University of Stirling

The University of Stirling was founded by Royal Charter in 1967, the first genuinely new university to be established in Scotland for almost 400 years. On 18 September 1967 its doors opened to just 195 students, 164 undergraduates and 31 postgraduates, in the new Pathfoot Building. Its first Chancellor was Lord Robbins, the economist whose report had widened access to higher education across Britain, and its first Principal was Tom Cottrell. Today the university teaches around 11,750 students from more than 140 countries, on one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK. Set in the 330-acre Airthrey Estate beneath the Ochil Hills, the campus has its own loch, an 18th-century castle designed by Robert Adam, and modern teaching, sport and residential buildings designed to sit within the landscape. Stirling is designated Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, hosting national governing bodies for swimming, tennis, golf and triathlon. Stirling's alumni include the authors Iain Banks and Iain M. Banks, and the university is known for strengths in aquaculture, environmental science, health sciences, sport, media and business, with a strong record for teaching quality and student satisfaction.