Study in Glasgow, The United Kingdom

About Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. National Records of Scotland estimates the population of Glasgow City at 650,300 in mid-2024, the highest of any Scottish council area, after growth of 1.8% in a single year. The city lies on the River Clyde in the west of Scotland.

Glasgow is a large, lively student city with a strong music and live entertainment scene; the University of Strathclyde notes that Rough Guide readers voted it the world's friendliest city. For international students it offers universities, a further education college and English schools.

Studying in Glasgow

SpainExchange lists four schools in Glasgow: two universities, a further education college and an English language school. Teaching is in English. In Scotland a bachelor's degree usually takes four years, while colleges award Higher National Certificates (one year) and Higher National Diplomas (two years). Examples:

• The University of Strathclyde describes itself as a technological university, with the motto "The Place of Useful Learning", a founding purpose that goes back more than 200 years. Its campus is in the city centre, a short walk from two main railway stations, the bus station and the subway. Its engineering faculty includes naval architecture, ocean and marine engineering.
• Glasgow Caledonian University is the other university listed in our directory.
• Glasgow Clyde College teaches further education courses on three campuses: Anniesland, Cardonald and Langside.
• Glasgow School of English, established in 1997, is at 180 Hope Street in the centre. It is accredited by the British Council under the Accreditation UK scheme and licensed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as a student sponsor.

Engineering (civil, mechanical and electronic), mathematics, psychology, accounting, finance, economics, marketing, management, pharmacology, hotel management and language courses are among the subjects most often listed by the Glasgow schools in our directory.

Cost of living for students

No official figure for typical student rents in Glasgow is published, so compare residence prices on your university's website. As an official benchmark, a Student visa applicant studying outside London must show £1,171 per month (for up to nine months) for living costs, plus the course fee for one academic year. The visa costs £558 from outside the UK, plus the immigration healthcare surcharge.

Public transport is affordable. On the Glasgow Subway, run by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), a contactless single costs £1.80, a day of unlimited travel £3.40, and contactless travel is capped at £15.50 for a Monday-to-Sunday week. A 28-day adult season ticket costs £60. Students under 22 who live in Scotland can travel by bus for free with a National Entitlement Card.

For an English course of up to six months at an accredited institution, a Standard Visitor visit can be enough, and the Short-term study visa covers English courses of up to 11 months.

Getting around and daily life

The city centre is compact, and it is easy to get around on foot or by bus, subway and train. The Subway runs in a loop that links the centre with the West End and the south side of the river. Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street stations have frequent trains to Edinburgh and direct services to London, and Glasgow Airport lies just west of the city.

The climate is mild and wet, typical of the west of Scotland: winters are rarely very cold but days are short, and rain is common all year, so a waterproof jacket is essential.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Glasgow?

Our directory lists the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University. Scottish bachelor's degrees usually take four years.

Is Glasgow a good place to learn English?

Yes. Glasgow School of English is accredited by the British Council and licensed by UKVI as a student sponsor. Courses of up to six months at an accredited school are possible as a Standard Visitor.

How much does public transport cost in Glasgow?

A contactless Subway single costs £1.80 and a day of travel £3.40, with a weekly cap of £15.50. Under-22s who live in Scotland travel by bus for free.

How much money do I need to study in Glasgow?

For a Student visa you must show £1,171 per month for up to nine months, plus the course fee for one year. Your actual budget depends mainly on rent.