About Us
Sporting Excellence
First Minister Alex Salmond designated the University of Stirling as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence in 2008. We aim to be at the heart of Scottish sport, from innovative research improving the health of the nation to preparing athletes for Olympic and Commonwealth competition.
Our sport-centred campus brings together the people shaping Scottish sport and creates a critical mass of sporting knowledge and experience.
As Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, we were selected to manage Winning Students, Scotland's national sports scholarship programme for student athletes. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, the scholarships provide support to talented high performance athletes studying in colleges and universities across Scotland.
Read our report on the story so far
The School
The School of Sport is at the heart of the University’s sporting life, offering extensive study and research opportunities. Our scenic sports campus has state-of-the-art research and performance sport laboratories and exceptional sports facilities, including a 50m swimming pool and indoor tennis centre. Sports scholarships support talented athletes and partnerships with the sports industry ensure students have every opportunity to shape their future careers.
Background
Responding to the need to deliver degrees relevant to the world in which young people found themselves, undergraduate programmes in Sports Studies began in 1995, while modules in the science, culture and management of sport were offered as part of combined degree programmes through the erstwhile Faculty of Management.
Their popularity led to the appointment of the first professor of sport in Scotland in 1999 and the establishment of a Department of Sports Studies in 2000, uniquely bringing together research staff, lecturers and consultancy work with established sports staff to manage the extensive collection of sports facilities and services ranging from fitness classes to an International Sports Scholarship Programme.
Flourishing for a decade, the Department emerged as the School of Sport in 2011, and continues to carry out research at the cutting edge of a selection of sports disciplines. This research underpins and informs our teaching, sustaining a vibrant and innovating learning environment.
Moving forward, a ‘teaching hospital’ model for professional development will be introduced, while student employability is enhanced through new volunteering, teaching and coaching opportunities.
Sports Development Service
The School of Sport's Sports Development Service manages the extensive sports facilities and services at the University. It provides opportunities to participate in physical activity for recreational and health-related purposes.
It offers coaching courses in selected sports and health-related activities and provides numerous support services to the University’s competitive sports clubs.
It is also responsible for managing the International Sports Scholarship Programme, which offers and manages scholarships to talented and successful sportsmen and women.