Our alumni

Students come from all over the world to study at the University of Stirling, and we take pride in seeing what they go on to achieve after graduating. We have more than 110,000 alumni in 180 countries, and their stories form the fabric of who we are as a University.

Explore some of their testimonials and achievements below, and check out our timeline of key events from the University's history to see where we’ve come from and how our students have played a part in laying the foundations for a bright future. 

Student at graduation with football

Graduate stories

Former students share how their Stirling experience has prepared them for the future.

Students sitting in front of a ferris wheel

Class notes

See what your University of Stirling classmates are up to now and share your own message.

Doug Allen

Alumni achievements

Meet some of our successful and influential alumni and hear their Stirling stories.

woman at graduation

Award-winning students

Meet our Graduates and Students of the year and learn about their outstanding achievements.

Share your story

You can submit your own story by completing our graduate story form. The University and current, future and former students will really appreciate finding out more about what you've been doing since graduating. Responses will be stored in a secure alumni database and you can amend your personal information at any time by updating your contact details.

Graduate story form

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Update your details

Your contact info

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What our students said

View more student stories
Bo Goldsmit
Bo Goldsmit
Netherlands
MSc TESOL
The University of Stirling has given me the opportunity to connect with so many different people from different continents and cultures, something that would never have happened in my country. I have not only made lifelong friends, but also great connections for my career.
Read Bo's story
View more student stories

Key dates from our history

The University of Stirling was founded in 1967. Take a look at our story so far.

Site announced

It was announced that Stirling would be the site of a new university, following the publication of The Robbins Report in 1963 which proposed a new university in Scotland

1964 - site before campus

1964

17 July

First Principal and Vice-Chancellor appointed

Professor Tom Cottrell (1923-1973) is appointed as the first Principal and Vice-Chancellor

1965

June

Pathfoot building welcomes the first intake of students

Pathfoot - cropped image

1967

September

The University confers degrees on the first cohort of students

1968

Cottrell Building opens

Building T70 (later renamed Cottrell Building) is opened in phases between 1970 and 1972

1970

Elton John and Pink Floyd on campus

Musical acts Elton John and Pink Floyd perform on campus to large crowds of students

Pink Floyd at the University of Stirling in 1971

1971

First annual Dumyat Hill Race

Student running the Dumyat hill race

1972

May

HM Queen officially opens the University

The central courtyard is named “Queen’s Court”

1972 Queen visiting the University of Stirling

1972

12 October

Golf course opened and Gannochy Centre improvements

Opening of a golf course at Airthrey Castle and completion of a sports hall at the Gannochy Centre

1980

Jack McConnell elected as Student President

Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland, was elected (and re-elected the following year) as Student President

1980 - Jack McConnell

1980

Opening of Stirling University Innovation Park

1986

September

Stirling Management Centre opens

(renamed Stirling Court Hotel in 2014)

1988

Gannochy Tennis Centre and Wolfson Laboratories opened

HRH the Princess of Wales officially opens the new Gannochy Tennis Centre and Wolfson Laboratories in Aquaculture

Princess Diana visiting the University

1991

May

In the 25th year, the campus is designated as a historic garden landscape

1992 - Garden Landscape

1992

200th meeting of University Court

University Court - archive picture

1993

Launch of Master’s degree in Palliative Nursing Care

University launches unique Master’s degree in Palliative Nursing Care, in conjunction with Marie Curie Cancer Care Education (Scotland)

1997

Establishment of the annual Hetherington lecture series in journalism

1999

Construction of Iris Murdoch building begins

Actor Simon Shepherd cuts the first sod of the new £2m Iris Murdoch building, the home of the Dementia Services Development Centre

2001

June

Alumnus Lord John Reid delivers annual Williamson Lecture

Alumnus Lord John Reid returns to campus to deliver “a state of the union” address at the annual Williamson Lecture

2001

November

Completion of Robertson Swimming pool and opening of National Swimming Academy

2002 - swimming academy

2002

Dame Judi Dench opens the Iris Murdoch Building

2003 - Judi Dench

2003

March

Andy Murray opens £1.3m extension to Scottish National Tennis Centre

2007

James Naughtie appointed as University Chancellor

Installation of new Chancellor, BBC broadcaster, journalist and author James Naughtie in the 40th anniversary year

Jim Naughtie

2008

Stirling named as Scottish University of the Year

2009/10 award from the Sunday Times, in recognition of “outstanding student experience and record for innovation and high quality teaching”

2009

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac appointed as Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Gerry McCormac 2

2010

May

Library formally re-opened by HRH the Earl of Wessex following extensive renovation.

2011

4 March

Launch of strategic partnership with Santander Universities

2012

March

University awarded Queen’s Anniversary Prize

Awarded for ground-breaking social marketing research in Higher and Further Education

Queen's Anniversary Prize

2012

November

Launch of Japan Week

Building on established links and friendships, this international celebration of culture is now an annual event

2013

February

New accommodation buildings opened

First of the new style accommodation properties opened to students – Willow Court, followed by Beech then Juniper in subsequent years

2013

September

Commonwealth Games

Campus hosts Team Scotland's Commonwealth Games preparation camp, and Stirling students take home 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals.

2014

July

University climbs into UK research top 40

Outstanding performance in REF2014 (Research Excellence Framework) sees the University reach the UK top 40, and 5th place in Scotland, for research intensity

2014

December

Launch of strategic partnership with INTO

INTO University Partnerships Limited (INTO) is a global education partnering organisation, delivering academic and cultural experiences in all areas of the international student journey

An international student smiling at the camera

2014

Ranked 7th in the UK for graduate employability (Telegraph/HESA)

2015

AMBA Accreditation

University of Stirling Management School programmes gain accreditation by the Association of MBAs (AMBA)

2016

Stirling is Scotland’s best performing university at Rio Olympics

Stirling's Olympic swimmers return with 3 silver medals while student Gordon Reid takes Gold in Tennis at the Paralympics.

2016 - Olympic swimmers

2016

Fabulous at 50!

2017

Contact Development and Alumni Relations