University of Stirling top five in the world for sports facilities and campus environment

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University of Stirling Sports Centre
The University of Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

The University of Stirling has ranked top five in the world and first in the UK for its sports facilities and its campus environment in a sector-leading survey tracking the international student experience.

The latest International Student Barometer (ISB) underlines the University’s global reputation for sporting excellence and its beautiful 330-acre campus, world class environment and facilities.

The University’s welcoming and diverse community was also recognised – with 95% of students saying there is a friendly attitude towards Stirling’s 5,500 international students, who make up more than a third of the total campus-based student population. There are more than 140 nationalities represented at the University. International students have an overwhelmingly positive impact on society, enhancing Scotland’s skill base and its connections with the wider world.

Meanwhile, the University and Stirling Students’ Union ranked top 20 in the world for their clubs and societies, with 95% student satisfaction with the Union.

1st in the UK and Top 3 in the world for campus environment, International Student Barometer Wave 2 2022

Top 3 in the UK for feeling safe and secure on campus, ISB Wave 2 2022

1st in the UK and top 5 in the world for sports facilities, International Student Barometer Wave 2, 2022

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Stirling, welcomed the latest ISB. He said: “We are incredibly proud of our rich and diverse community here at the University of Stirling.

“It comes as no surprise that our beautiful campus, which is at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and in the shadow of The National Wallace Monument, is a huge draw for international students.

“We put great emphasis on the student experience here at Stirling and have recently enhanced the heart of our campus, with digitally connected spaces for our students to socialise and study, as well as shops, cafes, a theatre and cinema, and a new Student Services Hub. Furthermore, our recently redeveloped Sports Centre provides our students, staff, elite athletes, and members of the community with state-of-the-art facilities to help them stay healthy, active, and well.

“To receive independent global recognition of the University’s campus environment and our sports facilities is important – and we will continue to work hard to ensure the University of Stirling remains a destination of choice for international students for years to come.”

Watch: The University of Stirling, Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

With 98.5% student satisfaction, the University ranked third in the world for campus environment and top three in the UK for feeling safe and secure on campus. Meanwhile, the University’s sports facilities placed fifth in the world.

The sporting recognition complements the University of Stirling’s longstanding designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, first bestowed in 2008.

It also caps a hugely successful period for sport at the University – with Stirling swimming sensation Duncan Scott becoming the most decorated British Olympian at a single Games; Scott and fellow athletes winning a record number of medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham; sports scholars securing a haul of medals at the Winter Olympics in Beijing; student footballers making history in the Scottish Cup and winning the Scottish universities cup; and our men’s tennis stars being crowned best in the UK

In other highlights, the ISB reported:

  • Overall, 91% of international students were satisfied with their experience at Stirling
  • 96% of Stirling students felt their qualification would impact their future career
  • Stirling is top 20 in the world for its library, and top 10 in the UK
  • Stirling is top 10 in the UK for good teachers and expert lectures
  • 97% student satisfaction with lecture theatres and classrooms
  • 95% satisfaction with accessibility and inclusion
  • 93% satisfaction with career services support

For further information on the University and its rankings, please visit our webpages.

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