Access to degree studies courses

We welcome enquiries from anyone interested in studying at the University of Stirling. Whatever your age, whether you have qualifications or not, your life and work experience will always count. Just come and talk to us about your ideas for your own lifelong learning on tel: 01786 467940 or email: education@stir.ac.uk

At the University of Stirling, we are proud of the flexibility of our courses, giving students greater choice about how, and when, they study. If starting on a degree feels like too much to begin with, you can start by studying for a Certificate or a Diploma in Higher Education.

Or, if you feel you lack qualifications or the confidence to start on a degree straight away, you may start by doing an Access course.

How can I start towards a degree?

If you are returning to study

A lack of qualifications needn’t be a barrier to joining our courses. Candidates with appropriate experience who have an enthusiastic and committed approach to study can apply to the Part-time Access Course. No formal qualifications are necessary, but we’ll take account of other work and life experiences that demonstrate potential for academic study. You’ll be interviewed and then asked to submit a short piece of writing.

This course is taught on our Stirling campus, and lasts nine months. Access classes are taught in the evening (Mondays and Thursdays) 18:30 to 21:30.

It’s designed to prepare you for university study. Initially, you’ll take a Learning Strategies module to help you generally, then you can choose from a variety of subjects. For example, English, History, Sociology or Psychology all suit students wishing to go on and study Arts, Social Sciences or Business/Management courses. Or, if you plan to enter a science-based degree or nursing-related course, you can choose the Nursing or Science routes (all classes are taught in the evening, Mondays and Thursdays, 18:30 to 21:30).

Once you’ve successfully completed this course, you can choose from our range of degree options.

If you're an HNC or HND student

We’ve developed excellent links with colleges of Further Education, both locally and nationally. With some of them, we have formal and informal agreements that enable students to move from a specific HNC or HND course onto a University of Stirling degree course, entering in the second or third year.

• Check the course pages to see which ones offer this,
  or
• Contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Service at admissions@stir.ac.uk