USA

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Entry

Please note: If you are a student applying from the USA and you are only applying to the University of Stirling as your UK University of choice, you can use the Common Application. If you are a student applying from the USA to other UK Universities additionally then you must apply through UCAS.

A good profile of grades throughout schooling, taken together with other factors (for example, place in class in relation to School Profile) and a minimum of 550-600 in each of the Verbal, Math and Writing components in the SAT. 

We may also request one of the following in addition to SAT scores:

• two AP tests at grade 3-4 or above
• a composite ACT score of 26-28 or above
• grade As in average/all High School Diploma subjects
• two SAT II subject tests with 550-600 in each
• a minimum of 28 points for the IB

Decisions are made on an individual basis. Generally speaking the qualifications which allow you to enter a Bachelor degree in the US would be considered for entry here.

Each course may have further specific entry requirements. All applicants must meet these requirements.

Our ACT college code number is 5513 and our SAT / AP school code is 0881.

Postgraduate Entry

Graduate students are expected to have a four-year Bachelor degree from a recognised US institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7. 

For some Research programmes, work experience may be required.

For postgraduate study, again the University recognises and understands the systems in many different countries throughout the world. As a guide, a strong Bachelor degree would be the normal qualification presented for study by a student applying from outside the UK.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you’ll need to demonstrate a level of English language proficiency by obtaining a pass in certain recognised tests and examinations. In addition from April 2011 the UKBA (United Kingdom Borders Agency) has set out minimum English band levels for Tier 4 visa applicants wishing to study in the UK.

We accept a variety of common language qualifications – for example either the IELTS or TOEFL:

IELTS (Academic & General Training)

Undergraduate Courses/Selected Postgraduate Courses *
A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skill)

Selected Postgraduate Courses
A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (with at least 6 in each skill)

Selected Postgraduate Courses
A minimum score of 6.5 (with at least 6 in each skill)

TOEFL

Undergraduate Courses/Selected Postgraduate Courses *
Listening 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23, Writing 21

Selected Postgraduate Courses
Listening 23, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 23

* Please note higher overall and band scores may be required depending on your programme of study, so always check your specific programme requirements.

We also accept a number of other SELT test equivalent scores.

Prospective undergraduate and postgraduate level students should view the English Language Qualifications , to review the current approved list.

Prospective postgraduate students should also check the specific levels required for their chosen programme by checking the postgraduate programme listings as appropriate.

Fees

Tuition fees vary according to degree programme and whether or not it is an undergraduate or postgraduate course.

Undergraduate Level

Students coming from USA are considered as "Overseas Students"

Please note: a higher rate applies to the following subject areas which are not class-room based: Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Biological Sciences, Computing Science, Environmental Sciences, Nursing and Psychology.

For a full list of Overseas Undergraduate fees please see the Undergraduate Tuition Fees page on our website.

Please note that the fees listed here are for degree seeking undergraduate students (those students wanting to graduate from the University of Stirling). If you are looking for Study Abroad fees, please check out the Study Abroad webpage after you've read the information on this page.

Postgraduate Fees

Tuition fees are payable for all postgraduate programmes. Fees are set each year for overseas students; the level of fees varies according to the programme choice. For full and up to date information on postgraduate fees, please visit the Postgraduate Tuition Fees page on our website.

It is important to be aware that postgraduate study is a huge financial commitment so it is crucial that you start to think about funding arrangements as soon as possible (ideally up to a year before your programme starts).

Funding is notoriously competitive so don't be surprised if you have to rely on more than one source of funding as this is becoming increasingly common. Please see the Funding/Scholarships section below for further information.

Cost of Living

The three types of living costs you'll need to consider when coming to Stirling are:

• tuition fees
• accommodation
• day-to-day living expenses (food, travel, socialising, etc)

One of the best reasons to come to the University of Stirling is the overall cost of living. Stirling boasts some of the lowest costs of living in Scotland and the UK. Living in Stirling is much cheaper than living in Glasgow, Edinburgh or London!

Living costs for full-time students include:

• accommodation - this is likely to be your single biggest expense, however we do offer accommodation at various prices starting from around £250 a month.
• food
• living off campus: household bills - gas, electricity, water rates, phone, TV license, contents insurance (some of these will be covered by your rent if you live in halls)
• clothes
• travel
• socialising
• leisure and sport
• study costs - such as books, materials and field trips for your course

University can be costly, but here at the University of Stirling you can enjoy student life without the high costs of living in a big city. Remember, Glasgow and Edinburgh are just 30-45 minutes away!

UCAS offers a great way for students to budget the costs of living for university students with a Budget Calculator.

Funding/Scholarships

Just because the University of Stirling is considered "international" doesn't mean you miss out on US Federal assistance for higher education.

Complete the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The School of Education recommends that you file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov, but a paper version of the application is acceptable. Indicate the University of Stirling as your school of choice on the FAFSA. Stirling's Federal School Code is G10228. If you are interested, please download our financial-aid.pdf , (PDF) which tells you how to apply for US Stafford and private education loans once you have been accepted as a student.

We have experienced staff on hand to help you through the financial aid process.

Applying for postgraduate study at Stirling? Applicants from the USA are encouraged to apply for a US Fulbright Scholarship Program. This scholarship could potentially pay up to £20,000 of your fees towards a one year masters or PhD programme in any subject area at Stirling.

Visa Requirements

For information about visa requirements please see our immigration information within the International section of our website.

Studying in Scotland

Undergraduate degree programmes in Scotland – and at Stirling – are typically four years (eight semesters in length). In first year you have the opportunity to take up to three subjects and maintain this breadth of study until the end of semester 3, when you start to specialise in your chosen area.

Scotland’s degree structure gives you the opportunity to try new subjects and even change the focus of your degree programme during the first two years. At Stirling, you have even greater flexibility as you are not restricted to a single department or faculty and can combine subjects from different areas, for example; Film & Media and Environmental Science, French and Psychology.

Taught full-time postgraduate master programmes are typically one full calendar year and at Stirling normally start in September. Research degrees typically take three or four years to complete.

Living in Stirling

Busy, confident and fun, Stirling is one of the most attractive places to live in the UK, capturing the historic and contemporary in a unique atmosphere.

The City of Stirling is just two miles from campus - less than 10 minutes by bus. This makes Stirling big enough to offer a full ‘city experience’: shopping, café culture, performing arts and nightlife. Yet it’s still compact enough to retain a warm community feel – and make it easy for you to get around and settle in.

Stirling combines the charm of an historic destination with the buzz of a contemporary city. There’s truly something for everyone, much of it aimed directly at students. You’ll soon learn that Stirling is linked to two of Scotland’s historic heroes: William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Along with a dramatic medieval castle, these give it a magical aura.

The University of Stirling campus hosts a range of facilities for students. All facilities are a short walk from each other. Facilities include:

• the University Library
• 24-hour computer labs
• 2,000 residential places on-campus and over 800 residential places off-campus
• the MacRobert arts centre, with theatre and cinema
• the Robbins Students' Centre with bars and nightclub
• a shopping precinct, with bank, travel agent, pharmacy and supermarket, book shop and newsagent
• extensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities
• a 50-metre swimming pool
• a nine-hole golf course and driving range
• a publicly accessible Art Collection
• various cafés and restaurants

Accommodation is guaranteed to all our first year students. International students (non-EU) are guaranteed accommodation each year.

There is a range of postgraduate accommodation on offer, a short walk from the campus. The Residential Services Office is also able to help you find private accommodation in the area with regularly updated lists of available rental properties and landlords.

Exchange Programmes

Are you currently an undergraduate student studying in USA? Are you looking to spend a year, semester or summer in Scotland? This information is for you!  We offer two choices to study abroad at the University of Stirling:

Term time (2 options):

• A full year
• Autumn semester or Spring semester

International Summer School Programme

We admit around 175 visiting students each semester.  About half come as part of a pre-organised exchange program organized through your home university and us.

Others apply through a Study Abroad provider and these are listed in the Programme Providers pages.

Exchange students are usually in their junior year (or third year) of studies, but can range from first year freshmen to super seniors. As an exchange student you can tailor your choice of classes (or modules as we call them) according to your own academic background and experience. We support students at all levels of undergraduate study.

We look forward to seeing you in bonny Scotland soon! Have a good look about the Study Abroad website, and if you have any further questions – please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us: study-abroad@stir.ac.uk

Of course, study abroad options are available for full degree students as an undergraduate at the University of Stirling. As a full degree seeking student, you will be able to apply to study abroad in your 3rd year here. More information about Erasmus and study abroad exchange programmes offered to full degree seeking students can be found here: Stirling Exchanges

Getting Here

Stirling is within one hour of both Edinburgh and Glasgow International Airports.

Stirling is well connected to the UK road and rail networks, and is only 45 minutes from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

It's super easy to get to Stirling from the states. Several major cities offer direct flights and most others can be reached via one of the European hubs such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London or Paris. Some direct routes are listed below.

Edinburgh Airport   

Delta
New York JFK

Continental
Newark 

American Airlines
Chicago

Dallas

An express bus service operates from the Airport to the Haymarket Train Station in Edinburgh, from which you can take the train or bus to Stirling. The train or bus takes approximately one hour. From Stirling station there is a bus which brings you into the University campus. The Citylink bus service from Edinburgh to Stirling brings you directly onto campus.

For information on Air Link www.flybybus.com

Glasgow International Airport

For more details visit the Glasgow Airport website.

An airport collection service is available throughout the year run by Stirling Direct. For further information please see our Airport Collection page.

For information on train times www.thetrainline.com
For information on bus travel to Stirling www.citylink.co.uk
For information on bus travel in and around the Stirling area www.firstgroup.com

Links with USA

We have several great links with the US. We have over 20 partner universities throughout the US. We also have some great programme providers for students wishing to study abroad.

The University is represented in many countries throughout the world by companies which offer educational counselling services, help in completing application forms and advice on matters such as visa applications. For details of such companies based in the USA please check our University Representatives webpages.

Visits to USA

We are often in North America and would be delighted to speak to you in person. Please contact us for details of our next visit to the USA.

We will be visiting the New York area from 8th of September to 17th of September. Please get in contact if you would like to schedule a visit with us.

Contact Information

International West & Study Abroad Office
Student Recruitment and Admissions Service
University of Stirling
Stirling, FK9 4LA
Scotland, UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 1786 467040
Fax: + 44 (0) 1786 466800
Email: study-abroad@stir.ac.uk
Web: www.stir.ac.uk