"European City of Culture 1990". Location of a National Exhibition Centre. Home to two world famous football clubs, and two equally famous galleries. Base for a national opera company, a national orchestra, a national ballet company. Only 20 minutes from the sea and 30 minutes from the mountains. A lively, cosmopolitan clubbable city that is safe to walk in and is full of friendly hospitable people.
THIS IS GLASGOW – a city racing forward to the 21st century."

Why study in Glasgow? First, because of the variety of courses and institutions available to you – there is something for everyone from Art to Zoology. Second, because the city welcomes you and will quickly make you feel comfortable and "at home". Third, because the cost of living in Glasgow is amongst the lowest for a major city in Britain, Fourth, the quality of life is probably the highest for an major British city –it is a bright clean safe city where the public transport system actually works (Did you know that Glasgow has its own underground railway "The Clockwork Orange"?) with a population of approximately 1 million in Greater Glasgow, 20% of Scotland’s population live in and around the city. Glasgow is the largest, an almost significant city in Scotland.

The Universities & Institutions

Glasgow has three major universities, all close to each other and close to the city centre. The "Ancient" University of Glasgow that has been around for over 500 years and has produced many famous people. This is one of Britain’s leading universities rich in tradition but wholly up-to-date in its teaching and research. The University of Strathclyde has roots that go back over 200 years but which has gained University status in the mid-20th century. Strathclyde University is perhaps best known for its strength in Engineering and Business. Glasgow Caledonian University is one of the new universities created in the last decade and boasts a wide range of vocationally orientated courses that make its graduates favourites with employers. All three universities teach to the very highest standards and we are regularly and rigorously inspected to ensure that these high standards are maintained in all disciplines. All three universities have world-renowned centres of excellence in research and will offer programmes leading to Masters and Doctoral qualifications with Post-Doctoral research also possible in some disciplines.

In addition to its fine universities, Glasgow also has the Glasgow College of Art and The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, both world famous, highly specialised institutions. To add to the richness of provision the nearby town of Paisley also has a university.

How do I get there?

It is easy to reach Glasgow. The city has its own international airport linked to the city by motorway; railway and motorway connections enable you to reach all other parts of the UK easily and speedily – London, for example, is less than 1 hours flying time, 5 hours by express train and about 8 hours driving time by motorway.

Where do I live?

Once you are in Glasgow housing is easy to find. The universities have residences that they control but apartments are readily available for those who do not wish to live in Halls of Residence or who may wish to bring a family with them to Glasgow.

Ethnic Communities

Part of Glasgow’s cosmopolitanism lies in the ethnic communities that live permanently in Glasgow. This ensures that all the major religions have places of worship in the city. It also means that ethnic foods are readily and easily available – Glasgow has the only Chinese supermarket in Scotland.

Leisure

Student life cannot be all study – relaxation is essential. Leisure facilities in the city are excellent. Sporting facilities are second-to-none, water sports enthusiasts have rivers and the sea close by and mountaineers and skiers are only one hour away from the challenging peaks of The Highlands.

The West Coast location ensures that the winter temperatures are kept higher than many people think through the effect of the Gulf Stream, and in summer, the daylight lasts almost 24 hours each day.

Glasgow in an ideal city in which to come to study with a large student population that works hard and plays hard together – you should come and join us.

For further information email: d.thousand@gcal.ac.uk

Author: Glasgow Caledonian University

This article first appeared in Studying Abroad magazine