Gavin Sturgeon

When I first arrived on the university campus I was struck by the beauty of the loch and the surrounding woodlands picturesquely placed under the Wallace Monument.

The campus had a bustling community of staff and students that made the place come to life. The university was a good mixture of the Scottish outdoors and great modern facilities that made me feel at home. 

My time studying the Film and Media Studies course was simply invaluable to my future career. The combination of film theory and workshops from current media professionals created a mix of academic quality and valuable practical insights into the world of filmmaking and editing.  

In particular the great documentary course material and the introduction to John Grierson opened up a world of narratives and techniques for me.

Since graduating I have always carried the core elements of my degree with me into every opportunity I was given. I have managed this from my initial jobs after leaving university to the bigger roles that came with more exposure and responsibility.

I’ve worked on some of the biggest projects in Scotland and abroad – including Glasgow 2014, the Homeless World Cup, Baku 2014 European Games and the World Gymnastics Championships. 

I've had great life experiences and once in a lifetime opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible without the valuable lessons, practical elements and the valuable teaching climate that the University of Stirling offers.