Stirling’s 330-acre campus is set around Airthrey Loch, where a mile-and-a-half-long path is ideal for a stroll or a jog while you take in the view. Airthrey Castle, built in 1791, overlooks the scene. Stirling’s elite sports facilities — the National Tennis Centre as well as the National Swimming Academy — are open to students. From the pool in the £20 million sports centre, swimmers can see the natural green space outside. Campus Central’s atrium is the focal point of student life, with plenty of study and collaboration spaces, cafés and a shop. Glasgow and Edinburgh are within easy reach but students wanting to broaden their horizons further can opt to spend a semester or a year studying at one of Stirling’s 70 partner universities across four continents.  

What is the University of Stirling’s reputation? 

Stirling was the first university in the UK to pioneer an academic year of two 15-week semesters instead of three terms. Its research prioritises global challenges, aiming to change lives and create a more sustainable world.

Stirling’s research record remained consistent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), in which almost 80 per cent of the submission was rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Some of the best results were in agriculture; veterinary and food science; geography and environmental science; and social work and social policy. The university ranks 50th in our research quality index. The Institute of Aquaculture stands out for its pioneering work in the world’s fastest-growing food production sector.

Deteriorating results year-on-year in our analysis of the National Student Survey have contributed to Stirling’s ten-place fall in our main academic table (63rd). Students recorded declining satisfaction with teaching quality (down 55 places to 103=) and the wider undergraduate experience (down 42 places to 92=). Campus upgrades may lift students’ spirits: digital and physical modernisation is on the way for Stirling’s classrooms, and student residences are having a makeover. 

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?

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What are the University of Stirling’s entry requirements – and my chances of getting in?

Stirling is 16th in the UK for entry standards in our analysis, with new students averaging 171 Ucas tariff points. The standard entry requirements differ by course and for a small proportion of eligible students, contextual admissions take the pressure off by two Higher grades. The lowest Scottish Higher entry requirement is CC plus 2 National 5 passes and highest is AAAB.

What are the graduate prospects?

Students can find a mentor within a global network connecting them with staff and alumni. The university’s Innovation Park hosts start-ups and established businesses, and collaborative research projects — providing potential jobs. Academic faculties work alongside the careers service to offer internships, placements and volunteering experiences to students. But with just over two-thirds of leavers in high-skilled jobs or further study 15 months after finishing their degree, Stirling has lost ground by nine places for graduate prospects (67th). 

What is the University of Stirling’s campus like?

At the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, Stirling’s campus beneath the Ochil Hills is one of the most beautiful in the world. The Pathfoot Building designed by John Richards, now listed, was the original heart of the campus, opened in 1967. Now Campus Central, a £23 million project opened in 2021, provides a new gateway to academic life. Students who climb the 246 steps to the top of the Wallace Monument, built to commemorate the Scots hero Sir William Wallace, are rewarded with unmissable views over the Forth Valley, and a new tree-lined route from Campus Central to the Sports Centre has a viewing area over the loch. 

Everything you need to know about the University of Stirling’s student life and wellbeing support

The £20 million sports complex has fitness studios, a gym, a three-court sports hall and an indoor cycle studio as well as strength and conditioning areas. Outdoors, Stirling has the full range of artificial pitches for hockey, football, rugby, Gaelic football, lacrosse and American football, and an all-weather athletics track. The National Tennis Centre has six indoor courts as well as two clay and two synthetic courts outside. Students have a choice of 50 sports clubs to join, and more than 70 societies catering to most interests. The campus arts scene centres on the Macrobert Arts Centre’s programme of films, dance, drama, comedy and music. Heritage trails lead past the forest, loch, castle and community garden when you need to clear your head. Those in search of big nights out can get a train — every 30 minutes — to Glasgow or Edinburgh. The mental health, wellbeing and counselling service offers services including one-on-one therapy.

What do the students say?

"There’s a strong sense of community that really makes you feel at home. There’s always an opportunity to meet new people and explore different cultures and interests, with a wide range of student clubs and societies. Campus Central is one of my favourite places. The campus itself is stunning and a great place to connect with nature — we have our own loch and lots of green space to explore.”
Leen Ali, students' union president, and sociology and social policy student 

What about student accommodation at the University of Stirling?

First-year undergraduates who live more than 20 miles from campus are guaranteed a room in halls, as long as they confirm their place and meet the housing application deadline. 

How diverse and inclusive is the University of Stirling?

Having placed as high as sixth only two years ago, Stirling Is 11th out of 15 universities in our latest Scottish social inclusion ranking. Only 6 per cent of the intake had an ethnic minority background in the latest figures (14th). Stirling has the highest proportion of disabled students (8.8 per cent) of any university in Scotland.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Stirling

Students from the rest of the UK (who do not qualify for Scotland’s funding system) are eligible for an Undergraduate Merit Scholarship of £1,000 a year for three years, as long as they achieve at least AAB at A-level or equivalent. To sweeten the deal, Stirling waives tuition fees in the fourth year of study for those from England, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales. The Reid Family Scholarship of £8,500-£21,525 helps Scottish students who meet the criteria for widening participation.