University of Glasgow

This is the best University in Glasgow. I spent 4 years of my life here. Well not every second of it, but a good proportion of it.
As a place to learn it is a great University, sprawling over a huge area there is lectures and study groups going on, on just about every subject you could ever imagine. It’s actually quite daunting when you first arrive as you have to find your way about and you soon realise there can be a fair bit of walking between classes. I am from Glasgow and my sister attended Glasgow Uni before me, so I had an idea of where things were, but I can imagine if you’re an out of towner the first visit must be a bit of a shock to the system.
If you’re not planning on going to Uni here, there is still plenty to see. Some of the buildings are extremely old and even just going for a walk around the grounds of the main building you can feel the history all about you. Not exactly a hotspot spot for tourists to come out there way to, but I do think it’s an impressive place to take a look round if you’re in the area.
4 stars for a place with lots of good memories… and sore hands from all the writing during exams!

I am now in my 9^th year at the University of Glasgow. I’ve achieved this unusual feat because I first attended as an undergraduate on a 5 year MSci course and, liking it so much, I decided to stick around for a 3.5 year PhD — I’m now in the fourth year (the final 6 months) of my PhD. I considered waiting until I complete the PhD to write this review, but knowing the emotional highs and lows that come with postgraduate study, I thought I could be more objective if I wrote it now. Perhaps when I graduate I’ll write and updated review.
To students considering universities they might like to attend I’ll say this, you could do a lot worse than Glasgow. The University is absolutely dedicated to taking care of you and your education and to making sure that your experiences are as positive as possible. There will be times for a few students where this goes wrong — it’s too large an organisation to be perfect all the time — but for the majority, provided you do what’s expected of you in terms of studying and assignments, I think you can expect a world class education and experiences to match.
To students who have recently arrived, welcome. Go out and explore your university, don’t limit yourself to the few buildings that you have your lectures, labs and seminars in. Go and sign up to both of the unions — it’s free and there’s no rule that says you can’t join both. Having two unions means good things for you, because they will always be competing both in prices, facilities and events. Join both to get the best of both worlds.
Go and check out the different cafes and eateries. Both unions have places for food but so does the Boyd Orr, so does the Wolfson, so does the Gilchrist club and the Fraiser Building and there’s even 1A, The Square. Take advantage of the low prices and student discounts.
Go and check out the museums. Oh yes, of course there’s more than one. Most of the Hunterian Museum is in the main building at Gillmorehill (the Hogwarts-​looking place) but there are little bits of exhibits scattered through other buildings as well. Then there’s the Anatomy Museum, hidden away in the Anatomy Building — it’s not for the faint hearted and is sometimes used for teaching, so you may not always be given access, but it is fascinating. There’s the Zoology Museum as well, in the Graham Kerr Building, if you want something a little fluffier after spending too much time gazing at strange things floating in jars. All the museums are free and the Hunterian especially is a great place to send you parents (or other visitors) if they show up unexpectedly but you have to go to class.
Go and check out the student clubs and societies. These are supported by the Sports Association (GUSA) or the Student Representative Council (SRC). There’s one for almost every hobby, pass-​time, sport or niche interest. Get involved with them and meet like-​minded people. If your hobby is somehow not represented, there is support available to set up the society for it.
At Glasgow your physical and mental well being are considered carefully. There is a GP on campus and first year undergraduate students are required register with both a GP and a dentist when they arrive. Several organisations exist to help more generally, whether with physical and mental health or simply with study trouble and are only a quick Google search away.
The library is the oldest and largest university library in Europe and holds over 2.5 million books and journals, many of which are now available in digital formats. Plus it’s open until midnight for those late night study sessions. So no need to worry about not being able to get the text you need (although you may occasionally need to queue for it).
The University is old too. The forth oldest in the UK (after Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews). It was established in 1451 although the main campus moved to its current location in 1870. Many of the buildings are far more recent than that, and you’ll have to forgive Glasgow for its brief flirtation with Brutalist architecture, but nevertheless, its age means there are hidden gems all over campus if you only know where to look.
I moved to Glasgow for university and I got stuck. I fell in love with the university and with the city. Partly my decision to stay was based on my research interests but mostly it was based on how quickly this place had become home. I’ve rarely visited a friendlier, more vibrant university, nor one more comfortably integrated into its city.

I think UofG is a must see for visitors to Glasgow because there’s so much you can see and do in and around the campus. The main building is beautiful to look at for starters. You can take a guided tour or just wander around exploring by yourself. Take a walk through the quads and out to the back of the building for a view over Kelvingrove Park and the city. Take a look inside the chapel too and check out the Lion and Unicorn staircase which dates from 1690 and was transported from the original university building at High Street to Gilmorehill in 1870. If you’re into history like me then you can do a serious deep dive on the history of this university! There’s also a brilliant gift shop in the main building which is great for souvenirs, books, uni merchandise and also for gifts, I end up buying something here every Christmas.
The Hunterian Museum is located within the main building and you can easily spend a couple of hours in there. A wander up the hill to the library will take you to the Hunterian Art Gallery and the Mackintosh House. On a sunny day it’s nice just to sit on the lawns and watch the world go by (for me this means trying to guess what all the students are studying, I know… I’m a weirdo) You can go inside the The Fraser Building opposite the libary and visit the café and the bookshop. The Zoology museum is smaller and stranger than the other visitor attractions but worth a look if you have time.
The unions are generally for students but there are regular gigs in the QMU and events at the GU so check out listings for those. If you’re young enough (under 25!) you might even get someone to sign you in one night. There’s also a program of public lectures and concerts if you’re a bit past the cheesy pop stage of life, check out the university website for all the details. If you’re visiting the uni you can also explore the rest of the West End easily from here. Kelvingrove Park, Art Gallery and Museum are on your doorstep as well many of the best shops, cafes and restaurants in town.

If I could turn back the clock and go to college again I would love to go to school here.
My friend’s niece is currently studying Marine Biology at Glasgow Uni, so we strolled around the East Quad of the campus on the evening of August 5^th, 2013 after our dinner at the Hillhead BookClub.
I’d have to say I was in shock when we walked inside the East Quad. The students were still on their summer break, the beautiful green lawn looked like it had just been mowed and the beautiful buildings caused my jaw to drop open. It’s a good thing there were no bugs flying around or I would have choked on a few.
We concentrated on the East Quad because the campus is huge. While I was taking photos I saw a fox! I chased it down the stairs, but it disappeared in a crack or crevice of one of the buildings. That was pretty cool.
I’d have to say this is the most beautiful campus I’ve ever seen in my life. Check out my photos to see how gorgeous it is.
Here is an interesting website that describes the history of the buildings that the university moved into in 1870. Glasgow University was founded in 1451 and is the 4^th oldest university in the UK and the 2^nd oldest in Scotland.

I don’t think I can sum this uni up better than Gavin’s spot on summary, but I’ll give it a shot.
Glasgow University is over 500 years old, and one of the oldest universities in the UK. It appeals to both local and international students, with people travelling from far off places to study in this prestigious university.
Possibly less scientific than its other Glasgow counterparts Strathclyde and Caldedonian, there are nevertheless some vocational departments here, including medicine and biology. They have huge research teams and there are many opportunities to get involved in paid PhD research if you successfully complete your degree.
There are also, as Gavin put it, a lot of arts subjects, which many students end up doing at least a year of. Philosophy, Sociology, English Literature etc are very popular, but as a byproduct of this you can often feel like you’re just a number (I have done all of these subjects for at least a term and felt a bit lost, but that’s a personal thing). The schools of business and law have great reputations and good success rates in terms of graduate employability.
I ended up doing my honours in Scottish Literature, which isn’t vocational but I’m determined to make it work for me since the department were fantastic. It was close knit and help was always at hand.
There are two student unions, a representative’s council and all sorts of clubs going on in the campus throughout the year. If I had any advice for new and existing students, it would be to get involved in as much extra curricular activity as possible — from the uni newspaper to the SRC council. It’s only when I left that I instantly regretted not getting involved in some more substantial group work. It looks great on a CV if nothing else, but you’re also sure to meet some like minded people.
As Gavin said, its good reputation also means that it can sometimes seem stuffy — but you just need to find the right department if that’s the case. I’m like Gavin — I say «aye» instead of yes which made me feel like I had a broad accent at Glasgow University (a girl even commented on it in a tutorial once). I’m not from a particularly rich or glamourous background so at times I felt a wee bit out of my comfort zone, but never judge a book by its cover. It’s a great university and if you want to find your way here and do well, you’ll succeed. I liked it so much I’m going back to do a post grad this year. I’m going to give this career thing a good shot!

Where’s the library? I asked a student who walked slightly bent because of the heavy books in his bag. He said: once you see it you will never forget it! It is the tallest building on campus… and while meandering between the absolutely gorgeous Gothic buildings of the university, he managed to tell me what his course was and how he felt about student life. Medicine. Well, he seemed eager to get rid of his books, at least so it looked to me, but just before the main entrance to the library he suddenly turned in the opposite direction, obviously changed his mind — needed a cup of tea, so he said and we parted. The Library has 12 levels, and although I imagined it as quite a spacious building, to my surprise, it was tall and a bit tiny — I started experiencing vertigo moments after the first few hours spent inside. And despite my short moment of victory, or so thought I, of video discovery of a play I am doing my research on — I went through another disappointment: ninety percent of it was commercials and TV serials someone has left to be recorded automatically, whereas the actual material I could use lasted for no more than 15 min. It was a worthwhile experience after all!

Despite learning the utterly pointless subject of Sociology at this 500 year old institution, I’d never say my experiences here were a waste of time.
Glasgow is quite different to the other unis in the city. It’s a good bit away from the centre in the posh part of town, incredibly grandiose, and incredibly old fashioned with vocational subjects being almost non-​existent. It’s far more academic than more modern institutions, and the prospectus shuns the likes of Tourism Management and Beauty Therapy that you’d find at Caledonian Uni in favour of the likes of Classical Civilisation and the infamous Exploring The Cosmos.
All this means that Glasgow does attract a certain kind of student, and if you’re not very middle class and very well spoken, you might be a bit overwhelmed here. Whilst I don’t exactly speak like Rab C Nesbitt, I do say «aye» rather than «yes», and if you do the same, then you might get some strange looks in your first few terms.
Once I got over the bee in my bonnet though, I warmed to the eccentricities of the place. The pretentious musos, the right-​on student protest types, the 12 floor library, and the fact that the main building is still among the most stunning I’ve seen anywhere. When you’re at Glasgow Uni you feel like you’re somewhere important, and with a degree from here you’ve a better chance than most of not ending up in a call centre.

After being a student here for 4 years, I am slightly biased to say that Glasgow University is one of the most picturesque universities in Scotland.
I was lucky enough to study in the Business School, situated within the old building itself — absolutely amazing! The turrets, the atmosphere, the space… it’s phenomenal!
The uni itself is not just for studying — no, no! There are tours up the university tower (one of the best views of Glasgow) and of the ancient Chapel and cloisters. There are several museums on-​site as well, including the Charles Rennie MacKintosh house, which is a sight in itself.
If you’re local to the area, and have never been inside, I would recommend a tour — I myself toured the campus on one of the open days and instantly fell in love with the old architecture and, I hate to say it, the «Hogwarts» feel of the place.
A must if you’ve never been before — go and explore the grounds!

Die University of Glasgow hat mir allein vom Anblick sehr gut gefallen. Die Architektur ist bzw. war für mich einmalig. Alte graue Gemäuer mit Kreuzgewölben.mmh, einfach Klasse ! Egal ob draußen oder drinnen, mir hat es sehr viel Spaß gemacht das Gelände und die Räumichkeiten kennenzulernen. Teilweise wirkt es halt schon recht urig.
wenn ich an die Gebäude denke, kommt mir immer wieder Harry Potter in den Sinn. Bei einem Besuch in Glasgow ruhig mal einen Abstecher zur Uni machen.
Die Verpflegung der Mensa dagegen war sehr gewöhnungsbedürftig. Ob schottisch oder englisch. schmeckt halt anders als die kontinentale Küche und ist recht fett. Ganz wichtig im Umgang mit den Schotten: spreche nie einen Schotten als Engländer an ! Die Schotten haben ihre eigene Währung und das ist schon was !

I have not gone here as a student, but after 5 weeks of being out on South Uist without a real shower and privacy, my small room in the student dorms was a little slice of heaven.
A comfy bed, sink in the room, 4 walls, and a clean shower down the hall made for a nice return back to the «real world». Add to that the lovely breakfast and free internet that we had and it made the rest of my field school awesome.

A good university with a prestigious history and classical setting. Glasgow uni is consistantly rated amongst the top 100 universities in the world and so unlike some other educational establishments a degree from here will actually mean something to employers. The university grounds are perhaps Glasgow’s most obvious attraction, with large open areas and classical architecture around every corner (particular impressive if the university’s quadtrangle).
As well as featuring the usual array of degree courses, the university is also home to both a Dental School and Medical School. Definitely worth a look for anyone interested in studying in Scotland.

Great place to walk about specially in spring, all the sakura are flowring. Nice cafes to have a rest after the hilly work.

I was there from 1987 till 1992 and really enjoyed it. There were of course downsides, but I wouldn’t choose to go elsewhere as a degree from Glasgow has some clout.

One of the best Universities in Scotland and by far the best in Glasgow (as evidenced by numerous Times/​Guardian rankings), Glasgow University is set in the West End of the city. Subjects taught range from Medicine to Astronomy. There is a healthy dose of both local and international students, as well as loads of students from elsewhere in Britain. The University is very well equipped, the most recent addition being the new medical school which opened in 2003. Two student unions, both located near the main university buildings on University Avenue provide a lively social scene. The student sports centre is also excellent. Library facilities are available to visiting students from other universities also. All in all, an excellent place to study. Worth a visit as a tourist too, there are some lovely buildings and Kelvingrove park is round the corner!

First Class University. If you are not looking to go here to study it is also worth a visit just to see the place. The main building with spire is beautiful. Visit the visitors centre within the main building, the university chapel, The Lion and Unicorn Staircase (part of the original university), The Hunterian Museum. The University choir performs at various times throughtout the year

How can you really review a University!
Went here, its fantastic as far as the social scene is concerned. As for anything more, you should really take expert advice first!!!

Glasgow University is a great place, not only just for the academic side of things. There are two lively unions (I was a member of the QM, so I’m biased towards it, but the GU is also good in its own way), beautiful old buildings surrounded by parks and a couple of good museums (the Hunterian museum and art gallery, as well as a reconstruction of Charles Rennie MacIntosh’s house).

This is a good university and one of the old more established ones. It has fantastic old buildings and great facilities. It is however just as susceptible to financial restraints as all the other universities.
I am a former student at this uni and I would say that although it is an excellent university, it does have a lot of narrow minded elitist students. I think a lot of people think attending one of the old universities somehow makes them a better person and/​or have a premium education. I wouldnt say this is the case. You will be taught well and properly here, but dont think that this is something you cannot find at many other universities.
I also find that some students from the other universities in Glasgow can be quite bitter towards students from this university because of the narrow attitudes of the minority.
Glasgow university IS better than other universities in the city on certain points though. It has 2 unions, one which caters for cheesy pop and the other for bands. The price of drinks is also fantastic, although you need a student to sign you in.

I may be biased here but in my opinion it’s one of the best! Probably only the other ‘ancients’ in the UK could compete, not just for being older than the USA, but for the quality of education etc etc.
The main building is my favourite buildings in the UK and should be a must for any tourist visiting Glagow. You get a great view of much of the west end and the Clyde developments from the front of the building. The building itself, with its cloisters and quadrangles (although they still remind me of the sprint, armed with essay, to reach the faculty office before the last chime at midday!) and wonderful architecture is absolutely beautiful.
If you are so inclined you can climb the tight spiral staircase to the top of the tower. Fantastic panoramic views of the city but the stairs are no for the claustophobics out there!
The recently re-​opened Hunterian museum in the building is also worth a visit. A perfect example of how to refurburbish a museum and make it ‘relevant’ for the 21^st century, interesting and appealing without dumning down as the Kelvingrove museum seems to have spent £millions achieving.