University of Stirling

History

• Founded in 1967, Scotland's first new university in 400 years. Celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007–08.
• Strong history of innovation and excellence.
• Designated Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence in 2008.
• The first UK University to introduce a two semester system.

Location and transport

• Beautiful 125.5-hectare (310-acre) campus boasting a loch and an 18th-century castle situated less than an hour away from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• The historic and lively City of Stirling is only a ten minute bus ride from the campus and the university encourages and supports students and staff to user greener methods of transport.
• Had adopted the Carbon Management Programme (CMP) and aims to reduce the university's CO2 output by 20% by 2013.
• The campus has been described by the police as one of the safest in Britain and has a strong community feel.
• The city of Stirling was judged as having the best student living experience in the UK (National Student Housing Survey 2010 awards).

Entry standards

• If you do not obtain the grades the University has asked for, it does not automatically mean that your application is rejected, but we review it again, paying particular attention to the personal statement, reference and past academic performance. You may, therefore, still be offered a place despite not having achieved the exact conditions required.

Student mix

• Around 23% of the student population is from overseas.
• Over 100 nationalities are represented amongst the student and tutor population.
• 94.1% of undergraduates are from state schools or colleges.

Course flexibility

• At undergraduate level there are over 300 degree combinations, with few restrictions on which subjects are studied together.
• There are innovative options for February entry, and back-to-study programmes for anyone returning to education.

Teaching standards

• Gained best possible result in the 2011 QAA enhancement led institutional review with QAA reporting 'broad confidence' in the university's teaching and learning provision.
• Voted third in Scotland for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2011.

Research standards

• In the most recent RAE (2008), 10% of Stirling research was judged to be 'world leading' and a further three-quarters as 'internationally excellent' and 'internationally recognised'.
• Stirling is top in Scotland and 9th in the Research Success Rankings for attracting research income (Research Fortnight, 2007).
• Stirling was third in the UK to launch the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

Academic strengths

• At the forefront of research and learning that helps to improve lives. Working with academic, commericial, public, private and voluntary sector partners. Key strengths are Health & Wellbeing, Environment, Culture and Society, Sport, Enterprise and Economy.
• Specialisms include patient centred cancer care, sports science, dementia, aquaculture, management, education, media studies, retail studies and social marketing.
• 90.5% of our graduates are in employment or taking further study within six months.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• Library: Stirling recently opened the doors of its £11.4 million state-of-the-art library refurbishment, which has created a stunning contemporary environment.
• 950 computers in computer labs, libraries and elsewhere (many 24 hours), plus connection points throughout campus and wireless networks.
• MacRobert Arts Centre is based at the heart of the campus with lively programme of cinema, drama, dance, comedy and music.

Disability services

Students' union

• Offers over 80 student societies and sports clubs, volunteering opportunities as well as student activism and representation.
• Runs Nightline, a 24-hour listening service, and a separate advice and support centre for academic and personal support.
• Provides a range of award-winning bars and venues on campus. Received Best Bar None accreditationin 2010 and 2011.

Sport

• The university is designated as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence by the Scottish Government.
• Home to the National Swimming Academy and Gannochy National Tennis Centre.
• Facilities include a sports hall, squash courts, a state-of-the-art fitness suite, a 400m running track, Football Academy and Golf Academy.
• The university sent 14 current and former students to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, three athletes to the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games and more than 70 athletes to World Universities' events.
• Stirling has produced 65 national champions and over 100 senior and junior internationalists in a wide range of sports.
• The campus is a hub for sports agencies including the SportsScotland Institute of Sport, the Central Scotland Institute of Sport; the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, Scottish Swimming, the Scottish National Women's Football Academy, Triathlon Scotland and Falkirk Football Club.
• In 2010–11, 89 students benefited from the International Sports Scholarships programme, which provides financial help, coaching and programme flexibility to allow time for student athletes to compete.

Recent/prospective new builds

• A complete refurbishment of the university library was completed in August 2010.
• The University is to spend £43 million on the replacement of a significant part of the original student accommodation at Stirling, and the refurbishment and maintenance of the remaining accommodation.
• The University opened a football academy on campus in August 2008.
• A £1.3-million tennis development within the National Tennis Centre was completed in 2007.
• The Highland Campus took up residence in a new Centre for Health Science, Inverness, in January 2007.

Availability of part-time work

• The Career Development Centre’s Job Shop helps students find part-time work both on campus and in the City of Stirling, and also helps students find full-time work during vacations.
• The historic City of Stirling offers many opportunities in retail, hospitality, administration and tourism for students looking for part-time work.

Notable alumni

• Iain Banks – author.
• John McLellan – editor, the Scotsman.
• Derek Lambie – journalist, editor Scottish Sunday Express.
• Grace Dent – reporter, author and television critic.
• Jack McConnell – former First Minister of Scotland.
• John Reid, MP – former Home Secretary.
• Richard Lochhead MSP – Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment.
• Neil Brailsford QC – Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates.
• Neil Davidson, QC – Solicitor General for Scotland 2000–01, Advocate General for Scotland 2006.
• Sir Callum McCarthy – former Chairman, Financial Standards Authority.
• Richie Ramsay – winner of the 2006 United States Men's Amateur Golf Championship.
• Sir Bill Gammell – former Chief Executive of Cairn Energy plc.
• Dr Donald MacLeod – President and Chief Operating Officer, National Semiconductor Corporation.