Living in Stirling

While the cost of living is lower in Stirling than much of the UK, it’s still important to learn how to budget so you can keep track of where your money goes. To help you plan your expenses, here’s a sample of estimated budget (for illustrative purposes only):  

Sources include Numbeo.com 2024

* For Scottish residents under the age of 22

Scotland’s economy is thriving.

With record economic growth and employment, it’s the leading UK location outside London for foreign investment (EY Scotland Attractiveness Survey 2022)). It's also a top tech destination, with a 200% surge in demand for tech professionals over 12 months (Accenture UK Tech Talent Tracker 2022).

There's no better place to build your digitally-focused career.

Scotland is famous for its excellent food and Stirling showcases some of the best local produce on offer. You’ll find food from all around the world – and there are plenty of options for special diets too, such as halal, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.

Want to cook? You’ll find shops selling a wide range of international ingredients, including Sun Wah Mini-Mart – Stirling's very own Asian supermarket.

Stirling is small enough to get around on foot, or the bicycle sharing scheme 'nextbike' offers free annual membership for University of Stirling students. Buses also run frequently between the campus and the city centre, with free fares for anyone under 22. 

If you’d like to visit Scottish cities outside of Stirling, there are excellent connections by train or bus. Two of the main Scottish cities – Glasgow and Edinburgh – are around 50 minutes away, ideal for weekend adventures. You can also easily explore the rest of the UK by train or from the international airports in Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

There are many activities to enjoy in Stirling and its nearby cities, including:  

• Live music and comedy: Watch live music performances and comedy shows at Tolbooth and Albert Halls. You can also explore Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, which hosts an average of 130 music events each week. 

• Museums and galleries: Discover Scottish art and culture at The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, as well as the National Museum of Scotland and National Galleries of Scotland in the nearby city of Edinburgh. 

• Events and Festivals: Participate in spectacular festivals and events in Scotland, such as the Edinburgh Fringe, Celtic festivals, Highland shows, Burns night and more. 

• Cinemas and theaters: Watch blockbusters and independent films at Vue Stirling and Macrobert Arts Centre, an on-campus multi-arts complex. 

• Outdoor adventures: Take in the beautiful landscapes of Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and the Forth Valley. 

Discover more things to do in Stirling.

Stirling is home to The Peak Indoors sports complex, which includes an ice-skating rink, climbing wall, swimming pool and fitness and dance studio. Visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park for watersports, cycling and hiking adventures surrounded by beautiful scenery.  

Back on campus, the University of Stirling is known for its incredible sporting facilities – named 'Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence'. Better yet, you'll receive free membership to the University Sports Centre for the duration of your studies. Here, you'll find: 

• a 50m swimming pool 

• a nine-hole golf course 

• six indoor tennis courts and three squash courts 

• an eight-court sports hall 

• a fitness suite with more than 50 weekly fitness classes 

• a 400m athletics track.