How you'll be taught - information for new and returning students

Supporting your studies and wellbeing with teaching on campus and the right digital tools and resources is our priority.

Teaching and study

This includes offering small group face-to-face teaching sessions and few or no large lectures. Smaller groups help you build relationships with other students and staff, which we know will support your mental health and wellbeing.

In addition to on-campus teaching, you will learn through our virtual learning environment, Canvas, where you will find a wealth of accessible resources. Canvas will lead you through your module material and activities, to help keep you on track. Most live teaching sessions (online or on campus) will also be recorded and retained in Canvas, so you can use these recordings to catch up and revise.

The mix of digital and face-to-face will vary by module and subject. We encourage you to engage with all materials and attend in-person teaching.

You will have free access to around 500,000 e-books and e-journals, minimising the need to buy books and allowing you to access books and journals wherever you want to work. Reading lists for each module will be available through Canvas.

The library and study zones offer a range of study spaces and many students choose to study in our amazing new Campus Centre space. Each area offers collaborative spaces, PCs and quiet corners.

Key dates

Your teaching timetable: You can access your autumn teaching timetables one month before teaching starts via the University of Stirling app. Until you have signed up for seminars and other group sessions through Canvas (our virtual learning environment, see below), only lecture information will appear. Seminars and other group sessions will appear on your timetable the day following your sign-up.

Choosing your modules and enrolling: Enrolment opens in late August 2023. You will receive an email confirming when enrolment is available to you and explaining the steps you need to take. If you need help with your module choices, contact your Advisor of Studies (continuing students) or Faculty administrator (new students) to access the appropriate academic support.

Choosing your seminar group and accessing your learning materials in Canvas: Canvas will open a week before the semester on Monday 4 September for undergraduate courses and Monday 18 September for postgraduate courses, and you will be able to see the modules you have chosen there. Once opened, you will be able to sign up for seminar and tutorial groups on a first-come, first-served basis. You will also find some introductory reading.

Semester dates: Teaching starts on Monday 11 September for undergraduate courses and 25 September 2023 for postgraduate courses. There are some courses that have an earlier start date and students on those courses will be contacted directly by their faculty. You should be available to attend on-campus teaching from these dates. See the semester dates for the rest of the year.

If you are an international student who cannot arrive and enrol by the dates given on your CAS, you should contact the Student Immigration Team at internationaladvisor@stir.ac.uk as soon as possible. See more information about visa requirements.

Staying local

You are expected to be available to attend on-campus teaching from the start of your course and attend campus regularly to take part in classes.

That means you are expected to live close enough to the campus that you will be able to get here easily and regularly, and that any travel associated with attending campus (and the cost of it) are sustainable for you to pay.

Your attendance in teaching activities will be recorded and monitored to support your success.

One of the best ways to keep costs down and meet expectations on attendance is to apply for University-managed accommodation.

Assessment

You will usually be assessed through coursework, class tests or examination. Most assessments take place online. Details of assessment for specific modules will be available when you choose your modules.

Whatever form your assessments takes, your module co-ordinator will offer guidance on the expectations for particular assessments e.g. submission date; referencing; word count; use of specific resources; marking criteria.

If you are to sit examinations, the examination timetable will be published at least a month before the exam period begins. 

The Student Guide to Examinations contains useful information on how exams are organised and run at the University and offers answers to frequently asked questions. You should familiarise yourself with the guide before sitting an exam.

Accessibility and Inclusion will help advise students with disabilities. Information Services have produced a guide to the technology available to help you, which is available on Canvas.

Essential digital equipment and skills

To study effectively you need access to a laptop/personal computer and basic digital skills, such as being able to type and use packages such as Microsoft Word.

Free Wi-Fi is available on campus and laptops can be borrowed from the library. All students have free access to the Microsoft Office 365 suite, which we use to teach, study and communicate.

You can check whether your existing laptop is suitable for university study (or find out what to buy) on our Canvas page. A mobile phone or tablet is not sufficient for university study. We also strongly discourage the use of Chromebooks as they cannot run the key software needed.

Digital skills workshops are available both before and during your studies to help you develop digital skills and we would encourage you to engage with these opportunities before you begin your studies. Details will be available in August through Stirling Essentials.

Accessibility and Inclusion will help advise students with disabilities. Information Services have produced a guide to the technology available to help you, which is available on Canvas.

Supporting your learning

The best way you can support your learning is to engage with your studies, prepare for and attend your classes and get to know your lecturers and tutors and fellow students.

We have a range of workshops on academic and digital skills to help you get started through our Student Learning Services. New students can access the workshop series as soon as they enrol at the University. New students also have access to Stirling Essentials, a module to help you transition onto study at the University of Stirling.

Co-curricular activities such as subject-based student societies, employability events and reading groups will all take place on campus, with some events online.

One-to-one support

Your lecturers and tutors will be on hand to answer questions, lead activities and support you. Whether you are on campus or online, feedback and support are available at every stage. All teaching staff have regular weekly drop-in sessions to offer one-to-one feedback and any support required. These are available by phone, online or face-to-face.

You will be allocated a personal tutor who will support you and signpost any additional support required.

Student Learning Services (SLS) Canvas site offers useful study skills advice and information. SLS also provide study skills guidance and support through quick query emails and bookable tutorials (virtual and email). To book, students should contact sls@stir.ac.uk.

Student Support Services are also available to offer support and guidance on a range of issues including wellbeing, finance and accessibility and inclusion support.

The Information Centre (library and IT enquiries) can be accessed through UniDesk (linked from your student portal) and the University’s Student App.

The Stirling Students’ Union is there to offer guidance and support to students.

Faculty Office contact details

To find out which faculty you belong to check out the list of courses here.

Use the following email addresses to contact your faculty administrator: