Before you arrive

We can’t wait to welcome you to the University of Stirling, whether you are studying on campus or online. Make the most of your time at Stirling from the moment you arrive on campus or begin your studies by working through this list.

Start dates

Your start date will depend on the level or type of course you're studying. Start dates may have changed since you applied, so you must check information for your course.

See the start dates

Stirling Essentials

Access Stirling Essentials, an on-line module to help you prepare for study at University. We recommend you work through this module before you arrive. Stirling Essentials will be available throughout your studies as it is the gateway to a wide range of advice and study skills resources.

Download the Stirling app

Get all your university services at your fingertips with the University of Stirling app. The app provides your personalised timetable and real-time, on-the-go, anytime information to support you during your time at Stirling. It's available free for all students.

Download the app

IT equipment and digital skills

Make sure you have access to a laptop or computer as you require this to be able to study effectively on all our courses. We have laptops available for short and longer term loans. You also need basic digital skills in using software such as Office 365. We offer workshops to if you need to improve your skills.

See our IT guidance and support available at Stirling

International students

We can’t wait to welcome you to the UK and to the University of Stirling. There’s a few extra things you need to do in preparation for your arrival, so we’ve prepared some useful guidance for you in our international students section.

Enrol online

Follow our easy online enrolment process. This includes:

Setting up your University of Stirling student computer account
Registering for the modules you want to study this year
Payment of fees
Uploading a photo for your student ID card

Undergraduate enrolment

Postgraduate enrolment

Create your timetable

Here's how to get your personalised class timetable:

Download the University App to access your personalised timetable which is populated with details of lectures and other full class activities for your modules, once you enrol.
Next, you need to sign up for seminars and other small group sessions for your modules via Canvas, our Virtual Learning Environment, before they will appear on your personalised timetable. It is available from a week before the start of semester. Sign up quickly because the sessions can fill up quickly. This guide to Canvas will help you get started.
Once you have signed up for sessions on Canvas, they will appear in your personalised timetable on the App the next day. Your timetable is now ready!

Your timetable indicates:

the module code for each activity
the type of teaching activity (e.g. lecture (L) or a tutorial (T))
the weeks of semester the activity takes place (e.g. wk1-3)
the location of the class (online is noted as “virtual” or a room on campus e.g. C. B23= Cottrell Building, B corridor, room 23). Finding your way to classes can take a little time, so allow plenty time. Use our maps and floorplans to help you locate your teaching rooms.

If you have questions then use LiveChat on the portal or ask at the information desks on campus when you arrive. Remember classes start on the first day of semester so prepare your personalised timetable before semester begins. We try not to change the timetable after it is published, but sometimes this is unavoidable, so please check your timetable regularly.

Arrange your accommodation

If you are studying on campus and haven’t already sorted out accommodation, on or off campus, you need to check out your accommodation options.

Accommodation

Organise your travel to campus

Don’t leave it to the last minute to work out how you’re getting to campus.

Check out our getting here page with lots of travel information

Make a list of what to pack

We’ve prepared a handy list with suggestions of what you need to bring with you. Try to be organised with your packing and just bring what you really need.

What to bring with you

Check and update your vaccinations

Coronavirus vaccines are available at our on-campus pharmacy. To book an appointment, phone the national COVID-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 or visit the NHS Inform website.

Students aged between 17 – 24 years are strongly recommended to have a MenACWY vaccination if they didn’t already get the vaccination at school or sixth-form college. Get more information on the NHS website.

Studying online

If you are undertaking your study online, away from campus, remember all our services are available online including Student Support Services and Student Learning Services. Our library carries a wide range of electronic resources and our Be Connected programme offers online activities for our Stirling community of students and staff. You will need to consider having an appropriate place to study, without distractions and where you can take part actively with classes online, with a good WiFi connection and appropriate device.

See how we can support you

Our Student Support Services team are always on hand to offer advice and guidance on a range of topics including money advice, support for disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties, as well as counselling and wellbeing support.

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulties for which you may need support please contact Student Support Services. See our Accessibility and inclusion information. There's also support information available for care experienced young people.

Additional things to do before you arrive

To avoid having to do everything on-site the day you arrive on campus, there are a few more things you can complete beforehand to make settling in easier:

Got a question?

If you have any questions about student life then who better to ask than one of our current students!

Chat to our students