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.

Student Services and Facilities

Library

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.
• GCU's Careers Service post a huge range of vacancies, part-time jobs, voluntary opportunities, placements and internships on its online vacancy and events service — it also support students to create CVs and build a network of potential employers through presentations and workshops with a range of businesses. 

Careers advice

• Careers guidance is provided to GCU students and graduates of 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.
• Other areas include guidance on further study, course withdrawal/change and work and study abroad.

Disability support

• GCU's Disability Team provides advice, information and services to students and prospective students, including a needs assessment service, and pre-entry transitional workshops and programmes for disabled students.
• The team provides free access to, and training in a range of assistive technologies including text to speech, mind mapping and study apps.
• Specialist transitional support, mentoring and communication/social skills training is provided for students on the autism spectrum.
• Please refer to the university website for further 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.
• GCU's London campus is home to the GCU British School of Fashion, 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, 2002.
• Khalid Abdulrahim – CEO and Chairman of a leading building construction and civil engineering company, Cebarco Bahrain.
• Laura Bartlett – bronze medallist member of Team GB hockey squad, 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 a 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, former BBC pundit and former Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association.
• Phyllida Law – acclaimed actress and writer.
• Henry Simmons – Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Scotland.