introduction and context4. Size and pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>The <strong>University</strong> has a student population <strong>of</strong> justunder 9500 <strong>of</strong> which 7330 are undergraduates(6270 full time, 1060 part-time) and 2110 arepostgraduates (900 full time, 1210 part-time).74% <strong>of</strong> students come from Scotland, 12% fromthe rest <strong>of</strong> the UK and 14% from Europe andfurther afield. It employs just over 1800 staff withthe majority <strong>of</strong> its support services being providedby in-house teams.The table and figure below show the studentheadcount for the period 2003/04 to <strong>2007</strong>/08and projections for the following two years. Theyindicate some growth in EU undergraduate numbersand project moderate growth in EU and overseasresearch postgraduate numbers in future years.Table 2: Student Headcount 2003/04 to 2009/10EUOSUG TPG RPGYear FT PT FT PT UG TPG RPG2003/04 5735 1045 350 735 330 150 275 952004/05 5750 720 365 685 340 145 350 1102005/06 6165 620 330 750 395 120 430 1202006/07 6510 890 485 990 385 365 855 130<strong>2007</strong>/08 6305 750 425 910 385 290 955 1302008/09 6320 750 425 910 395 290 955 1402009/10 6355 750 425 910 405 290 955 1501200010000OS-RPGOS-TPG8000OS-UG6000EU-RPG4000EU-TPG2000EU-UG02003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 <strong>2007</strong>/08 2008/09 2009/10Figure 2: Student headcount 2003/04 to 2009/1011
IntRoDUctIon AnD contextThe <strong>University</strong>’s academic strengths lie in five coreareas as follows:»»»»»Health and Well-beingIncluding cancer care, Dementia, nursing &Midwifery, Psychology & social WorkCulture and SocietyIncluding education, english studies, Film &Media studies, History, Languages, Philosophy,Politics, Religions, Applied social sciences,sociology, social Work, criminology andHousing PolicyEnvironmentIncluding Aquaculture & Biological andenvironmental sciencesEnterprise and the EconomyIncluding Accountancy, Business, computingscience & Mathematics, entrepreneurship,economics, Law, Management, Marketing,Publishing studies, Retail studies and tourismManagementSportsport & exercise science, sports studies &Physical educationthere are 8 key research themes – Aquaculture;Arts, Histories and culture; children and youngPeople; enterprise and the economy; environmentand People; People centred Healthcare; sport; andWork, Welfare and Wellbeing.As a research-led institution, stirling is committedto the quality <strong>of</strong> its teaching being directly linkedto its research strength.the <strong>University</strong> is recognised for the quality <strong>of</strong> itsteaching and the academic standard <strong>of</strong> its awards.Its student-centred approach is exemplified bya longstanding commitment to flexibility andchoice in relation to the courses and final degreetaken. the <strong>University</strong> is 5th in the UK for studentcompletion, is rated by the times Higher educationsupplement as being in the top 10 for studentexperience and achieves a very high level <strong>of</strong>employability (95.9% in employment 6 monthsafter graduation).the majority <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s facilities are locatedwithin the boundaries <strong>of</strong> the Airthrey <strong>estate</strong> whichcomprises the stirling campus. the campus isbordered by woodland to the north and east andincludes the Robert Adam-designed Airthrey castlewhich dates to the 18th century. the academicand residential buildings are arranged around acentral loch. the campus is an intrinsic part <strong>of</strong> the<strong>University</strong>’s brand and is regularly described as one<strong>of</strong> the most beautiful in the world. the stunningsetting is a significant attraction for students andparents, staff, those attending conferences andevents and for members <strong>of</strong> the local community.12