University of Glasgow

Overview

The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1451. Based in Scotland’s largest city, the University of Glasgow is one of the world’s top 100 universities and currently has 26,000 students from over 120 different countries enrolled. Glasgow is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research universities.

Throughout its history, Glasgow has produced six Nobel laureates, one Prime Minister, Scotland's inaugural First Minister, and the country's first female medical graduates. 96% of the University of Glasgow's research-active staff work in areas that have been independently assessed as producing research of international importance.

The University of Glasgow’s main campus is located in the cosmopolitan West End of Glasgow, just three miles from the city centre. Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and the world's friendliest (Rough Guides 2019) and was recently ranked in the top 10 "Best Cities in the World in 2019" by Time Out. Glasgow is firmly established as one of Europe's most vibrant cities with a wealth of cultural attractions, stunning architecture, abundant parks and green spaces, fantastic shopping, and a year-round programme of world-class events and festivals.

Services for International Students

The Student Counselling and Advisory Service at Glasgow forms one part of the student support network and is available to registered students of the University of Glasgow.

The Welcome Team will meet international students as they arrive at Glasgow Airport and direct them to the free transportation and their new student home. International Student Support also runs an orientation programme before the beginning of the term to help international students settle in. Pre-sessional English lessons are also available for incoming international students.

Ranking

• 16th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 14th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
• 78th in the QS World University Rankings 2025
• 87th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
• 101st-150th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024

The University of Glasgow performed impressively in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, recognised for its world-leading research and its positive impact on society. The University has one of the broadest research bases in the UK, with a wide range of disciplines reflected in the academic community.

Accommodation

Overseas students are guaranteed a place in accommodation provided they have accepted an unconditional offer to study and their completed application form is received by the year of entry deadline – usually August. There are around 3,500 rooms in and around the northwest of the city, the furthest of which is 45 45-minute’ walk away from the main campus.

The Accommodation Office can also assist students with finding private rented accommodation in and around Glasgow. These include private flats, shared houses or lodgings.

Location

The University of Glasgow has two main city campuses at Gilmorehill and Garscube. A third campus is located in Dumfries to the south of Glasgow. Both city campuses have excellent transport into the city centre via frequent buses and subway. Glasgow International Airport, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport and two city centre rail terminals offer easy connections with the rest of the UK and the world.

Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow hosts the largest student population in Scotland and is in the top five most popular UK cities for visitors according to the Office of National Statistics. Glasgow is one of Europe’s liveliest cities with a vibrant social scene, great shopping, thriving venues and international festivals. Frommer’s and Conde Nast Travel Guides named Glasgow as one of the top destinations in Europe and in the top two in the UK.

The University also has more listed buildings than any other university in the UK, and the neo-Gothic main building of the campus was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The University of Glasgow’s Faculty of Engineering is the oldest in the UK, while the only Department of Aerospace Engineering in Scotland is at Glasgow.

Alumni

• Steven Moffat (Television writer)
• Adam Smith (Economist)
• Lord Kelvin (Physicist)
• Peter Capaldi (Actor)
• James Watt (Inventor)
• Andrew Neil (Journalist)