[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA]Stirling is nestled in the centre of Scotland, surrounded by the Highlands and Trossachs. The castle, on a cliff face, dominates the landscape and was the royal home in Scotland until 1600. The Old Town has much historic architecture surviving. The University is 3 miles out of town and, like Stirling itself, is small. The students, who account for 1 in 8 of the local population, have a campus reputed to be the 2nd most beautiful in Europe. Which begs 2 questions: which is the most beautiful? and, how do you measure? It is set in 350 acres of landscaped grounds, complete with Airthrey Castle (a different castle -[ITAL] the place is plagued with the things[EITAL]), a golf course and a loch with a bridge, separating the University residences from the academic buildings and providing a home for wild fowl and a[ITAL] fun feature for wild students[EITAL]. The University buildings are [ITAL]less impressive[EITAL] than the setting, apart, that is, from the castle which is used by University departments and offices. Most of the buildings are grey or white flat-topped oblongs, usually 3 or 4 floors high, but, shaded with trees, t[ITAL]hey blend in somehow[EITAL]. Meanwhile, the towering Wallace Monument presides over the goings on.[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]The University is small, too few for a worthwhile attempt at the 'simultaneous chess' world record. It's close-knit enough to keep students glued to the campus, though. It doesn't seem isolated or too claustrophobic: the campus is just so self-contained that most students don't ever feel the need to leave. There are good international links with students from over 70 countries.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]THE TOWN:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][STAT][BULL] Population: 81,717 [BULL] London: 378miles [BULL] Glasgow: 27miles [BULL] Edinburgh: 33miles[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA]The University is placed between a very small town, Bridge of Allan, and Stirling itself. Lots of 17th and 18th century architecture, craft and antique shops [ITAL]give Stirling that historical feel.[EITAL] There's also an indoor shopping centre and all the essential shops. [ITAL] It has something of a small town atmosphere, which may have something to do with the fact that it's a small town.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Trains:[EBOLD] Stirling Station, 2 miles from the campus, has direct services to London (5:35hrs, 1/day), Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, which is a good place to change for most other destinations .[PARA][BOLD]Coaches:[EBOLD] National Express services to London (ú25, 7:20hrs, 3/day), Glasgow (ú2.50, 45mins, 1/hr). SNT will run you to Edinburgh.[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] Just off the A9 and M9.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Fairly easy to Edinburgh, if you start from the outskirts of town. [EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Reliable and cheap [EITAL]bus service connects the campus with the town centre, running regularly till midnight.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] Stirling is a taxi-infested town, but they're no cheaper than most places (ú2.50ish city-campus).[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] [ITAL]Except for the strong wind, there are no good reasons why students shouldn't cycle, but then again, there's no good reason why they should.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][STAT][BULL] Books: 505,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 2,500 [BULL] Study places: 700 [BULL] Computer workstations: 1,000[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA]Main library and Pathfoot education Library (5,000 books).[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 6full [BULL] Unemployed after 6mths (1993): 7.4%[ESTAT][PARA][ITAL]Good prospects[EITAL] on vocational courses.[HDNG]SPECIAL FEATURES:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL]Stirling was the first UK university to operate a semester system where there are 2 terms (semesters) of 15 weeks each per year. There's also a continuous assessment policy.[PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA]Iain Banks (writer); Michael Connarty MP (Lab); Stuart Hepburn, Shelley Jofre, Andrew Miller (TV personalities); John Reid MP (Lab); Tommy Sheridan (poll tax campaigner).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]Prospectuses for undergrads and postgrads. Student Handbook from SUSA.[PARA][PARA]
