Established in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious seats of learning, with an international reputation for its research and teaching, and an important role in the cultural and commercial life of the country.

Since 1870 the University of Glasgow has been situated in and around the Gothic-style buildings designed by George Gilbert Scott in the leafy West End of the city. Today the University has more than 19,000 full-time students, including around 2,500 international students from more than 80 different countries.

Academic strengths
The University has nine faculties: Arts; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Information and Mathematical Sciences; Physical Sciences; Medicine; Engineering; Law, Business and Social Sciences; Veterinary Medicine and Education. In the latest reviews by the Quality Assurance Agency for higher education each subject area assessed gained the highest rating of confidence in academic standards overall.

The University of Glasgow has one of the largest research bases in the UK and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 43 research areas were judged to be of national and international excellence, 23 secured a top-ranking 5 grade and five achieved the elite 5* grading: Psychology; Russian and East European Studies; English Language; English and Scottish Literature; and Sports-related subjects.

The EFL Unit is an IELTS testing centre and runs courses to bring students’ English up to entry level. These courses have a study skills component to prepare students for the style of learning in the University. For further details see www.gla.ac.uk/efl

Facilities
The university library has over two million books and periodicals ranging from medieval manuscripts to the latest electronic databases. The University of Glasgow offers students a wide range of computing facilities including email and internet access for all students.

A university health service is available without charge to all students, and is staffed by both male and female physicians. Sports facilities include a fully equipped gym, sauna and steam room, squash courts, swimming pool, games pitches, tennis courts, an athletics track and a cricket oval.

Student life
Volunteers from the International Student Welcome Programme can meet most international students arriving at Glasgow airport for the start of term in September. This coincides with an orientation programme which provides information on the services available to students within the University and on life in Glasgow, as well as bus tours and an evening social event.

The University of Glasgow has two Students’ Unions on-campus: Glasgow University Union and Queen Margaret Union. Both have study rooms, cafeterias and bars, and they regularly hold concerts, club nights and comedy performances.

Students can join a range of clubs and societies including the International Society. There are more than 40 sports clubs, from Aikido to Windsurfing. Students also have the opportunity to become involved with student publications, including the Glasgow University Guardian newspaper and Glasgow University Student TV.

Every undergraduate student is allocated an adviser of studies who helps with academic decisions. Every postgraduate student has a supervisor or tutor. In addition, a counselling and advisory service is available to all students. We provide support services to all international students and our international student adviser can offer sympathetic and confidential advice and will assist with issues such as immigration and the practical aspects of living.

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