There are plenty of benefits to studying abroad in the summer, and we just added one more: introducing our newest Partnership summer program in Stirling, Scotland! Whether you’ve been eyeing Scotland as your dream study abroad destination for a while, or you just started exploring your options for Summer 2021, you’re in luck. Our partnership with the University of Stirling offers you an exciting array of courses, activities, and an internship — all packed into one or two summer sessions.
Program Highlights
- Enroll in an all-inclusive program with airport pickup, housing and utilities, field trips, and multiple activities included
- Study at the University of Stirling, ranked second in Scotland and eighth in the UK in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world’s best 100 universities under 50 years old
- Live in the historic city granted special “Golden Jubilee City” status by the Queen for its location at the heart of Scotland as a setting for national and international events
- Join a diverse international student population of more than 90 nationalities
- Participate in an in-person internship and gain valuable job experience in your field of choice
- Enjoy the shops, amenities, and nightlife available right on campus, as well as a convenient location less than an hour away by frequent train service from the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh
- Immerse in Scottish culture through numerous opportunities, field trips, and extracurricular activities

About Stirling
Stirling is a small city in central Scotland that offers you an exciting mix of old and new. The city was once the capital of Scotland, but it has evolved into a leading cultural and business center with a booming arts scene. With festivals and cultural events throughout the year to ancient landmarks, such as the Stirling Castle, to explore you’ll never run out of things to do in Stirling!

Academics
You have the choice to enroll in one of two four-week sessions or combine both sessions for more time in Scotland. To boost your education, you can choose from a range of undergraduate courses taught in English, all with distinctive Scottish flavor. You will take up to two courses (3 U.S. semester credits) per session.
Stirling Summer 1 Courses:
- Education and Learning: A Scottish Perspective
- Data, Tools, and Methods: Making Sense of our Society
- Issues in Moral Philosophy
- Religion and Conflict
- Royals and Rascals: Contemporary Studies in British Journalism
- Scotland on the Screen
- Scottish Wars of Independence
- Celtic Religion
- Aliens and Earthlings: Science Fiction Literature
- Sport Management and Culture: A European Perspective
Stirling Summer 2 Courses:
- Internship – students participating in an internship must enroll in both summer sessions
- Crime and Justice in Scotland: The Criminal in Scottish Society
- International Relations
- Monsters and Vampires: The Impact of British Gothic on Contemporary Popular Culture
- Scottish History: The Jacobites
- Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland
- Brief Encounters: An Introduction to Writing Short Stories
- Scotland the What? Contemporary Scottish Literature and Identity
- Junkies and Jezebels: Scotland and Gender
- Green Politics: Theory and Practice

Internship Opportunities
Interested in gaining real-life job experience during your time abroad? Students enrolled in both Summer Session 1 and 2 can participate in an internship, so all the more reason to choose both terms! If you choose to participate in an internship, you will work with the University of Stirling’s Career Team to find an opportunity that matches your interest. Opportunities may be available in areas such as environmental protection or improvement, tourism and heritage, the creative industries, and the start-up and tech industries.
Students have previously interned at the following companies:
- Basketball Scotland
- Creative Stirling
- Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Museum
- Forth Valley Disability Sport
- The Conservation Volunteers
- Marketing at the University of Stirling Management School

Activities
We know you’ll want to get out and explore the surrounding areas around Stirling, so don’t worry! The host university organizes day trips to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St Andrews introduce you to the rest of Scotland. The University of Stirling also hosts a variety of activities to introduce you to Scottish culture and local students. Past activities have included golf lessons on campus, Scottish dance lessons, nature walks, and karaoke nights.

Program Details
- Program Type: Partnership
- Application Deadlines:
- Summer Session 1: March 1
- Summer Session 2: March 1
- Summer Session 1 & 2: March 1
- Program Fees:
- Summer Session 1: $5,580 (includes housing)
- Summer Session 2: $5,580 (includes housing)
- Summer Session 1 & 2: $11,160 (includes housing)
Note: All program dates, activities, courses, and internship availability are subject to change. Please refer to the USAC website for the most up-to-date program details.