To see more photos from Sarah’s visit to the University of Glasgow on Facebook, click here.
The Sunday Times Good University Guide Scottish University of the Year for 2022, the University of Glasgow is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and consistently a Top 100 university in the QS World University Rankings. Founded in 1451, the main Glasgow campus is located in the hipster West End of this laid-back and friendly city. Grittier than Edinburgh, Glasgow, the largest UK financial centre after London, is known for its high quality shopping and vibrant nightlife. For students who love the outdoors, Glasgow is the gateway to Loch Lomond and the West Highlands, and the origins of the Glasgow University Mountaineering Club extend back as far as the 1930s.
- Public
- Urban
- Member of the Russell Group, Universitas 21 and the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
- THE Impact Ratings 2022 – Glasgow was ranked 19th in the world (No.1 in Scotland, No.3 in Uk) for its work towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
- Main campus located in Glasgow’s vibrant and artsy West End
- Good public transport within the city and the main campus area is very walkable
- Undergraduate enrolment – around 21,000
- Total student population – around 32,500
- Was the first Scottish university to grant degrees to women
- High percentage of ‘home’ students, but the student body is very diverse with regards to nationality, race, religion and socioeconomic background.
- Around 25% are international.
- Admission standards are higher for Scottish students
- Offer Rate – around 70%
- Standard Entry Requirements: A Level: A*AA – BBB; IB: 38-32
- 4 Colleges: College of Arts; College of Science and Engineering; College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; and College of Social Sciences.
- Only Scottish university with the full range of both professional and academic offerings
- Most competitive programmes: Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Business.
- Only university in the UK with a department specifically focused on Scottish Literature
- Students apply to study a particular subject, but can make changes once enrolled
- No core curriculum
- Students generally take three courses in Years 1 and 2, and then concentrate on 1 or 2 subjects in the last two years
- Combination of weekly lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Tutorials average 15 students
- Assessment is based on coursework throughout the year and then final exams in April/May
- All students complete a research project or dissertation in their final year
- Lots of independence and self-study is expected – academic climate is pressured but balanced
- Help from professors and tutors is available but the onus is on students to seek it out
- Many students take part in the semester or year long study abroad programs with leading universities around the world. Foreign study is mandatory for foreign language students in their third year.
- Some scholarships are available for international students and American students can use their U.S. student loans to attend.
- New £5,000 EU Welcome Award for incoming EU students offers some discount on post-Brexit tuition fees.
- A £7,000 Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship is also available to highly qualified EU applicants – requirements vary according to subject.
- Guarantees housing to all first year international students. Most are self catering.
- Vibrant social life on and off campus – the city has an abundance of restaurants, clubs and pubs.
- Music is a big thing in Glasgow and the city hosts an abundance of international artists every week.
- On-campus social life revolves around the Glasgow University Union and the Queen Margaret Union – both student-run.
- Intercollegiate debating is taken very seriously and the university has won the world championship several times.
- The Glasgow University Sport Association has more than 50 sports clubs. There are competitive teams, and recreational clubs are available for everything from cycling and skydiving to surfing.
Applications to Glasgow should be made through UCAS – the deadline for most courses is at the end of January in the year of entry.
Visit the University Of Glasgow website
