IFSA-Butler at the University of Stirling

  Scotland

• Other Cities in Scotland: 
Stirling

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: September - June

Description: The town of Stirling, overlooked by its historical castle and the William Wallace Monument, served as the site of the Scottish Parliament until the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603. The University of Stirling was established by royal charter in 1967 and occupies a beautiful 350-acre site three miles from the town. The University lies within Airthrey Estate, which has its own castle and loch. At its beginning, the university adopted a semester plan, radically different from the rest of the British universities and very similar to the American structure.

The campus is located only two miles (three kilometres) north east of Stirling's town centre, on the outskirts of the small former spa town of Bridge of Allan. The campus is served by a frequent bus service, so the town and its wide road, rail and bus connections, is easily accessible.

The campus itself is set on a 350-acre wooded and landscaped site. On the north shore of the loch are the student residences. On the southern side are the main social areas, campus shopping facilities, the library, administration block and many of the teaching buildings. To the west of the residences is the Pathfoot teaching building.

The social building includes central Scotland's main arts venue, the MacRobert. This theatre hosts virtually every type of artistic event from ballet to musicals, films to art exhibitions, plays to folk concerts. The campus also has a large sports Center and offers rugby, soccer, American football, hockey, swimming, squash, basketball, tennis, golf and a wide range of other sports, all available at different levels of skill and participation. Visiting students are warmly encouraged to take part in these, usually by joining the many student sports clubs and the Sports Union.

Stirling's position also enables its students to enjoy the advantages offered by Scotland's two main cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, both less than an hour's travel away, as well as the benefits of the spectacular countryside which surrounds it. The mountains and lochs of Scotland's highland areas begin only a short distance from the campus.

Highlights: Scotland, with its vibrant metropolitan areas and vast expanses of remote highland wilderness, has much to offer the prospective study-abroad student. Excellent universities and academic facilities coupled with a long tradition of scholarship and reverence for education make Scotland and Scottish society ideal for the visiting student.

Scottish universities enjoy a long tradition of scholarship and service. Four Scottish universities had been founded by the end of the 16th century, including the University of St. Andrews (1411), the University of Glasgow (1451), and the University of Edinburgh (1583). The Scottish model of higher education has been exported to and imitated in many places, including throughout North America.

The magnificent geography of the country, from the rolling pastureland of the Border Country to the densely populated Tay and Forth valleys, offers every type of outdoor activity. Universities reinforce these benefits with hiking, skiing, mountainbiking and various other types of clubs. Once students arrive in Scotland, they are often encouraged to join these Student Union sponsored clubs which, in addition to outdoor activities, also offer sports, theater and social clubs.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no