How you’ll be taught – information for new and returning students | Coronavirus
Learning and teaching for international and vulnerable students
International students starting or returning in 2022/23 visa requirements
Students living outside the UK
You are expected to be available to attend on-campus teaching in the UK from the start date of your course. If students cannot arrive and enroll by the dates given on their CAS, they should contact our Student Immigration Team at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Students already living in the UK
The UK Government has confirmed that international students who hold a student visa to study here are not permitted to continue learning remotely from elsewhere in the UK.
Students already in the UK are required to attend their studies in person (including engaging with face-to-face academic activity). If students in the UK do not attend or engage with scheduled face-to-face academic activity, universities will be required to withdraw sponsorship of their visa.
International students must follow UK Home Office visa regulations and it is important that students plan their travel and accommodation arrangements.
See more information about visa requirements.
Vulnerable students
If you are in a vulnerable group and have concerns about coming to campus, or restrictions in your home country currently don’t allow you to travel, please let us know as soon as possible. Please contact your faculty so that we can understand your circumstances and discuss options. For any concerns or questions about your visa status please email: [email protected]
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.
- In addition to on campus teaching, you will learn through our virtual learning environment, Canvas. This is a supportive, inclusive and active space for learning. You will be led through your module material and activities, to help keep you on track. Most live teaching sessions (online or on campus) will be recorded using ‘Listen Again’, so you can use these recordings to catch up and revise.
- 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.
- 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 enroll at the University. They also have access to Stirling Essentials, a module to help you transition onto study at University of Stirling.
- The library and study zone are open and many students choose to study in our amazing new Campus Center space. Each area offers collaborative spaces, PCs and quiet corners. You will have free access to around 500,000 e-books and e-journals, minimizing 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.
- Co-curricular activities such as subject-based student societies, employability events and reading groups will all take place on campus, with some online events.
Module choices
- Module choices and enrollment will be available from 22 August (Undergraduate) and 29 August (Postgraduate) to help you plan your studies and the teaching timetable will be available in August too, so you can plan your time.
- Canvas, our virtual learning environment, which holds your learning materials and through which you will study, will also open before semester begins so you can familiarize yourself with materials and book tutorial and seminar slots that suit your needs.
- To arrange a one-to-one meeting with a lecturer, contact your faculty administrator.
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 [email protected].
- 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 Center (Library and IT inquiries) can be accessed via UniDesk (linked from your student portal) and the University’s Student App.
- The Stirling Students’ Union are there to offer guidance and support to students.
Support for international students
If you are an international student, there are extra sessions during induction to help you adjust to life at the University of Stirling, details will be available on our Welcome website in the weeks before semester. These include:
- Academic expectations at the University of Stirling: This session provides an introduction to academic work at Stirling. It teaches you what to expect and how this might be different from your previous international experience.
- Living in Stirling: You will receive help and practical advice, including support with understanding English language documents (police registration / council tax / bank letters, etc).
- Scottish culture: This section looks at Scottish culture and the wider community. This promotes extracurricular activities and will help you settle in and feel part of the University. There is also a session on Scottish vocabulary.
Help with English language learning
After induction, there is ongoing English language support for you during your studies.
Faculty Office contact details
Use the details listed to contact your faculty administrator:
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Natural Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences
Stirling Management School
Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport
Health Sciences: [email protected]
Sport: [email protected]
To find out which faculty you belong to check out the list of courses here.