Programme students while in residence at William & Mary.

Classification of Students. In the Joint Programme, academic classifications are as follows:

First-year: 0-30 credits earned (0-120 St Andrews credits)
Second-year: 31-60 credits earned (124-240 St Andrews credits)
Third-year: 61-90 credits earned (244-360 St Andrews credits)
Fourth-year: more than 91 credits earned (364 St Andrews credits)

Enrollment Statuses. All Joint Programme students must maintain full-time status, with the extraordinary exception of a student forced to take a medical underload (see below). “Full time” at William & Mary is defined as a minimum of 12 credits per semester (15 credits is the norm). “Full-time” at St Andrews is in most cases 60 credits (15 W&M credits) per semester. While at William and Mary, Joint Programme students are permitted to take as few as 12 credits per semester, but only in consultation with their Advisor, as Joint Programme students must have earned 60 W&M credits (240 St Andrews credits) by the end of their second-year Spring semester.

In exceptional circumstances, students may petition for approved underloads. These petitions are administered by the Committee on Academic Status and may be approved when warranted by special circumstances. Additionally, underloads may be approved as academic accommodations by Student Accessibility Services when appropriate. In all cases, students must obtain consent of the Programme Directors at both institutions prior to petitioning for an underload. Because underloads might make it difficult to meet continuance standards, underloads will be approved in only rare and extenuating circumstances..

Withdrawal (or Leave) from the Programme is possible consistent with the procedures at the institution to which the student will return. If a student requests withdrawal/leave midsemester or midyear, they will follow the leave and return procedures of the institution in residence. If a student requests withdrawal/leave between academic years, they will follow the leave and return procedures of the institution to which they will return. The regulations of the institution which grants the leave will apply, though the other institution will be consulted. Students in residence at W&M can find those procedures under “Registration and Withdrawal  ” in this Catalog. The student shall, if at all possible, first discuss the withdrawal with the Programme Director and should be aware that withdrawal might make it difficult to meet continuance standards.  

System of Grading

Repeated courses: Any course in which a student receives an “F” or a “W” or a “V” may be repeated for a grade (grades of “W” are given only at W&M); however, students should be aware that these grades will make it very difficult to meet continuance standards.

Incomplete Grades: Grades of “Incomplete” (or “D” at St Andrews) require the approval of the instructor; students must complete outstanding essential coursework while they are still in residence at the institution at which they took the course.

Pass/Fail and Audit: Joint Programme students may avail themselves of the audit and Pass/Fail policies in the “Academic Regulations” section found earlier in this catalog. Neither audit nor pass/fail courses may count toward degree requirements for the Joint Degree Programme. This includes but is not limited to knowledge objective and proficiency requirements, major/minor requirements, residency requirements, and the 120 W&M (480 STA) total required credits. Additionally, courses completed at St Andrews are not eligible for pass/fail selection. The only exceptions are the Transitions course taught by Programme Directors (INTR 161  and INTR 162  at William & Mary; PO1001 and PO2001 at St Andrews), which are taught as pass/fail courses.

Continuance Standards

BA (International Honours) students who do not meet the minimum progression criteria at the end of the academic year, regardless of whether they are home or host students, will be subject to the academic intervention policies at each institution. Note that: 

Students Enrolled at William & Mary: In order to stay on track, students should follow the plan of study for required courses that is listed for each major in this Catalog. Students will work with their advisors to register for courses which meet degree requirements.

Students should accumulate at least 30 W&M credits (equivalent to 120 St Andrews credits) per academic year at W&M. Students must earn a D or better in all attempted major courses by the end of fourth semester.  

Any student at William & Mary who does not meet required number of credits as outlined above or who maintains less than a 2.0 grade point average will be placed on academic probation and is required to participate in the W&M academic intervention program. 

No official action (i.e., the notification that the student is on probation or has been suspended) will be taken until the end of the academic year; and Joint Programme students will have the academic year after they have been put on probation to achieve the minimum continuance standard. Students in residence at W&M who have a cumulative GPA below a 2.0 at the end of a semester will receive notice from the Programme Director, will be required to meet with the major advisor, and must participate in the Academic Intervention Program.

Students on probation who do not meet the continuance standards by the end of their probationaryacademic year will be suspended from William & Mary and required to leave the Joint Programme; if they are home students, they may apply for reinstatement to William & Mary but they may not be reinstated into the Joint Programme. See policies for “Continuance” and “Reinstatement” at the front of this Catalog.

If, at the end of the add-drop period in any given semester at William & Mary, a student has dropped or failed to enroll in (a) prerequisite(s) necessary for that student to continue in his or her program, or in the final semester a course required to graduate, that student may be administratively dropped from the Joint Programme.  

If, at the end of any given semester, a student’s performance makes continuance in the Joint Programme impossible (for example, because the student lacks the prerequisites to advance, or fails in the final semester a course required to graduate), that student may be administratively dropped from the Joint Programme. 

An exception may be made if the student plans to attend summer school and has a note from the major advisor agreeing to the plan and assuring that the necessary courses will be offered, OR if the student receives an exemption per the procedures in “ Exemptions from Degrees” below.

Students Enrolled at St Andrews: Students who fail a module in a given semester at St Andrews will be issued with a Performance Warning by the Associate Dean. 

Students at St Andrews who do not achieve 60 credits in Semester One and students who are required to sit reassessments after Semester Two will be issued with a Progression Warning by the Associate Dean. 

Students who, at the end of the academic year, do not meet the minimum progression criteria for the BA (International Honours) programme, will be placed on probation. Students on probation must achieve 60 credits in each of the next two semesters, and will be required to meet with the Associate Dean and Student Services. 

All Students: Normally, students may take below 15 credits per semester only when they are in residence at William & Mary and when they have devised a plan with their major advisor to make up the credits before beginning the next academic year.  Students in residence at St. Andrews are expected to complete 120 (30) credits each year (but see Appeal to Progression to the Third Year below).

By the end of their fourth semester, students must have accumulated 60 (240) credits; must have completed a COLL 150 ; and must have passed with a D (7) or better, on their first attempt, all courses in their major subject or required for the major.

Progression in Years 1 and 2

During the first two (“sub-honours”) years, students are expected to carry at least 30 W&M/120 StA hours per year.  Of those, 25 W&M/100 StA hours must be earned at each institution.  The remaining 10 W&M/40 StA hours may be taken at either institution, including William & Mary summer school or summer study abroad.  Courses chosen in Year 2 should show progression:  students studying at St Andrews in Year 2 will typically take at least 80 (StA) credits at the 2000 level, and students studying at William & Mary will typically take at least 20 (W&M) credits at or above the 200 level.

Admission to Honours

Students who fail to achieve the specific standards for progression to the third year may be asked to leave the Joint Programme (see below). Students who have not met the continuance standards for progression to the third year but who wish to continue in the Joint Programme may appeal to both the Pro-Dean at St Andrews and the Programme Director at W&M. The appeal must be submitted as soon as grades are published at the end of the fourth semester. In order for the appeal to be considered:

• Students must have earned 30/120 credits in year 1 and at least 23/90 credits in year 2; and
• The respective authorities at both institutions will decide together whether the student will be permitted to continue on probation. If permitted, the student must have earned 90/360 credits by the end of the 3rd year, and must earn grades of at least 13.5 in two 3000- or 4000-level modules in their major subject (if year 3 is spent at St Andrews) or a grade of B in at least two 300- or 400-level courses in their major subject (if year 3 is spent at William & Mary). Students who do not meet these conditions of probation will be asked to leave the Joint Programme.

Credit Requirements During Honours Years (Years 3 and 4)

• Students must earn at least 60 (W&M)/240 (StA) credits in Years 3 and 4 combined.
• Students must take 30 (W&M)/120 (StA) credits at each university.
• With the approval of  the Programme Directors and major advisors at both institutions, students may apply up to six (6) 300- or 400-level credits taken at W&M during the summers before Years 3 and 4 toward the total required Honours credits.
• Of the 60/240, students must complete at least 52.5 (W&M)/210 (StA) credits at the 300(0)-400(0) level in Years 3 and 4 combined. No more than 7.5/30 credits below the 300 level may be taken.
  • Of the 60/240 total credits, at least 45 (W&M)/180 (StA) credits must be in the major at the 300(0)-400(0) level.
    • Of the 45/180 major credits, at least 22.5 (W&M)/90 (StA) must be at the 4000 level at St Andrews or at the equivalent level at W&M. Some 300 level courses at W&M will count towards this requirement. See your major advisor for a list.

Continuation for International Students.  Any student in the Joint Degree Programme will be an international student at one, if not at both, institutions.  Students should be aware of the requirements for the university’s continued sponsorship of their visas, which may include attendance, prompt payment of fees, etc. See https://www.wm.edu/offices/revescenter/issp/visasandimmigration/index.php for requirements at W&M, and http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/international/information/tier4students-oursharedresponsibilities/ for requirements at St Andrews.

Religious Accommodations Guidelines. William & Mary’s Guidelines apply to all Joint Programme students in residence. St Andrews does not have these same guidelines: students in residence at St Andrews need to notify their instructors as soon as they discover any conflict between religious observances and required academic activities; students have the responsibility to arrange course schedules to minimize conflicts.

Requirements for Degrees

The undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Arts (International Honours), or BA(IH), combines the breadth and flexibility of a liberal arts degree with a four-year program of in-depth study in one of six disciplines: Classical Studies, Economics, English, Film Studies, History, or International Relations. The Joint Degree Programme requires students to plan carefully with their major advisors a course of study suited to their particular needs and interests.

All Joint Degree Programme students must take a reading-, writing-, and discussion-intensive seminar (COLL 150 ) during their first year of residence at William & Mary. This seminar satisfies William & Mary’s first year seminar and writing proficiency requirements.

William & Mary has identified a series of knowledge- and skills-objectives critical to a liberal arts education; students in the Joint Programme will work with their major advisors to choose courses offered at both institutions that satisfy these objectives. And Joint Programme students will pursue in depth a major in one of the six disciplines, with opportunity for both independent study and Honors.

The College of Arts & Sciences at William & Mary and the Faculties of the respective Schools at St Andrews determine the degree requirements for the BA(IH), including the regulations for continuance in the Joint Programme. Therefore, the “Requirements for Degrees ” section that appears earlier in this catalog has been modified for this Programme.

Test, Transfer, and Pre-Matriculation Credit

Students in the Joint Programme may not apply credit from College Board Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate examinations, etc. toward the Joint Degree. However, exam scores may count toward course exemptions and satisfaction of the foreign language proficiency, quantitative proficiency, and the knowledge objectives, as described below.

No transfer credit may be applied toward the Joint Degree, and there is no credit by examination. However, college-level coursework completed post-high school graduation may count toward ssatisfaction of the foreign language proficiency, quantitative proficiency, and the knowledge objectives, as described below.

Summer School and Study Away

Joint Programme students may apply summer school courses taken at William & Mary (including W&M summer Study Abroad), toward the BA(IH), as long as the student spends two complete academic years in residence at each institution. No other study away may be counted toward the Joint Degree.

Requirements for the Baccalaureate Degree, International Honours

General Requirements. 120 W&M credit hours (equivalent to 480 St Andrews credit hours) are required for graduation and a minimum GPA of 2.0 (10.5 St Andrews). William & Mary home students must complete at least 61 W&M credit hours in residence at W&M. Students are expected to complete the Joint Degree in four years of full-time study; only in exceptional circumstances (such as approved withdrawal) may the time to degree be extended.

The 72-hour rule does not apply to students in the Joint Degree Programme.

There is no possibility of a double major in the Joint Degree Programme.

Credit Hour Limitations in Applied Music, Military Science, Wellness and Activity Courses, Statistics, and Theatre and Performance.

Joint Programme students may not apply credits from courses taken in Applied Music, Military Science, Wellness and Activity Courses, and Theatre and Performance toward the Joint Degree, with the following exceptions from Theatre and Performance, which may be applied to the Joint Degree: THEA 150 , THEA 200 , THEA 222 , THEA 263 , THEA 272 , THEA 308 , THEA 320 , THEA 328 /THEA 328W , THEA 329 /THEA 329W , THEA 331 /THEA 331W , THEA 332 , THEA 333 , THEA 334 , THEA 336 , THEA 337 , THEA 410 /THEA 410W , THEA 415 , THEA 461 /THEA 461W , THEA 481 ; DANC 100 , DANC 111 , DANC 150 , DANC 201 , DANC 211 , DANC 212 , DANC 220 , DANC 230 , DANC 261 , DANC 262 , DANC 264 , DANC 303 , DANC 304 , DANC 305 , DANC 306 , DANC 311 , DANC 312 , DANC 313 , DANC 314 , DANC 321 , DANC 322 , DANC 333 , DANC 350 , DANC 401 , DANC 406 ,DANC 411 , DANC 412 , DANC 460  ; SPCH 205 , SPCH 311 , and SPCH 410 .

Joint Programme students may count only two introductory statistics courses from either institution toward the Joint Degree.

Joint Programme students may apply 3 credits of internship toward the degree.

Exemption from degree requirements: Requests for exemption from any Joint Programme degree requirements must be presented to and approved by the Programme Director, and must be supported by documentation (if applicable). Requests will go to the Committee on Degrees at William & Mary and must also be approved by the relevant administrators at St Andrews.

Course Specific Requirements

Joint Programme students are required to complete the university’s foreign language, writing, quantitative, and major computing proficiencies and a first-year seminar (COLL 150). All William & Mary home students in their first year, and host students from StA at W&M in their second year, will take a COLL 150 and a 1-credit course in the Fall that will prepare them for the academic culture at W&M. W&M first year home students will also take, in the Spring semester of their first year, a 1-credit course that will prepare them for their first year abroad.

Joint Programme students will work with their major advisors to choose courses that satisfy the knowledge objectives that underlie William & Mary’s existing general education requirements.

Knowledge objectives:

An understanding of the world of nature;
An understanding of individual and social behavior;
A general historical knowledge of Western civilization;
An acquaintance with a non-Western cultural tradition;
A general knowledge of masterworks, genres and movements in art, music, and literature;
A general knowledge of major philosophical and religious systems.

The Major. Unlike William & Mary undergraduates, who are admitted in an “undeclared” status, BAIH Joint Programme students are admitted to one of the six programs (“majors”), the specifications for which appear at the end of this section.  In Year 2, Joint Programme students must complete at least 80 credits at the 2000-level at St. Andrews, or at least 20 credits at the 200-level or above at W&M. In Years 3 & 4, Joint Programme students must complete the equivalent of 45 W&M/180 StA credits in upper division courses (300-400 or 3000-4000) counting toward their major. This means that typically students must take at least 5 upper-division courses in courses counting toward their major at W&M.

A Joint Programme student who wishes to change majors may petition to do so through the major advisor in the prospective department. Such changes are difficult, but when the student has taken the appropriate courses and space permits, the petition maybe granted by the academic directors at both institutions.

Double majors are not possible in the Joint Programme.

Joint Programme students may earn one W&M minor provided they declare the minor through appropriate procedures and successfully complete the requirements as defined by the Catalog and by the department or program.

Honors and Special Programs

Departmental Honors Projects are available in the individual programs and are governed by the stipulations in the “Requirements for Degrees ” section found earlier in this catalog.

Graduation (Latin) Honors will be calculated for Joint Programme students as described in the “Requirements for Degrees ” section and will be reflected on the transcript at both institutions.

Degree Class (I, IIi, IIii, or III) will be determined for Joint Programme students by the University of St. Andrews and reflected on the transcript at both institutions.

Disclaimer:

William & Mary is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of St. Andrews is not accredited by SACS Commission on Colleges and the accreditation of William & Mary does not extend to or include the University of St. Andrews or its students. Further, although William & Mary agrees to accept certain course work from the University of St. Andrews to be applied toward an award from William & Mary, that course work may not be accepted by other colleges or universities in transfer, even if it appears on a transcript from William & Mary. The decision to accept course work in transfer from any institution is made by the institution considering the acceptance of credits or course work.

The Joint Degree Programs

Programs

• •  Classical Studies (BA [International Honours] in Classical Studies)
• •  Economics, (BA [International Honours] in Economics)
• •  English (BA [International Honours] in English)
• •  Film and Media Studies (BA [International Honours] in Interdisciplinary Studies, Film & Media Studies)
• •  History (BA [International Honours] in History)
• •  International Relations (BA [International Honours] in International Relations)