Coming from school

It can be difficult to know what you want to do when you leave school. University is an option that is open to everyone no matter who you are or where you come from.

We're here to help you figure out what you want to do and the best way for you to get there.

Our Student Recruitment Team are happy to advise school students and their families/supporters. All contact is confidential and impartial and, with your permission, we'll help make the road into university easier. We'll put you in contact with the right people and make sure you get the support you need.

+44 (0) 1786 467046
wp@stir.ac.uk

A prospective student talking at a University of Stirling open day

Am I a widening access student?

If you’re at high school and one of the statements listed below applies to you then yes, you are a widening access student. Find out more:

If you are from a priority postcode area – use our postcode checker to find out
You are involved in the Schools for Higher Education Programme (SHEP) – Aspire North, Focus West, LEAPS, Lift Off
You are a care experienced student
You are a young or adult carer
You are an estranged student

Widening access students may also be eligible for an adjusted offer.

SHEP – Schools for Higher Education Programme

SHEP is broken down into four main groups:

Aspire North - Aberdeenshire, Highlands, Moray, Orkney and Shetland
Focus West - Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, the West
LEAPS - Borders, Edinburgh, Forth Valley, the Lothians
Lift Off - Dundee and Angus, Fife, Perthshire

Each group works with schools to raise aspirations and awareness of the opportunities available to the pupils they work with. Use the links above to find out if your school is part of the SHEP programme.

The University works closely with all four programmes to help support their pupils in a variety of different ways.

Adjusted offers and contextual admissions

Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer based on the minimum entry requirements for a course. So if you are studying Highers, the grades you need for the course could be reduced by up to two grades lower than the typical Highers grades listed on our course pages. See our admissions policy for more detail.

Here’s an example of how it works:

For SQA Higher Qualification, the minimum entry requirement may be adjusted by up to two grades.

Adjusted offers
SQA Higher Typical Entry Requirement	SQA Higher Minimum Entry Requirement
AAAB	ABBB
AABB	BBBB

To confirm if you will be eligible for a contextual offer, please get in touch with our team by emailing wp@stir.ac.uk.

Find out more

How do I find out about university?

Get in touch – it's as easy as that!

Meet the team

+44 (0) 1786 467046

wp@stir.ac.uk

Visit us

We can arrange individual visits for you and a friend, adviser or parent/guardian to let you see the campus, find out more about what we offer, and answer any questions you have. You might want to find out more about a particular subject, get advice about your qualifications or find out what specific support you could receive.

You'll meet with one of the Student Recruitment Team, and if you like you can also book one of our campus tours which are led by our Student Ambassadors.

All you have to do is get in touch via email and we'll do the rest.

Open Days and Offer Holder Days

Open Days are a great way to find out more about everything to do with university life. A range of information desks are available where you can speak to University staff, academics, and current students. We have a dedicated information stand manned by our widening participation staff who can help you get the most out of the day.

If you've been made an offer then you'll be invited to an Offer Holder Day. These are really useful for you and your family and friends even if you live locally or have visited the University campus before. They give you time to ask staff and students about what it is like to study at Stirling and lets you find out all you need to know about the next steps in the application process.

If you're coming on your own to either of these events or are unsure of what to do on the day, get in touch once you've registered online and we'll make sure you get the most out of your visit.

What support can I get?

Our friendly and welcoming team are your first point of contact for all kinds of support and they would be happy to talk to you at any time - even before you come to university.

Once you start studying at Stirling, can offer a range of services, including:

Finance - you should get in touch with our Money Advisers as soon as possible, even before you come to university. They'll help you to budget, manage your money and let you know about any additional sources of finance you could get.

Accessibility and inclusion support - our advisers offer one-to-one information, support and guidance before you arrive and throughout your time at university to assess what you need and help you to access it.

Personal tutor - personal tutors help students feel part of the university community. They're your first point of contact for everything from academic guidance to personal advice throughout your studies.

Student Learning Services – the Student Learning Services team help students to enhance their study skills, build your confidence in academic work and support students’ success in learning and teaching.

STEER - our peer mentoring programme in run by The Students' Union and offers one-to-one support from a current student for your first year of study.

Students’ Union - the Union provides support and guidance on issues ranging from academic to housing to finance; provided by trained staff who are on hand to talk through any issues you may face whilst at university.

Where do I get help?

If you'd like to discuss your options, or talk through what it might be like to come to university, contact our Student Recruitment Team who can provide advice online or, if you would prefer, arrange a visit.

Finance

The Student Awards Agency in Scotland support Scottish students through their higher education journey. You can find more information on their website. You can find more information on the SAAS website.

Students from outside of Scotland should talk to their finance provider in the first instance.