University Court

University Court is responsible for the following key areas:

  • Mission, vision and strategy of the University
  • University students and staff
  • Financial systems and control environment
  • Corporate governance
  • Senior management of the University

More information about the responsibilities of Court are given in the Statement of Primary Responsibilities.

The University Calendar sets out the powers of University Court.  The University’s Schedule of Reservations and Delegations provides details of the powers that Court reserves to themselves for decision and those that can be delegated to other committees or officers.

Court membership

Membership of Court is defined in Statute 9 in the University Calendar.  Chaired by a lay member, it comprises:

  • The Principal
  • The Convenor of Stirling Council
  • The President and Vice President of the University of Stirling Students’ Union
  • One member nominated by the Chancellor
  • The Senior Deputy Principal
  • Six members of Academic Council, of which no fewer than two should be non-professorial
  • One member from the University of Stirling Alumni
  • Up to eleven other lay members (non-University staff)
  • One member appointed by Staff Assembly not being a member of Academic Staff

The University Secretary and Service Directors from across the University also attend Court meetings on a regular basis.  Court is serviced by a Clerk to Court from Policy and Planning.

View details of current Court members, including brief biographies.

Register of interests

Court maintains a Register of Interests into which members of University Court and officers declare any personal, business or other interest which may, or may be perceived by a reasonable member of public to, influence their judgement and the University’s decision making process.

Induction and training

Induction is arranged for new members when required. New members will be contacted about this to arrange suitable times. For ongoing training the University makes use of AdvanceHE Governors Development Programme which provides opportunities for governors to continually develop their skills.

Details of courses currently being offered are available below:

Governor Development Programme (GDP) | Advance HE

Agenda and minutes

View copies of Court agendas, minutes and papers

Review of Court effectiveness

A copy of the summary report from the last review of Court Effectiveness is available here Court Effectiveness Report. 

Court documentation