Postgraduate at Stirling

Welcome to our thriving Postgraduate Community whether you are on campus or online. At Stirling, you'll be part of a forward-thinking university that develops students into employable, confident graduates with the skills, knowledge and experience to make a difference in the world.

A warm welcome to Stirling

Our welcome and orientation events will help you settle in.

You should plan to arrive in plenty of time to start your studies, check our semester dates. We expect all our students to attend classes and complete reading and tasks set by tutors, as this is essential for you to do well in your studies.

We welcome many international postgraduate students to Stirling so please read our advice and guidance to help you prepare for studying at the University.

Preparing for your studies

Studying a postgraduate degree is intensive and relies on you being ready to study on your arrival. It is essential that you complete Stirling Essentials 3-step orientation programme:

  1. Attend our free, online pre-arrival orientation programme before you arrive. It's on from Monday 6 to Friday 10 January 2025 at 14:30 to 15:30 (GMT) each day. Register for a place on the pre-arrival orientation programme.
  2. Complete a few essential activities by week three of semester. This includes complete two short online modules - Consent Matters and Academic Integrity and Writing.
  3. Check out our Stirling Essential resources now and throughout your studies to help answer your questions. 

It is essential that you have access to a laptop or computer to undertake all our courses and that you have basic digital skills, such as being able to use Microsoft Word.

You have free access to the full Office 365 suite of software during your studies and we also offer laptops on short term loan and have computers available around the campus. A mobile phone is not sufficient to support your studies. See our IT support and resources.

Our digital workshop series starts before the beginning of semester and can help you develop digital skills. We strongly recommend that you work to develop these skills before you start your studies.

STEER peer support

STEER is a University-wide student peer support scheme run by Stirling Students' Union. It provides mentors or buddies for any postgraduate taught student in their first year at the University of Stirling. The scheme aims to help you with the transition of settling into life at Stirling.

Build your future

We will help you develop skills so you can plan and find career when you graduate.

Help shape your experience

The Student Postgraduate Faculty Officers work in partnership with University staff, the Students’ Union and postgraduate students to listen to you and work to improve your experience.

Library and study spaces

We have a variety of study facilities in our library and study zone including group study rooms, individual study desks, open study areas and computer labs.