Students have started their studies on two new undergraduate degree courses – delivered jointly by Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling.
The institutions are delivering a BA (Hons) in Heritage and Conservation Management and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biological Sciences.
Students will primarily spend the first two years studying at either the College’s bases at Falkirk or East Kildean, Stirling – then complete their studies at the University’s main campus on the outskirts of Stirling.
Students from both courses will be recognised as university undergraduate students throughout - with access to University’s excellent resources.
Luke Binnie (19) from Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire - who is studying for the BSc (Hons) in Applied Biological Sciences - said: “I am looking forward to starting the course and especially the prospect of all the lab work we will be doing at Forth Valley College. It’s also great that we will be able to experience the Freshers’ week at Stirling University!”
Mary Laing (54) from Alva, who is on the BA (Hons) Heritage and Conservation course, said: “I have always been interested in Heritage and Conservation and after 36 years of nursing and looking to re-train, this was the ideal course for me. I am really looking forward to it.”
John Rogers Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Stirling, said: “The University of Stirling and Forth Valley College are delighted to have developed these two new highly innovative programmes and it is exciting to see such a high calibre of students enrolling for the first time.
“We are sure the BA (Hons) Heritage and Conservation and the BSc (Hons) Applied Biological Science degrees will produce high quality graduates who are equipped with the technical skills, knowledge and work experience demanded by employers.”
** The BSc (Hons) degree takes advantage of FVC’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) expertise and unique training facilities (including a recent £1.2 million refit of the College’s Chemical Engineering facilities) and aims to give students the best possible practical grounding before they complete their degree at the University of Stirling.
** The BA (Hons) Heritage and Conservation degree course integrates both practical work and project experience with skills development and business management awareness and will be based at FVC for the first two years, before students complete their degree at the University of Stirling. It is supported by organisations such as Historic Scotland and Visit Scotland to produce highly skilled graduates for entry into the Scottish tourism, conservation and heritage industries.
Forth Valley College has already led the way in creating innovative partnership working models at degree level - with two creative industries degrees validated by the University of Stirling. Students can study for either a BA Media and Communication or BA Art and Design at the new Forth Valley College Stirling campus.
More on this story on Forth Valley College's website.
New students - studying for degrees between Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling - on a tour around our main Stirling campus last week.