The University of Stirling is in the running for the top award – University of the Year – at the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2024.
This major recognition reflects the efforts and achievements of staff, students, alumni and supporters of the University, as well as the transformation of campus and the student experience, and advancements in research, learning and teaching, internationalisation, and sport.
Stirling is shortlisted alongside five other institutions: London Metropolitan University, Ulster University, University of Leicester, University of Sunderland, and University of Surrey.
In further acknowledgement of Stirling’s success, the University is also shortlisted in three other categories at the Awards, known as the ‘Oscars of higher education’. Stirling’s Professor Vikki McCall is in the running for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year, Professor Angela Creese is shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year, and the Communications and Marketing Team is up for Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year. For details on all of our shortlisted entries, please see additional information at the end of this article.
Watch: University of Stirling shortlisted for Times Higher Education University of the Year.
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “We are incredibly proud to be shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. This is major recognition for our staff, students and supporters – whose passion to deliver world-class learning and teaching, impactful research, celebrated high-performance sports programmes, and an unrivalled student experience ensures that the University of Stirling continues to thrive on the international stage.”
Exceptional
Judged by a panel of sector experts, the Awards – this year celebrating their 20th anniversary – shine a light on the exceptional work taking place in higher education across the UK and Ireland, exemplifying the talent, innovation and commitment of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life. The 2024 Awards focus primarily on activity that took place during the 2022/23 academic year.
University of the Year is awarded to an institution that has demonstrated exceptional performance and Stirling is shortlisted in recognition of its achievements both in 2022/23 and in the years leading up to it, as it marked the culmination of the previous Strategic Plan period.
In that time, the University has grown its student population by 33% to more than 18,500, and in turn has increased diversity, with 35% of our community international and more than 140 nationalities represented on campus. The growth of transnational education partnerships has also created new opportunities for students to achieve a Stirling degree across the world; with thriving partnerships in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and China.
In tandem, the University has enhanced the student experience – and doubled the space for students to socialise, study and stay active – with major investment on campus, including £23 million in creating Campus Central and £20 million in redeveloping the Sports Centre. Furthermore, teaching spaces have been upgraded and modernised, a new main entrance has recently been unveiled, and our campus boulevard project – linking Campus Central with the Sports Centre – is almost complete.
In recognition of the improvements, Stirling is ranked 1st in the UK and 3rd in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022), and Campus Central was recognised at the prestigious Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland Awards 2023.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
This is major recognition for our staff, students and supporters – whose passion to deliver world-class learning and teaching, impactful research, celebrated high-performance sports programmes, and an unrivalled student experience ensures that the University of Stirling continues to thrive on the international stage.
The University has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and, earlier this year, it joined the top 6% of business schools in the world, earning prestigious AACSB accreditation.
Stirling research continues to make a difference across the globe, with 80% regarded as world leading or internationally excellent, and 87% having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
The University ranks among the top 100 institutions in the world for its contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; it has two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes – the UK’s highest academic honour; and is a leading partner in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, which provides an investment package of more than £46 million in University-led research. Stirling is also a founding member of the Forth Valley University College Partnership, alongside NHS Forth Valley and Forth Valley College, which aims to improve patient care and treatments, and boost health research and staff learning across the region.
Sporting success
Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and was UK Sports University of the Year 2020 (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide), and its sports facilities are ranked 1st in the UK and 5th in the world (International Student Barometer 2022). It continues to nurture some of the country’s best sporting talent – including Scotland’s most decorated Olympian Duncan Scott.
Recent sporting highlights include Stirling swimmers winning a record 16 medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and three at the 2024 Olympics; golf scholars Lorna McClymont and Alexander Farmer winning the Scottish Amateur Championships; and the Men’s First Football Team making history when they played Premiership side Dundee United in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round.
Achievements
The Times Higher Education Awards will be held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday, 28 November. In total, there are 19 categories celebrated at the Awards, plus the special THE Outstanding Achievement Award.
THE editor John Gill said: “This year’s THE Awards mark the 20th anniversary of the event, which over the last two decades has celebrated the wonderful achievements of a sector that has undergone extraordinary transformation without ever losing sight of the vital role it plays across the UK and Ireland.
“In 2024, it’s fair to say that higher education is going through a challenging period, but these awards are a constant reminder that we should never underestimate the dedication and drive of those who work in our universities to transforming lives for the better. Enthusiasm for these awards as a way to celebrate those achievements remains undimmed, with more entries in our 20th year than ever before.
“Our sincere congratulations to all those shortlisted in such a competitive year – it really is an achievement to have reached this stage, and we very much look forward to celebrating with you all at our 20th birthday party in Birmingham on 28 November.”
Additional shortlisted entries
Most Innovative Teacher of the Year
Vikki McCall teaches on the postgraduate Housing Studies programme at the University of Stirling, the longest and largest programme of its kind in the UK. She has played a central role in forging and enhancing links with employers, the accrediting body and other key stakeholders.
Her outstanding contributions to innovative teaching include developing co-produced "serious game" methodologies that bring together students, employers, the public and wider industry professionals. These are new and creative learning tools, designed to develop systems thinking and key paradigm shifts around future-proofing housing.
Professor McCall’s students describe her as "phenomenal", "enthusiastic" and "passionate" and she is one of very few teachers to consistently win multiple internal, student-led teaching awards. Professor McCall contributes to the promotion of academic quality and standards in social policy and housing studies at a UK level, and is dedicated to developing inclusive teaching materials.
Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year
Recruiting the 12th Man: A collaboration led by the Communications and Marketing Teams, including Performance Sport, Social Media, Alumni and the Students' Union
University of Stirling footballers made history when they played Premiership side Dundee United in a "David versus Goliath" tie in 2023. It was an unprecedented opportunity to promote Stirling’s reputation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – but the marcomms team faced several challenges. With limited time and budget, the team focused on creating exciting and engaging social media content, while strategically maximising earned media opportunities. The ambitious strategy yielded phenomenal results, with major sporting names – including Sir Alex Ferguson and Lilian Thuram – backing the campaign. Their endorsement, combined with the production of four impactful films, led the team to surpass their objectives.
Driven by the campaign, which reached 1.49 million across social media, Stirling sold 1,000+ tickets for the match. With widespread media coverage including BBC Sportscene, Reporting Scotland, STV News, The Times and The Sun, the campaign cemented Stirling’s reputation as a leader in university sport.
Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year
Professor Angela Creese is an exceptional supervisor who has supported high numbers of doctoral researchers over the span of her career, inspiring the next generation to excel in the academy. She has supported students who face significant linguistic and cultural challenges, creating a stimulating and supportive environment for them to reach high levels of achievement and contribute to the education of future generations in over 20 countries globally.
She has gone beyond typical levels of supervisory support, creating opportunities for postgraduate students to learn through the bespoke programmes she has designed. Many of her graduates go on to excel in academic and professional posts in the UK and abroad, winning prestigious prizes and appointments to the boards of respected international organisations.