Rankings and accreditations

The Stirling Management School has a reputation for delivering some of the best management education in the UK, with many of our courses being recognised and accredited by professional bodies.

Find out more about our rankings, accreditations and awards, as well as our prestigious memberships.

Our rankings

The Guardian University Guide 2023

  • Economics - 2nd in Scotland, Top 10 in the UK
  • Marketing and Public Relations - 1st in Scotland, 2nd in the UK

National Student Survey 2022

  • 1st in Scotland for course satisfaction in Marketing

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

  • Economics - Top 5 in Scotland

The Complete University Guide 2023

Economics - Top 5 in Scotland, Top 20 in the UK
Marketing - 2nd in Scotland, Top 20 in the UK

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021

  • 85% overall student satisfaction for Stirling Management School
  • 87% student satisfaction for Teaching and Learning in Stirling Management School

Find out more about the University of Stirling's rankings and affiliations.

Our accreditations and awards

Small Business Charter

As a Small Business Charter accredited School, we’re recognised for our work supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship.

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Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME)

The United Nations’ initiative on the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) aims to support transformative change in management and business higher education institutions internationally, and the University of Stirling Management School is proud to be an advanced signatory of PRME.

PRME is a network of business and management schools sharing best practice in promoting responsible management education. Its main goal is to support institutions in preparing future managers, professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs to engage in economic activities in a responsible and sustainable manner.

As a PRME advanced signatory, the University of Stirling Management School shares these values through teaching, research and public engagement. We have a particular focus on responsible business, and teach this as a core element in all our courses.

Stirling Management School 2021 PRME progress report

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The Chartered Institute of Marketing

Our MSc Marketing course has dual award accreditation with The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). If you’re a student of the MSc Marketing course, this means you can also graduate with a CIM Certificate or Diploma depending on the modules you take.

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The Chartered Management Institute

Our MBA is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – ensuring that you graduate with two qualifications, an MBA and a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

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The Chartered Banker Institute

Our internationally recognised MSc Digital Banking and Finance course is accredited by The Chartered Banker Institute. When you graduate you’ll be awarded with credits towards their professional qualifications, and you can take an accelerated route to Chartered status.

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The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

We're recognised as a member of the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program with our MSc Investment Analysis course. This is a designation awarded to academic institutions that embed a significant portion of the CFA® Program Candidate Body of Knowledge™ into their curriculum. We're one of very few affiliated partner institutions in the UK, and one of a select group globally.

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Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a world-recognised professional accountancy body. If you graduate with our MSc International Accounting and Finance, you’ll also graduate with professional ACCA qualification status. The ACCA also give accreditation to all of our Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) degrees, giving you exemptions from their exams after you graduate.

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Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

We’re recognised as an Approved Centre by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), with our Human Resource courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level accredited by the CIPD.

Logo for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)

Our MSc Finance and Risk Management is a Financial Risk Manager partner of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The course covers at least 70% of the GARP body of knowledge along with 100% of the ethics and professional conduct learning objectives required for the FRM Part I examination or FRM Part II examination.

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Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI)

Our BA Finance and BAcc Accountancy and Finance are affiliated with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI). With this accreditation, our students gain the CISI Introduction to Securities and Investment professional qualification and have access to professional resources and networking opportunities.

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BAcc degrees - additional accreditations

In addition to the ACCA, all of our BAcc degrees (single and joint) are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS), granting you significant exemptions from their exams when you have your degree.

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Our memberships

The European Foundation for Management Development

Demonstrating our School’s strong international focus, we’re members of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).

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The Chartered Association of Business Schools

The Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), is a leading professional body for UK business and management education, supporting us to maintain world-class standards of research and teaching.

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AACSB Business Education Alliance

AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.  Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,500 organisation, from more than 90 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Global Education Alliance does not imply accreditation, but we are on the journey to secure it. 

This network is a global, non-profit membership organisation of educational institutions, businesses, and other entities devoted to the advancement of management education. Established in 1916, AACSB provides its members with a variety of products and services to assist them with the continuous improvement of their business programs and schools.

AACSB provides internationally recognised, specialised accreditation for business and accounting programmes at the bachelors, masters, and doctoral level. The AACSB Accreditation Standards challenge business school educators to pursue excellence and continuous improvement throughout their business programmes. AACSB Accreditation is known, worldwide, as the longest standing, most recognised form of specialised/professional accreditation an institution and its business programmes can earn.

For more information about the AACSB please visit www.aacsb.edu

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