Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is the University for the Common Good – its mission is to support students to become entrepreneurial, confident, socially-driven and capable of fulfilling leadership roles in a global context. Career–focused programmes are available in business, engineering, health, vision sciences, nursing, life sciences, computing and the environment. As a GCU graduate, students will excel as a professional in their field.

Undergraduate Open Days

Open days allow you to experience the university first hand, and help you decide if it's the right place for you​.

Find open days at this institution

Student Services and Facilities

Libraries and Information Services

Student jobs

• GCU offers a range of part-time jobs on campus for students, including working with the student enquiries and admissions teams, and student ambassador roles supporting university events such as open days. They are a great way to enhance a student's CV and be part of the university experience.
• CareersHub@GCU offers a huge range of vacancies, part-time jobs, voluntary opportunities, placements and internships opportunities to its students.

Careers advice

• Careers guidance is provided to GCU students, and graduates for up to two years.
• Services include consultation to support career choices, developing a job search strategy, weighing up the pros and cons of several possibilities or selecting the right employers to target.
• Interview coaching is available, plus support relating to job application and personal statement, CVs and covering letters. 
• The team help students to build a network of potential employers through presentations and workshops with a range of businesses.
• Other areas include guidance on further study, course withdrawal/change and work and study abroad.

Counselling and Mental Health Support

• Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to ensuring students have the best possible experience during their time there. The Student Well-being team provides a free and confidential advice and support service, offering a friendly face and a listening ear in a safe and non-judgemental environment. The team provides a counselling service, mental health advice, disability services and pastoral support. The aim is to support students through their time at university and help them to achieve academic success.

Disability support

• GCU's Disability team provides advice, information and services to students and prospective students. The range of support includes referral for diagnostic assessment, including for dyslexia where necessary, and a Needs Assessment service to consider the impact of an individual's disability on study, which may result in recommendations for additional support or adjustments to teaching and assessment arrangements. Adjustments may include provision of information in alternative formats or additional time in exams.
• The team also assist disabled students to secure services such as communication support or personal assistance if required; and help students to access and receive training in suitable assistive technology and software. Students can also be supported to apply for Disabled Students' Allowance where applicable.
• Please refer to the university website for details.

Students' Union

• The Students' Association provides a range of services from advice and representation to entertainment, sports clubs and societies.
• The purpose-built Students' Association building has a 24-hour computer laboratory, radio station, advice centre, social spaces and a bistro. Around 60 societies offer activities throughout the academic year ranging from course-based, cultural and faith groups to social, interest and hobby-based societies. If students don't see a society that suits them, they can start their own.
• The association also offers volunteering and fundraising opportunities to help students develop their employability skills and meet new people.

History

• GCU's heritage dates back to 1875 through its founding institutions; GCU was established as a university in 1993 and now has campuses in the heart of Glasgow, London and New York, as well as partners in Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Mauritius, Oman, South Africa and Tanzania.
• GCU's London campus is home to the GCU British School of Fashion and British School of Leadership and Management, attracting postgraduate students from across the world; and Glasgow Caledonian New York College is home to the Fair Fashion Center, which is engaging global brands to prove the business case for sustainability.

Fascinating Fact

• Glasgow Caledonian University is the first overseas institution to be given degree-granting powers in New York.

Notable Alumni and Famous Faces

• Rhona Martin MBE – Scottish curler, gold-medallist in the Olympic Winter Games in 2002.
• Khalid Abdulrahim – CEO and chair of a leading building construction and civil engineering company, Cebarco Bahrain.
• Laura Bartlett – bronze-medallist member of Team GB hockey squad at the London 2012 Olympics.
• Gary Lewis – actor in Billy Elliot, My Name is Joe and Gangs of New York among other productions.
• Professor David Gartry – first to perform laser eye surgery for short-sightedness in the UK.
• David Sibbald OBE – co-founder of Atlantech Technologies, sold to Cisco systems in 2000 for $180milion; and vice president of UK UNICEF.
• Professor Ian Deary – internationally renowned for work on human cognitive ageing and cognitive abilities, professor of differential psychology at the University of Edinburgh.
• Gordon Smith – former Rangers football player, BBC pundit and chief executive of the Scottish Football Association.
• Phyllida Law – acclaimed actress and writer.
• Henry Simmons – chief executive of Alzheimer's Scotland.