Description
Study abroad at the University of Stirling, one of the U.K.’s most popular universities, which boasts its own loch and castle on campus! Known as Scotland’s “University for Sporting Excellence” since 2008, the university offers a wide array of courses across popular majors, and has earned a strong reputation for high-quality academics and an impressive selection of student activities and clubs. Highly ranked in numerous subject areas, the university welcomes students from across the world for a truly special educational experience.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Academic Programs International (API)
API is an organization that UCSC has partnered with to provide students with this opportunity. API stands for Academic Programs International which is an organization that was founded in 1997 to connect U.S. college students to the world. API has staff in the United States and abroad to support students through every step of their journey.
Minimum GPA – 3.0
Prerequisites – Letter of Recommendation will be required after you are nominated to be accepted into this program
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester: early September – mid-December
Spring Semester: late January – mid-May
- Students must miss both winter and spring quarters at UCSC to participate in this session
Academic Year: early September – mid-May
Cost
Location
City & University
Stirling, an ancient capital of Scotland, offers students the opportunity to live in a true university town, mid-way between the major centers of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Stirling offers a full menu of performing arts, nightlife, and shopping combined with the community feel of a smaller city. The university offers a large number of on-campus clubs and activities, actively inviting international and study abroad students to participate
Accommodations
Students are all housed in 4-7 bedroom apartment-style accommodations on campus. Each student will have their own single-occupancy bedroom along with a shared kitchen, dining, and living areas. Housing is self-catered. Students will need to provide their own kitchenware (crockery, utensils, etc). Additionally, the university’s catering department offers superb value catering options on campus. Most accommodations have sinks in the bedrooms and all housing has shared shower and toilet facilities. All housing is fully networked, enabling residents to access the university’s computing resources, including internet. 24-hour concierge services are available on-site. Bedding packs will be provided for all students.
Included Excursions
Included excursions for this program are:
- Edinburgh
- Hadrian’s Wall and the Borders
- Oban and Isles of Mull and Iona
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
- Loch Ness
Note: excursions vary by term.
If you would like more detailed information about the excursions, please reach out to globallearning@ucsc.edu or studentoutreach@apiabroad.com
Student Support
API teams will support your study abroad journey from application through re-entry. API staff will help guide you through the final phases of the application process after you have been nominated by UCSC, then upon arrival in-country, you will meet the API onsite team who will provide assistance during your time in-country. API staff is readily available and able to assist you with any academic, social, cultural, health, and safety questions or issues that you may face during your time abroad.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
Please contact API directly if you have any concerns about disability accommodations abroad at studentoutreach@apiabroad.com.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As a University of Stirling exchange student, enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students.
- Students will take 3 courses at the University of Stirling, and cannot take any more or less.
- Each course at the University of Stirling is assigned an SCQF level ranging from 8-10. Level 8 courses are generally first-year courses, level 9 are normally second-year courses that require some background knowledge, and level 10 courses are usually third and fourth-year courses that are at an advanced level and require a considerable background in this subject area.
Course Search
- UCSC students have access to University of Stirling’s full library of course options. Please view commonly available courses here.
- To search courses, please use the link above and then explore options under “Faculties”.
- When viewing module syllabi, please note terms the module is available.
- If you have any questions or need to request syllabi please contact the API advising team at studentoutreach@apiabroad.com
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad to meet UCSC satisfactory academic progress. The minimum requirement is 18 quarter credits for fall semester and 27 quarter credits for spring semester after conversion (see below).
Credit Conversion
The University of Stirling uses award credits based on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Each course ranges from 5-20 ECTS credits each. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 5 ECTS credits = 4 quarter credits at UCSC
- 10 ECTS credits = 8 quarter credits at UCSC
- 15 ECTS credits = 12 quarter credits at UCSC
- 20 ECTS credits = 15 quarter credits at UCSC
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by API, and work with assigned API program manager, to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ.