University of Glasgow

History

• Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow has a tradition of excellence as the fourth oldest university in the United Kingdom.
• Glasgow students walk in the footsteps of scientist Lord Kelvin, economist Adam Smith and pioneer of television John Logie Baird. The University has inspired the talents of six Nobel laureates, one Prime Minister, Scotland's inaugural First Minister and the country's first female medical graduates.
• Glasgow’s beautiful, historical campus features more than 100 listed buildings.

Location and transport

• Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow hosts the largest student population in Scotland.
• It is the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music and a future host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• The University’s location means that students can enjoy the combination of living in a compact campus-style environment while being part of a major city. There are two campuses in Glasgow: Gilmorehill in the cosmopolitan and friendly West End; and Garscube, 6.5 km (4 miles) from the city.  A third campus in Dumfries some 145 km (90 miles) to the south of Glasgow, is home to the University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
• Both city campuses have excellent transport into Glasgow’s 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.

Entry standards

• The university attracts talented students from diverse backgrounds and welcomes applications from all with appropriate qualifications.
• Find out about entry requirement at Glasgow on the website.

Student mix

• Male : female 1:1.3.
• Home : overseas 6.5:1.
• 86.6% of students are from state schools or colleges.

Course flexibility

• Undergraduate students can choose from more than 900 degree combinations.
• The university's flexible degree system means that students don't have to restrict their choice of subjects when they begin studying. As long as students are not studying for a professional degree, it is possible to wait until the end of second year before choosing honours subject(s), allowing time to try out up to four subjects at university level.

Teaching standards

• Teaching excellence at Glasgow is founded in the University’s world-leading research, which inspires respect from employers and satisfaction from students.
• Many students have opportunities to study abroad, improve employability and take part in work placements as part of their degrees.
• Glasgow is a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education.
• Glasgow students report high levels of satisfaction with their degree programmes, with subjects as diverse as electronic and electrical engineering, geography, genetics, microbiology, nursing and classics recording satisfaction levels of 100% in the 2010 National Student Survey (results available at www.unistats.com).
• Overall satisfaction rates among final year students are 90%, and the 2010 International Student Barometer ranks Glasgow third in the UK.

Research standards

• A member of the prestigious Russell Group of 20 major research-led universities in the UK.
• Around 2,500 staff engaged in research.
• In the UK’s top 10 earners for research, with annual research contract income totalling more than £116m; funding comes from research councils, charities, government and industry.
• An impressive 75% of academic staff contributes to subjects where the majority of research is rated as world leading or internationally excellence, according to the latest Research Assessment Exercise.
• World-leading discoveries at Glasgow in 2009–10 included the identification of a molecule responsible for triggering anaphylactic shock and the successful development of a biological agent that can reduce the allergic symptoms it causes, the publication of the world’s first historical thesaurus after 45 years of scholarship, and the world’s first fully regulated trial of a neural stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients.

Academic strengths

• Key areas include: the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, the Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre and the Wolfson Medical School; the University's Creative Writing Masters and the only university department dedicated to Scottish Literature in the world; the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, with approved status from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• New developments in 2010 include the announcement of awards worth more than £30m over five years to establish the Medical Research Council/University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and the relocation of the UK’s only centre for textile conservation to Glasgow.
• The university's Business School is one of an elite group in the world to have achieved accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• The library provides access to 2.5 million books on 12 floors, access to c. 25,000 e-journal titles, excellent opening hours (7.15am–2am daily), 600 computer workstations available for drop in use by all students and wireless enabled public areas.
• Extensive computer clusters across campus are available for use outside classes. There are also more than 50 wireless hotspots.
• Recent upgrades in facilities that support student learning and social life include the multimillion-pound development of the Fraser Building, which is a hub for student services including careers, accommodation and the international office in the heart of the university's main campus. The new building has coffee bars, a food court with seating for 400, and a bookstore.
• A new social learning area and café was added to the Library in 2010.

Disability services

Students' union

• The university has a choice of two unions, both with distinctive characteristics: Glasgow University Union and Queen Margaret Union.
• The GMU has an impressive reputation as a live music gig venue.
• The GUU has held the world debating title and the Observer Mace more often than any other institution in the world.
• The Student Representative Council represents students on all the main university committees and provides a range of student services.

Sport

• First-class sport facilities include two sports centres at convenient sites on university campuses with facilities including: 25m heated swimming pool; sauna and steam rooms; health and exercise advice centre; fitness, cardiovascular and strength suites; large multi-purpose games hall; 2 all-weather synthetic pitches; 3 tennis courts; a cricket oval.
• Additional services include chiropractors, sports, massage, Thai yoga clinics and alternative therapies.
• Sports and Recreation has more than 10,500 members, one of the highest participation rates within British Universities.
• Glasgow is the host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Recent/prospective new builds

• Since 2001, around £300m has been invested into facilities across the university. Plans are in place to invest £160m more by 2015.
• Get details of current projects, competed work and future investment in Glasgow University's estate on the website.

Availability of part-time work

• The Student Representative Council (SRC) Job Shop keeps students up to date with the latest part time, casual and seasonal job opportunities. The website has advice on CVs, interview skills and job hunting.
• The University's Careers Service connects students and employers through initiatives such as the JEM website, which contains information on opportunities for voluntary, paid and vacation work, as well as internships and vacation work overseas.
• The University's Club 21 Business Partnership Programme offers undergraduate students high-quality work experience opportunities with a diverse range of businesses and organisations.
• Glasgow's Student Network puts prospective, new and current students in touch with more experienced students, who can answer queries about studying at Glasgow and give insights and advice on local sources of part-time employment.

Click here for more information about living in Glasgow