Stirling, Scotland

University of Stirling Partnership

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University of Stirling Partnership

Program Overview

BRING YOUR LOVE OF SPORT TO ONE OF SCOTLAND’S YOUNGEST UNIVERSITIES

Known for its progressive outlook, Stirling has a wide range of liberal arts offerings, a vibrant arts center, and a recently renovated library. Small class sizes make it easy to get to know peers and professors alike.

As a national training center for Scottish swimming, football, and rugby, the university has a strong sports and fitness culture and great facilities. If you work up an appetite, no worries. You’ll eat well on campus, with 10 cafes and coffee shops, offering smoothies, paninis, flatbreads, noodle dishes—and a famous Sunday roast.

Stirling’s self-contained, lakeside campus, complete with a 18th-century castle, views of the Highland foothills, and its own golf course reflect Scotland’s natural beauty. Need more of the great outdoors? Stirling is the gateway to the Highlands, putting mountains, white sand beaches, and 30,000 lochs (lakes) in reach.

Your program also includes insider experiences and an IFSA excursion to the Highlands, all with no extra fee. Explore icons like the Three Sisters peaks, Loch Ness, and Dunnottar Castle, as you share an insider’s view of the historical events that shaped this country’s history and culture.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 1

Academic Year: April 1

Spring: Oct. 1

Minimum GPA

2.80

Credit load

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Instruction language

English

Language prerequisites

None

Visa required?

Not in most cases. Learn more.

Apply Now

Academics

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

Search for courses on the University of Stirling’s online course catalog.

Credit Conversion
A full course load at Stirling is 60 credits for the semester (equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours).

1 SCQF credit = .25 U.S. semester credit hours

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

In Film & Media Studies, most study abroad students can take only theory classes (SCQF levels 8 and 9 in Film & Media Studies). There are very limited spaces in the production classes, and students must have a substantial background to qualify to take these classes.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of Stirling:

More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
More advanced instruction and material than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Scottish students specialize earlier and have extensive background in that area before university studies.
Lecture-style classes supplemented with smaller tutorial classes when you can engage with peers and tutors.
Assignments are often rewarded for broad reading and ability to analyze and demonstrate understanding of different arguments and perspectives.
Final grades are often based only on a single final exam or final paper, or just a few assignments.
Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the semester program or one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the year program.
Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Your application to this program will require one (1) academic letter of recommendation.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.

Activities

City Walking Tour: During IFSA Orientation, learn about the city on foot and attend a walking tour of the social, cultural, and historical sites of Stirling.
Scottish Parliament Tour: See behind the scenes on a guided tour through the chambers of the Scottish Parliament, how the Scottish Government makes new laws on devolved matters, and how it debates the issues of the day.
Glasgow Mural and Street Art Walking-Tour: Glasgow has created a Mural Trail featuring the diverse range of art within easy walking distance of the city center. Follow the trail of a huge range of artwork on display which has something to suit all tastes, from conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre. Enjoy discovering the hidden public art, with assistance from digital resources, with this self-paced walking tour.
Ceilidh Dancing to Scottish Folk Music: A Ceilidh is a fun-filled night of wild dancing, good music, and Scottish culture! A live Scottish folk band plays through traditional music as one of the band members calls out the dance steps to the group, teaching how the dance goes. As the music takes off, the fun begins.

Excursion

Highlands Trip: On your first day of the Highland’s excursion, delve into the past and discover how Scottish Highland ancestors lived, how they built their homes, how they tilled the soil, and how they dressed. Then visit the Culloden Battlefield, location of the final Jacobite Rising. It was the last and most harrowing battle to be fought on British soil and its impact ripples into present day Scotland. On day two, sail across the waters of the legendary Loch Ness to learn about the history of the renowned loch and what makes it so famous. Perhaps have a look for the Loch Ness Montser yourself! Immersed yourself in the verdant and impressive rolling hills and mountains of the highlands with spectacular views of the Three Sisters Mountains in Glencoe. Also experience the poignant history of Stirling at the Wallace Monument and learn about the history of the battles fought at this strategically located city.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option

Meals

Self-Catering

Details

Most students live in university housing on campus, though some live off campus in Stirling city center, about two miles away. Either way, expect to share an apartment with four to ten students, generally with individual bedrooms and shared living spaces.

Some housing options have extra amenities—like private bathrooms—that warrant higher charges. Please keep in mind that if you’re placed in more expensive housing, you will incur additional charges to cover these costs.

Sample housing

Explore Alexander Court to see what your Stirling home might be like:

Location: On the east end of campus past the lake, about a 24-minute walk to the library and academic buildings. The university shuttle also runs regularly around the campus, making it easy to get around.
Living space: Students live in apartments in groups of five to seven. Students have single bedrooms, each with a bed, desk, chair, and storage. Each apartment has a large bathroom with two showers, two sinks, and two toilets, plus living space and a kitchen with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and kettle. Students provide bedding, towels, and basic kitchenware.
Meals: There’s no meal plan. Many students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of the day. The university also has several small cafes and restaurants on campus.
Additional details: 24/7 staff assistance. Housekeeping help. Laundry.
Nearby: Peaks Sports Village. Macrobert Arts Centre. Stirling Old Town. Stirling Castle. Wallace Monument on Abbey Craig. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.