University of Stirling

Overview

Having been founded in the late 1960s, the University of Stirling is a relatively modern uni. The year it opened saw 164 undergraduates studying at Stirling, a figure that has now increased to over 18,000 students per year.

In its short existence, the University of Stirling has achieved a good reputation among UK universities. Its ambition is to improve its research profile and international standing to become one of the top 60 universities in the UK.

Stirling is a small city that sits around 30 miles north of both Glasgow and Edinburgh. It’s a historic city that is home to two of Scotland’s best-known landmarks, Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument.

The uni campus is set among 330 acres of land and is located on the edge of the city. You’ll find everything you need within a few minutes’ walk, including various eateries, sports facilities and an on-campus theatre and art-house cinema.

With Glasgow and Edinburgh a short train ride away, it’s easy to enjoy all that the two iconic cities have to offer, such as exciting nightlife scenes, professional sports and an abundance of arts and culture, including the Edinburgh Fringe festival. You’ll also find plenty to do on your doorstep with Stirling’s lively arts scene and nearby national park.

There are over 170 undergraduate degree course combinations to choose from at the University of Stirling, many of which are available on a flexible learning basis.

The uni splits its courses across five faculties. These are the faculties of Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences and Sport, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Management.

The flexible approach allows you to try various subjects in combination and even allows you to change your mind about what you want to graduate in during your course. It should be noted that the more vocational courses, that are aimed at specific careers, like nursing, social work and paramedic science, don’t follow this flexible structure.

You don’t have to combine subjects and you don’t have to switch what you’re studying if you don’t want to, but you can if you think you’d benefit from the more flexible approach. Some degrees can also be studied on a part-time basis.

Typically, undergraduate degrees at Stirling take four years to study and sometimes a course will include a placement year, study abroad option or an integrated master’s year.

You’ll need to meet course-specific entry requirements to be accepted onto a degree programme at the University of Stirling. A wide range of qualifications are accepted by the uni, including A-levels, Scottish/Advanced Highers, BTECs and the Welsh Baccalaureate.

You can see the grades needed to study each course on the uni’s degree search pages online, but we’ve also given you an idea of what you’ll need to study certain subjects below.

To get onto a degree in accounting, business or finance, for example, you’ll likely be asked for A-levels ranging from ABB–BBB (or equivalent qualification). For computing & IT degrees, you’ll likely need A-levels ranging from BBB–BB or Scottish Highers ranging from ABBB–BBB (or equivalent qualification). To get onto a maths or science degree, you’ll probably need A-levels of around BBB or Scottish Highers of AABB (or equivalent qualification).

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.

You’ll find a range of modern, safe and spacious accommodation at Stirling that’s suitable for different budgets and preferences. All options are single occupancy and there are residences both on and off campus. In total there are 2,800 uni bed spaces, across 18 properties.

New undergraduate students are given priority when it comes to the allocation of uni accommodation and you’re guaranteed an offer of uni-managed accommodation in first year if you meet the eligibility criteria, including applying for accommodation before the deadline.

Contract lengths are either 36 weeks or 42 weeks (44 weeks for nurses and paramedics) and prices range from around £85 to £182 per week. In student accommodation, rent payments include the cost of energy and WiFi.

Should you not wish to stay in uni residences, privately rented accommodation options are also available. You’ll find self-contained flats, houses and private halls in Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as flat shares and bedsits.

The University of Stirling’s Student Skills and Employability Service is dedicated to improving the job prospects of the uni’s students and graduates. For example, it will help you decide on which career is best for you. The online Careers on Canvas resource, personality tests and volunteering opportunities will all help you narrow down your career choices while you’re at uni.

The service also aims to develop your employability, skills and confidence in the workplace by lining you up with internships, work experience and part-time job opportunities while you’re studying. The TARGETconnect resource is a great place to start when looking for these opportunities.

You’ll also be able to attend a diverse range of careers events, graduate fairs and skill sessions. The events and fairs provide great opportunities to learn about different industry sectors, as well as meet potential employers and grow your professional network. The skill sessions and workshops will help you improve important employability skills, improving your job prospects for when you graduate.

There’s additional funding available for students who meet certain criteria, in the form of scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic or extra-curricular merit, while bursaries are given out based on individual circumstances. The funding can go towards student fees and living costs and doesn’t need to be paid back.

There are scholarships and bursaries available for ambitious students from all backgrounds. An example of one of the scholarships on offer is the Sanctuary Scholarship which provides a value of up to £900 to UK-based students who’ve applied for asylum or are in the UK as a refugee or on humanitarian grounds.

Additionally, the Stirling Welcome Scholarship provides a £1,000 cash award to all students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland who meet the conditions of their offer and choose Stirling as their firm or insurance choice uni.

You can find more information about all of the scholarships and bursaries on offer at Stirling, including eligibility criteria, by visiting the uni’s online funding pages.