The University of Stirling is a UK research intensive campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967. It is a plate glass university located in the Central Belt of Scotland, built within the walled Airthrey Castle estate. Since its foundation, it has expanded to have four Faculties, a Business School, a Graduate School and a number of Institutes and Centres covering a broad range of subjects. It is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world that are under 50 years old by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and among the top 40 in the UK in the complete university guide. In the 2014 assessment of research in the UK, the Research Excellence Framework, it was ranked 5th in Scotland and 40th in the UK for research intensity. Stirling has a reputation for excellence in graduate employment prospects ranking 7th in the UK in 2015 and 3rd in 2016.

The University attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds , including a large number of international students, and a high proportion of state school students, in comparison to other well-ranked universities. Its strategic plan 2016- 2021 states that it is a university where ability not background, is valued. The university campus is approximately 360 acres in size, incorporating the Stirling University Innovation Park and the Dementia Centre. The beautiful campus with its wildlife, loch and greenery, nestled in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands is often cited as among the best in the UK. In 2002, the University of Stirling and the landscape of the Airthrey Estate was designated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites as one of the top 20 heritage sites of the 20th century within the UK. The institution also occupies buildings in the city of Stirling.

Stirling is an international university with over 120 nationalities represented on campus. It has international degree programme partnerships in China with Hebei Normal University, Singapore with Singapore Institute of Management, Oman and Vietnam. The University has two other Scottish campuses in Inverness and Stornoway.