International Summer School at the University of Stirling, Scotland, UK
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1 International Summer School at the University of Stirling, Scotland, UK 2 PROSPECTUS 2 International Summer School Home away from home Studying abroad opens your eyes Rugby Pitches Nine-hole Golf Centre Airthrey Castle Library, Shops, Bank, Catering, Cinema and Theatre Medical Centre Your Apartment-style Accommodation (Fraser of Allander House) Airthrey Loch Paths for Hiking and Running in the Nearby Ochil Hills Swimming Pool Pathfoot Building (Teaching Facilities and International Summer School Office) www.stir.ac.uk/iss National Wallace Monument 3 University of Stirling Innovation Park Stirling Management Centre Cottrell Building (Teaching and Student Support Facilities) Sports Centre Kayaking Dock Swimming Pool City of Stirling Pathfoot Building (Teaching Facilities and International Summer School Office) Stirling City Centre Main Five minutes by bus or car. Entrance 15 minutes by bicycle. Less than an hour to Edinburgh or Glasgow International airports. DISCLAIMER: The publisher acknowledges the right of all copyright holders. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information given in this publication, but the University can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. University programmes, services and procedures are continually reviewed and revised and there may be some changes between the time of publication and the date when the student enters the University. The University reserves the right to make changes to its programmes, services and procedures whenever it sees fit. Students and others should enquire about the up-to-date position when they need to know this. www.stir.ac.uk/iss 4 International Summer School Welcome to Stirling The University of Stirling is delighted to ON-CAMPUS accommodation welcome international students from around All International Summer School students will live in the world to take part in the International on-campus, apartment-style accommodation in Fraser Summer School (ISS) during the summer of of Allander House. Each student will have their own bedroom and share an apartment with up to six other 2014. This prospectus will give you all the students. Most of the accommodation overlooks the information you need about the International University’s loch and is only a few minutes’ walk from Summer School programme. all University teaching buildings, library facilities, shops, a theatre, a cinema and social areas. For more information visit: www.stir.ac.uk/iss EXCELLENT CAMPUS facilities Why choose our International Summer School? The University has well-equipped classrooms, 24/7 computer labs, is fully networked and has ample FIRST-rate teaching AND RESEARCH study areas. In March 2011, the University library, The University of Stirling is home to teaching staff which spans four floors was reopened. Just near your who are consistently amongst the best in their fields residences you will find a shopping area with bank, and are dedicated to the success of their students. travel agency, bookstore, pharmacy and recently International students recently voted Stirling to be the expanded minimart. best university in Scotland and second in the UK for a ‘good place to be’ in the most recent International Great FOR sport Student Barometer. ISS students have access to some of the finest sports facilities in the UK, with an on-campus golf course CITY OF STIRLING – THE BEST OF both worlds and training academy, state-of-the-art fitness centre, Stirling is a friendly city which is historical yet modern, a 50m length swimming pool (the National Swimming international but with a strong community feel. Located Academy), the National Tennis Centre, sports fields and a short drive from the stunning Scottish Highlands and a new football (soccer) academy. All are included in the less than an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Stirling ISS programme fee and are available to students. really does offer you the very best of Scotland. Unsurpassed beauty The University campus is located on the edge of Stirling in 330 acres of stunning countryside. From the picturesque loch (lake) to an 18th-century castle, from the Ochil Hills to the towering National Wallace I had no idea that I could fall so in love Monument, the University of Stirling is a feast for with a place in such a short period of time. The the eyes. “campus, the staff, and the people are absolutely incredible. I made such wonderful friends here and I feel like I’m leaving a piece of my heart in Scotland. I’ll definitely be coming back one day! Malayna – SAN DIEGO State UNIVERSITY, USA CLASS 0F 2013 “ www.stir.ac.uk/iss 5 Contents About the University 6 Stirling City 7 Centrally Located 8 The International Summer School 9 Modules / Classes and Credits 12 Programme Details 14 Application Information 15 ISS Team 16 Further Information and Contacts 17 If you’re going to take classes, why not do so in a place with rolling mountains, pastoral countryside, nightclubs and pubs on cobblestone streets, “and a fairy-tale castle on a hill? If you walk across the high hills near the University and look out over the Forth Valley, you’ll understand why Scottish people are so friendly. It’s hard to be unpleasant in such a beautiful place. CHRIS, Vanderbilt UNIVERSITY, TENNESSEE, USA. CLASS OF 2008. “ www.stir.ac.uk 6 International Summer School About the University If you want an excellent education, access ACADEMIC to superb facilities, a warm and friendly • Newly refurbished 24-hour computing labs campus atmosphere, fabulous scenery and • State-of-the-art lecture theatres close proximity to Europe and some of the and seminar rooms for interactive teaching • New, four-floor library with individual, UK’s liveliest cities, look no further than the networked study desks University of Stirling. SOCIAL • 1st in Scotland • A variety of cafés and restaurants on and • 9th in the UK near campus • 61st in the World* • macrobert theatre, cinema and café bar • Multiple pubs located within a short walk Founded in 1967, the University of Stirling is from campus offering a vibrant social life consistently rated highly for both teaching and research. Stirling’s main campus is breath-taking. Sporting Beneath the stunning Ochil Hills, the campus has a • 50m length, indoor swimming pool beautiful loch and the 18th-century Airthrey Castle at • Indoor and outdoor tennis courts its centre. It is also very easy to get around, with all • Golf Centre including long and the facilities (housing, teaching buildings, social and short game practice areas and a nine-hole sporting centres) no more than a ten-minute walk golf course apart, ensuring that everything you need is close at • Fitness and conditioning centres hand – day or night. • 400m athletics track • Numerous cross-country running trails Stirling is also recognised by local police authorities as one of the safest campuses in the UK. www.stir.ac.uk/iss 7 Stirling City Stirling is one of the most attractive places to live and study in the UK, offering a vibrant mix of the historic and modern. STIRLING A vibrant community, Stirling has excellent shops, ISS students visit a wall related to ‘The Troubles’ during a visit to supermarkets, restaurants, programmes of performing Belfast for the module ‘International Relations’. arts and other cultural events and entertainment, with the spectacular concert and arts venue of Stirling Stirling to be Scotland’s newest city on 24 May 2002. Castle running events throughout the year. The In addition to the University’s excellent sporting facilities, city boasts numerous tourist attractions of cultural Stirling’s stunning natural beauty, unspoiled mountains, and historical significance: the National Wallace lochs and rivers offer an ideal setting for outdoor pursuits. Monument; Stirling Castle; Stirling Smith Art Gallery These include golf, walking, canoeing, mountain biking, and Museum; and the Stirling Highland Games. All of sailing and white water rafting which await you just this is available to you within a short journey. The city 20 minutes away. The nearby Trossachs National Park, centre is just two miles from the campus – less than gateway to the Scottish Highlands, is home to some of 10 minutes on the University bus, which runs regularly the most stunning scenery in Scotland and is accessible throughout the summer. by regular public transportation. Hill walking, mountain biking, sailing and white water rafting are just some of The city of Stirling (population 41,000, including over the many outdoor pursuits the region is famous for. 11,000 students) was the ancient capital of Scotland, where Robert the Bruce held a parliament in 1326. THE Scottish PEOPLE Originally a Stone Age settlement, Stirling has been Scottish people are proud of their traditions and heritage, strategically significant since at least the Roman and are well known for their friendliness, great sense of occupation of Britain, due to its naturally defensible humour and excellent education system, which has been crag and tall hill. emulated around the world. Scotland is famous for great inventions which have changed the world, including gas This is where Stirling Castle is located, for many years lighting, penicillin, television, telephone, the pneumatic the historical residence of Scottish kings and queens. tyre, radar, and even the theories of electromagnetism. Stirling’s location at the heart of Scotland and with the This spirit of pioneering discovery and quality education lowest crossing point of the River Forth, had strategic prevails in Scotland today. English is the language most importance. Having a royal castle strengthened Stirling commonly spoken in Scotland, which has a population and led to economic growth but it also made it a target of around five million people. of English invasions. William Wallace defeated the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and in 1314 Robert the Bruce’s battle with the English gave Scotland victory Spending eight weeks here, I really felt over King Edward II at Bannockburn, on the outskirts of like I was a part of the community.